About Airsoft Core & the Writers
Timothy Hackett
Hello! My name is Timothy Hackett and I’ve been in the airsoft sport for well over 25 years. I started with just a spring M9 pistol at this place called Frank n Sons, a hobbies and collectables meet, mostly looking for something cool to play with.
Fast forward 6 years and I’ve already had hundreds of airsoft games under my belt (with several AEG’s). I was hired as a marketing coordinator at one of the biggest airsoft retailers in Southern California, where I learned the ins and outs of all the brands and politics behind the building of these airsoft guns.
General Experience
I’ve participated in 1000’s of casual airsoft skirmishes at local paintball / airsoft parks, gone plinking with lifelong friends, and have many MILSIM ops under my belt as well. I’ve teched my own guns (although I’m nowhere near to the level of the guys like Umbrella Armory.)
I worked in the industry for multiple years. I had to worry about my job back when California was still trying to figure out just how strict they wanted their gun control laws and whether that would expand to airsoft guns. I got to watch new airsoft brands grow and die and helped hundreds, if not thousands, of new players into the hobby.
What is my goal?
I’m mostly looking to ensure this hobby I’ve spent so much time thinking about continues to grow and prosper.
In order to do that, I want to provide honest and valuable information to both new and old players alike.
I can help you if:
- You are brand new to the sport and looking to get started.
- You have been playing for a few months and want more in-depth knowledge on the sport.
- You want to purchase a new airsoft gun and are looking for options to help weed out the bad choices.
- You are looking to test the waters with MILSIM (military simulation)
Airsoft Technician Experience
I know my way around the following gearboxes:
- Version 2 (Typically M4 / MP5 airsoft guns)
- Version 3 (Typically AK style airsoft guns)
- Version 7 (Typically M14 style airsoft guns)
I’ve build several successful DSG builds firing consistent 400 FPS at 35 RPS and I’ve used a ton of different company’s aftermarket parts. I absolutely LOVE siegetek gears.
The most common tech work I used to do was increasing accuracy & flight path by upgrading the bucking and hop up units of AEG’s. I haven’t gone as far as installing R-hops, but I’m a big proponent of flat hops and custom nubs in general.
In the space of spring guns I’ve fully upgraded a few BAR10 / VSR10 style spring sniper rifles as well as some Maruzen APS2’s.
In the space of gas guns I’ve customized the seals in We-Tech 1911’s to be THREE times as gas efficient as the standard model – gaining up to 60+ BB’s per green gas fill. I don’t have a huge amount of experience upgrading TM spec pistols – although I’m in touch with a lot of airsoft techs who are quite capable of building “race guns” in this field, however.
Christopher Bast
Christopher Bast is a combat veteran of the United States Marine Corps having served as an 0311 Rifleman and Scout for the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion out of Camp Pendleton, California. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, then again in 2011-12. He would leave the Marine Corps in 2013 with an honorable discharge at the rank of Corporal. Chris began working as Cadre for MilSim West in 2014 and has since traveled throughout the nation multiple times a year to try and give players a unique military experience. Chris also writes the Oh-Three Series, a compilation of short story military fiction of the Marine Corps infantry occupations.
You can follow Chris here:
Our Mission
So, I’m trying to build out Airsoft Core as a reliable place to get good, honest, airsoft info. I banded with other airsoft enthusiasts to write great content on the hobby. We’ve got decades of experience with various airsoft guns and tactical gear that we’d love to share.
Whether you’re interested in playing weekend warrior, or trying to get the best gear you can, I want to help you ensure your hard earned dollars aren’t wasted on junk products (and there are a LOT of junk airsoft products out there).
If you want to get in touch, contact us here.
