Post by SilentSnakeKAG on Sept 21, 2011 0:35:16 GMT -5
Since the topic of airsoft sniping and loadouts has come up recently, I decided to compile a small bit of info on the topic. The info posted in this thread is mostly from personal experience.
A lot of newcomers to sniping will pick up a bolt action rifle and believe making long shots is all there is to it. There are multiple factors that make a sniper. To start, I will break down the difference between snipers and designated marksmen.
SNIPER Vs. DM (Designated Marksman)
DM: An indivdual that can deliver accurate fire on a target or objective at medium to long range. Designated Marksmen are usually part of a larger unit, and are meant to enhance the capabilities of the standard unit.
Sniper: An indivdual that uses stealth and concealment to monitor specific targets or objectives, and deliver precision long range rifle fire on High Value Targets or Targets of Oportunity. Snipers work in pairs of snipers and spotters; Snipers usually operate with 1 to 4 teams ( depending on the mission) and take on specific long range recon missions.
CONCEALMENT
For a sniper to be effective, he/she must be able to conceal themselves in the terrain and AO. For proper concealment, always remember the 5 S's: Sound, Shape, Shade, Shadow, Silhouette.
SOUND: Noise can betray a sniper's position very fast. While moving through the terrain, be sure of your footing and watch where you step. Snapping twigs and branches will surely attract attention to you. Make sure your gear is properly secured; anything that can make noise, will make noise. Tape down loose objects, BB's should be kept in a sealable bag and secured. Speed loaders WILL rattle and WILL give you away.
SHADE/SHADOW: Shade and shadow compliment each other. Shade is the coloring of your choice of camoflage and how well it blends into your environment. Shadow is how well you blend into the natural shadows of the environment. Snipers use ghillie suits to blend into the environment. Ghillie suits are constructed using dyed burlap tied to attached netting. Snipers will also add natural vegetation to the ghillie suit to mimic there surroundings. Adding vegetation or "VEGGING UP" is the most effective way to maximize your concealment.
Notice how the extra Vegetation makes all the difference.
SHAPE/SILHOUETTE: The ghillie suit also breaks up the human outline. Human eyes are attracted to familiar shapes like hard straight lines and the shape of the human body. Ghillie suits help break up the human outline and blend into the environment. "Vegging Up" will also help break up the human outline even further. Hard lines like rifle barrels should also be broken up. Rifle wraps and paint will break up the outline.
Notice how those hard lines of the rifle standout against the natural background.
Ghillie suits will only cover so much. Remember under close scrutiny, the smallest things can give you away. If it looks like doesn't belong, chances are that it probably doesn't. The most overlooked things that give away snipers, are usually the most easily concealed.
FACE/HANDS
Skin tones of the face and hands will not match your method of camoflage or the surrounding terrain. Wearing gloves to cover the hands and using camo face paint or mosquito netting will hide the face. These simple measures will hide skin tones and effectively improve your concealment.
BLACK HOLE/SCOPE GLINT(Lens Flare)
The "Black Hole" is what an observer sees when a sniper/spotter fails to cover the objective lens of their scope. Imagine looking into the brush and seeing a round black spot. Another effect of not covering the lens known as "Scope Glint or Lens Flare". This occurs when light reflects off the lens of the scope producing a reflection of that light. There are multiple methods of curing this problem.
Scope Caps: Using scope caps or camo tape with a small rectangular section cut out will eliminate these problems while also allowing the sniper/spotter to still see through his/her optic.
Mesh: Some snipers prefer using types of mesh affixed to the front of the optic. This allows light to enter the optic while deflecting the light away from the lens therefore eliminating lens flare.
Bird's Nest: The 'Bird's Nest" is a method adapted in the field. The Bird's Nest is achieved by taking multiple strands of grass and coiling them like a bird nest. The coil is then inserted into the lip of the objective lens. The Bird's Nest provides the same advantages as using scope caps, but with a more natural look.
MORE TO COME.......
A lot of newcomers to sniping will pick up a bolt action rifle and believe making long shots is all there is to it. There are multiple factors that make a sniper. To start, I will break down the difference between snipers and designated marksmen.
SNIPER Vs. DM (Designated Marksman)
DM: An indivdual that can deliver accurate fire on a target or objective at medium to long range. Designated Marksmen are usually part of a larger unit, and are meant to enhance the capabilities of the standard unit.
Sniper: An indivdual that uses stealth and concealment to monitor specific targets or objectives, and deliver precision long range rifle fire on High Value Targets or Targets of Oportunity. Snipers work in pairs of snipers and spotters; Snipers usually operate with 1 to 4 teams ( depending on the mission) and take on specific long range recon missions.
CONCEALMENT
For a sniper to be effective, he/she must be able to conceal themselves in the terrain and AO. For proper concealment, always remember the 5 S's: Sound, Shape, Shade, Shadow, Silhouette.
SOUND: Noise can betray a sniper's position very fast. While moving through the terrain, be sure of your footing and watch where you step. Snapping twigs and branches will surely attract attention to you. Make sure your gear is properly secured; anything that can make noise, will make noise. Tape down loose objects, BB's should be kept in a sealable bag and secured. Speed loaders WILL rattle and WILL give you away.
SHADE/SHADOW: Shade and shadow compliment each other. Shade is the coloring of your choice of camoflage and how well it blends into your environment. Shadow is how well you blend into the natural shadows of the environment. Snipers use ghillie suits to blend into the environment. Ghillie suits are constructed using dyed burlap tied to attached netting. Snipers will also add natural vegetation to the ghillie suit to mimic there surroundings. Adding vegetation or "VEGGING UP" is the most effective way to maximize your concealment.
Notice how the extra Vegetation makes all the difference.
SHAPE/SILHOUETTE: The ghillie suit also breaks up the human outline. Human eyes are attracted to familiar shapes like hard straight lines and the shape of the human body. Ghillie suits help break up the human outline and blend into the environment. "Vegging Up" will also help break up the human outline even further. Hard lines like rifle barrels should also be broken up. Rifle wraps and paint will break up the outline.
Notice how those hard lines of the rifle standout against the natural background.
Ghillie suits will only cover so much. Remember under close scrutiny, the smallest things can give you away. If it looks like doesn't belong, chances are that it probably doesn't. The most overlooked things that give away snipers, are usually the most easily concealed.
FACE/HANDS
Skin tones of the face and hands will not match your method of camoflage or the surrounding terrain. Wearing gloves to cover the hands and using camo face paint or mosquito netting will hide the face. These simple measures will hide skin tones and effectively improve your concealment.
BLACK HOLE/SCOPE GLINT(Lens Flare)
The "Black Hole" is what an observer sees when a sniper/spotter fails to cover the objective lens of their scope. Imagine looking into the brush and seeing a round black spot. Another effect of not covering the lens known as "Scope Glint or Lens Flare". This occurs when light reflects off the lens of the scope producing a reflection of that light. There are multiple methods of curing this problem.
Scope Caps: Using scope caps or camo tape with a small rectangular section cut out will eliminate these problems while also allowing the sniper/spotter to still see through his/her optic.
Mesh: Some snipers prefer using types of mesh affixed to the front of the optic. This allows light to enter the optic while deflecting the light away from the lens therefore eliminating lens flare.
Bird's Nest: The 'Bird's Nest" is a method adapted in the field. The Bird's Nest is achieved by taking multiple strands of grass and coiling them like a bird nest. The coil is then inserted into the lip of the objective lens. The Bird's Nest provides the same advantages as using scope caps, but with a more natural look.
MORE TO COME.......