Monday 15 June 2015

In depth secondary: MK 23 NBB

Hi there, i`m back again !!



Today i want to share my thoughts about one of my favourite secondary (sometimes even used as primary too). It`s the legendary MK23 NBB!.Picture above is my personal MK23.
For you who doesn`t know before, this pistol designed originally by Tokyo Marui in early 2000.
Well, it`s 10+ years already now, yet TM NEVER update this design, which mean it`s working fine until now.

Personally i really like this pistol, then next i will go through the details, pros, cons, and tuning tips.

There are several things that set this gun apart from most others. First of all, it’s a package deal – it comes with the gun, a carrying case, a supressor, and a LAM unit. In addition to that, it’s cheaper than some guns – even with all the extra stuff. Finally, it’s an NBB – a NON-BLOWBACK, which means that when you fire the slide does not move and there is no recoil. This also means better controllability, especially when firing rapidly. Let`s take a look on pros and cons from my point of view.

PROS:

  • Very Accurate. On 25 meter range, outdoor,  i can hit man sized target 8/10 with 0.2g bb`s.
  • Very Silent. Due to absence of blockback system, NBB produce far lesser noise than GBBs, furthermore when supressor is attached. It sounds like "Blub-Blub-Blub". Even at 10 meter/ 30 feet, it`s really hard to notice the sound.
  • Hop & Barrel are GBB compatible. Yes, i got what you`re thinking. Upgrading this gun become really easy since we have plenty GBB parts on market we can use.
  • Supressor comes with the gun, not to mention exclusive LAM unit also.
  • Pretty lightweight for it`s size. I also had KJW 1911, and it`s still slightly lighter than 1911 even with supressor attached.
  • Fair price. 150$ at Ehobbyasia vs 165$ for TM Mark IV 70`s 1911 vs 129$ for TM P226.
  • Great magazine capacity. The mag holds 24 rounds!!.
  • Great gas efficiency. Stock mag can shoot up to 4-5 mag in single fill.
CONS:
  • Too long when supressor is attached. Less tactical for CQB.
  • Grip are too big and hard to handle for some people. Personally i take some time to adapt with this problem.
  • HARD to find holster to fit it. Haha, i`ve solved this problem by making custom one.
  • Double Action!!. You need to get used with LONG and HARD trigger pull on MK23, which contrast to most of GBB pistol especialy single action one, such as 1911.
  • Non adjustable sight. I don`t really bothered by this one anyway.
  • Tend to jam with cheaper bb`s. If you can afford this gun, then you can afford to feed it with decent bb.
  • Leaky magazine while using Green Gas. Actually there`s still many misconception about this, as this gun are made to shoot lower pressure hfc-134a. TM used release valve technology to expell excessive high pressure gas (like Green gas). But there`s a modification you can do to overcome this if you want to use Green gas on it.(Coming on next article)
OVERALL

Performance (both with gas usage and general accuracy) is very good out of the box, even better if u do some tuning/ upgrades. Whenever enemies with AEGs rushing you while you`re HARD-Sniping in your hiding spot, just pull out your MK23, and spit back some rapid-fire to push them back (or maybe kill em all). Or while you are stalking around the field looking for nice spot, MK23 can manouver around and do corner-check, even respond quickly if enemy appears suddenly (doing this with your long, heavy bolt action spring sniper is not a very good idea). Up next, i will share my recent work with my MK23. Stay Tuned bros!


Monday 1 June 2015

Learning from "Youtube Snipers"

Good night!
Recently, when you browse for "Airsoft Sniper", usually a youtube link will show up on result.
This link will bring you to youtube video of some recorded game of Airsoft Sniper in action from their Scopecam perspective.
For you dude whose got no idea about what i`m talking, here`s some link:
Youtube Sniper - vavann
Youtube Sniper - novritsch

For you who already knew them, now they are really popular, reaching over 300.000 views per video (they have a lot of them). Personally i also admire them. They made nice video, even non-airsofter watcher can enjoy. For us Airsoft Snipers, these videos can provide A LOT of knowledge for skirmishing. Let`s go furthermore! (you can watch the video first before continuing)

Lesson 1 - Use proper camoflaging
This is simple one. In his video, vavann clearly show us a proper gear for woodland environment (Ghillie-suit). We can see on some montage, player he hit hardly can tell where they`re shot from.
Camoflaging give you time to take aim and shoot, right before enemy catch you on their sight.

Lesson 2 - Positioning
After watching videos several times, you might notice that these Snipers got their target from either side/flank/rear or from some good distance where enemies can hardly spot them. This also a basic of proper engagement, maximizing your best advantage as sniper which is "Longer Distance". Good cover spot can also be winning factor.

Lesson 3 - Compensate wind
On a windy day, even if you`re using heavyweight bbs, you first shot will just got blown by wind. These situation also appear many time in videos. Then what the dudes did? They quicly take followed up shot, and compensate for wind by moving their crosshair against wind direction. If you quick enough to take follow up shot while compensating, after your first shot miss, you have better chance of hitting the target.

Lesson 4 - Use secondary on proper situation
Some videos also showed us when these Sniper got flanked, surrounded, or spotted. Then swifly they just pull out their pistol, giving a fierce fightback against approaching enemies. Even if they got hit in the end, at least 1 enemy got hit as well. Good trade.

Lesson 5 - Use heavyweight BB`s
Just forget if you think that you can shoot like they did on videos if you are still feeding 0.2 or 0.25 on your sniper rifle, its NOT gonna work the same. See on description tab on each videos, you can see what bb`s Vavann or Novritsch using. So, sniper grade bb`s are not negotible. Personally i use 0.3 /0.36 depends on rifle setup and skirmish field.

Well then, thats all i can tell after watching these Sniper Scopecam videos, they are both fun and educative. I suggest you to watch some for good reference on how to play Sniper role in Airsoft.
Maybe you can also make your own if you wish :D.

I`ll be back with more post, so stay tuned !