Tippman goes Airsoft, What Do You Think?

[grEnAlEins]

I do not really get the whole airsoft thing i guess. It is popular--or seems to be--so it should do good for tippmann I guess. That is if they are any competition for established airsoft gun makers (I do not know any makers by name, but there are obviosly some that are better than others as in any sport/game). If they continue to make a decent and ultra-durable product, I bet they will make profits. I think it is cool to see a paintball company try somthing new. Who knows, they may accidentaly discover the next revolutionary paintball technology trying to improve airsoft stuff. This move can't hurt I guess, unless Tippmann cannot compete.

[REDRT]

Wow tippmann is doing something again. Nothing that I'd be interested in though. How's about hearing something about AGD is doing? I'm not really a tippmann fan sitting here on AO you know.

[neppo1345]

They're damned good at filling those niche markets...

[drg]

IMO it is LONG overdue for someone to apply paintball production values -- reliability, RUGGEDNESS, playability -- into airsoft guns. Just about all airsoft guns to date have been glorified toys. Now that airsoft is gaining momentum as a "real" sport/hobby/enthusiasm, the development of real tools for the job is a no-brainer. Kudos to Tippmann, and yes in a way they are going back to their roots -- all the better.

Once purpose-built airsoft guns start dominating competitions, this trend will take off. There is SO much room for improvement in performance.

[camilion705]

I think it would be great for Tippmann to get into Airsoft. Airsoft is pretty much dominated by Asian companies and to have some more US based competition for companies such as TM would be awesome.

However, they are going to have to make excellent products inorder to compete with the likes of Tokyo Marui and Classic Army... But its Tippmann, so no doubt they will be well made. Right?

[MoeMag]

[TheAngryDrunkenRussian]

huh this should be fun.

First off I can see Tippmann marketing more towards Law enforcement with them as trainers.
A. Life like characteristics such as wieght, scale, and action's are pretty much the same as the real steel. The basic principal that cops/military try to use the most realistic weapons for training. I.E. Sim-Munitions (9mm paintball rounds loads of fun when your shooting a SAW), Sim-Munitions suck though considering there very weak range (50m? If I remember correctly). MILES ha what a joke. Stupid Lazer tag and blanks.
But anyways If they train with it. It will put them in a mind set of not to freeze up when cops have a gun pointed at them.

Oh yeah second thing Tippmann will stamp there name on it cause if they put the real tags on it colt,H&k, FN, all them will stick their greedy little hands at them and expect money.

But hey its cool I got a TM m16 as a wall hanger and its made out of plastic, and Classic Army their internal's just suck mad donkey

[Tunaman]

I don't think airsoft is a good thing. It is already banned in NJ and you can't buy the guns here.

[msm0711]

umm i would think that they are.. since EVERY field has them as rentals...


my 2 cents

You might want to un bolden that "EVERY". My local field uses Mokal Titans as rental, and I can't say that I've been to a field that used Tippmanns as rentals in quite a while.

[Jotsy]

oooh boy, an airsoft discussion on a paintball thread here we go again....

just to clear up a few points...

1) the range in airsoft products availiable is quite wide. you can get a $5 springer that will break after a day, or you can get a $1000 assault rifle that will be indistinguishable from the real thing (yes, made of of metal an all )

2) the accuracy of airsoft rifles is pretty much the same as paintball. mebe with the exception that the long sought after backspin theory in paintball actually works in airsoft and has been in use since the 80's. in fact, you can upgrade some of the airsoft sniper rifles to hit a coin at 100 feet consistently

3) airsoft is based on the honor system. and from my experience, it actually works. my theory is that this is because the only people who would even consider playing airsoft in the first place are the people who uphold values like that. airsoft is also not based on competition. people just play for fun. i have never been to a game where some actually kept score. in fact, i've played games where it was actually impossible to win.

4) i don't know how it is in the states, but here in the UK, the general consensus is that airsoft players DON'T WANT airsoft to go mainstream. the less people know about it the better. this helps keep all the idiots out. you know, the kids that go into walmart and buy the cheapest thing they can get and go out and do a drive by...

At the moment Tokyo Marui and Classic Army are the two leading manufacturers in high-end airsoft(although several companies such as G&G and ICS are working to get up there)

don't forget Systema with their M4 PTW (personal training weapon) which is actually designed for law enforcement training. arguably one of the best made airsoft rifles out there. oh i wish i could afford one.....

ok, my airsoft rant is over.... i think i may have gone off topic there

so uuh.. yea good luck to tippman

[Lohman446]

I have heard certain people dream about the "glory" days of paintball, before SP, Dye, and the big boys made it a political game. When it was about innovation of product and advancement of the sport more than politics and patents. When players were honest and teams were people who got along, rather than a group of people thrown together because of skill sets to win.

Paintball will never be there again. Maybe airsoft still is.

[marpat]

umm i would think that they are.. since almost every field has them as rentals...

better?

but my point was that they do make high performance paintball equipment.

it may not be your 20 + bps high performance

but my definition is does it shoot with consistancy (*sp) and some what accuracy with the stock barrel? and low maintenance? - then they do.


but back on track. i play airsoft and i currently own a G-36 TM and it's great. As i see it, most paintball retailers are already selling airsoft guns so it is already creeping into the mainstream market.

As i see it tippmann is trying to establish themselves in a new market due to the fact that there hasn't been any revolutionary paintball inventions in a while and the market is topping off. - again just my opinion. so good for them! it's a good business decision. and if it doesn't have a big tippmann slapped on the side of it then i'd consider buying it. esp if it comes with the tippmann warranty! hopefully that doesn't mean also they make it cheap.

[REDRT]

To me airsoft is toys. Tippmann is breaking out into new markets. That is fine and dandy. Is the next step water pistols?

[craltal]

"through a strategic alliance with Palco Sports"

They aren't making things themselves right now, they just partnered with somebody who already does, like K2 doesn't make 'cockers...

[11 Bravo]

Wow tippmann is doing something again. Nothing that I'd be interested in though. How's about hearing something about AGD is doing? I'm not really a tippmann fan sitting here on AO you know.

AMEN