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Airsoft Scope selection

Airsoft Rifle Scopes and Red Dot and Laser Sights   

A scope or sight makes playing airsoft even more fun in a number of ways. If you don’t have one you should get one! 

While not as essential as say for air rifle shooting where you often need to hit a 5p size target at 30 metres an airsoft scope can help in other ways 

1. Telescopic scopes improve longer distance aimed shot accuracy - Very handy for sniping.
2. Also very handy for spotting the enemy in cover and ranges way beyond rifle range.
3. Red dot and laser sights improve hit rates in fast reflex CQB and mad skirmishes
4. And of course they make any airsoft rifle look very cool! 

There are 3 types to consider

Type 1 - Telescopic scopes–  

As the name suggests you get magnified vision. These are ideal for snipers and general rifle combat. 

Come in a wide range of “sizes” For example –  

• 3-9x40 is the most popular general purpose type but what does that mean? 
• 3-9 - Means the magnification. In this example can be dialed between 3 and 9x (and all the numbers in between) Very handy for multiple situations and ranges. 
• 40 = lens size in millimeters. 40mm is a very good size. Good light capture and a wide field of view but not overly bulky. 
• By contrast a 4x32 would mean 4 x magnification only through a 32mm lens. 

Cross hairs –  

• There are many different types but for airsoft use you don’t need to worry about this to much except as a fashion thing!  
• The 30-30 type is pretty standard and is fine (similar to a traditional plain X hair) 
• You’ll see others with Mil Dot which is the military standard cross hair. Just the job you may think but they are more expensive and the mil dot stuff is basically a range finding and distance estimation aid that’s of little use until distances over a couple of hundred meters are reached. A nice to have but you don’t need it. 

Types 2 and 3 Red dot and Laser sights 

These are not magnified – what you see is the real size as it is. 

Perfect for FIBUA, CQB and close quarter stuff where you need reflex from the hip or fast semi aimed eye to sight shots (a la SWAT style) 

Great for pistols as well.
 

Type 2 - Red dot sight  

• Simply projects a red (or green) dot onto the inside of the lens 
• Only you can see this dot – hopefully on your target.  
• You fire and you hit 
• Ideally get one with a 40mm lens as that’s big enough to hold several inches away from your eye and still get a good vision of the dot on target. Very handy for reflex combat and pistols. 

Type 3 - Laser sight 

• Same sort of thing except the dot is visible on the target. 
• Brilliant for scaring the hell out of the enemy but they can give you away too. 
• Best in low light but moist will still give you visible dot even in standard daylight. 
• Various types, some can go on top of a telescopic sight. Others can be mounted slung under the barrel or pistol grip. 

Mounts and base rails - VERY IMPORTANT! 

An important area and one that causes a lot of confusion on ebay!  - To fit a scope or sight to a rifle of pistol there must be somewhere to clamp it onto. Makes sense yes? (not to some people it doesn't!)

1. Look for dovetail type grooves running along the top of the rifle body - This is the scope or sight rail or base
2. To this rail/base you attach the scope or sight by way of scope mounts
3. To make it extra fun there are different type of mounts as rails/bases differ

Ok - so you have a base rail of some sort.

1. Measure the distance between the grooves 
   • If it's no more than 13mm wide (3/8 inch) then you need what are called standard mounts  
   • If it's 20mm wide (5/8 inch) then you have what is called a Weaver base and need weaver mounts (inventors name) 
2. Most airsoft models need weavers. Examples that spring to mind are the TM M4, SR16, SG550-51-52 series, MP5. 
3. Some sniper types have Standard. 
4. It’s not a problem if you measure up first and check that the sight or scope you are getting has the right type 
5. Take extra care with scopes and sights that have fitted mounts. These cannot be changed so if you get the wrong type they’ll have to be sent back and swapped for a totally different model. 

Nickwake (my) ebay shop fast guide to airsoft suitable scopes and sights

Telescopics – 

1. 4x20 – Only come with fitted Standard mounts. Do not buy or bid for if you have a weaver base. 
2. 4x32, 3-9x32, 4x40, 3-9x40, 4-12x42and 8x56 – All come without fitted mounts so you choose mount type.
3. Can all have scope mounted laser sights added to give you telescopic AND relex shooting.

Red dots –  

1. Type 1 – “Open eye” with fitted standard mounts 
2. Type 2 – Tasco BKR – with fitted weaver mounts (a very cool sight this one) 

Lasers -

1. Type 1 – Scope mounted. A long term best seller. Buy on its own, in a set with many of my scopes,  or add on if you win an auction. 
2. Type 2 – Cybergun Laser and Torch – with various adaptors, can be barrel slung. Also come with a tactical torch. Very cool kit.  

See my ebay shop link window here (on this site still)

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