The Science of the Side Arm
Why the side arm DOES matter

We all understand what the side arm is: that last resort weapon, most of the time being a pistol, that’s ready at your side in the event your primary weapon runs out of ammo during a firefight, becomes inoperable, or for some other reason you cannot use your primary weapon. They are normally easy to access, whether in a holster, leg holster, in an easy-to-reach pouch, pocket, wherever.

Most people glance the side arm as that extra luggage. You only bring it “because you might need it.” Well I’m writing to tell you, that’s not true.

Why do you need one?
Unless you’re paying hundreds if not thousands of dollars for your AEG or other primary gun, we can all agree at some point during some game or just playing around out-back, your gun has malfunctioned. The battery ran out, the motor jammed, the bb’s are jammed, a part just falls off the gun (has happened to me before, LOL), something either has or will happen. What do you do?

If you’re in the middle of a firefight, you can’t really do anything without being at risk. If a quick push of the forward-assist knob doesn’t clear the gun (typical on the M4’s and M16’s), you’re basically screwed. Everyone agrees battery changes aren’t very quick and easy.

You’re only other option is to get another gun! This gun should be your side arm. For some, it’s a secondary AEG or shotgun of some sort slung on your back. While not very practical nor mobile, it definitely gives the option of secondary firepower (and lots of it). Most people don’t do this, simply because it’s more weight and more immobility. The side arm is easy to reach, normally in a holster (whether it be leg or belt, this will be discussed later).


Pay attention to your gun
Most people glance over the side arm as one more piece of equipment; this is something you CANNOT DO. The side arm is typically, not always, your last resort (also talked about later) during a firefight, and if it’s looked over with no care, it may not work at all, leaving you a sitting duck with no weapons.
A good rule of thumb is to upgrade your pistol as much as you can. Have multiple, at least 2, standard magazines and have them at the ready. Carry a small amount of ammo for your side arm (for example, if you’re AEG shoots .2g like it should, you should bring ~100 rounds of .12 for your pistol). Make sure your pistol is lubed and working (fire about 5 rounds before game to confirm) and all is top-shape. This will ensure your last line of defense is not your downfall.

Why do I say last line of defense? While pistols do lack the all out stopping power of an AEG on full out, they’re still there when that power is gone. If you’re being advanced on and your main goes down, whip out the side arm to open fire that much more. It may be that simple move that saves you and possibly the game if you score a hit. And if you don’t, and you’ve been hit yourself? You tried.

Keep your pistol at the ready
Preferably, keep your pistol in a leg-holster. These handy holsters strap around your outer thigh and then up through your belt. Basically, it forms an upside-down “T”. This not only stabilizes the gun so it stays on, it’s also a lot easier to reach for compared to a regular belt holster. They’re typically only a few dollars more than a belt holster, and in my opinion, a lot more convenient. They’re easier to reach in a crouching and in a running position.

Use your side arm constantly
Whether it be a few shots per game, or a few shots in the backyard, continue using and firing your gun so that you remember your “zone” for the gun. Try target shooting with the sights, try shooting and reloading as fast as you can, just drill drill drill. You’ll need the experience when you have no other choice.

Otherwise, this entire guide is pretty straight forward. The side arm is your last resort, so don’t skip over it. Treat it as you would your AEG

This post has been edited by admin: Mar 12 2008, 07:53 PM

I never use my side arm as a LAST resort. I love using it even when I don't have to. good post though

Yeah, I'm going to put .12 grams in my TM's... (Which actually cost more than a few of my primaries)

Well... I'm going to be honest. It didn't convince me to carry a sidearm. The only time I'll use my GBB's in a skirmish is when I'm going pistols only.

sooooo will it even matter accurcay wise to use .12 in your pistol if your shooting at a target say, 50 feet max??

Typically, springer pistols can't shoot that far even with .12's. It all depends on how you want to use your pistol. Since most springers can't go about about 350 FPS, you won't be shooting too far anyways.

TM's are incredible reliable, and if you trust your primary enough to not have a backup, that's ultimately your decision. Some people don't even bring pistols into battle. I'm glad you were honest about it though.

Personally, I always carry my GBB in a skirmish. I've had to use it on multiple occasions during a firefight, or when a buddy's primary fails.

Semper Fidelis

That's also a good point: a backup for someone else. Should have included it in my article. Good work

No, my GBB's are TM's - my primary is a KWA.

Love your post. It actually motivated me to get a secondary. (Though it is pretty much mandatory to have a secondary as a sniper.)

Snipers most of all. Once those enemies get too close, you're screwed.

