Modern Airsoft

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Budget-Conscious Force-
On-Force Training.

I’ve heard many people say, “A firearms instructor has no business teaching unless he’s been in a real gunfight.” I’d like to clarify that way of thinking: There are good teachers and there are bad teachers — it’s just the way it is. A good teacher may never have been in a gunfight, while a bad teacher may have been in one. It doesn’t make him a good teacher. He’s just a bad teacher with combat experience.
A good teacher with real experience can be a great teacher. His insights, descriptions, feelings and actions can take the student a lot farther down the road in preparing for a real-time confrontation. But bear this in mind: Experience is something you can describe and discuss, but it can’t be taught.

Combat experience is a creature like that. How can you get this combat experience into the training psyche of the students?
You can’t. But you can do the next best thing.

So you don’t have the bucks for a Les Baer Custom 1911? Here’s Mad Bull’s
officially licensed airsoft pistol,a faithful replica of Les’ Ultimate
Recon 5″ model. Powered by Green Gas or CO2, with a 25-shot capacity,
it’s marketed via www.socomgear.com.

Yup, that’s an official Eagle, Globe and Anchor on this spring-powered,
12-shot airsoft pistol by Crosman. The SP01 shown here and several other
Crosman airsoft handguns and long guns are fully licensed by the
US Marine Corps. Looks an awful lot like a certain police duty gun.

Simulated Combat

Force-on-force, reality-based training, scenario training, call it what you like, it’s the only way to gain “combat experience” short of going into actual battle against the enemy. And it works.

Let’s say two patrol officers roll up on a school where hostages have been taken. Someone yells from inside the school, “I’m going to shoot them!” A shot rings out and there are screams. Neither officer has ever done a dynamic entry, a room clearing, a hostage rescue or has ever used any distraction device like a flash bang. Do they wait for SWAT — from the neighboring county?

Another shot rings out.

Have the officers trained for this? Likely they’ve not. Should they be trained for this? Absolutely.

But the kind of training we’re talking about here was once only available to large agencies with corresponding large budgets. Yet now, almost suddenly, it’s readily affordable to smaller agencies — even individual officers — using airsoft force-on-force scenario training. Not restrained by restrictions, qualifications, certifications and excessive cost, airsoft training, at a fraction of the cost of other simulated firearms training, can be implemented by departments with the most meager of budgets. Any agency can train its personnel safely and give their officers at least a taste of what being shot at and shooting back might be like. And if that agency has smart teachers, they’ll get the desired results.

Top: This Model GF529 Sniper Rifle from Crosman mirrors a modern bolt-action precision rifle and would allow a sniper/spotter team to get practice deploying. Cost for airsoft models like this would range from $100 to $200 or so. Bottom: The Pyramyd Air 1911 is available with a special magazine in which the CO2 cartridges are inserted and mirror the functioning of a “real” 1911-style pistol.

The airsoft H&K 416 CQB is battery-operated and they stow in the buttstock.
Battery operation may be a good alternative to using the various compressed gas models.

Not Toys

Airsoft guns are not toys. They’re not fake guns — they’re real. They’re loaded with ammo (usually plastic BB’s) and they operate exactly as any other gun. They’re every bit as dangerous as a BB or pellet gun and should be regarded with exactly the same respect as a real firearm.

To avoid the “it’s not a real gun” mentality, there must be a strict policy in effect forbidding the airsoft weapon from being used for fun or monkey business. It has to be used seriously, and for the proper purpose. If misused, injuries can occur. If you allow fun and games into your training, you’ll be inviting disaster when it comes to the real deal.

Since airsoft guns are 1:1 duplicates of actual guns, you can usually find an exact replica of your duty weapon. The airsoft models look, feel and act the same (just check out the pictures). Airsoft weapons are not made of heat-treated steel, they’re made of combinations of polymers, plastics and metal, and they can’t be made to fire a live round.

You’ll likely notice some subtle differences in weight and trigger pull, but these are minor and cause no noticeable deficit. Airsoft manufacturers are required to use an orange or red barrel in the pistol to signify their difference as a training weapon. However, since they will be pointed at fellow trainees, hyper-vigilance is required so no one has access to a real firearm during training and mistakenly grabs or holsters an actual weapon. It’s happened, officers have died, and you can’t be too vigilant.

