AEG (Automatic Electric Gun)
AEG or Automatic Electric Gun is a staple in CQB for a few reasons. First off, it is the most popular type of airsoft gun for any type of play. The AEG’s simplicity, availably and versatile customizability make it a power house when looking for an airsoft gun. The AEG is also an extremely easy gun to operate: simply plug the battery in, load up your magazine and you are good to go. Very little maintenance is required for a standard AEG which also makes it great for players of any caliber.
When looking for a CQB AEG versus a standard field or MOUT AEG a player will want to look for a few features that will benefit the player on the field. Since CQB is played in tight environments a compact AEG is highly recommended for play. Gun with barrels around 10 inches are typically found in CQB environments due to their perfect pairing of range/accuracy and maneuverability. Guns such as the G&G UMG are perfect for CQB as well since it combines a very short barrel with a folding stock which will come in handy when cutting corners or entering small locations such as a mock vehicle.
It is also recommended that when purchasing a AEG that will be designated for CQB that it shoots at or under 350 FPS as most indoor fields do not allow any AEG to shoot higher than 350. If your AEG does shoot over 350 it will need to be modified to be allowed to be used at most indoor fields.
G&G CM16 ARP9 CQB AEG Carbine
GBB (Gas Blow Back)
GBB, also known as the Gas Blow Back, is one of the most realistic forms of airsoft guns on the market. Much like the name implies the GBB does not run on a battery like most airsoft guns, but instead uses on a gas propellant to fire the BB and charge the next round. These guns typically run on Green Gas or Propane which is charged into the magazine of the gun. Gas blow backs offer unique advantages over the typical AEG and are much more realistic. The term gas blow back comes from the fact that the airsoft gun will operate much like the real fire arm. When fired a gas blow back’s slide or bolt will reciprocate or “blow back” just like the real thing. This gives the user a very unique shooting experience and allows the user to manipulate the airsoft gun just like they would with a real fire arm.
Gas blow back guns have a special place in a CQB environment, due to their realistic load capacity and short range. The most common GBB gun is the handgun and SMG. Since both SMG and hand gun style gas blow back guns are extremely simple, light weight, and compact they make a perfect primary weapon for CQB. The added bonus to using a GBB when playing CQB is the instant trigger response that is experienced. Sometimes the only difference between getting an elimination and being eliminated is a split second and that is where a improved trigger response will really come into play. However, there are a few downsides to the GBB for CQB. Typically GBB guns do have a very limited magazine capacity similar to a real fire arm. GBB airsoft guns also cannot achieve the same rate of fire that an AEG can.
Krytac Kriss Vector SMG
Secondary Weapons
Side arms are a widely underestimated and often forgotten part of an airsoft players load out. Unfortunately, players that forget to run a side arm quickly realize that they need one when it is much too late. A side arm by definition is a weapon, usually a pistol, which is worn on the body in a holster to permit immediate access and use. Knowing this you may wonder what the best choice for a side arm is and why exactly you would need to run a side arm.
First off you will need to understand why a side arm is needed, and this explanation is two fold. There are many situations that may call for a side arm: The most common purpose is to replace your primary weapon in a emergency. Often you may run out of magazines or you may just need to keep fire upon the enemy; a side arm is a perfect solution to both of these situations. The second most common situation would be some type of catastrophic failure within your primary weapon. Many things can happen while on the field ranging from magazine depletion, no green gas or propane, a dead battery, or even an internal issue within the gun. When these sort of situations happen a side arm will allow you to stay in the fight and complete your objective before fixing the issue with your primary weapon.
Echo 1 Hi-Capa GBB Pistols
The most popular choice of side arm is of course the GBB hand gun. The GBB hand gun is reliable, realistic and affordable which not only makes it a good side arm but it also makes it a viable solution if your primary is down for the day. There is a multitude of GBB handguns that can be chosen for the role ranging from a simple KWA M9 to a more tactical style handgun such as the KJ Works Tactical 1911 KP08. There are a few easy ways to choose your hand gun. First off the main thing you need to take in mind is that the choice is dependant on personal preference. You are also going to want to keep in mind your play style, a large Desert Eagle style hand gun may not be the best choice if you are a quick moving, close quarters type of player and a smaller KWA ATP style gun may suit you much better.
