Introduction: They say that when money is tight - as in this current credit crunch - one of the first household cuts is subscriptions to periodicals. In truth, however, I had long since stopped buying Airsoft International. But when I found myself a little bored with my iPod library and needed something for the tedious commute to work I relented and purchased the latest copy. So here is my thoughts on how it has changed (or not changed):

I remember back when I first started getting into airsoft (not really that long ago, it just seems as if it was) my primary source of information was Airsoft International magazine. I'm a bit of a magazine fan, I like the printed word in front of me, and magazines are easily folded up and stuffed in my bag so I can read them on the train to work, and passed on to friends ones read (for an ecological brownie point).

These days I buy Arsoft International only very intermittently - usually because there is a particular article I know I want to read in it, but even then I think there are better more entertaining magazines out there. Take Airsoft Soldier magazine, or there are even a few free internet downloadable mags out there now that are worth a look (like U.S.A.S.O.C.).

So when I bought the latest AI mag I didn't have high hopes, I found that my initial enthusiasm for this journal became jaded as I slowly became contemptuous for what I - and many others in the general airsoft community - considered the rather condescending attitude of it's staff writers. Additionally, I eventually found several specialist online airsoft communities far better equipped with in-depth knowledge and with one major advantage that printed resources couldn't match (easily) - online communities can answer back!

Gentlemens Club
There is something rather elitist about Airsoft Internationals style - almost as if they are a club who only very reluctantly admit other 'newbie' members, but then only dane to talk to them because they need the subscriptions! In short, AI seems to exist only to fuel the egos of those who write for it rather than serving the needs of the vast majority of UK airsofters.

A case in point is the near total disregard for 'cheapsoft' AEGs. Take this month's article - or rather shameless self-promotional piece - on AI's 'Tour of Duty' Vietnam War themed event. They seem to be trying to encourage participation in the event by showing how easy it is for the average player to obtain authentically replicated Vietnam era airsoft guns - but then ruin the whole thing by preferring to list over-priced mainstream manufacturers ware instead of the many budget versions out there. Surely if AI were really trying to show how accessible Milsim style events can be they would have demonstrated that this format does NOT have to be the expensive Geardo-fest that it usually ......

So let me paraphrase their example weapon loadouts to show how it could have been done (remember, I'm looking at this from the point of view of someone who has never Milsimmed before, but who might be persuaded to join such an event IF it doesn't cost to much):-

1. M16/XM177
Here AI mentions Classic Army of TM products with starting prices from £250

All budget manufacturers produce M16 based AEGs, but what is important to remember is that the main difference between the real early 'Nam era model M16 and it's updated counterparts are very slight details that the majority of people might be forgiven for summarising as 'so what?' differences. Even in some famous 'Nam war movies the later post-war M16 models are used because the film makers decided that the differences were so cosmetically inconsequential. But lets plat AI's game and go 'Geardo' on the cheap...

> JG M16A1 'Vietnam' - £115, comparible to the more expensive TM model by all accounts

My suggestion: Don't spend a bundle looking for a 'Nam era M16 or XM177 AEG - cheat! Both the 3 pronged M16 Nam flash hider and the XM177 flash hider are available as separate parts, as is the M16 20 round mag, buy one and stick it on your modern M14 or M4 'Commando' and no one will bat an eye-lid, but you will be saving over £100 on AI's price tag. My choice buy would be - ironically - the Classic Army 'Sportsline' M15A4 Carbine Value Package at £124.99 - its the XM177 bar the flash hider (which is available from Gunner Airsoft for $15).

2. AK47
Well, you are completely spoilt for budget alternatives to AI's recommended purchase of £174 worth of AK with an additional £110 spent on Inokatsu wood! (WTF?)

ALL budget AEG companies have an perfectly acceptable period AK47 in their inventory. Want a TM clone - buy the very highly thought of CYMA CM.028 AK47 for just £99! But for 20 or so quid more, why not push the boat out and get CYMA CM.042 AK47 which comes with full metal and nice wood stock!

Even better, in a couple of weeks Kalash brand (Dboy) will be releasing their clone of the VFC AKMS. This will likely be about £140, but will be far superior in authentic looks to premier brand versions made by Tokyo Marui or Classic Army.

