Post by Berdugo on Oct 12, 2006 0:48:56 GMT -5
Treatise on Sniping in Airsoft
Pikachoad
(taken from http://www.airsoftplsyers.com)
Due to the massive amount of time I spend online talking on this subject, I decided it necessary to gather my thoughts in one location. I am not writing this as a veteran airsoft sniper- I am writing this as someone that by virtue of business and pleasure has spent a lot of time dealing with and thinking about and playing airsoft. And this is here to try and get some more discourse going on the subject, and to save me from having to retype my thoughts over and over.
My dilemma is this: the notion of sniping in airsoft is losing meaning. I can't say for sure that there ever was a time when it had a true meaning, but from what I have seen discussed in forums I think it is safe to say it is straying from wherever it once was.
As a background, let me explain that I think realism is important in airsoft. The more realistic something is, the better it is. This of course has limits, and there will be times that realism comes into conflict in the way it is manifested. This will become clearer as I continue.
In order for there to be such a thing as a 'sniper', that term must have distinct meaning from other terms describing the roles in airsoft. We all know that all AEGs are basically the same, and can be upgraded to perform basically the same. A MP5K can be used out in the field just like a M4 or a SIG550. Sure, different inner barrel lengths, but when you get down to it, they can all be equally effective doing the same thing. Because there are a few people that want to be a sniper, as compared to not being a sniper, we must determine what qualifies someone as an airsoft sniper.
There is really only one thing to determine this- the weapon. I know some people will get upset, claiming that a sniper only does certain things, but hear me out- with proper weapon definition, the roles are actually forced, and don't need to be enumerated as a second criterion. So operationally speaking, I am considering anyone that uses a proper airsoft sniper rifle an airsoft sniper.
A sniper rifle should have advantages and disadvantages over fully automatic guns. The advantage comes in the form of increased range, which of course is brought about by increased fps. Now, there is no absolute standard for what this fps should be- be I propose that it should just be much higher than the other guns the sniper is going against. Is all of the AEGs are stock, then a sniper rifle could be at 400fps (all velocities with .2s). If the AEGs are at 400, the sniper rifle should be at 500-550. Considering in airsoft, you can usually see through a scope further than you can actually shoot a BB, increased range is a huge advantage. Huge. Huge enough that it MUST be counteracted with a disadvantage.
The disadvantage is that of not having full-auto capabilities. Now, here is where I stray from many professed airsoft snipers- I do not think electric semi action is legit (i.e., modified semi-only AEG). I am referring to any gun where you can fire a BB as fast as your finger can pull the trigger. I am not saying these guns are not sniper rifles- just that their effect on game balance needs to be called into question. Take an AUG, modified for semi-auto only, shooting 550fps. 80 round magazine. Those 80 rounds can be fired off probably inside of a minute. That is a lot of BBs to be shooting at someone when people often associate sniping with "one shot, one kill." Yes, even though this is airsoft and it isnt as accurate as real steel- remember, the non-snipers also have the same inaccuracies to cope with.
I have used a killer bolt action sniper rifle- a modified APS2 reviewed here at AirsoftPlayers. Having to thingy the thing in between each shot was a definite disadvantage. Had I been able to fire a second shot just by pulling the trigger again, I would never miss. If that APS2 had been non-bolt action, in my mind, you would almost be cheating by using it. It already practically guaranteed a hit the first shot- but as an example, my bud MrWhoa was using it a few weekends ago. Spent time lining up the shot, and shot my stepson David in the stock of his AK47. David was then quickly able to duck for cover once he realized he was shot at, because Whoa had to load the next round manually. If it was electric semi auto, the second bb would have been in the air by the time the first one struck, and the second wouldn't have missed. And THAT is the unrealistic part. Snipers, in the real world, don't spend so much time lining up their shot and then let fly a volley of bullets. We all have heard the cliché phrase- "One shot, one kill." And to whatever level you respect that saying, the only way to adhere to it is with bolt action.
The other disadvantage, which some people consider optional, is a minimum shooting distance. In other words, the sniper cannot shoot anyone closer than 100ft away, for example. This does not have any grounding in the real world, as a sniper rifle can shoot a target at any range. But this is based on safety, in that the BB from a sniper rifle (if upgraded upwards of 500fps) can do great damage to human skin up close. But this is a decision based solely on the people you play with. It adds more strategy, and also introduces the usage of a backup weapon.
At this point, I have indicated the following- for someone to be a sniper, they should have a gun shooting much faster than the fully automatics they play with, and it should be bolt action only in order to preserve balance. With these two items in place, the role of the sniper falls into place.
A sniper thus would not be someone to participate in the standard "rush in with guns blazing" role in airsoft, which can perhaps be described as "assault." The user of the sniper rifle, the sniper, would have to lie back or to the side, out of the way. An engagement inside of the effective range of a fully automatic AEG could of course be won, but it wouldn't be wise for the sniper. So the sniper would want to use the one advantage they have, range, to their advantage.
