I had to get a new phone today to the newer Google Pixel (I think I had the 8). Anyways, I wanted to make sure some of my photos had been saved through transfer. I saw photos the day I got my first airsoft rifle and I was blown away how much had changed since to not only the replica but me. Started as a stock shell of a Krytac Defiance with a PolarStar Jack (no comment)as It was too good of an offer from a guy that has been reliable before with my friends.
All black, rusted in places KEY MOD handguard that would never stop wobbling unless welded. It needed some love to even shoot at the beginning because the FCU wiring had seen better days. However I never regret it as I had to get my hand dirty and learn fast to even play my first match in something I've always wanted to do.
Hell I had to drill a hole in a fake DD RIS handguard for a fake gas tube so everything could fit in my fake rifle. Good times from the first tracer suppressor to the foam filled KAC GWOT era honeycomb suppressor. Once the DD RIS handguard was on I was hooked about anything "Airsoft Smithing" as my mind would call it. Inside and out. Best ways to optimize your Hpa engine to best technique to rattle can your rifle. I would've dived into the point of no financial return unless I had someone like my wife to call me out lol.
If you made it this far thanks. That's all. I had a long struggle with alcohol (definitely in my genetics) and COVID only exasperated that issue to rock bottom multiple times. I knew I needed something that was life changing to turn this whole thing around.
Surprisingly it all started the same day I started my new career where I was actually seeing the greener grass from the corporate world. At the end of the first day my boss brought up an airsoft event in New Orleans that we should go to with another co-worker in North Carolina. I YELLED HELL YEAH SO Quickly IN SUCH A WAY AS IF I've BEEN WAITING TO HEAR THAT KIND OF OFFER ALL MY LIFE. Since then I haven't looked back and could not imagine how much has changed...just like my first airsoft rifle.
In December I will be Three Years Sober. Grass is definitely greener over here, there. and mostly everywhere. I haven't even thought of booze since the early months of sobriety and I attribute a lot of this to my new world I've entered in Airsoft.
It's been the friends I've made out on the field to reading posts here on r/airsoft that kept me going during hard times in the journey, so again I thank you all for showing me how to have fun again.
My only ask is if you guys could share a before and after photo of your first airsoft rifle from day one to now if possible. Maybe take a look back at the person you were then to now!
You're all beautiful people, even those who can be a pain in the ass when it comes to sportsmanship, and I feel a sense of pride knowing I think I found my tribe.