Not sure this was mentioned but depending were you are playing I would suggest:

A BASIC chest rig. Condor makes one for $30 bucks that has the 3 double mag pouches in them,(holds 6 mags) and 2 more for stuff. As well as a radio pouch. I JUST NOW a year later got a holy smokes rig yesterday and that $30 one did me WELL! What it did was let me focus on the other stuff, like great gun, mags, chargers etc then come back to this.

Get a Dump pouch too so you dont loose your $20 mags.

While you are doing this you are seeing more and more games and other set ups and figuring out what you want and what works.

Stuff like the gun and mags is non negotiable. Buy cheap--get cheap.

I suggest you go balls to the wall on that, the mags and battery. That is the cement of the basement.

The rest is the fun part.

I think the basic things like good boots and eye protection should be first and foremost on the list. good protection that fogs makes you pretty much useless on the field and might be dangerous since you can't see where you are walking and you might roll an ankle.. which brings you to the boots. get good ones that support the ankle because hiking a mile in the bush on a twisted ankle really sucks

The battery has absolutely no effect on the FPS of your gun.

The battery powers the motor that is used to compress the spring. When the spring is fully compressed, it is then released and pushes the piston into the cylinder. Different batteries will make this whole process faster or slower, but the amount of compressed air that comes out of the cylinder will always be the same.

When looking for a battery, the voltage (think "power") will affect the ROF, and the mAh (think "capacity" of the battery) will change how many shots you can actually take when the battery is fully charged.

Thats about it. Also consider WHERE you have to put it (handguard? Stock?), depending on how the gun is wired (dont know about the WE). Usually you want a smaller battery if it has to fit in the handguard.

Ill be ordering my gun from the states but it has the orange tip...is it possible to replace/paint it?

Sometimes, if not most times, US retailers will ship a replacement flash hider in the box if it's being shipped to Canada!

Thanks, I'll make sure they include one.

1. What gun do you recommend for a starter? I really like M4s and M16s
M4s are perfect starter guns. they're commonly found, easily upgradable, and user friendly
2. Whats the main performance difference between battery/gas?
Gas is a lot more realistic and cooler looking, however buying propane/ gas can be expensive. and the mags are expensive too. they also perform poorly in cold weather. AEGs are alot more basic. first gun should be an AEG
3. With regards to gear, what should I look to get? I would be more of an assault class player.
The very first thing you need it eye protection, I recomend a low profile maks or goggles and a mesh mask. dont go with a paintball masks, its hard to aim down sight with its bulkyness. the second thing is a tactical vest, they can make jean and a hoodie look tactical.
4. How many times do people here play in Toronto? Do you have monthly meetups?
Dont know, in Calgary
5. Overall, how much should I budget to spend on a full setup (gun, gear, goggles etc...)?
i'd say 200-1000$ you can always buy a maks, cheap M4 and tacitcal vest.
6. Do you have tournaments? (I come from an old school paintball background)
on ASC there is an events forum, look in there and you will find scheduled events, but most paintball fields run airsoft night, go there pay, play.

Thanks Jerry,

I ordered the WE M4A1 AEG today; Im quite excited to get going with this. The reviews from the net and member of this fine forum have been great. Ill be heading to Toronto Airsoft (or another company if it gets recommended) to get a battery and some mags. Any suggestions on those?

Does anyone know where i can get batteries for my WE M4A1 AEG? Toronto Airsoft has difficult hours, Amy Issue doesnt have any. I even checked a few hobby stores and nada.

Any ideas?

shrikeairsoft.com
airsoftparts.ca
airsoftdepot.ca

Thanks for the help ill check them out but I'm looking for more of a walk-in store in the GTA.

airsoft depot has a walk in store
airsoft parts you can contact him about a local pick up
shrike is in barrie and you can sit down and view the product

I orded my batteries from airsoftparts.ca and I must say the service there is amazing. I placed the order on Thursday and I received the equipment today. I will shop their again with out question. Amazing.

Now, what do you consider a quality BB? I searched the forum with no luck. I want to get some to mess around with at the cottage this weekend, does Canadian tire or walmart carry bb's that wont damage my M4 (ill buy mega good quality for any milsims/scenario games I attend)?

Save the crappy tire/wally world bb's for devices where quality doesn't matter - M203 shells, claymore mines etc. Otherwise, junk junk junk to the internals of any airsoft gun you wish to keep reliable.

I figured as much, looks like its a trip to Army Issue for me.