I love how all of these good points are coming up after I wrote this post. LOL.

Drawing from a thigh-holster is usually rather awkward for most people while running, since it moves with the leg. Most people are also able to draw more quickly from a hip holster than with a thigh-rig. Of course, choice is usually dependent on one's personal preferences.

Also, why 0.12g BBs?

Besides that, you are correct that one should practice using a sidearm as they would their primary, but emphasis should be placed on presenting from a holster.

Most sidearms (at least in my experience) are springer pistols. Now, as far as I know they can't go over 300 fps without tearing your hands apart.

.12's would give you the most effective FPS, where as .20's would drop your FPS significantly (we all know this for experience). No matter what kind of gun it is, all guns aren't effective at 200-250 FPS, which is the FPS rating when you use .20's.

The reason I say use a "thigh" holster instead of a "hip" holster (more commonly known as leg holster and belt holster, respectively) is because of mobility in the first place. Leg holsters move with your leg, where as most belt holsters move against the hip. Sure it might be easier to draw from a belt holster, but would it be easier to run? Most belt holsters only have one point of connection: the belt. The leg holster has two (sometimes 3) point of connection: the belt and the leg. Much more stability.

It would look sort of like this for a belt holster:

---------
0

Where as for a leg holster

---------
0 0

Hopefully that explains my point.

actually the whole POINT of a thigh holster is for draw speed...

The drop-holster should be adjusted so that when your hand hangs down naturally at your side, it is perfectly in line with the grip. This enables you to draw MUCH faster. Drop the arm, grab, pull up. it's a heck of a lot faster. Ask tactical law enforcement response teams. It's the whole point of a thigh holster.
Why do you think that gunfighters in the old west hung their belts at a slant? It wasn't for fashion; it was to lower the grip of their handguns to increase draw speed. (look at period pictures... even the most notorious gunslingers all did this.)

A belt holster will actually most likely be more stable and therefore easier to run with, because it doesn't get slung around by your leg while you're moving. Sure, it's only got one attachment point, but that one point isn't flailing around all the time. It's stable on your belt.

Also if you are like me and like sneaky tricks, pistols make for pretty nifty booby-traps, but yes ALWAYS have a good sidearm on you if possible

Booby trap? How so?

well its still in the works but I use a bungy cord to fix the gun to a tree and then string something from the tirgger around the grip of the gun (im testing twine out now but thats pretty visable so I would need to camo it) and across a trail maybe 2-4 inches off the ground and tie it to another tree. The people I play with never look where they are running and so they should run into the string and BOOM they gone. I tested using my friends gun since mine broke but his trigger doesnt pull very well sothe triggering mechanism doesnt work too well with it. but I only started doing it about a week ago so im still refining it.

This post has been edited by scarecrow: Apr 5 2008, 09:34 AM

You can do the same thing with party poppers. Search youtube for it.

looks good but I couldnt really see its range, I know mine was good for up to 15 or so feet, plenty for the trap but ill look into that thanks. :)

I personally use an mp7 as my side arm. works like a charm.

I tried the party popper trap and it is a neat idea but does have some very annoying set backs. I took the confetti out of them and filled them with .12 bb's. Positioning them was the part I found challenging. I used the "u" shaped nails to hold the poppers to a tree and then I tied fishing line to the little string that deatonates the popper. I then ran it across the area where I think the enemy will walk and I either tie it to a tree or I put a nail in the tree and tie it to that. The major problem that I have come across is that when the enemy walks through it the fishing line either stretches, pulls away from the tree, breaks or it pulls the party popper off of the tree. All resulting in a failed trap and no detionation. Like I said, this is a cool Idea but the practicality of it isnt that high.

(Just my $0.02)

With .12's, it's not bad. About 15 feet if you angle it right.



Strong construction is needed, obviously. I've done it before with only one of these failed detonations, and then I learned that stronger construction is needed.

alright, thanks for the feedback guys. I'll go tell my mom to pick up some poppers soon and try it out. :)

I've had a problem with a drop-leg holster. I got a UTG one and if I run, it droops to around my knee and hampers my running. Is it because my pistol is too heavy? about the size of a Desert Eagle, or just a crappy holster? Or is there a certain way I should be wearing it?

TM AEGs shoot around 250 FPS, you're telling me they aren't effective? AEPs shoot even lower, around 200-220 FPS; they're one of the most popular sidearms. Heavier BBs give you more effective range and much better accuracy.

You also must not play at a sanctioned field if everyone has spring pistols for secondaries.

