Airsoft Basics: What is "User Skill Level"?
Beginner
Airsoft guns that we have classed as "Beginner" are for the most part simple to operate and maintain and have a minimum of additional functions which would in most cases overwhelm someone new to the sport.
Beginner guns usually take some form of standardised magazine and are often lightweight and well-performing setups with an emphasis on reliability with little extra needed to compete on the field.
For those who are new to the sport or players who want to focus purely on playing and avoid the technical aspects, beginner guns are the best choice.
Regular Player
Our "Regular Player" guns are those we feel would be most suitable for those who skirmish frequently and want something competitive and reliable with perhaps a bit more realism than "Beginner" guns.
Regular Player guns are often full metal in construction and have a bit more mass to them than a Beginner gun, making them a step up from the guns most of us started Airsoft with as far as realism goes. Regular player guns may also be replicas of more obscure platforms such as WWII SMG replicas and often require a bit more knowledge when it comes to selecting magazines, batteries and accessories.
Those with a decent amount of Airsoft knowledge who attend skirmishes regularly would probably find that our "Regular Player" guns suit them the most.
Experienced Player
Guns marked "Experienced Player" often have more advanced features and maintenance procedures which makes them more suitable for those who have been Airsofting for quite some time.
That doesn't mean an "Experienced Player" gun will shoot any better than the others, more that it may weigh more, be more complex to operate and require specialist equipment to get the most out of its features on the field.
"Experienced Player" guns often have extra features built in such as programmable fire controls and other MOSFET/ETU functions which can give an edge in game but require a lot of research to understand and optimise, and without that research, the consequences can be a significantly shorter lifespan for your gun.
Many "Experienced Player" guns have a "bolt stop" function, the foremost examples of which are Tokyo Marui NGRS M4 variants, Gas blowback rifles and the ASG CZ Scorpion EVO. This means you have to hit the bolt catch button following a reload which many newer players and more performance-oriented skirmishers can forget in the heat of the moment, slowing them down and causing stress mid-firefight. This also means proprietary magazines which can rack up expenses if you are building a full kit with one of these guns which in most cases is something only an "Experienced Player" would be cool with.
Some gas blowback rifles, most sniper rifles and support guns would usually be classed as "Experienced Player" guns as these are much more challenging to use in-game than an AEG and almost always require additional upgrades or expensive and proprietary magazines to complete a full loadout for, and as such, they are not ideal as a first foray into Airsoft.
Technical Player
Guns marked as for "Technical Players" are usually the most complex guns on the market, and often require a high level of technical proficiency, either with internals or with the way you use them in game. We only recommend "Technical Player" guns to those who are happy to troubleshoot any potential issues, source or fabricate replacement parts if things go wrong, and potentially work harder for each kill they get when skirmishing.
Like with "Experienced Player" guns, guns marked as for "Technical Players" won't necessarily shoot better than any other type, and though many "Technical Player" guns have enormous potential they may also require other expensive and complex hardware to make the most out of them.
Many Gas Blowback Rifles, shell ejecting platforms and unique guns with non-standard compatibility are classed as "Technical Player" guns as they will almost definitely require a decent amount of technical knowledge, care and attention during use, plenty of research in order to diagnose potential problems and keep the gun working in the long term.
The vast majority of our shell ejecting platforms are classed as for "Technical Players", as well as certain gas blowback rifles with unique internal systems and limited availability of spare parts. These platforms can be skirmished but will be a whole lot more work to use and will require a lot of technique and skill to get kills with when facing off against those with more standard platforms, such as "Beginner" and "Regular Player" guns.
Now you know what we are on about with our "User Skill Level" tags! Hopefully, this has given you a bit more ammunition when it comes to choosing the right Airsoft gun for you, but if you have your eye on an "Experienced Player" or "Technical Player" gun and you are new to Airsofting it doesn't mean you can't buy what you want, we just want you to be aware that these guns are far more challenging and complex to use when compared to a standard AEG platform.
Good hunting and all the best on your Airsofting adventure!