3. RPK
The RPK was the standard light MG used by the NVA and later VC units during the war. According to AI 'prices start from £400 for the Classic Army version'.....

Right now Wolf Armouries is selling a very nice SRC made metal RPK replica for just £189.99!

Alternatively, Battleaxe sell a very passable AK47 base RPK add-on kit for just £70 - all you need is the doner AK47, which I have already mentioned can be got for about £120 (go with teh metal and not teh plastic doner).

4. M60
OK, a little harder to do - AI quite rightly point to the wonderful Inokatsu replica Vietnam period M60 which will set you back in the region of £980!

Hard, but not impossible - especially if you are willing to bend the rules on 'authentisity' just a little.

No budget company has brought out a Nam era M60 (yet!), but A&K had just released a M60 Mk43, a post-Vietnam era upgraded M60. The difference? - The Mk43 has a shortened barrel and updated plastic furniture including front grip for stability. But the good news is the price - just £339!

Above: A&K's new M60 Mk. 43 - all the classic M60 looks with a modern twist.

5. Colt M1911
For some reason AI rather dismissifly note that this side arm - in airsoft form - can cost 'from as little as £40'...

Why AI rather lazily add a budget price right at the end of their list I don't know, but it is none the less true. Some excellent budget 1911 clones can be picked up very cheaply, without giving away too much by way of quality. My suggestion: Here I would actually suggest paying a bit more than the bargain basement £40 - the Colt 1911 is a staple of any airsoft collection (like the AK47 or M16) and so get a good budget model - like the KJ Full Metal M1911 Gas Blowback at £90.

6. Other alternatives
Airsoft International didn't even bother mentioning any other alternative weapons and buget replicas that you could also legitimately use in a 'Nam milsim. The most notable ommision was the venerable M14!

Budget alternatives could be the AGM M14 at just £130, a lot cheaper than the TM version but with comparible performance. Or, if you want to really stand out from the crowd, how about a CYMA M1A Thompson M1A1 SMG at £130, or a MP40 by AGM at £125 (the Thompson was used by US 'advisers' and special forces as well as the Viet Cong. Likewise the MP40 was used my some US SF and VC).

In summary of this article: My argument is that by not at least attempting to provide a budget alternative to the prices that AI suggest you should be spending then AI is cutting out a large number of people who may be tempted to give this event a try. Instead AI reenforcing the impression that Milsimming is for a niche elite who are willing to spend large sums for that authentic kit. This is just not so.

AI magazine - final thoughts
I was a bit disappointed that Airsoft International has still that air of a clique about it. I may be being unfair, as it's hard to form a true picture from just one issue - but, and it's a big but, as with the 'Tour of Duty' article AIrsoft International rather unfairly does not paint the whole picture of airsofting in the UK today. Today makes like CYMA, Dboy and JG are not looked down apon as 'shoddy' and 'cheapsoft' but instead provide reliable and attractive entry into the sport for a large number of necomers, and are insome cases the prefered purchases for many 'milsim-lite' players (like myself) who doggedly sing the praises of value for money of the budget AEGs.

Technically Airsoft Intenational leaves the reader bereft of the whole picture as well. Online forums often have far more indepth instructional threads - some with excellent photographic and video tutorials - and as mentioned before, the forums are ideal for asking questions and getting timely advise.

But let's end on a positive note. AI does have superb photography and is currently advertising for new writters from teh body of the airsoft community. I wish them luck with this.

Let's face it, airsofters are a vien lot - myself included - and love to see ourself decked out in our prized loadouts. In this AI has a nice reader's gallery and regular piece called 'Local Loadouts' which features a regular 'Joe' in his Sunday best! Likewise their site reports are a very constructive and useful review of some of the county's best fields.

But airsoft is predominantly about community, comradery, inclusion and fun. Airsoft International seems to have chosen to seperate itself from the grassroots to a certain extent with it's rather elitist attitudes to what people want to read about.

> Airsoft International official web site

In the spirit of ballace, here are the alternatives:

Print magazines:
> Airsoft Soldier
> Tactical Milsim magazine

Online magazines:
> U.S.A.S.O.C. - The free onine magazine
> Popular Airsoft magazine