I've been reading more and more about people picking up and using airsoft to supplement their training.
Supposedly it gives you inexpensive training on the platform (your rifle) of your choice while being able to go force on force.
I couldn't disagree more.
Airsoft is a fraud, designed by those who have taken away the right to own firearms by their country and its been embraced by those who want to latch onto the latest "fashion" trend instead of being discerning in how they spend their money and wise about how they spend their time.
Trust me on this one. Don't get roped into the belief that airsoft can be an effective training aid. Dodging REAL bullets have a feel that airsoft just can't deliver. If you want to engage in force on force training then I recommend investing in simunitions. The ballistic performace is similar, as is the platform and the welt that's given if you're struck by one will serve as a reminder of what can happen when your tactics go bad.
Don't be trendy. Be smart.
We used airsoft to supplement our training during pre workouts. Was def not our go to but was a small step up from dry runs with empty weapons. Really just help a marine "feel" his mistakes and learn from them. Again we only used this at the fireteam squad level and had some good success with it, but could never replace our want for more live fire training.
ReplyDeleteyeah but the thing that gets me is this. MILES gear...especially the latest setup is better than airsoft could ever be. another case in my opinion of fashion trends being used instead of whats already in house.
ReplyDeleteYah miles is better but you have to spend money on blanks and get a training area, lot of work but worth it.
ReplyDeleteI can used airsoft around the barracks. to keep training going., and keep a marine busy at times, a tool that we use on the side. Not a primary more like towards the bottom of the list of training tools. We always push for live fire, miles, or blank death. Not a primary training that's dumb.
Seems like the question is:
ReplyDeleteDoes airsoft training to develop and reinforce proper tactical group dynamics outweigh the bad muscle/mental habits that can be acquired handling faux weapons?
Not an expert. Just seems like a bad tradeoff.
in my mind its a terrible trade off. John likes it but i'm seeing people that fight in wars using civilian recreation and trying to get a combat edge from it.
ReplyDeletetactics are gonna suffer when the payoff is so light. airsoft is a game and no matter how serious you try and make it, in the end its still a game. even if shot it doesn't hurt and there is no embarassment (equipment beeping until you turn the key or on the high tech rigs you're forced to lay down)
i personally don't like it.
Not saying that Airsoft is an effective tactical training tool...but it can and does hurt. I got shot in the mask by a short burst, and the pellets had enough energy to bore right through the shitty mask I was wearing and bust up my upper lip pretty bad. I don't think Airsoft is a good alternative to MILES, and certainly not simunitions, but it can be better than the most likely alternative: no training.
ReplyDeletehmmm. i've only watched it and what i saw didn't inspire confidence. i saw lousy tactics, superman heroics and in essence training that if applied to the battlefield would get a lot of good guys killed.
ReplyDeletebut many seem to agree with you and john...i guess i'm in the minority.