Every year since we have been covering the IWA Outdoor Classics, the first three days have always been wet and cold, and the fourth day is always dry, sunny and mild (or sometimes warm). Perhaps it is how the event says farewell to its visitors and exhibitors by having the final day always a nice  bright day. The fourth day is also the day with less pressure as it is easier to talk to exhibitors given that there are fewer visitors. The IWA Outdoor Classics 2016 was no exception.

For me, it was about filing stories and saying goodbyes whilst also trying to find time to cover some companies we failed to visit in the past three days. After finishing a report at the Press Room, I had to go to the Gunfire booth to drop off some stuff and say my goodbyes to Piotr and Łukasz. I also found Tim Selby and Mark Lai of RedWolf Airsoft with the Gunfire ladies, with Max Lai showing his card tricks to impress the ladies and looked like he was making a fine impression.

Since the RedWolf Airsoft booth was just right across Gunfire, I was able to send my hasty goodbyes and thanks, especially to Paul Chu who has been so helpful to me pre-IWA (I still have to find a way to repay him). The VFC management was there as well which means a quick photo session as Mr. Vega was there too.

After RedWolf Airsoft, I had a quick chat with the Nuprol crew headed by Rossco Tucker. From there, I dropped by Evolution Airsoft. The Italian airsoft community is known for the ZM LR-300 airsoft and Lone Star Airsoft Series. If you have not been following developments at Evolution Airsoft, they do have the Phantom Series of airsoft guns, weapons accessories and tactical gear. And coming soon from Evolution Airsoft are TangoDown ECR-4 and the Turkish Sarsilmaz SAR 223C airsoft rifles with prototypes on display. As to when they will be released, we have no idea yet and we’ll post news about them once we get more information from Evolution Airsoft.

Skyway Technologies, the Spanish/Basque company that made an impact at the SHOT Show 2016 had a big presence at the IWA Outdoor Classics 2016 as well. With their Dual Code line-up, they had a big number of visitors lining up to check their offerings such as the big bad Duel Code Bomb Simulator Version 3.  Ruben Pomar explained that if you are CounterStrike player who loves the De Dust map, then this Bomb Simulator is what you want for a De Dust airsoft version. Either defuse or plant the bomb, this is an interesting contraption that can do a lot of “explosive” things to spice up your airsoft game. It can wail to give out a loud noise when armed and pressure the team to rush and disarm it. It can be made to work with smoke machines to give a more dramatic effect to a game.

Another interesting product is Zoxna Mini Launcher. Mount it to your pistol or rifle, the Mini Launcher is a weapon of last resort when you are out of ammo, or when you can’t find time to quickly reload. Just pull the ring and fire away. 40 BBs can be launched that you can take out a two or three man team with it.

Speaking of launchers, they have a more efficient and affordable 40mm gas grenade shell and has fewer flaws than the competition. It is easier to maintain leading to a lower cost ownership. More grenades were on display: a BFG that uses 9mm shells, the Kimera Sound Grenade, and the Nuke Frag Grenade.
Back to Duel Code, there are tactical gear under the brand and also complete airsoft guns that looked like they were designed with a lot of thought put into them. We’ll get more information especially about the Duel Code airsoft guns that come with unique Iberian names.

On my way back to the Press Room, I checked out Freeshot SRL, an Italian airsoft company that carries many products, more prominent is Bolt Airsoft known for their Bolt Recoil Shock System (BRSS). Eleonora toured me around their booth showing the product offerings including a shoot test of the Bolt Airsoft MB5 BRSS (an airsoft MP5 with the BRSS) prototype. The blowback and recoil look are enough to make you drop your money on this once it gets released though the prototype on display was not yet that pleasing aesthetically.

Eleonora also showed me the various upgrade products under the Synthesis name it is a brand directly under FreeeShot and they have tappet plates, inner barrels, piston heads that uses a better and longer lasting material, more pistons, nozzles, etc. More will be heard from this company in the near future.

The last of my visit before heading back to Press Room to pack up and head for the airport was Umarex. Umarex always has a large presence at the IWA Outdoor Classics with sections divided to their market segments. The Airsoft section was in a smaller container and at the end of the display unlike last year where it was near the main entrance to the Umarex display area. As always, we see the Heckler & Koch and Oberland Arms offerings, as well as pistols and a shotgun. Also spotted at the booth was crude pre-prototype of an airsoft IWI X95.

It took me around three more hours as I have to have some further chats with individuals inside the press room since I was in no hurry to go as my flight was at 1900 and it was still around 1400H at the Nuremberg Messe. I also did further work on my reports and occasionally interrupted by other airsoft media guys saying their goodbyes. By 4pm, it was time for me to go to the airport and hopefully avoid the rush hour. I thanked the Airsoft.nu crew who has been kind enough to reserve a press locker for me to use. They were still staying until Tueday and they are one of the most hardworking airsoft press groups at the IWA Outdoor Classics.

I did get caught in traffic after boarding the taxi as the taxi took a longer and busier route.  Rather than be annoyed by it, I tried to get a few winks since I was confident that the taxi driver can bring me to the airport on time. He did, with more than enough time to spare. So I got off the cab a bit recharged and ready for the long queues at the check-in counter and security checkpoint. This time, it was faster so that means more time to rest and grab a beer at the airport’s departure lounge.

Time flew fast and it was already boarding time. As we were boarding I saw ASG CEO, Johnny Pederson and had a selfie with Nicola Bandini of Arsenal Firearms, the designer of the double barreled 1911 pistol, the AF-2011. That was a nice way for me to end my visit to Nuremberg and the IWA Outdoor Classics 2016.

More photos at the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page.