It sounds like you're not using your leg holster right. My sidearm is a heavy weight and it works fine. The leg holster should have a part that attaches it from the belt, that way it won't slide down your leg. Otherwise the holster will slide anyways, because your leg naturally goes from fat at top and skinnier down the leg.



TM AEGs shoot much more than 250 FPS...And in all 4 years of my airsofting career, I've only seen one AEP. Also, I fail to see how you can get better range with less FPS...there's just not enough power to propel the BB any farther.

He is right. Sometimes lower FPS guns have better range. For instance, the TM spring MK23 makes stock AEG range or a bit beyond, and it only shoots at like 225 with a .2g. Whereas, I have a couple gas guns shooting over 300 that don't make it that far. It has to do with REALLY good hopup design. AEPs also make it to around 100 feet, because of very good hopup design, despite an FPS only around 200 with .2gs.

Oh yeah, TM AEGs shoot around 280 or 290, but after significant use they typically drop down into the 260s or 250s. At least, that's my experience.

One thing I will say though, I've heard people say in some guns .25s will actually have better range than .2s because of inertia and wind resistance properties (there's an article here talking about it). I have yet to see that be the case in my guns. Usually, the .2 has better range (10-15 feet or so) but less accuracy in the last 1/3 or so of the range. However, in just about every case I've seen, .12s will not go as far as .2s or .25s in guns with hopups and the power needed to shoot heavier BBs. The .12s get pushed down by wind resistance, and thus go down in an arc.

I think Hop-Up is the culprit...because a heavier bb has more possibility for more inertia by the hop-up than a lighter bb

ok, so what your basically saying is that I use my side arm in game only if I have a problem with my primery?
well, the thing is is that that barely happens. I won't buy somthing that will be used rarly.

Sidearms have many uses. My good friend has a gas luger that he uses occasionally. Its a good intimidation weapon because when its warm its shoots nice and fast. True you wont use it too often, but one time during a hard and long game (Before I had over 3000 bbs with me however) I ran out of main weapon amo right when somebody was pinning me down and another was rushing. I drew my friends (borrowed) Desert Eagle and pulled the trigger from point blank...nothing happened...tried again...nothing hapened...safety!!!...where the heck is it on a Desert Eagle?...there it is...AH!...crap another second and I would have had a kill and been alive.

u don't need to spend tons on one but get a sidearm its like a safety blanket (not Desert Eagle they are too big)

But like the famous saying, better safe than sorry :].

Your sidearm would also be used if, say, you were in a CQB or MOUT situation and wanted to look around a corner very tightly.

That's why my good friend uses nothing but gas pistols, he says that it's a lot lighter and easier to move around corners.

Something I should've mentioned in the article...lol oh well.

Heavier BBs retain energy better than lighter ones, which leads to an increase in FPS after a certain distance, depending on the replica, when compared to lighter ones.

In my games we get captured a lot, so I stick a mini p99 in my boot and it comes in handy.

P90 ftw.

also, with all the amazingness of side arms, they can quickly become a primary.
I have had games where I use my twin desert eagles, one as a primary, one as a secondary (becuase dual wielding makes reloading pretty annoying). If I need serious firepower, I can pull both out and blast away. It also allows me to move through brush much quicker, as I don't have a clunky rifle to push through the brush.
The thing with people saying "I don't want to have something expensive I only use rarely" the thing is, those rare times when you need it, you will really want it, and those times could be game deciding.

what's wrong with spring pistols? my main rifle rarely breaks or jams ever since I replaced my defective magazine (which the warranty didn't cover. blagh ) also, I'm really effective with a spring pistol seeing as I played spring for the first three years I played airsoft.

Actually, if you're going out there for a short period of time you would want to wear a duty holster [attached to your belt ( as you say "a hip holster" )] for it doesn't restrict your mobility and it is far more easier/faster to draw from a duty holster, since it is closer to your hand. If you're going out there for a long time, you're best off with your sidearm carried on your vest, since carrying stuff on your belt gets uncomfortable on long walks. Thigh holsters are basicly the last option, when you have nomore space to carry your sidearm in. The thigh holster restricts your mobility, especially in running.

Also, about the sidearm in use. When I'm approaching/being approached, I use my secondary when my primary doesn't function. Jamming/breaking ain't the only reason, also if you run out of ammo I wont even look at my primary, the second I see it doesn't work, I let it drop on my waist by my sling and I pull out my secondary. After the threat is over, I secure and get back to working on my primary.

This post has been edited by ReaperStripes: Oct 19 2008, 08:22 PM

all I have is a side arm but I slay with it
its a taurus Berretta 92FS its second hand and I had to fix it (its a springer)