Post by 2nd Bat on Sept 5, 2014 17:02:47 GMT -5
Obviously having to cock a rifle when facing semi automatic and full auto weapons is a challenge for any combatant but especially so for airsoft where the ranges are so abbreviated and range parity for most every airsoft gun is so close. (Small airsoft SMGs typically have virtually identical range an accuracy as long airsoft rifles) Given this reality why even arm yourself with a bolt action rifle? The answer is simple. We are consumed by a hobby that is more about suspension of belief, emmersion in another time and our love of history is more important than "winning" an engagement. Bolt action rifles were very much a product of the time so we win by replicating a more authentic experience.
Fortunattely at most WW2 themed games, most players agree to limited ammo, more frequently required reloads and most weapons set for semi auto fire. this greatly changes the skirmishing to events that emphasize teamwork, realistic tactics and objectives rather then eliminations. With all that said using a bolt action airsoft rifle is considerably more difficult then even a low capacity semi auto rifle. A fact greatly appreciated by the Germans, Italians and Japanese when facing US Soldiers and Marines armed with M1s. The advantage of a self loading rifle grows exponentially as ranges are reduced.
Given the landscape of a typical airsoft engagement where the action has opponents engaging at less then 150 feet, how does a soldier survive using a bolt action rifle? The first step is to know your limitations and intimately know your rifle. How far away can I reasonable expect to hit an opponent hard enough to be confident your round will be felt? How quickly can I reload? What BB weight works best in my gun and what effect is wind, foliage, temperature and gas depletion (if using a gas gun) going to have on my rifle? These questions can best be answered through practice and training and ideally this should happen seperate from an actual skirmish. I select a training area as close to the terrain I'll be fighting in and position targets at widely assorted ranges from my firing location. some targets I position that are human sized but with half the target exposed. Others I size to represent a partial head and shoulders which is typically what my target becomes once the action commences.
To support my training I use pie tins or thin metal plates which make a distinctive plink when hit so I won't have to waste time checking for holes or dents. i practice quick moves to speed up the time required to achieve an adequate site picture and squeaze off a shot and fire at widely spaced and ranged targets so adjustments become instinctual, requiring little thought. Unlike actual marksmen I typically train myself to fire my airsoft weapon with both eyes open. The abbreviated ranges typically do not require pinpoint accuracy and airsoft rounds seldom provide that level of precision at the engagement ranges I hope to use. By keeping both eyes open I increase my situational awareness and reduce my tendancy to get tunnel vision relative to the target I have selected. both eyes allow me to better see the flight of my rounds and since I use either black or green BBs with my bolt action rifles this makes that much harder.
When using a bolt action rifle your firing position is critical as is team member support. If moving to contact constantly think about where your next best covered position is and consider carefully what actions you'll take if you receive fire from assorted locations. Move in leaps and bounds if contact is likely. If moving in formation other then leaps and bounds stop periodically to assess your surroundings. Do not bunch up but do not spread out so much that given limited airsoft ranges you are unable to provide covering fire to your team mates. movement by bounds should be much shorter leaps then they would be with actual weapons for that very reason. When at the halt take one knee to cut in half the size of your body in the eyes of the enemy and if stationary for even short periods go prone. When getting up, crawl to a few feet from your location before getting up. Your reappearance in an unexpected location makes your enemies job much harder. Work closely with team members to coordinate these actions and get used to the process.
When looking out from an object or firing fire from the side of your cover (Not over the top) Refrain from firing from behind a tree when standing as you are easily flanked and present a large target. If habit finds you doing so move frequently. Provide and receive covering fire from your team mates when moving. Do not fear exposing your location by talking once action has commenced but only talk to coordinate your attack or withdrawal from the enemy. If you make contact with the enemy and it is a fair fight or you are at a disadvantage don't hesitate to break contact and attempt to flank or withdraw. fair fights are an indication of bad tactics. Engage and maintain contact only when you have destinct advantage due to terrain, firepower or surprise. With a bolt action rifle surprise is your best advantage. Use team mates to lure an unsuspecting opponent into your kill zone. Use shots angled from behind cover where you are not exposed in the least until your enemy crosses the oblique. Use a reverse slope position where the enemy reaches a crest and is silhouetted above you. airsofters often expect attacks going up hill and seldom expect attacks from a reverse slope defense. They also tend to focus to their immediate front rather then their angled front.
