[hawthorne]

Hey guys, after thinking it over a bit, I was wondering, does anybody else use special equipment when sniping(i.e. mines, distraction devices, comm gear, other)? Or do you guys have any ideas for custom equipment?

For me, I'm always looking for something to add to my load-out or use in a game that'll add some excitement and bit of extra fun. Whether that be mounting up an m203 for CQB play or using a tracer for night games, I like using stuff that adds a little "spice" to my skirmishes.
However, I don't really have any specialty gear for my sniper load-out other than the basics(radio, binoculars, ghillie).

So as a result, I've recently started to develop some new equipment to use when I snipe, ultimately hoping to get gear that's beneficial to use for the "sniper" role and that'll help quite a bit when on the field.
Some of the first things that came to mind were mines, or claymores more specifically. I was thinking having claymores to cover my back, objectives or even high traffic areas could help a lot. But I didn't want to spend $100+ on a single claymore, so I came up with this:
Homemade claymore, the design is the same as some other homemade claymores seen before as well as the actual ones you can buy, however mine is detonated by a trip wire, not remote.

The pouch is made from "safety red" duct tape, but I am testing as to see if cloth works better. The detonating design is simple. The line is tripped, which moves the small silver latch up from its closed position, which then frees the lid to open. The lid then slams open because of pressure from the depressed rat trap arms inside. The two trap arms then open away from each other, pulling the tape tot in a very fast motion, sending bb's in a big spread.

Claymore set with 10lb. fishing line. The "trip" is very sensitive and doesn't take the line being moved much, but does indeed take a knock or foot step to set it off. The trip line is adjustable and can be cut as long or short as needed. The mines have an effective range of about 30' with a spread of 25' wide and about 6' tall.

The stakes are made form scrap metal and were bolted to the back of the mine body. The bolts and nuts are stainless, and the box is painted steel.

So far I have made two of these and plan to make at least a couple more. Not counting the metal boxes I had already, it cost me about $20 to make both of these. I plan to paint them, or even attach some netting on them so brush can be put on them so they can be disguised even better.

The next piece of equipment I am making is a camera spike. I thought it could be very helpful to have an extra set of eyes watching a specific area or objective while not necessarily being near that place. I am using a wireless color camera and receiver to make this. I purchased the camera and receiver on sale for $60 and still need to get an LCD and some small electronic pieces like on/off switches , wiring, etc. That should be about $50 or so. The cool thing is that once it's made, I can use this for things other than airsoft.

The camera has an internal battery that lasts 4hours and has a max range of 400' from the receiver. Picture of it next to a madbull bb jar for size reference.

I plan to have a small screen which the live stream from the camera is sent to via the receiver. I want to power this screen and receiver with an aeg battery pack, like a 9.6 4500mah or something.
When finished, the receiver/screen/battery should all be in a protective case/box about the size of 4"x6"x2", small enough to carry in a utility pouch.

Some of the other concept gear I've been thinking about are remote detonated distraction devices(similar to sound grenades).
So, what do you guys think?

 

[hawthorne]

Thanks!
When I snipe, I typically set both depending on where I "dig in" and how far my spotter is from me. But they're usually no more then a 100' from my position.

Edit:
The stream from the camra is going through the camera's receiver which will be with the LCD.
And Ill have to do calculations to find out how long a battery will last or straight up just use it after it's built to find out. But just as long as it lasts long enough for a match(2hours on the long end) it should be fine becuase I can change the pack between games(I have plenty), and you have to consider the set up won't be running the entire match either.

 

[hawthorne]

The claymores are pretty much a finished project besides the two other ones I'm going to make.
But the camera however is a work in progress. It's one of my currnet airsoft projects, but I'll definitely keep you guys updated with pictures and maybe a video when it's all done.

 

[hawthorne]

I like the idea of a "dummy" CheeseMan, seems like it'd be fun watching someone go after a decoy. x)
And here's a picture of another claymore I'm making, the bolts on this one look "cleaner" because they don't stick out so much, maybe I'll take the grinder to the other claymore to get the bolts shorter. As you can see, the legs haven't been attached as I still need to make them.

 

[hawthorne]

I've actually been trying to source sheet metal, because that's what the boxes are made of. If I can get the sheet metal, I can use one of the existing boxes to make the template and just cut it out with metal shears and bend the edges into place with simple tools like a hammer and straight edge.
The lid to the boxes is secured with simple rivots, but bolts can be used as an alternative if a rivitor is not available.

I want to develop this alternative to the boxes I have since I understand not everyone can find these boxes and they are not readily available like sheet metal is.
I eventually want to make a tutorial with instructions, complete cost and needed materials so anyone can make these claymores.

And for the camera, I have tested the range already by hooking up the reciever to my TV. I can get clear picture at up to 175'. Small amounts of static start to show up at anything past that. When nearing the 400' mark, the picture isn't that great, but is still clearish to tell whats being seen.

 

[hawthorne]

Possibly, but I know mice traps are kinda weak so the range and spread won't be as good. Maybe I can make one, I have a big box of Altoids tins since I save the boxes when I finish them.
Then I can post up my results.

 

[hawthorne]

It may not be the case over there, but I believe my local Army/navy store sells empty claymores, which we could totally use to make these. I'm going to go check tomorrow!

If they do, please let me know as I'd probably be interested in getting some from you depending on how much they cost, if you wouldn't mind.

 

[hawthorne]

The rat trap claymores I made weren't tandem. They were one trap, with the cloth pouch folded under the arm. Clever placement of a few eye hooks allowed the trip wire to be strung comfortably around, and same eye hooks also were used to "stake" the trap into the ground.

Mouse traps, while not powerful enough to throw BBs can be used as an alarm device. The "alarm" I used was four cap-gun caps. As you are looking down on the mouse trap, where the arm is designed to strike the rodent, nail through it four small headed nails at equal levels. Place your caps on top of that, and secure with a loose tape. Run your wires, arm the device, step away slowly. It makes a good noise, alerting you, your stalker, your spotter, and other friendlies in the area that some one has tripped your alarm.

To further add to the fun, I have been known to throw out bait in a nice open area. Such bait includes dead springer pistols painted black, dead/shells of M4 mags, bottles of BB's (stuff I swept up from the range and staging area where we play), and whatever irrecoverable detritus of the airsoft world I can get my hands on. Usually, a player will stop, look down for a few seconds, or crouch to examine if its a) worth keeping b) worth turning in to lost and found. In either case, they stopped to bent over and take a peek see, meaning its a much easier shot.

I've found that using two traps does offer a bit more range and spread as to one, and the single trap designs I used don't take a box and are simpler to make. But I do like the imitated look of a claymore over the singe trap.

And I like your alarm idea, I think I'll try to make some and see how they work out as that's one of the other pieces of equipment I wanted to develop.
And the idea of distraction equipment in an open area is great too, never thought of that. I ought try it out this weekend. I can imagine it being helpful when sniping as getting that "perfect shot" is hard sometimes when your target is moving.

I also see your new here, welcome to the forum! I'd suggest making an intro post since it's part of the rules and maybe looking over some of the forum guideline stickies.

Thanks for the input!