How to choose the right Airsoft DMR rifle for you?
When choosing an Airsoft DMR (designated marksman rifle), there are several factors you should consider:
- Range and accuracy: although a DMR gun will never have the same long range performance as a sniper rifle, it is still important that it shoots further and is much more accurate than a normal assault rifle. A good DMR airsoft already has this 'out of the box' feature, but this can often be improved further by replacing the hop-up and polishing the barrel: modifications that increase performance while remaining within the limits of the law and national regulations.
- Manoeuvrability: It must never be forgotten that the Marksman, the one who will use the DMR rifle, is a rifleman who will move with the rest of the team, and not a sniper lurking in his hiding place. Hence the need to be able to keep up with players equipped with full-auto and light rifles. This is why the rifle designed for the Marksman has a shorter barrel than the sniper rifles: manoeuvrability and lightness are key features.
- The Rate of Fire: As with manoeuvrability, also for the rate of fire, one must not forget the position in which the Marksman plays and the type of skirmishes it will have to face: While maintaining the shooting accuracy mentioned earlier, the DMR airsoft rifle cannot have a single shot with a manual bolt-action. In fact, in order to be able to deal with mid-range combat, airsoft DMR rifles are semi-automatic, in some rare cases even full-auto. This feature will ensure that the Marksman will not be at a disadvantage when facing mid and short-range battles.
- Power source: airsoft DMRs can be powered by an electric motor or gas. Gas-powered rifles offer a more realistic feel and can be more powerful; they are generally more expensive to purchase and have a higher operating cost. Electric rifles are easier to operate and require minimal maintenance, but can be less powerful than gas-powered rifles.
- Accessories: You may wish to complete your rifle with the necessary accessories to make it more compliant with your gaming needs. Before purchasing, consider the types of accessories you might want to add to your airsoft DMR, such as optics, bipods and silencers. Make sure that the rifle you choose has the necessary mounting points for these accessories. In some cases, all or some of these accessories are already included in the package of your airsoft marksman rifle.
- Budget for purchase, modifications and accessories: When determining the budget you are prepared to spend on the purchase of a new DMR airsoft, several factors must be taken into account: first of all, one must consider that there are different options available at different price levels, clearly different price levels almost always correspond to different levels of performance and reliability, but in principle we are certain that one does not necessarily have to spend exorbitant amounts of money on the purchase of a good DMR rifle; another consideration to make when determining the final price you are willing to spend is the cost of accessories, aesthetic or performance modifications, and legal adjustments relating to the country in which the DMR airsoft rifle will be used, e.g. depowering to 0.5J (without loss of performance) in Germany or dual tone colouring of the airsoft dmr in the UK.
By considering these factors, you should be able to find an airsoft DMR that meets your needs and budget.