If you have teamates better armed then you reserve your shots until your teammates have started being engaged and take your shots sparingly. Be discrete and selective. Your best shots are early when the opponent presents his largest target. Once engaged with the receipt of return fire have a planned move. select a defensive position with these moves in mind.
i use green or black BBs to disquise from the enemy my location but realize after only a few shots my position will be known. Once located I know I can't go toe to toe with a semi automatic so move or go silent so the opponent will think you've left. Camper is not a bad thing sometimes in airsoft. If possible allow your approacing enemy to pass your location and engage them from the rear. i load the first few rounds in my magazine with white BBs so I will know I am running low on Bbs and have to change mags. Change mags deep inside your covered position and come up to fire somewhere else. When stationary remain as motionless as possible. Move your eyes, NOT your head. Move rediculously slowly until spotted then move with a purpose. Zig zag at a crouch. In attack use the adage "I'm up, he sees me I'm down" to limit the time you temain exposed and go prone. Roll several times side to side and prepare to make your next bound. Move with covering fire from your teammates. When covering teammates put fire in the expected location of the enemy but fire even if you have no precise location for the enemy. It all tends to keep them down or reduces their accuracy.
with a bolt action rifle hit where your single round will register. Helmets are my favorite! Recock your rifle immediately the motion attracts the eye but typically your opponent is taking cover at that moment. If spotted move! Refrain from firing on a side of an object where your cocking motion will expose you further. Learn to cock your rifle with the muzzle pointed as on target as possible. A means to improve upon this was developed by the British with their Enfields where they used their middle finger on the trigger allowing a smoother and quicker cocking action.
Use the heaviest BB your rifle can manage and figure out what weight optimizes range. To a point a heavier BB though reducing the FPS will carry greater inertia for range and stability of flight. It will also penetrate brush better and be more likely to register as a hit to your adrenalin infused opponent. Use a bolt action rifle to experience what most riflemen in WW2 experienced and to increase and improve our WW2 experience. Remember for us "winning" is feeling the moment and stepping back in time.
Have fun and be safe!
Fortunattely at most WW2 themed games, most players agree to limited ammo, more frequently required reloads and most weapons set for semi auto fire. this greatly changes the skirmishing to events that emphasize teamwork, realistic tactics and objectives rather then eliminations. With all that said using a bolt action airsoft rifle is considerably more difficult then even a low capacity semi auto rifle. A fact greatly appreciated by the Germans, Italians and Japanese when facing US Soldiers and Marines armed with M1s. The advantage of a self loading rifle grows exponentially as ranges are reduced.
Given the landscape of a typical airsoft engagement where the action has opponents engaging at less then 150 feet, how does a soldier survive using a bolt action rifle? The first step is to know your limitations and intimately know your rifle. How far away can I reasonable expect to hit an opponent hard enough to be confident your round will be felt? How quickly can I reload? What BB weight works best in my gun and what effect is wind, foliage, temperature and gas depletion (if using a gas gun) going to have on my rifle? These questions can best be answered through practice and training and ideally this should happen seperate from an actual skirmish. I select a training area as close to the terrain I'll be fighting in and position targets at widely assorted ranges from my firing location. some targets I position that are human sized but with half the target exposed. Others I size to represent a partial head and shoulders which is typically what my target becomes once the action commences.
To support my training I use pie tins or thin metal plates which make a distinctive plink when hit so I won't have to waste time checking for holes or dents. i practice quick moves to speed up the time required to achieve an adequate site picture and squeaze off a shot and fire at widely spaced and ranged targets so adjustments become instinctual, requiring little thought. Unlike actual marksmen I typically train myself to fire my airsoft weapon with both eyes open. The abbreviated ranges typically do not require pinpoint accuracy and airsoft rounds seldom provide that level of precision at the engagement ranges I hope to use. By keeping both eyes open I increase my situational awareness and reduce my tendancy to get tunnel vision relative to the target I have selected. both eyes allow me to better see the flight of my rounds and since I use either black or green BBs with my bolt action rifles this makes that much harder.
