As the owner of an airsoft gun, you’ll want to care for your investment properly so that it can be enjoyed and used for years to come. An airsoft gun that malfunctions due to poor care or wears out prematurely is both unnecessary and avoidable. Keeping your airsoft gun clean and well maintained is crucial when it comes to gun safety and accident prevention. By following these maintenance instructions, you can ensure that your airsoft gun remains in proper working order.
Cleaning the Barrel
Occasionally, your airsoft gun barrel will need to be cleaned. This is often indicated if your BBs are deviating vertically when firing the gun. Cleaning out the barrel is easy, all you’ll need is a cleaning rod and a piece of good quality paper towel. Follow these simple steps to clean out the barrel:
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Use a strip of paper towel (about 3 inches long by ½ inch wide) to thread through the tip of the cleaning rod
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Lightly spray silicone lubricant onto the strip
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Insert the cleaning rod into the barrel, strip-first
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Gently spin the rod while moving it down the length of the barrel, and repeat the process as needed
Lubricating Your Gun
If your gun is jamming or mis-feeding, you may need to lubricate it, specifically the gearbox or the hop up. To do this, remove the magazine and fire a few times in semi-auto mode to make sure that the hop up is free of BBs. Then, place the gun upside down on your lap, and using a bottle of silicone oil, spray it into the hop up a few times. However, you should use the oil sparingly, allowing it sit for a few minutes so that it can seep into the hop up.
The gearbox might also need to be lubricated at times, and to do this, you’ll first need to remove the motor. Once this task has been completed, you’ll be able to see a small hole at the bottom of the gearbox, and you can spray the silicon oil into it a few times. Again, be sure to give the oil time to work its way into the gearbox by leaving the gun upside down for a few minutes.
Caring for the Magazine
Caring for the magazine of your airsoft gun will vary depending on the type of gun that you own. For spring and electric airsoft guns, you will want to make sure the magazine has been emptied after each use in order to preserve the spring strength. This can help to ensure that you can enjoy your airsoft gun for years to come.
When it comes to gas airsoft guns, magazines should be left pressurized. This will help to keep all necessary components to intact. If you are using gas that doesn’t have silicon lubricant in it, you should add a drop on the internals. Always make sure that when you expel gas from the airsoft gun that you shouldn’t use the release valve. Otherwise, you could freeze the O-ring, resulting in future gas leakage.
Unjamming Your Airsoft Gun
Despite your best efforts to properly maintain your airsoft gun, jams can still happen for a variety of reasons:
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Excessive dirt, debris, or residue inside of the barrel
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Deformed or dirty BBs
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Debris or dirt accumulation within the magazine
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Damaged nozzles or tappet plates
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Damaged or deformed hop ups, or a hop up that is too tight
If your airsoft gun jams, it is important to take steps to clear it immediately. Stop firing, and turn off the hop up. Then, insert the opposite end of a cleaning rod into the barrel. Turn the gun upside down and gently push the jammed BB back inside of the magazine. Then, test fire the gun, but if jamming continues, you’ll need to contact your local airsoft dealer for more extensive maintenance.