Because of the one disadvantage they have, the slow reloading time, they would also want to be as stealthy as possible. Remaining unseen would allow the sniper to be able to reload without drawing attention to their location. Taking into account the fact that once someone knows where a sniper is, they can close the distance and remove the sniper's advantage, you see yet another reason for concealment.
Many people chose to incorporate a safety rule for snipers, such as a minimum sniping distance. When this is invoked, it adds even more aspects to being a sniper. First, you would have a need for a backup weapon, in that you wouldn't be allowed to shoot anyone with the sniper rifle inside a certain distance. More importantly perhaps, it adds even more emphasis on ranged attacks and stealth, in that is someone knows where you are, they can get within the minimum distance, forcing you to use your backup weapon, which removes all of the characteristics of sniping.
Now, to answer some questions.
1. What about fully automatic sniping rifles? No such thing, both in practicality and definition. Remember, for it to be a sniper rifle, there must be something that differentiates it from an AEG. Additionally, it totally destroys the balance of the sniper role. An AEG that happens to have a tight bore barrel and shoots far is NOT a sniper rifle. You can take single shots with it, but you can do that with ANY gun on the planet, so no big deal.
2. What about pistols? That is fine. Nothing was ever said about what the sniper rifle (gun) has to look like. I still think some of the realism is drained, in that you don't ever hear about the Marine snipers out in the field with their Digicon Contender taking out the bad guy. I think pistols have their own disadvantages (steadying of the gun, aiming), so if you want to use one, go for it.
3. Can I get a gun that is good for both CQB and sniping? No no no. A gun would either be safe for CQB and too lousy for sniping, or it would be a good sniping weapon and way to dangerous for CQB. That's like asking if you can get a car that can haul 15 people and accelerate from 0-60 in under 4 seconds.
4. Can I snipe people with my shotgun? No. The shotguns are of course single shot, in that you have to manually load the next round yourself. That is fine. But you have no range advantage over AEGs. Lets try to keep some legitimacy to the notion of 'sniping.'
5. What about how the dictionary says "Sniper: One who shoots at other people from a concealed place."
? Sorry- what airsoft player ISNT a sniper by that definition??? I try to make my location concealed no matter what gun I shoot with. Our goal here is to have an exclusionary definition, not an all-inclusive one.
6. But isn't sniping really just a mindset/the way you play the game/all mental?? Again, it cant be. If by your account a person can be a sniper while toting around a MP5K with a drum mag… then there is no such thing as a sniper anymore.
In fact, that is a good test. If you think you know what sniping is, ask yourself if I, armed with a MP5K and a drum mag and of the proper mindset and with the right technique, can be a sniper by your definition. If so… then frankly, there is no such thing as a sniper.
Pikachoad
(taken from http://www.airsoftplsyers.com)
Due to the massive amount of time I spend online talking on this subject, I decided it necessary to gather my thoughts in one location. I am not writing this as a veteran airsoft sniper- I am writing this as someone that by virtue of business and pleasure has spent a lot of time dealing with and thinking about and playing airsoft. And this is here to try and get some more discourse going on the subject, and to save me from having to retype my thoughts over and over.
My dilemma is this: the notion of sniping in airsoft is losing meaning. I can't say for sure that there ever was a time when it had a true meaning, but from what I have seen discussed in forums I think it is safe to say it is straying from wherever it once was.
As a background, let me explain that I think realism is important in airsoft. The more realistic something is, the better it is. This of course has limits, and there will be times that realism comes into conflict in the way it is manifested. This will become clearer as I continue.
In order for there to be such a thing as a 'sniper', that term must have distinct meaning from other terms describing the roles in airsoft. We all know that all AEGs are basically the same, and can be upgraded to perform basically the same. A MP5K can be used out in the field just like a M4 or a SIG550. Sure, different inner barrel lengths, but when you get down to it, they can all be equally effective doing the same thing. Because there are a few people that want to be a sniper, as compared to not being a sniper, we must determine what qualifies someone as an airsoft sniper.
There is really only one thing to determine this- the weapon. I know some people will get upset, claiming that a sniper only does certain things, but hear me out- with proper weapon definition, the roles are actually forced, and don't need to be enumerated as a second criterion. So operationally speaking, I am considering anyone that uses a proper airsoft sniper rifle an airsoft sniper.
A sniper rifle should have advantages and disadvantages over fully automatic guns. The advantage comes in the form of increased range, which of course is brought about by increased fps. Now, there is no absolute standard for what this fps should be- be I propose that it should just be much higher than the other guns the sniper is going against. Is all of the AEGs are stock, then a sniper rifle could be at 400fps (all velocities with .2s). If the AEGs are at 400, the sniper rifle should be at 500-550. Considering in airsoft, you can usually see through a scope further than you can actually shoot a BB, increased range is a huge advantage. Huge. Huge enough that it MUST be counteracted with a disadvantage.
