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How to set optics in an airsoft gun?

2023-05-10

Setting optics in airsoft

Aiming devices definitely make our game easier. Thanks to them, we can quickly pick a target, which will potentially ensure a win in a one-on-one duel with the enemy. Appropriate setting of our red dot or scope can determine the hit. On the other hand, incorrectly selected settings of our crosshair will cause the BB to fly over or next to the opponent, revealing our position and drawing enemy fire on us. As you can see, this is an important issue. Of course, there is no compulsion and if we don't feel like it, we don't have to use red dots or scopes. However, it is no coincidence that many armies in the world decide to equip their front units with various types of optics. Over the years, as it became more accessible, its advantages began to outweigh the potential costs.

Fortunately, in the airsoft application, we have great freedom in choosing the sights we are interested in. We don't have to worry too much about whether the forces occurring during the shot will dysregulate our scope. Most of the products, even the relatively cheap ones, withstand the use of AEG replicas. A bit of a problem may be caused by GBBR constructions and those where the manufacturer used a different blowback simulation system. However, these are considerations for another article. Today we will deal with the basic issues related to setting the sights of our airsoft guns. Of course, it is impossible to include all possible combinations of sights and replicas in this text. For this reason, the text will contain rather general guidelines, which we will only translate into practice with a specific copy of the replica in hand. It is also worth remembering that this text is more of an introduction to the subject than an in-depth analysis. We will not explain here what units such as MOA are and how they can affect the precise counting of the number of adjustments clicks of our optics. These are much more advanced topics than simply setting the red dot so that the BBs fly more or less where we aim.

Before we start adjusting the optics

What is the first step to setting your sight in the airsoft gun? Perversely, I will say that the purchase of this device. Personally, I think that if we choose a well-known airsoft brand, we should not have a problem. I myself use several models of the popular Theta Optics brand, I also have experience with Aim-O or Vector Optics scopes. Although these are companies known only in the airsoft world, they fulfil their functions. If we can afford it, nothing stands in the way of buying a red dot designed for firearms. Still, I think it's an unnecessary expense, especially at the beginning. This solution will certainly be appreciated by players who put their equipment to a very hard test and an ordinary enthusiast of a Sunday skirmish will easily find himself among typical airsoft brands.

Collimator on SA C19 airsoft gun

Another issue worth discussing is the mounting of optics on our replica. We have a few rules here. For example, the mounts of our scope should be as far apart as possible. Of course, as much as the construction of the airsoft gun and the sight allows. In addition, when deciding where to mount our aiming device on the mounting rail, it is worth checking whether it will be good for us to aim through it in the target equipment. If we shoot in a mask, headphones or other accessories, we should try everything on just like in a game. More than once it happened to me that a perfectly set red dot did not fulfil its function and was too low, because I set it without wearing headphones. It is not worth saving on additional accessories such as mountings, extensions or rails. First of all, their airsoft versions are not that expensive and secondly, the ergonomics of our replica depends on them. I have a lot of rifles myself and I often change them, which is why I invested my time in various additional mounts and extensions that make it easier for me to mount optics.

Optics for airsoft black

What to bear in mind when setting up optics in airsoft?

Before setting up the optics, it is worth taking care of the right conditions. We need to find a place where we can shoot our airsoft gun in peace. We should avoid windy and rainy weather. It is worth finding a place where we can see the flying BBs, so where we shoot against a dark background, but the axis of flight of our airsoft ammunition is well lit. We can use tracer BBs for this, but they are quite expensive, so we can, for example, light the BBs with a flashlight. It is good to take hold of some standardized target like a piece of paper or some commercial shooting target. Cardboard will also work, but it's worth having a little more in case it gets damaged from the shots. A measuring tape may also be a useful accessory, although if we do not have it, we can also measure the distance in steps.

At what distance should we adjust our optics? This question is quite difficult to answer unequivocally. The best way is to find a point where our BB, with the perfect hop-up setting, rises a bit to fall down in a moment. If we do not know what it is about, we can look at the previous article on the Gunfire blog, which talked about setting the hop-up system of our replica. I'm not naive though. Not everyone can know such a distance. Not everyone will be able to set the hop-up of the airsoft gun in this way. Some may need any reference to even get started. For this reason, I can say that for ease of use, I sometimes set the sight to 50 meters for assault airsoft guns. In turn, for those that I use in CQB games, I set it to 30 meters. These are just sample distances and it is worth noting that they will not be ideal for every replica, but as I mentioned above - they are a reference point.

Aiming scope on airsoft gun
sight on airsoft gun

The next step is to immobilize the airsoft gun as much as possible and take a control shot. We aim at the centre of our target, preferably on a bipod or tripod so as to minimize the impact of the grip on accuracy. If we have a problem with this, it is worth trying to shoot from a prone or crouching position, resting the replica on the knee or on the ground.

We watch where our test shots fell and make adjustments. Typically, the sight has two knobs or screws for adjustment. One is responsible for movement in the vertical plane, i.e., up - down, and the other in the horizontal plane, i.e., left - right. Sometimes these knobs are marked with an arrow and a direction, e.g., "left" or "up", this can help us determine how we should adjust our optics. However, I prefer to turn the knob and take another test shot. If it falls in the desired direction, i.e., closer to the point I was aiming at, I am on the right track. If it's the other way around, I'm moving away from my goal.

 

Author: Boreq

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