suggestions for my first rifle

Hi,
I am looking for my first rifle. My budget is $200. What would you recommend. I like the Well I96 but I also like to get into close combat. I was thinking about a more universal gun like a G36C, putting a scope on it and maybe adding a longer barell....but if the effective ranges on those "combat" rifles is nothing like the real sniper ones I would go for a long rifle for accuracy and range. Please help I know nothing about the guns out there...

thanks!

you can upgrade a nice AEG to be a lot better than any sniper and cheaper

Better than any sniper rifle is an over statement, cheaper maybe, but better no.

I also agree, grab yourself an AEG. At this stage in airsoft(beginning). It doesn't really matter which style of gun you go with. However the Company is esential. Some good companies are, Tokyo Marui(TM), Classic Army(CA), KWA, Echo 1(E1), Jing Gong(JG), and D-boys/Boyi. Some the newer A&K guns are pretty good, there are also some very good CYMA models(newer). Stay away from the older models though.

Go with what you think looks the best, you will not regret it later.

sticks

Get an M14... Best of both worlds, full auto AND a good base for a DMR/sniper rifle.
If you don't fancy lugging a full sized rifle around, try the SOCOM versions. There are plenty of Chinese clones out there, so no need to spend a fortune on a TM gun (my bro had a TM version, I thought it was a pile of over priced cack!").

I have heaps of bolt action sniper rifles, but I decided to try a Dboyi/DBoys SPR... It's rubbish!
My Classic Army M15A4 out shoots it, but then again it would need to, it cost twice as much.

Never buy a gun because of the way it looks. You need to test it first, get the feel for it.
I bought the SPR because of a pic I saw in a magazine, now I'm stuck with a gun I hate (because of the airsoft laws in the UK, I'm not allowed to sell it on).

So is a A&K SR25 or M16 SPR

In fact he mentioned the G36 earlier. Slob will tell you that it is a great sniper platform, not the C but something like the K you could make a DMR.

Oh and buying a gun for the way it looks is actually part of buying your gun. If you don't like the style chances are you are going to buy another gun because you think yours is f*ck ugly

you can make an AEG shoot farther and be just as accurate for cheaper than upgrading a sniper.... you get a gun that has a long inner barrel then you can get a tight bore for it and a longer inner barrel with a mock supreser.. then an upgrade gear box like a m150 and a torque up motor and a few odds and ends...

I totally agree about the SR25 and the M16SPR being good base guns, but I wasn't too sure how much they cost in the US. silentandunseen only has $200 to play with.
I admit when buying AEGs I would usually go with what looks good, but a sniper rifle (bolt action) is more of a tool than a spray and pray AEG.
I should have mentioned that I was talking about bolt action rifles when I said not to buy on looks alone. A camo wrap hides a "f*ck ugly" gun.
Sorry for the confusion.

Just starting out in AS is hard, the market is full of all kinds of goodies, there is something there for everybody, it is a matter of taste.
Becareful in your choice, for every good gun, there are 5 pieces of Junk.

I highly reccomend `` NOT´´ starting out in the Hobby/Sport as a Sniper, the demands of the role are mostly misunderstood by new players and the become disenchanted real fast.

After budget, Appearance plays the next biggest role in the guns that we buy, probably why nobody buys the RS TYPE 97/97B, even though these guns can take a M150 spring with ease, and deliver a flawless performance every time.

You stated that you like the G36 series, On the buget that you stated I would buy the JG G36, it is almost indestructable !!! The gun can take alot of punishment and keeps comming back for more .

Later as your knowlege and skills develop you can upgrade this gun with relative ease, Longer Barrel, Butt Stock, HKV, complete internal upgrades and you have the perfect base for starting out in the development of your sniper skills. When correctly done the JG will fill the Assault role and Designated Marksman role with ease, who knows maybe you will decide to stay a DM, you can have the best of both worlds, Assault and Sniper support.

Uh for beginers I say walmart time . Those are the guns I rccomend for more professonal people. You know go to walmart buy a crosman shotgun then move up.

Permission to neutralize satan?

Granted
Satan, I agree its a good idea to move up the chain, starting with a not-so-highe-end gun, but nothing but bad experiences come from Wal-Mart guns. We don't want to scare them AWAY from the sport! May I suggest an Echo 1? No way to go wrong there. And they have cheap guns, too. They'll give you a very good idea of the sport and wont break your wallet, or themselves.

https://www.youtube.com/user/godsairsofters

and

https://www.youtube.com/user/scoutthedoggie

are the 2 people that helped me pick out my first gun and i think they did a pretty good job
i recomend these 2 because u can see the gun in action instead of just hearing aout it

lol LW Im just saying sometimes when I pick up and old wal mart gun as oposed to my higher end a good old backyard battle is sometimes more fun than a real game.

i agree... every now and then i will pick up an old spring crap gun and remember the good ol' days