The disadvantage is that of not having full-auto capabilities. Now, here is where I stray from many professed airsoft snipers- I do not think electric semi action is legit (i.e., modified semi-only AEG). I am referring to any gun where you can fire a BB as fast as your finger can pull the trigger. I am not saying these guns are not sniper rifles- just that their effect on game balance needs to be called into question. Take an AUG, modified for semi-auto only, shooting 550fps. 80 round magazine. Those 80 rounds can be fired off probably inside of a minute. That is a lot of BBs to be shooting at someone when people often associate sniping with "one shot, one kill." Yes, even though this is airsoft and it isnt as accurate as real steel- remember, the non-snipers also have the same inaccuracies to cope with.
I have used a killer bolt action sniper rifle- a modified APS2 reviewed here at AirsoftPlayers. Having to thingy the thing in between each shot was a definite disadvantage. Had I been able to fire a second shot just by pulling the trigger again, I would never miss. If that APS2 had been non-bolt action, in my mind, you would almost be cheating by using it. It already practically guaranteed a hit the first shot- but as an example, my bud MrWhoa was using it a few weekends ago. Spent time lining up the shot, and shot my stepson David in the stock of his AK47. David was then quickly able to duck for cover once he realized he was shot at, because Whoa had to load the next round manually. If it was electric semi auto, the second bb would have been in the air by the time the first one struck, and the second wouldn't have missed. And THAT is the unrealistic part. Snipers, in the real world, don't spend so much time lining up their shot and then let fly a volley of bullets. We all have heard the cliché phrase- "One shot, one kill." And to whatever level you respect that saying, the only way to adhere to it is with bolt action.
The other disadvantage, which some people consider optional, is a minimum shooting distance. In other words, the sniper cannot shoot anyone closer than 100ft away, for example. This does not have any grounding in the real world, as a sniper rifle can shoot a target at any range. But this is based on safety, in that the BB from a sniper rifle (if upgraded upwards of 500fps) can do great damage to human skin up close. But this is a decision based solely on the people you play with. It adds more strategy, and also introduces the usage of a backup weapon.
At this point, I have indicated the following- for someone to be a sniper, they should have a gun shooting much faster than the fully automatics they play with, and it should be bolt action only in order to preserve balance. With these two items in place, the role of the sniper falls into place.
A sniper thus would not be someone to participate in the standard "rush in with guns blazing" role in airsoft, which can perhaps be described as "assault." The user of the sniper rifle, the sniper, would have to lie back or to the side, out of the way. An engagement inside of the effective range of a fully automatic AEG could of course be won, but it wouldn't be wise for the sniper. So the sniper would want to use the one advantage they have, range, to their advantage.
Because of the one disadvantage they have, the slow reloading time, they would also want to be as stealthy as possible. Remaining unseen would allow the sniper to be able to reload without drawing attention to their location. Taking into account the fact that once someone knows where a sniper is, they can close the distance and remove the sniper's advantage, you see yet another reason for concealment.
Many people chose to incorporate a safety rule for snipers, such as a minimum sniping distance. When this is invoked, it adds even more aspects to being a sniper. First, you would have a need for a backup weapon, in that you wouldn't be allowed to shoot anyone with the sniper rifle inside a certain distance. More importantly perhaps, it adds even more emphasis on ranged attacks and stealth, in that is someone knows where you are, they can get within the minimum distance, forcing you to use your backup weapon, which removes all of the characteristics of sniping.
Now, to answer some questions.
1. What about fully automatic sniping rifles? No such thing, both in practicality and definition. Remember, for it to be a sniper rifle, there must be something that differentiates it from an AEG. Additionally, it totally destroys the balance of the sniper role. An AEG that happens to have a tight bore barrel and shoots far is NOT a sniper rifle. You can take single shots with it, but you can do that with ANY gun on the planet, so no big deal.
2. What about pistols? That is fine. Nothing was ever said about what the sniper rifle (gun) has to look like. I still think some of the realism is drained, in that you don't ever hear about the Marine snipers out in the field with their Digicon Contender taking out the bad guy. I think pistols have their own disadvantages (steadying of the gun, aiming), so if you want to use one, go for it.
3. Can I get a gun that is good for both CQB and sniping? No no no. A gun would either be safe for CQB and too lousy for sniping, or it would be a good sniping weapon and way to dangerous for CQB. That's like asking if you can get a car that can haul 15 people and accelerate from 0-60 in under 4 seconds.
4. Can I snipe people with my shotgun? No. The shotguns are of course single shot, in that you have to manually load the next round yourself. That is fine. But you have no range advantage over AEGs. Lets try to keep some legitimacy to the notion of 'sniping.'
5. What about how the dictionary says "Sniper: One who shoots at other people from a concealed place."
? Sorry- what airsoft player ISNT a sniper by that definition??? I try to make my location concealed no matter what gun I shoot with. Our goal here is to have an exclusionary definition, not an all-inclusive one.6. But isn't sniping really just a mindset/the way you play the game/all mental?? Again, it cant be. If by your account a person can be a sniper while toting around a MP5K with a drum mag… then there is no such thing as a sniper anymore.
In fact, that is a good test. If you think you know what sniping is, ask yourself if I, armed with a MP5K and a drum mag and of the proper mindset and with the right technique, can be a sniper by your definition. If so… then frankly, there is no such thing as a sniper.