Airsoft Action 04 - Xmas 2011 | Page 88

bought even more – and it’s gone on that way to the point we’re at now. “Our stock is piled up round the walls – we just don’t have enough space here. So we’ve found a new shop, which has a warehouse as well as ret ail space about double the size of our current premises. ” And JD Airsoft does like to make use of space – the shop is packed with displays of rifles, pistols, scopes, BBs, accessories – and the 160-odd rifles on the wall are for JDEALS customers to get hands-on with, not to be sold. It’s a worthwhile expense, says Phil: “People new to airsoft often come in with a clear idea of the rifle they’re going to buy – but 99 per cent of them leave with ENTRY-LEVEL MP5 Recognising the popularity of entry level SMGs, JD has a selection of Classic Army and ICS MP5s available for between £100-£130. ASCU UNIT This nifty little device can make any AEG perform like a PTW. From JD the unit will cost you £100 – but Tony will happily fit it for free while you wait! MAGPUL PTS MOE CQB MX-80 DIVERSIONARY DEVICE Because they buy so many of these topquality rifles at once JD can pass their savings along. The Magpul PTS MOE will set you back just £300 if you buy from JD – as much as £130 cheaper than other retailers! And it’s JD’s best-seller of the last six months. This awesome reusable distraction device is exclusive to JD. Designed by airsofters purely for airsoft use, the MX-80 is quickreloadable grenade that delivers an 80dB sound wave. Lightweight, looks great, and at a sensible price too – just £69.99! something completely different. They like to be able to pick up the rifle, get a feel for it, decide if it’s for them. So none of the rifles on our walls are for sale – everything we sell comes brand new in a box. ” One or two regular customers dropped by to check out new stock, to pick up the rifle they’d been eyeing online and to restock on consumables. Just 10-15 per cent of JD’s sales come through the website, and it’s easy to understand why so many of JD’s customers are hugely loyal to the shop: Phil and the guys there can happily recommend any of their products as they simply don’t stock anything they wouldn’t use themselves. As an example, when airsofters got hold of the TLD GR-10 distraction grenade, which wasn’t designed for airsofters, Phil decided to step in to help create something specifically for use within airsoft. Together with the manufacturer Phil helped improve the design for airsoft use, changing the venting system to twin vents on the top and bottom. The result is a functioning, reloadable and safe diversion device that appeals to airsofters’ need for realism. So things are looking bright for JD Airsoft now. Once the shop move is confirmed and JD has settled into bigger premises Phil and his team can continue to focus on their goal of establishing the company as one of the UK’s leading airsoft megastores. If things continue as they have for the past year, it shouldn’t be much of a stretch to surpass that goal. ■ GET IN TOUCH JD Airsoft Unit 11 Exchange Business Estate, Cross Street, Cannock, Staffs WS11 0BW 01543 466356, www.jdairsoft.co.uk 088 Xmas 2011