Son wants to get into airsoft, help a dad out with questions

[NoBodyImportant]

My son (12) is all about airsoft stuff for Christmas this year.
What brands to avoid?
What brand to look for?
What to look for in a gun? (I’d rather get something that’s good and is upgradable)
What batteries and charger?
Any place within a few hours of Charlotte that has a good selection of stuff? Been loooking on evikes website but I’m a little overwhelmed. He wants a mk18 style setup (short m4)

 

[Button Pusher]

Airsoft Guns - Evike.com Airsoft Superstore

Shop the biggest selection of airsoft guns online

www.evike.com

 

[Flashpoint]

I was into paintball for a while and one thing I learned was not to go for the fancy rigs like Autocockers, you spend more time fixing/tweeking your gun than playing. Find a brand that is good enough (sorry can't help here) but known for reliability. In the paintball world that brand was Tippmann. Since airsoft is mostly electric (paintball used compressed gas) even this little bit of advice may not apply.

 

[Djstorm100]

I was into paintball for a while and one thing I learned was not to go for the fancy rigs like Autocockers, you spend more time fixing/tweeking your gun than playing. Find a brand that is good enough (sorry can't help here) but known for reliability. In the paintball world that brand was Tippmann. Since airsoft is mostly electric (paintball used compressed gas) even this little bit of advice may not apply.

Autocokers were a PITA to get timed right. Then the Eblade autococker game out, game changer. I still have mine from 02, Old brick Shocker turbo. lol


Airsoft does use gas for the blowback guns (pistol slides going back, gas is installed in the magazine)

If you are on facebook, look up airscoft group.