One of the first two airsoft stores located in San Diego, as we stated above, was dedicated more towards the beginners in airsoft.  Currently, this store carries mostly lower priced spring powered airsoft guns and accessories for the backyard enthusiast.  But at first, the store carried many AEG's (Automatic/Airsoft Electric Gun) such as mainly Tokyo Marui brand.  Soon, the company began to carry the 'ICS' brand and the Classic Army brand.  Local San Diego airsoft players (such as myself) began flocking to this store to buy up these AEG's.  The store could barely keep them in stock.  This was great, because more airsoft players were popping up all over San Diego.  But soon, that store had it's down fall, all of the people that they had just 'introduced' to airsoft, were looking to advance their 'careers'.  This means that they wanted to upgrade their weapons.  Whether these upgrades were internal or external didn't matter, because the store didn't have anything to help these (now experienced) airsoft players. 

     So, if you were looking to upgrade your airsoft weapon, you had three choices.  You could either learn to work on your weapon yourself, you could drive up north about an hour or you could visit the other airsoft store in San Diego. This store currently sells a select few, 'over the counter' airsoft weapons.. but it concentrates mostly on custom upgrades.  They are one of the best custom airsoft shops available.  Now when we say custom, we don't mean upgrade, we 'mean' custom.  Now, the problem with that is that with custom work comes a custom price.  So for the airsoft player that wasn't looking at a 'custom' airsoft weapon, but simply looking to upgrade a little to a slightly higher rate of fire, or a little more velocity, this store may not have been the best choice.

     But those were your choices, cut and dry.  Buy from the beginner shop and stay a 'newbie'.. or visit the custom shop and be thrown into the lion's den.  Until October 2005, when Airsoft Extreme opened up shop in San Diego.  Airsoft Extreme is an Northern California based company that has opened up airsoft shops all the way down the California coast.  Currently as of this writing, the company has 5 locations to serve you.

     Airsoft Extreme (aka AEX) is what the airsoft players of San Diego have been waiting for.  A store where you can purchase a stock airsoft gun for a great price and then when you're ready to advance to the next step.. you can return to the same store for a simply to advanced upgrade.  With the 'beginners' store.. once you bought the product, it was "Have a nice day.. but we can't help" when it came to upgrades.  But with AEX, you can build a relationship with the staff and this is what will keep you informed and interested in airsoft.

     The staff at AEX, albeit friends of mine, are all great guys.  I have played airsoft side by side will all of them and I can personally vouch for their knowledge of airsoft as a sport and the products involved.  For those of you that don't know why I would bring this up.. it is simple.  Would you really want to purchase an airsoft weapon from a person that doesn't play airsoft?  I know that I wouldn't.  It's like buying a new Toyota from the car salesman and then watching him get into his Nissan.  So, when you go to Airsoft Extreme, you can fell comfortable in knowing that the staff is not just knowledgeable about the product and it's prices.. but about it's performance as well.  Many people will have a different 'idea' of what they want or need... and if you are confused as to what you 'may' need to get into airsoft... let the staff know and they will set you up with the proper tools you'll need to be trading BB's with the rest of us.

     Selection is something you don't normally see very often at any store, much less at an airsoft store.  With a poor selection of parts, comes a poor selection of options.  Meaning.. if the only 'selection' was between the red pill or the blue pill.. there is no 'option' for a test ride into the Matrix.. whoa.. sorry.  But seriously, AEX offers many different brands of airsoft weapons.  Just to name a few:

     With such a variety of weapons to choose from, Airsoft Extreme can arm the most beginner airsoft player to the most advanced.  From sub-machine guns (SMG's) to sniper rifles, shot guns to pistols, AEX has you covered.  But the weapons themselves aren't the end of it.  As the Boy Scouts moto says, "Be prepared".  Well being prepared means having a 'back up' plan, in airsoft, that is having a spare magazine ready or at least having some extra ammo in your pocket when you need to reload.  AEX can help with that as well, by offering multiple options of spare magazines.  You can get magazines that imitate real steel weapons capacities, all the way to magazines that carry more ammo then an entire military recon squad.  The choice is yours and with the enormous selection at AEX, you can't miss.

    Now, what is an airsofter if he doesn't have all of the coolest and newest high tech gear?  Well.. I'll tell you, he's a 'newbie'.  Yeah, I know, you don't like that term, but if you insist on going out to the airsoft games wearing your blue jeans and t-shirt, that's what you will look like.  And unless you can do some serious butt kicking on the field, you'll always be known as a newbie until you can dress the part.  Now, the most common airsoft imitation is U.S. Military Special Forces, followed by SWAT teams and Independent contractors.  For the first two choices AEX can definitely help you achieve 'the look' with their selection of airsoft tactical gear.  They have everything from basic holsters to full-on modular tactical vests that the Navy SEALS wear.  Probably the coolest thing that I have seen at AEX has to be the throat mics.  If you don't know what they are... you're a newbie.. haha..sorry. 

     Anyway, some of the brand name tactical gear you can expect to find at Airsoft Extreme are:

- Blackhawk Industries  -  www.blackhawk.com
- Guarder  -  www.intrudershop.com
- Maxpedition - www.maxpedition.com
- S.O. Tech - www.specopstech.com
- Tactical Assault Gear - www.tacticalassaultgear.com

     Now remember me saying something about upgrading?  Well Airsoft Extreme has that covered as well.  Whether you want to upgrade your airsoft gun yourself or just want it done, AEX can handle it.  With a full time upgrade technician, AEX can upgrade your weapon as little or as much as you like.  With their basic 'standard' upgrades starting at $50.00 all the way to their more advanced upgrades, you are sure to receive a weapon designed to your specifications.  But if you want to take on the job by yourself, the knowledgeable staff at AEX will help you pick out the best quality gear parts and accessories from brands such as:

- Systema - www.systema-engineering.com
- Guarder - www.intrudershop.com
- Classic Army - www.classicarmy.com
- & many more

     But the service technicians don't just stop at upgrades, they can also do repairs and diagnostics for you when your weapon fails, which it will.  Airsoft Extreme can fix, upgrade and/or customize your electric airsoft rifle and your gas pistol or rifle as well. 

     I could go on and on about this store, but I will bring this to an end as it is only fair, I am sure that I am keeping you from playing airsoft.  I highly recommend AEX San Diego for all levels of airsoft players from beginners to the advanced.  If you're looking to purchase a new, replacement or second airsoft weapon you can't go wrong by visiting Airsoft Extreme.  The atmosphere is relaxed and down to earth.  So relaxed in fact, that they have a couch in the middle of the showroom for you to 'hang out' with the guys and swap kill stories.  So when you're ready to start playing.. or need a place to advance your experience level, visit Airsoft Extreme San Diego... Be sure to tell them that 858 Airsoft sent you..

    Play safe and play smart, obey your local laws and never brandish (show) an airsoft weapon in public.

For directions to the store click here.

Here are some pictures we took of the store.
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