Two Minute Tactical Upgrade Using Zip Ties

Do you play Airsoft? Do you have an awesome gun? Have you ever tried making it even more awesome? Perhaps you went through the following scenario:

*enters store*
*sees awesome gun attachment*
*buys it and goes home excited to try it out*
*realizes it doesn't fit*
*death roar*
*go back to store*
*see that rail kit parts required are 30$*
*FFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUU*

I know I have. Then I discovered a cheap, effective, and good-looking alternative. Why not use zip-ties? Obviously they wouldn't work for things that need to be ultra-stable, like optics, but do work for other things.

Since my gun is an MP5 variant, it is best suited for close-quarters. I thought I would attach a flashlight to give myself an edge in the dark. I got a bargain flashlight at a discount store, modified it to use LEDs (to save 4$, because I'm that cheap), and zip-tied it to the front right hand rail on my gun. I don't remember the exact size of the tie I used, but it shouldn't matter. Basically I just looped the ties under the rail, slipped the light into the loops, tightened it a bit, adjusted it, and then tightened it all the way. I then snipped off the tails of the Zip-ties with scissors. The whole process took me like two minutes from Inspiration to Completion.



For people wanting to do something like this, here is a list of more attachments you could attach in this way:
-flashlight (like I did)
-grip (possible, but you might have to use extra ties)
-laser sight (maybe not for high accuracy things like assault rifles, but definitely for pistols and smaller guns)
-bayonet
-you could probably attach a red-dot sight using this method, but unless you have no alternative, I cant guarantee reliable accuracy.

This method is perfect for beginning Airsofters or those with a very tight budget. For a pro playing in competition, its probably not a good idea. Great for repairs too. I recommend taking a few zip-ties along in your kit bag when you play. They weigh nothing, and have millions of uses.

Comments

[street_racer21]

also any idea where i can find that camouflage tape?

[ilpug]

I got it at Walmart for like 4 dollars.

[street_racer21]

lol i like how i find this after i already put a spare rail mount on my ps move sharpshooter to fit my spare reflex scope onto it. but if i feel the need to add more parts ill definetly use this.

[kmanning98]

Thanks. The picatinny rail mounts are so expensive too. I have an M&P 15 and will be able to use this until i can get an actual mount. Good job.

[ilpug]

Yeah. In most real-steel applications, attachments need to be rock hard mounted, but in arisoft, you have quite a bit of leeway with your attachment strength.

[cam.dav32]

If you wanted just a slightly more effective and better looking attachment method you could use pipe clamps, but I agree with you the rates for a airsoft picatinny rail are astronomical. good use of "ghetto" parts and on the whole a good non-perm solution to a problem that plagues all us low-budget airsofters. good ible.

[ilpug]

thank you!

[ilpug]

they can laugh all they want. it works perfectly well for my needs and i have never had any trouble with it. true, you do have to move your hand a few inches to turn it on, but that takes about half a second. People like me just can't afford to go out and spend 45$ at the drop of a hat for an Airsoft accessory. This works just as well as my friend's store-bought tac light. I play two or three times a month, and average in the top 20% of the people i play with. This is not a project thought up by a noob, it is a project thought up by a cheap experienced Airsofter.

[okoshima]

or pay for a decent tac light with mounts and pressure switch. i know newbs who would laugh you off the field