Last night I was talking with my friend about using riot shields in airsoft. While some players don’t have problems with riot shields in airsoft and view them as an added element of realism, many players view them as a sort of cheating and unfair play. So, the question is should riot shields be even allowed in airsoft?
The answer is not that simple. While riot shields provide a serious advantage over the opponents and using them can be considered as unfair play, on the other hand, they add to the realism and can make the game more interesting as you need to employ different tactics to win the match. Although we’re not fans of using riot shields in airsoft, we think that they shouldn’t be banned completely but a certain set of rules and regulations should be implemented to balance the game and make it fairer to both teams.
In the rest of today’s article, we’ll dive a little deeper into this subject and explain why using riot shields in airsoft can be a problem and what can be done to avoid these problems. Also, we’ll talk about potential rules and regulations, how to make an airsoft riot shield, which gun to use with a riot shield, and a couple of suggestions if you plan on purchasing an airsoft riot shield. Let’s start.
Table of Contents
Should Riot Shields Be Allowed In Airsoft?
The purpose of a riot shield is to protect the player who’s using it and potentially other team members from enemies giving them an unfair advantage against opponents. You can move with it on the battlefield, progressing towards your objective while staying covered and secure from enemy fire and at the same time shooting your opponents one by one. Sounds fair? Of course not. If someone wants to use it like this then we’re against it (and this is probably the reason why some fields don’t allow their usage). But that doesn’t mean they should be banned completely – if teams want to use them in their matches, why not? As we said, they add to the realism and can make the game more interesting as you need to employ different tactics to win the match.
In that case, specific rules should be implemented. For example, both teams should be allowed to use them, fields should make them rental-only items and limit their number to max one or two per team. The carrier should be allowed to use a secondary weapon only, the carrier shouldn’t be allowed to shoot at opponents while moving and he shouldn’t move with the shield if under fire. Give grenades, claymores, or grenade launchers to the teams. Only allow the usage of cardboard shields. And so on.
Riot shields aren’t illegal to use and they are allowed in airsoft unless the site where you’re playing have different rules and forbids the usage of riot shields. As we said, they can make the game more interesting and we’re not strictly against them but they shouldn’t be used in a way where they give a serious advantage to one team over the other.
While riot shields provide a serious advantage over the opponents and using them can be considered as unfair play, on the other hand, they add to the realism and can make the game more interesting as you need to employ different tactics to win the match.
How Can We Make The Airsoft Game With Riot Shields Fair And Balanced?
To make airsoft matches with riot shields fair, balanced, and fun, fields should regulate the use of riot shields. Certain rules should be implemented in a way that teams can experience the advantage of using riot shield while at the same time leaving enough space and cracks so that the opposing team can counter it.
Here are some suggestions on how to make a game with riot shields fair and balanced. Some of the airsoft fields that allow the usage or riot shields are already using some of these rules.
Make Riot Shields Rental-only
Imagine if someone came with a steel shield or a completely transparent thick polycarbonate shield. This wouldn’t actually be fair so fields should make them rental-only items and limit their number to max one or two per team, depending on the game type.
Implement Riot Shield Limitations
Airsoft guns can do only a certain amount of damage. Imagine if someone came with a metal shield. No one could make even a dent on such shield. It would be even enough if you came with a thicker polycarbonate shield to stop all incoming fire. So certain limitations should be implemented on both size and design – make it non-transparent with only a small opening for visibility. Or maybe even better, allow the usage of cardboard shields only so they’ll deteriorate when hit limiting their effectiveness over the duration of the game.
Weapon Limitation For The Carrier
Implement weapon limitation for the carrier so that he can’t use some high power gun. That means no rifles. The carrier should be allowed to use a secondary weapon only, like a pistol or low-powered SMG.
No Shooting While Moving With Riot Shield
If the carrier can move and shoot at the same time this would be pretty unfair to the other team. The carrier shouldn’t be allowed to shoot at opponents while moving.
No Moving If Under Fire
The next rule could be that the carrier shouldn’t be allowed to move with the shield if under fire.
Use grenades, claymores, or grenade launchers
One of the rules could be that grenade or claymore automatically destroys the shield.
Limit the Number Of Hits Riot Shields Can Take
Limit the number of hits you can take with a riot shield. For example, you can take a couple of shots but if your shield is hit 10 times, you’re out.
