Practicality of a sidearm?

[Icepick]

So I bought an M9PTP about a month back... And was wondering, is it really worth having? Or should I re-sell it to get more gear, upgrades, mags, etc? I have only put about 50 rounds through the thing and so far don't really see a true use for it.

[Switchback]

Sidearms, in my opinion:
-) look cool
-) helps to transition from outdoor to indoor
-) a great backup for an unreliable AEG
-) a great backup for real-cap games

[Icepick]

Hmm...

-) I just want to have a practical loadout
-) I have a G36C with 330fps. So I'm good on outdoor to indoor
-) My G36 is pretty reliable
-) I don't think I'm ever going to go real-cap

Darn, any other thoughts?

[Mongrol]

you are definitely set for indoor at 330 fps but the versatility of a pistol pretty much cant be beat. I have an mp5k at 330 which is one of the shortest guns available and have 6 mags for it. I still refer to my pistol when im clearing rooms or trying to be more maneuverable. For outdoor use its not much difference since your g36 is indoor legal but if you ever do get those upgrades and shoot 400 you would want the pistol so you can go indoors.

[Variable]

You'll get as many different opinions as there are players. My personal experience is that you won't need a sidearm 99% of the time. That 1% of the time though it allows you to take one more person with you when you go to the deadpool.

More mags and batteries are more immediately useful. Leaving your gearbox stock also helps, because then your primary's mean time to failure is longer, and you're less likely to NEED a backup gun in the field.

[RedSpo0n]

My opinion on the matter is that sidearms aren't so much a useful thing to have, but a fun thing to have.

I have carried a decent number of different handguns in my years, and I've never found a situation where I needed to go to it - but I use my sidearm at any excuse to do so cause it's more fun for me to feel the snap and recoil of a good GBB.

I had the good old KSC TMP back in the day - and I favored that over my upgraded M16 just because it was more satisfying to shoot, even though it was distinctly less effective.

So, short of a short-range option for a bolt-action user, I don't see it as a needed part of your equipment, but it's fun to have one. =p


Short story moment!:

My favorite encounter with a handgun was actually someone else drawing one against me down in Florence. I was pushing up on the APST 'compound' in what I thought was relative stealth. Turns out they had setup both their SAWs to cover just about every access to the corner of the field they had claimed.

They had a couple guys patrolling out, and they didn't know I was there. Easy shot on the first as he walked into the open right next to me. The other was startled and moved back into cover - I decided to follow as quickly as I could, figuring the sand didn't give him much option to hide.

He spun on me with his USPc and fired a couple shots before it jammed up due to sand. Scared the hell out of me, to the point I didn't even shoot back at first.

One of the most exciting moments I've had, IMO.

Sorry I can't recall who it was I was engaged with >.< I know your both still around =p

[Jewish Ninja]

Having a fully functioning AEG (spare) will be much more useful than a sidearm. If you can afford a spare platform that takes the same mags as your primary, its a handy thing to have.

As for sidearms, I usually have one with me, but there have been very few moments where it was actually useful to me. I could probably never carry one and be fine, but I like having one (plus owning 5 of them kinda means I SHOULD use them every once and a while

[phiz]

I once shot my son in the head with a GBB. It was worth every penny.

[Naked Snake]

In my opinion: side arms make us feel tacticool but in general we really don't need them.

[CalvinB]

I carry 2 pistols at all times, sometimes 3. My Sig is more accurate that some bolt guns, but has gas consumption issues sometimes but 70% of the time it is perfect and no one can figure it out(yes, I am exaggerating, obviously, but it is damn accurate). The second I carry is a KWA M9, the NS2 system has never let me down so it is the backup to my back up. I also carry one on a let rig and one on my PC so if I need to drop one or the other, I dont have to rearrange to carry one.

I personally have fallen back to a pistol countless times, and have prevented going back to the dead pool with it, but I am definitely the rarity.

[BlacksunshineGAAS]

The usefulness of a sidearm weighs more on your role in any given match.
If your an assault type then it functions more as a fall back plan or insurance in case your gun goes down mid game. Unless you lose primary functionality thru a gun hit or failure you would be better with an extra mag then a sidearm. But should those events happen and you be without a sidearm or fall back weapon your usefulness becomes greatly diminished.
If your role is one of a DM or sniper then having a sidearm is essential. Those guns with their higher FPS require a longer minimum engagement distance. Once an opponent breaks into that range not having a sidearm or fall back weapon of some sorts makes you a sitting duck.
I usually run with a sidearm just in case. There have been a couple times where I opted not to carry one to a round only to have my battery die or the gun fail.
So if you are in the first group described then a sidearm isn't essential. But still recommended. I would focus on other essentials before spending the money on a sidearm. As for the sniper/DM role. At minimum get a decent springer just so your not left with your Johnson wagging in the wind.

[Zack]

Plus, sidearms are fun.

[Icepick]

It really pains me to sell the thing since I just bought it... And I love it too... Its just that I probably should get another clone with the money so I have a backup AEG instead of the pistol.

[Jewish Ninja]

Keep it till you have more money then. Don't let people on the internet tell you what to do

[Juicemachine]

Keep it till you have more money then. Don't let people on the internet tell you what to do

BUT YOU JUST TOLD HIM WHAT TO DO.


Sidearms are fun. I play with mine all the time. I always get my a$$ handed to me, though.