Just forget about getting a spring one and go with an extremely long barreled AEG such as the M15, AUG, G36, SL8, SL9, M14, etc.  This way you will not have to worry constantly about being out gunned by opposing forces, but you will still have a formidable long-ranged gun.  If you're looking for something more silent, then look into the G36, SL8, SL9, and AUG as the have fiberglass/ABS plastic mixes that absorb sound better than metal bodied guns.  Classic Army Even sells the 'CA8-2' which is a completely upgraded AEG minus the piston and spring.

It's just a suggestion.  If you're set on the M24, it's a great replica.  As for upgrades, the M24 can take a new spring, spring guide, piston, or if you want to avoid hard installation, they have drop in bolts which you just trade out for your stock bolt and it either makes it more powerful, or allows the use of gas.  (Haven't seen a gas converted M24, but I've been told it's a good idea to avoid them).

I'm sure they will be of the same cream as the CA G36 and Armalite family; rock-solid internally and externally.  Very reasonable price.

Unfortunately the ergnomics of the M14 series just don't sit well with me as I don't have the longest of arms. :?   I'm crossing fingers on a CA AUG A3.

The only type of 'sponsored' airsofters are usually in Japan.

I remember seeing some random show a year or two ago where a Japanese guy sponsored by some toy store competed with some of the best shots in the U.S.A. in some sort of close range pistol competition.  Even though he was experienced with gas airsoft pistols, he was still able to put all the American shooters to shame with his crazy scores.  He was supposed to be one of the best shooters in Japan.

Also, I remember for a time airsplat had a raffle or something going to see what team would win their sponsorship.  All I think they got though was a small long term discount for their team and had to do some advertising for airsplat.  After the raffle was over I never heard anything about who won, and there weren't any advertisments of the winning team.  Strange.

This is really the extent of my knowledge as to who exactly is being sponsored in airsoft out there, but other than these two sources, I'm not really sure.  Obviously it is not as widestream a practice as in paintball, so it would be pretty difficult to find sponsorship.

Hey everybody!  My name's Alex and I'm 16, going on 17.  I'm completely obsessed with airsoft and it all started around 4 years ago when I recieved a KWC P226 for Christmas.

Soon after my P226, I purchased a DPMS A15.  I didn't actually airsoft with it until a year later.  My first games were in Michigan during the summer where we'd walk within 20 yards of each other and not notice a thing.

Now, about me in particular, I love airsoft more as a hobby than a sport and frequently take apart my replicas when I'm bored.  There's nothing more I love than having an excuse to take apart a gearbox.  The gearbox just simply awes me.

I try to use tactics as best I can, but it usually doesn't exceed much beyond yelling supressive fire as the team I am part of isn't too familiar with working as a 'team'.  We tend to play more as individuals which is why we lose some games.

The replica I'm proud of is my CA M15A4 Carbine.  All I have mounted on it are a sling from a DPMS M16 and a rather large red dot scope.  Internally I have;
Bearing Spring guide
Stock Spring
Stock tappet plate
Stock Gears
Stock Bushings
Stock V2 shell
Deepfire Nylon Piston
Deepfire o-ring air nozzle
Systema Silent Piston Head and Cylinder Head
Stock Wiring
Stock Barrel 6.08mm
Stock Yellow style Metal Hop Up
Stock CA Motor
8.4v 1200mAh Intellect Battery

I prefer to use MARPAT, a cross draw vest, two hi-caps, .25gram bbs, camel pak (which is more like a backpack as I took out the hydration system), and Magnum boots.  I also carry around a M7 bayonet for the heck of it.  I'd really love to get my hands on some CADPAT AR and modify a CA M15A4 Rifle to a C7A2, but that's a little out of my current budget and I'm going to be honest, it'd be a waste at the moment.

My team (Desert Foothills Airsoft) hasn't really been playing a lot of games recently, so I'm really dying to play a game, but I guess I'll just have to wait.  When I originally had joined them I was under the impression they'd be a lot more tactical than I was and play more frequently, but it wasn't really the case.  

I guess I'm a little on the mil-sim side aside from my preferance of hi-caps (which is really because I don't trust other magazines) although my current load out is a far cry from milsim.  When I'm around 18 I might find some other people to airsoft with.  It's too bad nobody has a Canadian orientated team that I know of...

Anyway, great to be on here.