No Blindfire
Implement no blind fire rule – the carrier can’t shoot blindly from behind it and instead, he has to expose himself to shoot.
How To Make an Airsoft Riot Shield?
We never made an airsoft riot shield but we did a little research and here’s what we gathered. People are making it from a different types of materials, like metal, polycarbonate, and cardboard. We even saw someone make it from an old fridge door. In our opinion riot shield for airsoft should be lightweight so that you can move easily. So no metal as you don’t want to drag a bulky and heavy shield with you. Instead, use polycarbonate or thick cardboard. Put two handles on in and cut a window so you can see through it.
We bring you a couple of videos on how to make an airsoft riot shield we found on YouTube.
Make the best Airsoft Riot Shield for less than $15! Part 1
Make the best Airsoft Riot Shield for less than $15! Part 2
Making an Airsoft Riot Shield for under $15
How to Make a Futuristic Airsoft Riot Shield
Best Riot Shields For Airsoft You Can Buy
If you don’t want to make your own riot shield we’re bringing you a couple of airsoft riot shields worth purchasing that we found.
Legendary Evike.com CQB Riot Control
Made from polycarbonate, high-density foam, and rubberized metal this riot shield is designed for camera crews, CQB training, and simulations. It’s around 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide with 3mm thickness. Lightweight, transparent, and easy to carry it should be able to withstand 600+ FPS shots. What we gathered from the owners, it’s a pretty effective, and high-quality built riot shield with nice materials that looks amazing and offers great protection. The biggest problem is that it’s made for right-handed players – you hold the shield with a left hand while shooting with right. Some players also reported that it’s a little heavy. But as it offers great protection you’ll feel almost immortal enhancing the aggressiveness of your playstyle.
Features
- Dimensions: 19″ W x 35.5″ H
- 3mm thick
- The large, curved coverage area for maximum protection
- Made from high strength polycarbonate
- Backed with high-density foam
- Able to withstand 600+ FPS
Godly Evike.com CQB Riot Control
What we said about the previous riot shield can be applied here too – it’s 3mm thick, 3 feet tall, and 2 feet wide riot shield made from polycarbonate, and high-density foam but this one doesn’t have rubberized edges. It should also be able to withstand 600+ FPS shots.
Features
- Made from High Strength Lexan
- Backed with High-Density Foam
- The large, curved coverage area for maximum protection
- Dimensions: 19″ x 35.5″
- 3mm thick
- 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide
- Able to withstand 600+ FPS
Evike.com CQB Riot / Camera Crew Shield (Model: SWAT)
One more 3mm thick, 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide riot shield made from polycarbonate, and high-density foam that should be able to withstand 600+ FPS shots. This one has large SWAT lettering
Features
- Large, bold SWAT lettering on the front
- The large, curved coverage area for maximum protection
- Dimensions: 19″ W x 35.5″ H
- 3mm thick
- Made from high strength polycarbonate
- Backed with high-density foam
- Able to withstand 600+ FPS
- Lightweight and easy to carry
Best Airsoft Guns to Use With a Riot Shield
Like we said, get a good and accurate handgun (pistol, revolver) or compact SMG. If you don’t want a pistol but SMG and your field allows you to use them with a riot shield, P90, MP7, Echo1 GAT or Scorpion VZ61 could be a good choice.
P90 is a lightweight, precise, stable, and compact SMG that offers everything you may need in CQB engagements while still powerful enough for long-range battles. MP7 is ultra-compact, versatile, lightweight, and highly maneuverable SMG with good accuracy and range. The Echo1 GAT (General Assault Tool) is an ultra-compact, and lightweight SMG designed for CQB. Scorpion VZ61 is a really compact airsoft gun and a good choice for CQB or a backup gun.
We suggest that you check out our articles 12 Best Airsoft Guns For CQB (Close Quarter Battle) and Best Airsoft Guns Under $100, you will find some really good options there from SMGs to pistols and revolvers.
Summary
Riot shields open the doors to new strategies and tactics and can make airsoft matches more interesting. On the other hand, if certain rules are not implemented, they can make a match really frustrating for the opposing team. As we said, we’re not fans of riot shields but that doesn’t mean they should be banned from airsoft matches. Just be sure to implement the mentioned rules and that players are respecting them without cheating.
What are your thoughts on this divisive subject? Should riot shields be allowed in airsoft? Write your opinion in the comments below.
