Best pistol for C.A.P.S.
 

Very new to airsoft so I will make a long story short.

Myself and a friend are looking to get into IPSC style shooting and want to know what the best pistol is to start out. I am sure it will be a TM 1911 but there seems to be a few different models and styles and we are not familiar with the terminology and acronyms. I know upgrades are a huge part of this sport so initial value versus upgrade cost and availability down the road is a consideration for me.

My thanks in advance for your insight. If this has been covered in another thread I apologize. There is so much info on here and I just can't seem to find the time to plow through all of it. A wife and 5 kids will do that to you....

Tokyo Marui Hi-Capa. End of story.

The single stack / 1911 series is a bit too limited as far as gas consistency and capacity is concerned. For practical shooting, there's a reason why the double stack "high capacity" / 2011 series dominates in both airsoft as well as real steel.

Holy sheet. What was that, like 10 seconds? LOL Thanks by the way!

4.3 or 5.1. And what is the MEU version?

Marine Expeditionary Unit (M.E.U) is what the standard for pistols that were issued until about the 80's for American forces. It is designed by the Navy for accuracy and long engagements

So they would be single stack 1911 style then?

Yes

Umm... no. Made from modified 1911a1s in 1985 for Force Recon.

Ah crap my bad. meant to say it's been in use since the 80s

You're very welcome. If you want to do more research on the topic, check out this thread for more information than you'll be able to handle:
http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=94413

4.3 vs 5.1 is one of the most common questions. It's so common, that I placed it as the very first Q/A in the FAQ in that thread I linked above. Just scroll down to post #2 (you can hotlink from the Table of Contents in post #1) and read away.

As for MEU, it's based off the 1911 / single stack platform. It's great as a skirmish pistol. I have a couple as well.

All good info, thank you gentlemen. Guess I should get AV'd and start shopping....

TM Hi-capa 5.1, best gbb period, but expecially very suitable for CAPS, can be upgraded externally to the tits if you want (if moving from standard to open division) but is amazing in stock form.

and wtf does that (incorrect) blurb about MEU's have to do with IPSC style airsoft shooting?

Well I did mention that I was unfamiliar with the acronyms...So it helped that way. LOL

Going to assume that buying one used and hopefully somewhat built is going to be cheaper than starting from scratch? Assuming the used one is in good condition and built by someone reputable.

If buying used, and the person isn't local, check out the pics and description thoroughly, ask for more detailed pics if you need them, ask questions.

If he's local, check out the gun first, fire off a full mag and see if it locks back on empty etc. take off slide and examine further if possible.

OK cool will keep all that in mind.

Is there anyone in durham that does AV? Or close to durham?

http://www.airsoftcanada.com/showthread.php?t=74996

that has a list of all the Age Verifiers, and one part in particular:

Whisper Kill
Will verify Durham Region.
Can be contacted at:
ASC Private Message

Missed that whole thread somehow. Thanks again!

Check everywhere in Toronto area and no one sells a TM hicapa. Also been told that all airsoft pistols are no longer available with black frames but now only with tinted plastic. TM apparently will not produce tinted frames so I have to choose between KJW, WE and others.

Is this true???

Uhh get Age Verified? It's illegal to sell a pistol without a clear frame unless the importer has a BFL. Otherwise, you're limited to manufacturers that produce clear pistols, and you're missing out on TM, KSC, KWA, etc.

I know all airsoft pistols now have tinted frames.

The question is, who sells TM hicapa in Toronto since that is considered the best pistol for airsoft competition?

WRONG

and we CANNOT tell you where to buy airsoft guns as per site rules.
you want a gun? here read THIS and then do THIS

Thanks RITZ for the links.

I understand the age verification thing but my beef is that after doing a search for airsoft dealers in Canada and calling almost all of them, and to find out they don't carry TM which everyone on this forum says it the best.

I have friends in HK that only shoots TM and say to try to find a dealer in Canada that may have it or consider another variant to get by.

They are available.
that is the only answer I can give you until you get verified

Thank you.
Just found a dealer that does carry TM in Canada.

By the way, I have a black badge and shoot real IPSC and did not have this kind of trouble with similar questions. Today all dealers have websites which is not secret info, something I should have searched for instead of asking a simple question on this forum.

Forum rules my friend, Members cannot tell unverified members where to get Airsoft guns. The age verification system is in place to make sure you are 18+ and responsible, it is easy to "say" you are qualified in alot of things online. In person meetings are the only way to make sure hence meeting with a verifier.

RITZ,

I read your rules in the links and respect how this forum regulates new and unverified members.

But.... this is the internet. This forum has names of airsoft dealers that anyone can search and most have phone numbers that potential customers can call to talk to. I can search TM and locate any dealer in Canada as well.

The final verifier will be the store dealer if they feel my 40+ year old appearance is still under 18 and my FAC is still required for a airsoft pistol purchase, that would be fine by me.

I'm just saying, Outside the restricted age of majority section we cannot post where you are able to get guns, because that would tell un-verified members where and how to get them. We never said the information is unavailable on here or else where, it simply takes time and research (which most people do not have the attention span for and it weeds them out fast)

Bob,

I'll throw you a bone.

Some verifiers have storefronts. They may not sell the guns (ie. Army Issue sells surplus gear and other stuff but not guns however he is a verifier) but when verified that you're 40+ in person can point you in the right direction and submit your info for age verification for the site as there are a few dealers who deal exclusively on this site.

Bob,
Your thinking that every retailer has a website is wrong some do not and only sell through the classifieds here plus the huge amount of private sales and the BEST source for this type of gun and the parts/mods that go with it sells only through this website.

Anyways you want to get into CAPS and the guys you need to meet will there so just show up with or without a gun to check things out get AV'd and all the other info you'll need.

Never could understand some peoples aversion to getting age verified... Its 15 minutes with no costs involved unless you decide to buy coffee...

Thats it.

And then you get access to a huge range of products for cheap.

Seriously.

It took me something like a month after registering to decide that I was going to get age verified, and even then I had to have an excuse to travel to downtown T.O. Mind you, that's mostly because I don't have a car, or a G2, or live in T.O. for that matter.

I was kind of reluctant to get age verified, and only made up my mind after about a month. For all intents and purposes, the act consists of meeting up with a complete stranger to give them your I.D, and some people can be pretty squeamish about that.

The second part of it could be that people dislike ASC for essentially acting as a regulatory body for airsoft in Canada. There is probably more to that, but I can't quite think of anything else at the moment.