Airsoft Recommendations?

[muddywings]

Being the family "gun guy" I guess I'm supposed to know about airsoft equipment too but unfortunately I'm pretty ignorant. A quick google search was pretty overwhelming so I thought I would ask in here so I can pass something on for little johny's upcoming 12th birthday.
Can anybody throw me a few decent recommendations for a rifle (probably an M4 clone), handgun (whatever), and some basic personal protection equipment (head/face/eyes protection) so I can pass it on.
It does look like there is a pretty wide range of quality/cost so I would say say something mid-range-ish.

To be honest, they do look rather fun and reminds me of cops and robbers/cowboy and indians with my wooden, double barrel rubber-band rifle back in the day. (Damm, I gotta find me one those too!)

[ChunkyMonkey]

Cut out a m4 out of pop tart.. according to school administration it's as dangerous!!

I used to like AEG when I played airsoft.. that was 20 years ago maybe.

[WETWRKS]

There are 3 types of airsoft and various levels of quality. You first need to decide what kind of power you want the gun to run off of. There are spring powered (1 shot then have to re-cock it), air powered, and motor driven. The guys that I know who play all seem to run motor driven gear and they do it semi-professionally so I would suspect it is probably the better gear out there. Beyond that I really cannot tell you what manufacturers to go with or things like that.

I do know that anything other than spring powered starts getting costly.

[muddywings]

from what I understand I'm looking for motor driven/battery powered.

[Wulf202]

Kwa makes a decent semi gas pistol

Just got a cheapo m4 w bbs and mask from airsoftmegastore just over $100 shipped. If he gets into it ill upgrade the internals and battery and charger.

[MileHighOutlaw]

My buddy runs Dynamic paintball and airsoft out here in Aurora. He carries a bunch of different kinds.

[drew890]

Fox Airsoft in Parker is the largest online and store front airsoft retailer in the Rocky Mountain region. They have a large quantity of rifles, handguns, and accessories at their shop. They also have a staff of airsoft gunsmiths that can help you if anything breaks. Plus, in their shopping plaza is a police equipment store and a high end tactical gun and gear shop.

[tmckay2]

I used to play when I was too young to buy real guns. When I get home I'll give you the intel. I tinkered a lot. Be ready to spend some dough though.

[Robb]

Big-5 may still have a decent selection, they used too I know. I think my son mentioned they're hidden now or with the real guns now and not with the toys (?)
I bought my boy a Tokyo-mauri (or something like that) 1911 that looks great, is semi auto gas powered and shoots hard. It's a blast. He also has a Thompson with a motor that shoots awfully hard and with the motor you can switch to full auto which I have to say is kind of fun even for me. He was into it pretty hard for one summer.
Personally I wouldn't buy those for a 12 year old unless he'd be supervised all the time. Damn things could put an eye out! It would be bad news if he decided to shoot his baby sister or whatever.
For him I'd go with the single shot jobs, they're alot cheaper, a good starter, and you can find them all over, Gander/Sportsmans maybe walmart. A pair of safety glasses for everyone if he and buddies are shooting at each other.

[tmckay2]

Fox Airsoft in Parker is the largest online and store front airsoft retailer in the Rocky Mountain region. They have a large quantity of rifles, handguns, and accessories at their shop. They also have a staff of airsoft gunsmiths that can help you if anything breaks. Plus, in their shopping plaza is a police equipment store and a high end tactical gun and gear shop.

Whats the high end tactical store?