Hi guys,

I just moved to Germany (Cologne-Bonn) recently and I had some questions about the German Airsoft scene. How "alive" or active is the scene around Cologne-Bonn? Not speaking fluent german yet, I found it very hard to navigate the page (entschuldigung, ich versuche zu lehrnen). Second off, would you say that the community is accepting towards English speaking people? Would it be possible for me to play in open games in english, or would this be considered rude?

Third off, and this is a long shot - I have plenty of rifles back home, but does any one have any experience with bringing airsofts and things like that with you when you travel with an airline/airplane? Is it allowed to bring a air-powered rifle into Germany from another country? Or should I try and look into getting a rifle here?

I appreciate all the answers, and Im sorry if this is not posted in the right area.

Thanks guys.

Paul

Hi Paul,

First, Welcome to Germany the country with the best laws on the world (im joking)

At first I think its important for you to look in to the german laws, because there are many differenses between England and Germany. Your asgs should have a F in a hexagon. It also should be semi only. So I think its better, if you sell your asgs in England and buy some new in German shops like Begadi.de. Are over 18? When not, you can only buy guns with 0,5 Joule. But then they can have a full auto mode.

You should not use lasers or flashlights.

I think its the best for you, when you search a big team near your home (on the left side by "Suche" ) Write a letter to the teamleader and he should help you!

(Sorry for my bad English ^^)

Hey Paul,

welcome to the german AS community. First your´e absolutly welcome in the community if youre not a total moron (doesnt depends on nationality ^^). Most people here in germany do speak english so there should be no problem at all. And if you´re trying to learn german, then everyone will appreciate that for shure.

Im sorry that i am not goin to be able to tell you something about the community in and around Cologne - Bonn cause i do live close to Berlin. But i do know that there are certain teams which you maybe can hook up with.

The proper problem for the import of a gun from outside of germany is that it doesnt have the needed markings and stuff. Here in germany Fullauto is only allowed for guns below 0,5 joule. Everything up to 7,5 joule only has Semi Automatic fire mode. If you want to import a gun you have to downgrade it below 0,5 joule if you want to have fullauto on it. If it should have more power you need to cut down the Fullauto mode. But this isnt the only problem. You also have to take it to the Beschussamt (Weapons Authority) to get a clearance and the lacked markings on that weapon for the use in germany. But this is quite expensive. So i guess it would be much easier to buy a weapon direct here in Germany.

So enjoy your stay, and have fun.

Scoob

(How old are you???)

If youre searching for a professional team from Bonn, take a look here:

http://www.bonnair.com/index.php?site=forum

Hey Paul,

Cannot say much about the Airsoft scene in Cologne. Don't live there, sorry 

I would not be offended by playing with English speaking people. In general most Germans speak English fluently. So I don't think is a big issue.

Brining in your Guns will be a problem. In Germany any softair with a muzzle energy over 0.5J is regulated to fire only in Semi-Automatic mode and it needs a "F" in a Pentagon somewhere marked on the body of the Gun. So it is probably easier to buy a gun here, rather than taking you gun to customs and National Firing Proof Houses. That will easily cost you around 100€ if I'm not mistaken.

Hope this helps you.My English is kinda rusty 

Wow! Thanks for the super quick reply guys. 

I knew Germany was a little restrictive when I did some research (before) but I didnt know it was that bad. Ouch, semi only? I guess I am selling my guns and getting a new one! :-D Thank you both for the team suggestions and the shop suggestions, seeing as I am over 18 (passed that milestone some time ago, and now I feel old),  I guess I should get a rifle to begin with! Ill also look at the Bonn Air soft club there! Cheers!

Hey Paul first of all Welcome to Germany ;)

What also is Important its not allowed to put working Lasers or Flashlights on your asg as long as they are over 0,5joule.

It seems like your older then 18 but lasers and flashlights just for asg under 0,5joule and even then only with an Scopemount, but i still hope you have fun here nearly everyone is friendly and helpfull offcourse also here it has idiots but not that often hope you have fun her :)

~Nighthawk

As a general overview you can have a look at the English Wikipedia page in regard of legal issues in Germany:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_issues_in_airsoft#Germany

Most hast been said already but I think this sums it up quite good.

Hey bro, Welcome to germany.

if u look for an exelent and friendly team/s around cologne/bonn, take a look to our gamer-community.

our little, but sweet playfield is between bonn and cologne.

www.sg-nrw.org

i hope i see u on field :) 

regards  Jabba

Hey Jabba.

Thanks for the offer - Ill have a look! And thanks everyone else who decided to answer. damn right kind of you all :).

Welcome to Germany Paul ;) Hope to see you on a Playground a Day ;) I´m glad to see english Players in the German AS Scene :) 

Welcome Paul. Jabba already offered you to visit us on our "playground".
I think almost everyone in our team-friendship has sufficient english-knowledge for communication in play time.
It's always interesting to meet other people, especially foreign airsoft players.

In the eyes of foreign people, german is a hard language to learn, but you will learn by time.

Hope to see you at the next game :)

Best regards Socke

Oh, dass wusste ich nicht, ich dachte  jegliche Art von montieren wäre verboten. Dann tuts mir echt Leid.

No Problem