When using a bolt action rifle your firing position is critical as is team member support. If moving to contact constantly think about where your next best covered position is and consider carefully what actions you'll take if you receive fire from assorted locations. Move in leaps and bounds if contact is likely. If moving in formation other then leaps and bounds stop periodically to assess your surroundings. Do not bunch up but do not spread out so much that given limited airsoft ranges you are unable to provide covering fire to your team mates. movement by bounds should be much shorter leaps then they would be with actual weapons for that very reason. When at the halt take one knee to cut in half the size of your body in the eyes of the enemy and if stationary for even short periods go prone. When getting up, crawl to a few feet from your location before getting up. Your reappearance in an unexpected location makes your enemies job much harder. Work closely with team members to coordinate these actions and get used to the process.
When looking out from an object or firing fire from the side of your cover (Not over the top) Refrain from firing from behind a tree when standing as you are easily flanked and present a large target. If habit finds you doing so move frequently. Provide and receive covering fire from your team mates when moving. Do not fear exposing your location by talking once action has commenced but only talk to coordinate your attack or withdrawal from the enemy. If you make contact with the enemy and it is a fair fight or you are at a disadvantage don't hesitate to break contact and attempt to flank or withdraw. fair fights are an indication of bad tactics. Engage and maintain contact only when you have destinct advantage due to terrain, firepower or surprise. With a bolt action rifle surprise is your best advantage. Use team mates to lure an unsuspecting opponent into your kill zone. Use shots angled from behind cover where you are not exposed in the least until your enemy crosses the oblique. Use a reverse slope position where the enemy reaches a crest and is silhouetted above you. airsofters often expect attacks going up hill and seldom expect attacks from a reverse slope defense. They also tend to focus to their immediate front rather then their angled front.
If you have teamates better armed then you reserve your shots until your teammates have started being engaged and take your shots sparingly. Be discrete and selective. Your best shots are early when the opponent presents his largest target. Once engaged with the receipt of return fire have a planned move. select a defensive position with these moves in mind.
i use green or black BBs to disquise from the enemy my location but realize after only a few shots my position will be known. Once located I know I can't go toe to toe with a semi automatic so move or go silent so the opponent will think you've left. Camper is not a bad thing sometimes in airsoft. If possible allow your approacing enemy to pass your location and engage them from the rear. i load the first few rounds in my magazine with white BBs so I will know I am running low on Bbs and have to change mags. Change mags deep inside your covered position and come up to fire somewhere else. When stationary remain as motionless as possible. Move your eyes, NOT your head. Move rediculously slowly until spotted then move with a purpose. Zig zag at a crouch. In attack use the adage "I'm up, he sees me I'm down" to limit the time you temain exposed and go prone. Roll several times side to side and prepare to make your next bound. Move with covering fire from your teammates. When covering teammates put fire in the expected location of the enemy but fire even if you have no precise location for the enemy. It all tends to keep them down or reduces their accuracy.
with a bolt action rifle hit where your single round will register. Helmets are my favorite! Recock your rifle immediately the motion attracts the eye but typically your opponent is taking cover at that moment. If spotted move! Refrain from firing on a side of an object where your cocking motion will expose you further. Learn to cock your rifle with the muzzle pointed as on target as possible. A means to improve upon this was developed by the British with their Enfields where they used their middle finger on the trigger allowing a smoother and quicker cocking action.
Use the heaviest BB your rifle can manage and figure out what weight optimizes range. To a point a heavier BB though reducing the FPS will carry greater inertia for range and stability of flight. It will also penetrate brush better and be more likely to register as a hit to your adrenalin infused opponent. Use a bolt action rifle to experience what most riflemen in WW2 experienced and to increase and improve our WW2 experience. Remember for us "winning" is feeling the moment and stepping back in time.
Have fun and be safe!