Returned to the area.

[Alucard C.]

I've recently returned from being stationed in California, where I picked up airsofting. It sad coming back and looking at these fields out here with all these kiddie rules. Paintball masks, low FPS limits with inaccurate .20's, no AEGs over over 400fps, only bolt actions... 

Why all these awful rules? Rules that reduce my ability to aim and shoot properly and accurately. I'm used to big boys rules, like at Desert Fox Fields. Where if you have a sniper grade weapon, you have a limited engagement range, and you have wear at least ballistics glasses. No full face or paintball mask BS. 

Are there any outdoor fields out here with these big boy rules? 

I'm not some elitist milsim player, the standard special forces wannabe or a CoD player, I'm actually rather casual about playing. I just like playing where I can play to my fullest, I like my rifle replicas firing accurately, like rifles. Kiddie rules are not fun... 

Side note: I'm not looking for teams to join out here, still part of my team out of Cali. Just looking to play. 

[Matt G.]

No fields I ever heard of limit what kind of BBs you can use.

Also, most fields have higher FPS limits and MED for Sniper Rifles.  I believe SOG has a 600fps sniper limit.  

AEG limits are normally around 400-425 for outdoor and 300-350 indoors with a .20 but that is stipulated by the insurance company in most cases.

As for the mask situation almost no fields require a full paintball mask unless you are under 18.  Full seal ANZI rated goggles are normally the minimum requirement, with some places wanting you to have lower face protection as well (IE Iron Face Mask, Shemagh, Etc.)

For places to play it sounds like you would probably like SOG (plays every sunday) in Sparks/Monkton the best, but other places to check out are PAP in Taneytown (they play every saturday and sunday) and OXCC whenever they host games.  There are also some small indoor places but that don't sound like quite what you are looking for.

[Alucard C.]

Well, I've been getting this info from all the fields that this site list off on it's map page. 

So, there are more fields than the ones listed on the maps? Alright, things are definitely sounding better now. 

[Matthew W.]

What fields have you been to?

All fields require full seal eye protection, including the ones in Cali. If they don't, they aren't a legal field.

You can use whatever weight BBs you want as long as they adhere to the site's rules (bio vs non bio, etc.).

400 FPS is a standard limit for fields across the US.

I've never been to a field that only allowed bolt actions.

There are plenty of outdoor fields with "big boy rules." It seems you've been looking at private fields.

[Alucard C.]

Completely wrong, Fox Fields in Cali allowed even Aviators, as long you had something. They weren't illegal either, and some of the Refs were prior Military. 

All the links to fields on this site's map have insane 400 FPS rules. Some of them only allow bolt actions over that level, and their weight limit is the biggest thing of bullcrap. .20's are not accurate, too effected by the elements and barely fly straight even in controlled conditions. 

And yes, Matt G. over there told me of groups with big boy rules. 

[Matthew W.]

You only have one pair of eyes. Every field I have been to in the Midwest and East Coast requires ANZI rated eyewear that must be full seal. If Fox Fields allows players without full seal eye protection, they are taking an enormous litigation risk. Also, claiming the refs are prior military doesn't mean a thing.

400 FPS is by no means an insanely unreasonable rule. 400 FPS w/ 0.20g sits right at/under 1.5J, which is enough to provide a 200 ft range yet not so high as to cause gratuitous injuries at point blank range. Most, if not all, national airsoft organizations have that limit. 

The BASR requirement for the higher FPS guns is perfectly reasonable. When your muzzle exit energy is over 2.5J, your gun has the ability to lacerate and severely bruise skin. The BASR requirement prevents people from semi-spamming somebody with that energy output.

Again, you'll need to provide a link for the weight limit claim. Every field I know may chrono with 0.20g, but they do not mandate its use. If you are in the Maryland area, OXCC is fairly strict with their FPS requirement. PAP/OLTA also follows their rules strictly, but PBSL tends to treat their limits rather loosely. If you want a place where the rules are easily bent, consider PBSL, but the overall atmosphere is poor because of it.

The only place that might require a 0.20g weight limit is a CQC field. In that case, you don't need anything more than a 0.20g because your engagement distances will be under 100 ft within an enclosed area.

By the way, welcome back to the East Coast. I know Cali is a great place to be stationed, particularly if you're Navy.

[Alucard C.]

I'll have you know prior Military usually means a really good thing.

Provide link? I just said the links on the map page of this site. 

Either way though, sorry if I'm rubbing off in a wrong way. I'm all about accuracy. I'm trying to get all my Battle Rifles to be considered "DMR's" by most airsofters.  

Thanks, but outside of my wife, the friends I've made, and a few other things, SoCal was one of the worst places I've been to. Which says a lot since I've been all over the world, haha.

[Matthew W.]

I agree, but as prior military myself, not all prior military folks are great. Most are, but not all.

I did check the map page on this site, but I didn't find any fields with a 0.20g requirement. Are you sure you weren't looking at a private field?

Interesting. San Diego is widely considered one of the better stations if you're in the Navy. Army might be a different story.

Anyway, I'm probably coming off a bit hostile. I'd like to apologize if my posts are accusatory, as there is no need for me to sound like that. I hope you find a good field that is to your liking. If you're in the Maryland area, I highly recommend PAP/OLTA. If you can make it to Ballahack in VA, I would definitely recommend it. The folks at PBSL cheat and argue too much to make it enjoyable, and OXCC is a bit far from my location, though it is a decent field.

[Alucard C.]

Actually, i'm former Marines. While not stationed in Bridgeport or 29-Stumps, I was luckily in Camp Pendleton. SoCal just wasn't doing it for me, summer year round, always hot, no weather, driving there was exceptionally scary, etc etc. haha. I know its "considered" to be the better duty stations, but it never was really good for me. Yeah, Army and Air Force are kind of out there, haha. 

Some examples, could have sworn there was more though... :
http://paintball-sportsland.com/?page_id=196

I am kind of weary about fields messing with their chrono to read higher FPS's. Tac City South in SoCal does that, and I chrono'd same gun multiple times to be sure, but their chrono magically jumped up my FPS some 30-40. 

I'll take Matt G's suggestion and try out the open play thing with SOG. Just to test the waters of how the airsoft meta is out here. 

[jimmy castle]

Alucard welcome to the site. Matt at East Coast can take care of your Airsoft needs.when you have so. Time check us out at SOG.