Train As an Airsoft Sniper

This is a quick guide as to how to improve your long range shooting for airsoft combat.

Steps

Precision

  1. Set up a target. The target should initially be at a medium range in the open, as you improve move the target further away, add obstructions and make the target smaller.
  2. Get a table for 50 shots. Mark down the number you hit versus the number you didn't. On consecutive runs do the same, hopefully your hit number should go up. See if there are any patterns to the hits. Are they all at the beginning? If so, then you are probably losing concentration near the end. If they are all at the end then you are rushing into it, so slow down.
  3. Try reading airsoft tactical guides; real military handbooks are only of limited use in airsoft due to the many differences between real life and airsoft.
  4. TRAIN with your gun, run around, move silently, do push-ups with it, and make sure you can handle the weight.

Stealth

  1. Buy or make a ghillie suit
  2. Look for flaws in your camouflage, use camouflage tape or strips of fabric to cover gaps.
  3. Learn to crawl/move silently, use your toes when lying down, not your arms
  4. Be patient!
  5. Know your environment and the opposition.
  6. Know an escape route in case you ever need it.
  7. Upgrade your gun as needed.
  8. Pick your shots
  9. Don't make sudden movements!

Tips

  • Try to act like you are part of the game whilst practising, maintaining noise levels and speed of aiming, etc. There is no point becoming a crack shot in your field and then a dud in a game
  • While you are a sniper be careful of where you decide to hide. If your position is bad, the other team will see you and then you have no place to run. If this happens having a pistol is helpful. Don't expect to win when he or she knows where you are and just has to spam you. When all you have is the fact that you don't know when he or she will attack.
  • A sniper is not a killer like most people think they are. They are a scout. Remember your rifle is your life but your skills in stealth and scouting are your most useful asset.
  • Remember, the environment is not your foe. It is your closest (and sometimes your only) ally. Since you most likely have a bolt-action rifle, you must use stealth. Here your surroundings come into play. Don't think of a bush as a bush, but rather as a hiding spot. Stealth is the word of the day if you're a sniper.
  • Try to pick out the smallest of faults and work through them one at a time, make sure you don't forget about previous points as you work on new ones though.
  • If you are in an open space (meaning a forest etc) and your foes happen to locate your position, the best thing to do is to stay there unless there is either nothing that you can take cover behind or any other reason you must move. Otherwise, stay there. It has worked for me, and it will work for you if you can keep your head calm. Just stay there and continue sniping. If you move, they will locate your exact position for sure and have a large chance of getting you eliminated. Just stay where you are, keep calm, and continue sniping like nothing happened. Some special occasions require improvisation.
  • Be prepared to dump at a lot of money into your platform if you want your gun to be more effective than a stock AEG would be.
  • If you can, shoot the team leader--this will cause chaos and make them easy to pick off
  • Use heavy BB's such as .30, .36gram or .40gram only for target practice as the ammunition can be dangerous for live play.
  • Pick a good sniper platform such as a Maruzen, Tanaka or Tokyo Marui. Do not pick a Well, UTG, JG or ACM branded sniper rifle, unless you are able to do upgrades, and are able to analyze and correct accuracy/power problems. The UTG, WWELL, JG, ACM, are all acceptable beginner brands, especially for the money. Other brands generally tend to be more reliable.
  • When shooting from a prone position (lying down) pull one knee up toward your waist while keeping your foot and leg flat on the ground, this helps comfort & stability while aiming & will allow you to stand, move or roll quickly if you become compromised.

Warnings

  • Sniping is NOT as easy as it looks in movies. Unless you train well, you can never hope to live out your darkest sniping fantasies (meaning you alone eliminating more than three foes with automatic guns.)
  • Be sure to read the manual of all airsoft weapons you use.

Related Articles