Here it is.... Popular Airsoft Mag Volume 1 Issue 5 July 2008!

OptimusPrime

14 Jul 2008

We're PACKING HEAT and it has 333 PAGES!!! ---And we're already starting to sweat hard with a lot stories to write. This summer, there will be lots of events to cover as our writers have been flying to parts of the world to give you stories that really matter. Popular Airsoft Magazine keeps on getting bigger and better each issue we release. This issue is file heavy as we made sure that you get those stories and their corresponding photos in high quality.

Since there are lots of events, we start this season with the Best Airsoft Photos 2008, showing the top 20 entries as rated by our Operators. Airsoft players from around the world submitted photos to us making our selection tough, but eventually we came out with our top ranked photos by doing simple arithmetic (surprisingly, we know how to count). With this, we send our congratulations to the winners and thanks to all of those who submitted their entries.

On to airsoft combat photography. Ogre and Brahma took time to write several articles to guide you in taking photos, such as wearing the proper gear, what to avoid, and how to take photos for doing airsoft reviews....very educational we tell you (even some of us are guilty doing some awful photos since we're not as professional as Ogre). You don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money in order to take those nice photos and many of the Best Airsoft Photos entries were taken with simple point and shoot cameras. Even Optimus Prime does his reviews with just a simple digital camera after learning from his mistakes. But he wishes that someone donates to him a DSLR and you'll have him as a friend forever.

But if you hate studying techniques at taking photos, just take on Lomography. Brahma gives some pointers on doing this.

With photography being the main topic, we didn't want to leave behind video taking. We reviewed the two hottest helmet cams in the world, the Vio POV.1, and the VholdR (veeholder) helmet cams. They do the job alright, and something that you should bring to any skirmish site to reinforce your "kill" claims to your friends.

We also feature the Green Mountain Rangers, one of the most active airsoft teams in the United States and who go to great lengths to travel and participate in airsoft events around the world. Then our writers got in touch with airsofters who belong to the same family ---brothers, fathers and sons, husband and wife, and covering several countries. This goes to prove that airsoft can be a popular family affair. It provides bonding to members of the family, and at the same time, easier sharing of equipment, rather than snitching that AEG from your team mate. As many would say, keep it within the family.

Now, on to Airsoft events. Buckshot went through the paces of the Stirling Airsoft Team Selection, the toughest and most gruelling airsoft team selection in the world. This is a long story, taking about 30 pages of this issue. But it is worth reading as we consider them to be the finest airsoft team we've ever met. They're noteworthy for being under the tutelage of some SAS (Special Air Service) members and they're also the most disciplined, well-trained, and courteous guys. We would be going through Stirling Airsoft activities in the near future such as Sniper Training, Counter-terrorist training, they've got loads of them! This team is something to really write about, and we'll be doing this for you.

More on the Geardo Corner. Ogre just went on a rampage putting the Sykes and its new rival, HFC22, Airsoft Masks through the test. Which won? Go on read carefully. Optimus Prime reviewed the wonderfully made Tasmanian Tiger Chest Rig MKII, while Dom, who has been prolific writing new stories since getting a break from work, tested the ESS Striker Land Ops Goggles.

As always, the gun reviews. MadDog went to test the Army and Meister Glock 17 GBBs to see which is a better deal. Master Chief sat down to work on the DBoys SCAR-L, A&K SR25K and another Glock 17, the Marui Glock 17. Optimus Prime caught up with his quick review of the ICS CXP.08 Concept Rifle, which he calls a
"Real Airsoft" gun. Furthermore on pistol reviews, Master Chief went for the Bell PT 92 AF GBB, which is more a replica of the Taurus version.

Dom, ever an eager player who experiments on AEGs, takes over the Armorer's Den by writing about the GWS SIG-556 conversion kit and how he was able to fit it on the JG SIG-552. The outcome is a fantastic looking AEG which surely will melt your heart and may just ruin your wallet a little bit more. He also added a story on tuning up the Classic Army M15A4 SPR with matching photos to boot.

So there you go folks, lots of stories, heavy file to make your broadband connection groan, and we're just getting started. Our writers will be going to more events this summer, and they'll be reporting first hand on these. Look forward to the next issues as we'll be doing more fantastic stories. The heat is really on!

Hoping to exchange bbs with you,

The Writers
Popular Airsoft Magazine
Volume 1 Issue 5
July 2008