Spring Powered
The spring airsoft gun is the simplest form of airsoft gun which makes it a great choice for any caliber of player. The spring airsoft gun works off of a piston, sear system, the spring, and spring guide. This minimization of parts makes the spring airsoft gun a very low maintenance and affordable. The spring system also comes with a few performance advantages as well. Due to the design of a spring gun they are often very consistent and can be made in many configurations such as anything from sniper rifles to 3 burst shot guns.
ASG Franchi SPAS-12 3 Burst Shotgun
The spring shotgun is a true heavy hitter in the airsoft industry for many reasons. The shotgun, like most spring powered airsoft guns, is extremely affordable. The spring system used in the shotgun makes it extremely realistic. Every time you cock the shotgun you charge the next shot, just like how an operator would do on a real steel shotgun. The spring system also allows for a very unique feature that is mainly found in spring shotguns, the 3 shot BB burst which replicates the scatter pattern of the real firearm. The spring mechanism within the gun also offers a strong FPS while still being under the 350 FPS requirement for CQB games.
Spring shotguns can also carry different types of BB magazines. The Bravo 3 Burst Shotgun utilizes magazines that look like real steel shotgun shells. This is advantageous due to their small size; you can carry many more magazines either on a bandlier type gunstrap or on a cheek rest bag strapped to the buttstock of your shotgun.
Indoor Fields
Project N1 | El Monte, California
Indoor fields are unique due to the fact that they can come in a huge variety of configurations and themes. Most indoor fields are located inside large warehouses with concrete flooring and plenty of room for players. Typically you will find the field constructed of drywall or plywood barricades and walls that both provide cover and replicate a real world CQB environment such as a house, office complex, or commercial building. Each field differs from how close most engagements will be; some fields are set up so that extremely close engagements with hand guns can be played while other fields may set the course up to be more of a mid-range style field where AEGs will be extremely helpful. Some fields will even mix the two ideas to produce a modular and challenging field that tests the player’s tactics and gear.
Games held at indoor fields are usually extremely fast paced, making them very different than a typical outdoor game. Fields typically run force on force style game play, however many fields run objective based games as well. The most popular type of objective game played is the “Capture The Flag” style of play. This type of game is often very successful and makes for great game play as both teams are forced to push to the opposing side and great fire fights often ensue. Another very popular type of game is the “VIP” style of game, in which one player is designated as the VIP and must be protected. Both teams may have one VIP which must be eliminated for the other team to win. Another type of VIP game would be a game in which the VIP is hidden on the field and which ever team is able to rescue the VIP would win the game.
While most indoor fields are quite large, they do pale in comparison to most out door fields. Due to this fact the size of the teams are often much smaller. Teams can range in size anywhere from a simple 2v2 match to a large scale 50v50 match depending on the size of the field. Indoor fields will run two sessions if there are more people than the field can support. This usually allows all players to easily play as the games average 10-15 minutes in play. However, it is imperative to keep in mind that not all indoor fields are ran the same so you may see a completely different organizational method.
CQB Gear
Gryffon golem chest rig & dragonspine belt system
Gear that is commonly used in a CQB scenario also differs from that of gear typically used for outdoor fields. CQB is an extremely fast paced and intense style of game play and the gear needs to match. A typical CQB loadout will consist of very little gear; the goal being carry only what is needed and nothing else. An example set up would be a Specter MPC-1 two Blue Force Gear Ten-Speed Double M4 Pouches to hold your magazines and a small pouch to hold any miscellaneous accessories that you might need. This small and lightweight load out is ideal for any CQB environment. The 4 magazine pouches allow you to carry at least 400 rounds depending if you are running mid capacity or high capacity magazines while the small pouch allows you to carry any emergency items such as batteries or first aid items. The small overall size of the rig also allows the player to easily maneuver in tight corners and ensures that the player is not weighed down.
There is plenty of optional gear that will both increase your potential and allow you to stay in the fight longer. A battle belt allows the operator to mount his holster, primary, and secondary weapons. This gives a unique advantage of speed and overall efficiency which is important when every second counts. It is imperative to keep in mind that when building a battle belt the same idea of a lightweight build should be in mind.
Safety gear is also highly important in a CQB type scenario, as airsoft is always concerned with safety and respect. Eye and facial protection is always necessary when playing on an airsoft field. The most common type of protection is a face mask, however, many types are available such as a lower mesh mask and goggle combination. Since CQB fields are often made in large warehouses with concrete flooring knee pads are often recommended since kneeling on a BB or sliding on the floor can easily damage a players knees.
