One of the hardest part of being in the airsoft media (and would also be relevant to other media people) is sleeping in the early hours of the morning and waking up in an hour or two. That's how it was for us on the second day of the IWA Outdoor Classics 2016 and Day 2 is always the longest day in the four-day event.

ICS was the first booth we went two, as we always make sure we get to see the latest in the Transform4- CXP series. For this year, it's the ICS CXP Captain and it's made with CQB in mind, and just like its bigger brothers, it has the Transform4 split gearbox and electric blowback. ICS are also going into the airsoft pistol business, announcing the BLE line with the Non-Blowback Makarov and the BLE Alpha Pistol which has some similarity with M&P9 pistol that Cybergun demanded that they remove it from display.

Without an appointment, we showed up the VFC booth and Richard, Ken, and Joy were there busy taking care of customers and visitors. They have on display the latest in their Avalon premium line series, the SR-25 Gas Blowback Rifle, and soon to be released FABARM Shotguns which we posted news about last month, The FABARM STF/12 Shotgun series will be released later this year. If you are thinking why there no H&K VFC rifles on display at their booth, it's because these are on display at the big Umarex display area in Hall 7-A.

Another unexpected visit that we made was at iWholesales who are distributors of A&K, Bolt Airsoft, WE Airsoft, Ares Airsoft/Amoeba Airsoft, FMA, and many more. We finally got to have on our hands the double barrel series from WE Airsoft such as their 1911 and G Series. Dom have developed a liking for the stainless steel double barrel 1911 on display and is planning to get one. As for Ares Airsoft, they put on display an airsoft prototype of the Otto Repa Mod SOC .308 rifle. At first glance, it looks like a 21st century version of the Walther WA 2000. We were looking for the WE TA-2015, or an airsoft gas blowback that looks like the FN P90. However, it was not on display due to demands of Cybergun which sent a representative accompanied by the police according to Jacky Singh, the owner of iWholesales.

Next up was DAGRECKER which we first mentioned during IWA Outdoor Classics 2015 and it ,may not be tactical for many airsoft fans, they are a fun company to consider especially when you want to have an airsoft party. They provide fun electronic airsoft targets which can be used on or off the field --- even at home! According to Hans Krielen, the DAGRECKER CEO, they will be opening an entertainment centre in Mönchengladbach later this year. They are developing an HPA-powered double-barrelled airsoft machine gun for this purpose, to make shooting their targets more fun. They also have smaller versions of their electronic shooting targets that can be used at home and these are all available right now on Amazon.de.

It was lunch for me and I had to work on finishing the Day 1 report so Dom had to go as the Lone Ranger to visit other booths and he has the following to report:

At Cabot Guns I saw some of the best 1911s of the show. Imagine the blue frame with a white pearl handle, an airsoft version would be serious collector's item.

UF Pro is a company from Slovenia making garments for tactical applications. Their Striker HT combat pants is full of interesting ideas like an extra vertical zipper on the side pockets which becomes the horizontal pockets when you're in a sitting position, this way providing easy access to your gadgets. The side pockets also include internal organizers so smaller items like a flashlight for example won't dangle around in a huge side pocket. Ventilation slots are also added right above the knee and the abdomen area. They offer two different knee protectors that can be combined together to feel comfort and safety at the same time. The first optional layer can be a memory-foam like pad which looks a lot like the one comes from other brands but this forms around your knees and hardens up on pressure. The second knee protection layer is a hard but flexible polymer plate and to cover the two layers you have a Cordura  reinforced pocket. The material is polycotton so the pants are a bit on the heavy side but to fight the relative rigidness of the heavier materials UF Pro changed the material at the rear to Schoeller Dynamic stretchy fabric and they also added loops on the bottom of each legs that you can attach to your boots keeping the pants at the same place the whole time. The Striker HT also includes a zipper along the waistline where you can attach UF Pro's Windstopper layer, which is basically a breathable jacket for your legs but here you wear it in the inside instead of the outside like other systems on the market.

At Helikon-Tex, I've checked out the shooter's mat and their other new stuff. I know they always have some great stuff and you can't really beat their prices and get better quality although recently I had to send back some of their garments because of missing threads in some areas, so make sure you do the QA for Helikon-Tex before you tear the tags off your freshly purchased UTPs. Their Hybrid Tactical Pants should give you a lower / more casual profile while keeping some key features of tactical pants. The HTP was paired with a prototype combat shirt. They also recently released internal organizers called Packcells in different sizes and some pouches for all the gadgets and medical supplies. Their Urban Tactical Hoodie was also on display.

Texar is a company from Poland, their waterproof Hardshell Comodo jacket deserves some attention. They also sell backpacks and pouches among other thins so make sure to check out their website which is texar.info.pl and download their catalog.

At around 1300H, we get our first chance to see the Black Rain Ordnance airsoft versions being made by King Arms. There was a unit on display at the Black Rain Ordnance booth at the SHOT Show 2016 but here, they have more versions on display and we do like to sporty look of these rifles. A new line of King Arms airsoft rifles, the TWS or Training Weapons System, and the pistols licensed by Predator Tactical were on display as well and a more detailed presentation will be posted on our YouTube Channel. Also the MDT Sniper rifle was on display.

At 1400H, we visited the Classic Army booth that was located in Hall 7 too and for this year they have a bigger presence. All the popular Classic Arm AEGs such as their AK, M4, and SR-25 rifles were on display but for the purpose of this visit, we were more interested in the Scarab and Nemesis  AEGs which are their original designs with KeyMod and M-LOK handguards together with a PDW-style skeletal stock. Christopher Ng explained more about these AEGs having more features such as a MOSFET.

I was a bit late the ASG reception where I get to see familiar faces from UK airsoft community and the airsoft media,. From there, I had a quick chit-chat with Piotor and Lukasz of Gunfire, Chris of Airsoft Innovations, and Paul Chu of RedWolf Airsoft. By 1830H Ijoined Ronald of NLAirsoft and Luuk of NABV back to the Nuremberg City Centre and went to a nice steakhouse there. Mike and Peter of Border Wars also joined us where we have a hearty dinner, laughter, and light fun. We didn't plan on getting drunk that night and by 2230H, we called it a night.

More photos of IWA Outdoor Classics 2016 at the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page.