The DEB series from Umarex shows the cutting-edge designs
available in airsoft formats.

Need some “bad guy” guns? Even AK-styled airsoft
rifles are available from makers.

Train Realistically

Airsoft pistols cycle (blowback-action) and react just like a real gun. Magazines are loaded with rounds and charged with refillable gas. Shooting and reloading functionality is essentially the same, and the slide will lock back upon discharge of the last round. Reload just as you would your real gun and get back into the fight. Treat it like a real gun, train like it’s a real gun and then when the flag goes up some day, your officers have gone through the motions, have actually fought with their guns. Think about it.

They can malfunction just like a real gun, too. While a malfunction may not look exactly the same as a stove pipe or failure to eject, the clearing process is the same. And you can practice your tactical reloads in a combat scenario while the “bad guys” are actually firing back at you. Disadvantages? You can run out of ammo just like in a real firefight.

If you’re going to play at semi-serious airsoft gunfighting, you need to put on
your game face — and try this Gameface GF357 revolver. With a 6″ barrel on a
2-pound metal frame, wheelgunners will feel right at home with the size and
heft. List price is $105.99.

The Umarex Zombie Blaster may not be something you’d think makes sense, unless you
realize the attention-getting green allows everyone to know it’s an airsoft and not
a “real” AR. Shooting 750 rounds a minute at 325 fps, the removeable magazine and
controls allow real-time AR practice on the cheap.

Need A Range?

You can train in an actual environment your agency may police. Get the loan of a house or building — or a school? Secure it to make sure there are no mistakes. You can even train in a gym using portable walls made of light plywood, office partitions and even curtains strung on PVC pipe to simulate rooms. The BB’s will break glass, but they won’t go through walls.

If you train in someone’s backyard — which I don’t recommend — the neighbors might call the cops because they think you have real guns.
Airsoft guns are economical to purchase and to use. You can buy a professional training package, including the gun, extra mags, gas, lubricant, thousands of rounds of ammo, four sets of mag pouches and a professional carrying case — even a guarantee — for as little as $150. Additional rounds are sold in packages of 1,000 for around $3 or less. The gas used is just as cheap in bulk and if your agency is serious about this, they can simply get a big CO2 tank leased to them.

I can’t really find a disadvantage to this one. They even have biodegradable ammo!

Think it’s real? Think again. European models of airsoft guns are not encumbered
by the US laws governing orange muzzles on the guns. We’re showing this so you
can see just how realistic the guns might be, orange muzzle or not!
Photo: Jonathan Marmand

Training Ideas

Basic gun safety can be taught to novice students (like today’s academy recruits without any prior gun experience) without fear of an accident or the consequence of a negligent discharge. The students must be taught to respect the airsoft as a real weapon. This allows an easy, safe transition from the classroom to the range and conventional weapons.

Basic marksmanship can even be practiced with airsoft. They’re quite accurate up to 20′ before gravity starts to take over. You can, in your garage or even your backyard, reinforce your shooting skills by using an airsoft pistol. Sight picture and trigger control are all things you can practice.

Your disadvantage here is after 20′, windage and elevation are effected as the round starts to lose velocity. Also, be sure of local laws or regulations before setting up targets in your backyard, if you’re practicing at home. Some cities consider airsoft as “air guns” and don’t allow them to be discharged within city limits.
And just like a real gun, you have to be sure of what is downrange of your intended target. They can and do break windows and can cause damage and injury.
Close-quarters shooting skills can be practiced safely with airsoft until the skills are such that a real gun can be used. The airsoft gun can be used during the initial hard-skills training (learning muzzle control, gun manipulation skills, etc.) until the body mechanics, timing and placement are mastered.

Training in CQB firearms techniques represent some of the more dangerous training cycles. I’ve seen instances where I thought students were going to shoot themselves practicing the speed rock, as well as other CQB strike and shooting techniques. As much as it hurts, shooting yourself in the hand with an airsoft BB is much better than blowing two fingers off with a .45.

