Best Airsoft Gun for a 12 Year Old?

[Ambitiousmould]

I've recently taken up airsofting (in the UK, should be getting my UKARA tomorrow) and my 12 year old brother had his first game with us. He enjoyed so I'm looking into getting him his own gun. He rented a site gun before but they're knackered G36cs and run like frozen shite in a blender.

He's only a small kid so I was thinking about a small SMG, but it's a woodland site so I want something with some accuracy at range. Also about ?150 or less. Any ideas?

And before people come in saying he's too young, it's on a controlled, UKARA registered site (where you can't even have a mag in the gun when you're in the safe zone, and must always wear eye protection outside it, full face for kids under 16) besides which he's an incredibly cautious child. Besides all that, me (20), my brother (22) and my dad (48) are all there keeping an eye on him.

Cheers in advance.

 

[JohnnyDelRay]

snip

If he's careful and knows the ins and out and seriousness with which to treat it, then anything goes really. Do you have an FPS limit on field? Where I usually played it was ~350fps for non-snipers.

I would say an MP5 or UMP45 would be nice places to start, plenty of MP5's around in various guises. But you said something with a little more accuracy, rifles would be the way to go.

If he seems really into it and will want to continue into the long run, I'd go for an M4 base. So many barrel lengths, make it not big as to be clumsy for him to raise to sights but also with decent range (some of the "shorty" designs are really cool). Plus, when he "grows into it", he can start experimenting on the same platform that he's used to with carbine and assault length barrels.

Dunno what brands you get around there, seems like Zombie Hunter/G&G are the only ones around that price range. Marui would be nice for the weight and accuracy, but cost prohibitive.

Another thing to consider are bullpups, like an AUG. They are surprisingly maneuverable and have longer barrels due to design. Make for nice methodical mag changes as well.

 

[Ambitiousmould]

or UMP45

You know I was actually thinking about the Umarex UMP 45 (?130) but I like to know about a product before I buy but haven't found any reviews, do you know if this is a decent gun?

Cheers.

 

[JohnnyDelRay]

or UMP45

You know I was actually thinking about the Umarex UMP 45 (?130) but I like to know about a product before I buy but haven't found any reviews, do you know if this is a decent gun?

Cheers.

I think it's a fine place to start. I only know of 2 people who used Umarex guns, and they are a bit hit and miss (sorry). They share components with many different manufacturers which makes them hard to pin down.

In regards to the UMP, it wasn't great, but lasted long enough until he wanted to upgrade. If he really likes the UMP, try to find the G&G one and spend a bit more, if you want the accuracy and durability that a sport like this requires. Gotta consider too, a wild shooting hop-up, jamming mags and generally unreliable gun may throw him off airsoft. I knew with my first cheapy gun I was wondering whether to throw more money at it or give up altogether. Fortunately I picked the former, I played for a number of years but have since hung up the boots.