Airsoft
is such a fun hobby, but it can also get expensive if you don't take
care of your BB gun. It's not uncommon to pay $500 for a good
airsoft gun,
and it would be a tragedy if it were to malfunction just because it
wasn't maintained correctly. You'll want to do a thorough
cleaning after every few uses. (Some discriminating players do
so after every game, but this is probably overkill.)
Depending on the type of firing
mechanisms in your AirSoft gun (spring, electric, gas, or gas blowback) there
are different parts to maintain. In all cases, the first step is
to remove the magazine or clip, disconnect the battery or gas
connection, and make sure the BB gun is completely free of all ammo.
Try not to shoot your AirSoft
gun without ammunition, as this can cause excessive wear and tear on the
moving parts. The BB gun is designed to compensate for
resistance involved in launching the pellets, and it should be used that way.
This is especially important with spring airsoft guns (regular BB and
pellet guns too). The springs are elastic, and cocking and
firing them more than is necessary can greatly shorten the life of the
spring itself. Related to this point, be sure not to leave any
spring airsoft gun cocked. This contracts the spring, and if
left in that position for extended periods of time, the spring will be
ruined.
Once you're sure the AirSoft is
empty and not cocked, carefully disassemble it and thoroughly clean it with a soft
cloth dampened with a mild detergent solution. Clean the barrel
inside and out. Do not immerse the BB gun parts in water to
rinse them. Just wipe them clean with a slightly moist cloth.
Next, you want to lubricate every
moving piece in your AirSoft gun (unless otherwise instructed by the
manual). Use only silicone-based oil
to do this, as petroleum tends to eat away at rubber O-rings and can
sometimes damage the BB gun's finish. Be careful with the
magazine so it does not get clogged. If your weapon is gas powered,
remove the valves and put a small amount of oil in the reservoir.
There are some gases available containing silicone, which make this
step unnecessary, so look for those if possible. Also, cover any
bare metal with a thin layer of oil to prevent corrosion, especially
at the end of the season, as you're readying your airsoft gun for
long-term storage.
Once everything is clean and lubed
up, the last step (and sometimes the hardest) is to reassemble your
AirSoft gun. Once you've pieced it together, you'll want to fire a
few test shots to get things moving smoothly and to make sure it's
still operable. Keep your BB gun maintained and it should last
for many years of good, clean fun!
If you have any problems or are
afraid you'll mess things up by attempting a thorough cleaning
yourself, take your AirSoft gun to a local gun store and ask them to
help you out. Or, if you have friends who are more experienced
with AirSoft, ask for some training. Most enthusiasts are happy
to lend a hand to a newbie!
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