This training cycle can be taken all the way from paper targets to a live opponent. The only disadvantage I see here is keeping on top of the students’ techniques and safety issues. You can’t allow them to become flippant because they believe the gun isn’t real.

While we doubt there are still any MP40’s in any police arsenals,
this still shows the gas-powered airsoft plastic BB’s can easily
penetrate a paper target and carboard backing. Ouch!

Some Mechanics

The gas charge for each magazine is usually good for two full magazines (or a bit more) worth of firing. When a magazine goes dry you simply recharge it from a can of the compressed gas and you’re good to go. However, the gas expansion is incumbent upon ambient temperature. The hotter it is, the more the gas expands, equating to more power and better function. Conversely, the colder it is, the less efficient the gas becomes. Running scenarios outdoors in International Falls, Minn., in January would have less than optimal results. Anything above 50 to 60 degrees F is good for trouble-free training.

There is pain involved. Quite frankly, it hurts like hell to get shot with an airsoft BB. For the sake of any realism in force-on-force training, there has to be a negative incentive against getting shot. Otherwise we might as well use squirt guns or just yell, “Bang, you’re dead.”

I don’t know what the ultimate negative feedback is, but pain ranks right up there at the top of the list. The disadvantage with this? There’s pain involved. You must have eye and mouth protection. A cheap paintball mask works very well, but good safety goggles and a mouth guard will do. I’ll tell you taking a round to the cheekbone will definitely have you considering a trip to a sporting goods store.
Wearing only a t-shirt is gutsy. A t-shirt and a sweatshirt will still give you a pinch, but takes some of the bite away. I definitely recommend wearing some gloves. Think about breaking a pencil over the back of your knuckles, and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Check out this copy of the H&K 416CQB. Very realistic looking!
The controls mirror an AR platform.

Advantages

Airsoft gives you the ability to practice all of your techniques, strategies and tactics against role-playing opponents who are actively trying to thwart your efforts — to kill you. With the use of airsoft weapons, both pistol and long gun (they make sub-guns, bolt-action trainers, AR platforms, even shotgun-styled trainers), you can train actively and realistically in scenarios you’d never be able to experience using real guns.

From school takeovers, dynamic room entry and room clearing as individuals, with a partner, or as a team you can assure your officers get hands-on experience — now. You can practice with live hostages who actually are in fear of being shot during the rescue attempt. Remember, it hurts?

The scenarios are endless, and can mirror actual shootings and situations experienced. Hostages do some squirrelly things at the wrong moment. Let your officers experience that. You can create scenarios where you place officers in a simple arrest situation, then suddenly the suspect pulls out a hidden gun and starts shooting. How about vehicle hot-stops where the suspect suddenly opens-up on the approaching officers?

You can create any shoot/no-shoot scenario you want. Once you’ve established the atmosphere and have gotten the trainees into the moment, you’ll be amazed at how real the action gets — and how your officers react. You can run scenarios efficiently, at real-time and with little down time between runs. You can run dozens of drills an hour, and in 8 hours of training you can run so many you can actually wear a team out (and hardly spend a dime on gear).

All you need is a gun and some accessories. The Pyramyd Air 1911 takes
Standard CO2 cartridges and 6mm plastic BBs, as do so many airsoft models.

Answer To Everything?

Training in active force skills can cover countering terrorist takeovers, dynamic room entries, hostage rescues, dynamic non-compliant arrest and control, VIP Protection, CQB shooting skills and even the little understood and dangerous field of hand-to-hand combat with guns.

Yet, do airsoft guns represent the ultimate answer in simulated training? No — but they get you close. And that experience just might be life-saving for you or one of your officers.

Simulated combat or force-on-force training is about working through the tough problems before they are faced in actual combat. Simulating these challenges before they become real is the essence of crisis action planning. Running realistic scenarios under the stress of close-to-real conditions allows you to make your mistakes in training.

Learn from them in training, rather than dying from your mistakes in the field.
By Ernest Emerson

For info: www.americancop.com/index. Also, go to www.shootingindustry.com/guide and click on categories covering paintball, airsoft, air-guns and accessories.