Training With Airsoft

Have you ever pulled your gun out of the safe to clean it, check it's functionality or just simply wipe it down and wish that you could get some "trigger time" in beyond dry firing? Well, that's when reality kicks in and you realize, "Crap, I'm not at the range"! Well, Christy and I are just like that so we decided a while back to turn to airsoft to train with versus just using it for fun.This was extremely helpful when we were suffering through the ammo shortage. Also, airsoft is a great option when we are not able to make it to the range and it has aided me in rehabilitating my trigger finger after almost cutting it off several months ago. For whatever reason you may have, airsoft is a great training option.

I have been involved in airsoft for quite a while now. I used to run the recreational airsoft/Milsim events at Texas Paintball and I also managed an indoor training facility that used airsoft [instead of simunition] as well. The facility was open to the public, Law Enforcement and Military for recreational games and training. The facility had a full pro shop, an armory, and over 5000 sq. ft of warehouse space with movable rooms and walls which allowed us to create different training scenarios. Using airsoft in this environment allowed for unique force on force and CQB training not possible at other training facilities. Of course the recreational play was a lot of fun and that is how I eventually got Christy involved with shooting.

Christy had shown an interest in learning how to shoot once she found out that my Aunt had purchased a gun and obtained her CHL. After an extensive conversation with my Aunt, Christy started on her journey of learning how to shoot. I was pleasantly surprised that not only did she want to get a pistol, she also dove head first into learning about gun safety and proper care and maintenance by doing online research. Of course learning from me was not an option [Haha]! Even with this new found enthusiasm, she was still a little timid about handling a firearm. I understood her apprehension so I decided that starting her off with an airsoft gun would help her develop good fundamentals.

Now, mind you, we are not talking about the type of airsoft gun that you find at Wal-Mart or most sporting goods stores. I am talking about a high quality, fully functioning airsoft gun. These are the type of airsoft guns that not only function like real steel, they also break down and require maintenance just like the real thing and more importantly, require the same practices of safe gun handling. Once her training gun had arrived, Christy was immediately surprised at how it did not feel like a toy at all. We headed into the garage to break down, clean and lubricate the pistol. This particular model is a C02 gas blow-back model which recoils with a good amount of force. Unlike training with lasers, this forces you to concentrate on recoil management/site alignment for quicker follow up shots. Since there is actually a 6mm projectile firing at 350 fps [verified using a chronograph], you actually get the sensation of firing a real steel pistol without the need for hearing protection [even when used indoors] but eye protection is mandatory, of course. It is very similar to firing a suppressed .22 pistol.

Like I stated before, the common misconception about airsoft guns is that they are all toys so therefore they are often overlooked as a viable training alternative. Whenever we introduce people to airsoft [training] guns for the first time, they are shocked that they are not handling a real firearm. Even the trigger pull and reset are very similar. Also, the safeties and mag release function just like your real firearm which lends to a more realistic training experience. For instance, when I practice drawing from a holster, I have to operate my safety just like I would on my real 1911. The only major difference you will feel is when you operate the slide because of the lighter recoil spring. The slide even locks back after you fire the last round which allows for practicing slide lock reloads which cannot be done with most training platforms. These guns can be highly customized like a real firearm, but for training purposes it would be most beneficial to set it up as close as you can to your personal firearm. There isn't an airsoft alternative for every make or model of firearm that you may own, but you can get pretty close.

The cost effectiveness of training with airsoft is huge. Take for example when the ammo shortage was at it's height, most of us were reduced to standing in line at 5am at the local Walmart for a small ration of ammo or getting charged $80 for 50 rounds of 9mm at the gun show. If you had airsoft as part of your training repertoire, a 5,000 round jar of 6mm airsoft bb's [$11-$20] would go a long, long way. The actual airsoft gun will be the most expensive part. They generally start for around $100.00 and then go up from there depending on the type, brand and customization that is selected. Now, as I covered before, the ammo is cheap and the gas that is required to run the pistols is your basic propane sold in the small containers [requires an adapter] or you can use what is called "green gas" which is a blend of silicone and propane. I recommend green gas if you are going to train indoors so your garage doesn't reek of propane. 

Take Christy's newest training gun for example, it is an XDm that is very similar to her competition XDm 5.25 pistol. It even has identically sized interchangeable  backstraps which gives it the same size grip and feel

of her competition gun. Aside from small differences, they very closely resemble each other. For this reason, Christy has chosen to keep the orange tip on her barrel. The guns must be sold this way by retailers but then it can be removed at the owner's discretion [Sort of like the dreaded mattress tag]. If you are purchasing an airsoft gun for a minor, I highly recommend not allowing them to remove the orange tip, as these airsoft guns are so realistic that someone can quickly mistake them for being a real firearm. On my 1911, I chose to remove the orange tip so it would fit in my holster better.

Speaking of holsters, another great thing about training with airsoft is that you don't have to go out and buy all new gear. This also allows you to able to test new gear when it arrives on your doorstep without having to make a special trip to the range.  We have a couple of more customizations to do to her training gun [matching sights, etc.] before it will be complete. For my 1911, I may add a magwell and grips similar to my STI Trojan. As for now, I am pretty satisfied with my set up. We get all of our airsoft training guns from our good friend Sam, at X-Caliber Tactical. He is extremely knowledgeable about airsoft and he is also a very good airsmith [airsoft gunsmith].  I lot of what I know about repairing and working on airsoft guns I learned from him. Be sure to hit him up and check out his website. He is the go to guy when it comes to airsoft.

Recently we have been practicing drills from Haley Strategic Partners. We printed up some of the targets on their website and have been practicing at the range [on the rare occasion we aren't competing] and have been using airsoft either in the garage or the backyard when we can't get to the range.
Over the 4th of July weekend we were practicing the 2-2-4-2-2 drill in the backyard using our airsoft pistols. Next time we are going to use our airsoft AR's as well just to liven things up a little. Be sure to check out the great video that Travis Haley did about using airsoft as a training tool! Travis Haley- Airsoft X Training .

We have new neighbors behind us so it was a perfect opportunity to introduce ourselves as they peered over the fence to see what we were doing! They are totally cool with it which is great! What an ice breaker! Now, be sure to check the laws in your area about using airsoft guns in the backyard and it is also a good idea to check with your neighbors as well which can ease their minds as well as yours. -Gene