I have been airsofting for almost 9 years now but due to being in the British Army playing was difficult at the best of times.
I now do not have much time after leaving the Army after 12 years and entering the real world of work and as a result I stopped airsofting for a time. I now would like to get into WW2 airsofting as its a few events a year but have come up against a problem.
Since I have no membership I cannot buy a WW2 airsoft weapon and have to attend a site 3 times over a 2 month period. I feel that its alot of money (£35 to £45 each time) to fork out just to get a tick in the box on a site that I have no interest in playing on. Like I said I have been an airsoft player and used modern weapons for many years and have since sold all my weapons.
I am also a Cadet Instructor and know about and teach the importance of weapon safe to new players and cadets.
Are there any producers or anything that can excempt me from wasting money in order to obtain a membership number to participate in WW2 airsoft re-enactment.
Many Thanks
Any help of suggestions would be appreciated.
No, sorry.
The law has changed and made it very difficult to buy RIFs. No easy ways or loopholes I'm afraid other than buying something bright green.
Of course, there are ways to get in to the hobby. Get some basic kit going and get to an event, our Russian battle in January is a good starting point, and see if you like the style of play the WW2 scene offers.
There are plenty of people who are willing to loan kit and RIFs on a 'bend it, mend it' basis, and possibly in return for beer tokens.
There is no easy answer unfortunately. The UKRAPA route is still the easiest (three games in no less than two months at the same site). Other than that its a case of get your ww2 gear together and once you find a game you like the sound of, try and borrow a gun from someone. Only other route is AFRA but you still have to prove you are a bonafide ww2 reenactor/airsofter. Whichever route you choose you will still need to hire or borrow a gun for your first few games, unless you`re a saddo like me and buy a two tone budget Thompson. 
edit: beaten by CW and HS 
...wot they said.
Borrowing a gun will be your best bet. If you come across as a decent bloke on the forums there are plenty of people who will loan you a weapon for a CiA game day.
All good answers and appreciate the feed back. I just think that it puts people off. In a time where we need to be promoting airsoft. I fully understand the need for UKARA and do not want a debate on why its here and who caused it. I just think that for people like me that only want to do WW2 airsoft and there is no easy way of getting in. I also believe and prove me whrong but if you do not attend a site after a while you loose your membership ? Correct ? ?
It's not our fault. The government brought in these rules. We have to all work with them.
I also believe and prove me whrong but if you do not attend a site after a while you loose your membership ? Correct ? ?
You mean UKARA? I think you have to make use of the database (i.e. a retailer does a check on your status) at least once a year else the number lapses. I stand to be corrected on that though...
As BedsnHerts mentions, there are other ways than just UKARA.
The situation is unhelpful, but much better than it could have been. We could have had a complete blanket ban, no questions, no options.
I also believe and prove me whrong but if you do not attend a site after a while you loose your membership ? Correct ? ?
You mean UKARA? I think you have to make use of the database (i.e. a retailer does a check on your status) at least once a year else the number lapses. I stand to be corrected on that though...
They changed that recently:
http://www.ukara.org.uk/node/93
Renewing Players Registration
Posted August 24th, 2009 by adminPlayer renewal was changed after request from Game site operators and approval of the Home Office.
Players are not renewed on the database due to purchases of RiFs, this side of the system no longer operates.
Players can only be renewed by the game site they are a member of.
Every registered game site should have access to their own section of the database and be able to update players details and registration with a simple one click.
Players can also be deactivated from a games sites registration list the same way if they have left the site or been banned by that site for misconduct.
Do not fill out a new player form and try to re-register it as that would be a waste of time and effort
Great stuff, I stand corrected.
Kfk714 there is another option, but only if you are genuinely interested in the re-enactment side of things as well as the airsoft, being a re-enactor also gives an exemption under the VCRA, I am a member of AFRA having had my application approved via the CiA team, but please note they will only approve people who are CiA members and who they believe to have a geniune commitment.
On the getting started front, as has been said in previous posts there are a lot of people on the forum who will happily lend kit & guns to newcomers. 
