i moved around work-wise - i'm now south of the river..
3P/SMK are rather notorious, not to mention expensive, as theyve
going around, being heavy handed claiming they have the sole rights
to sell anything in the european market, to which all the other
retailers laugh.
as youre in london you've got two main places to go, both have
stock, both have showrooms.
airsoft armouries in little chalfont [nw london, jubilee line
iirc], who have a good rep last i heard, and wolf armouries in
camden [a few mins walk beyond sainsburys].
wolf have a back room to which they have to grant you access - be
specific about what you want and youll be ok, and be taken
through.
price-wise, both are on the high side, given that theyre bricks
& mortar shops.
AA is probably cheaper. both are more expensive than shipping in
from HK, perhaps even after shipping and import taxes.
but this does give you the opportunity to look at, feel and handle
the ranges youre looking at.
After the ban comes in though, you wont have anywhere to get them
from [mail order, shops, etc all get the chop]
again, slimelight round the back of angel still has the game nights
on tuesdays - dont know if youve been yet - i havent been for
sometime now. ive heard its achanged a little game-wise and theyve
got home teams etc and i'm not sure it'd be what i'm looking for
anymore.
the bill's going through right now. because theyve lumped it with
other offences and bans [knives and drinking], it all looks good to
those eager to make themselves look tough on crime. there were
suggestions of exemptions [which was the best the community couldve
hoped for] but i think itll be difficult to see them grant these
exemptions.
back to guns - if youre not after quality, then dont look at
western arms. they also dont take too kindly to green or anything
above 134a.
KSC/KWa are your best bet for green-friendly guns and the price is
ok. you get some good deals on half metal combo's [glocks for
example].
for full-metal fun [sounds great] and sheer cheapness [you could
buy 2 for the price of one ksc/wa] at the expense of visual
accuracy and trades, then KJW are good to look at. there have been
stories of higher proportion of lemons from KJW but the recent
production runs have had good feedback [Para ordnance and M9
primarily, both black and nickel].
[although i mention, and almost recommend KJw, these might be hard
to find in the uk - WA, TM and KSC/KWA are by far easier to get in
the uk]
hth 
