Airsoft Guns

While airsoft gear tends to be durable, I have come across a few prematurely broken electric airsoft sniper rifles in my time. More often than not, these rifles were victim to user misuse and abuse. I strongly believe that you should enjoy your airsoft gear to the fullest, but it's also important to take care of your investment so that it will last for the long-haul. Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

• Only use quality BBs. If you take only one concept away from this list, let it be this: avoid cheap BBs at all cost! Low grade airsoft BBs are found in sporting goods stores and Wal-Mart. They are sometimes labeled as "Seamless Airsoft 0.20g" or "Seamless Airsoft 0.12g" BBs but don't let the name fool you, these are sub-par BBs and need to be avoided. These cheap BBs break apart too easily, which leads to jams, stripped pistons, and chipped gears. Furthermore, if you use cheap BBs you will void your warranty. High quality BBs are sold exclusively at airsoft specialty retailers and will minimize jamming, improve FPS, and improve firing accuracy.


• Beware low battery power. When your rifle battery is low, it's easier for the gearbox to "lock up" which can lead to damaged internal components. To avoid this, keep your firearm appropriately charged and stop using the rifle when battery life is low.


• But also beware of over-changing. On the flip side, it is not wise to leave your battery charging overnight with a standard wall charger. This practice can lead to damaged battery cells. Charge for fixed periods of time using a hi-output "smart" charger, which will taper off the current when the battery is full.


• Be careful with upgrades. Upgrades should only be made by experts. Keep in mind that raising battery voltage will put more stress on your firearm as it increases will your Rate of Fire (ROF) as opposed to Feet per Second (FPS) or velocity. If you want to increase your FPS it makes more sense to upgrade your spring, but again, this will add more stress to the internals that have not been upgraded in proportion to the spring. In short, it's best to consult with an expert when considering upgrades to your rifle.


• Care for your gun. You should always perform general maintenance before and after serious game play. The general maintenance should include unjamming and clearing the barrel of debris, as well as lubing the internal barrel, the hop up and magazine. Expert internal maintenance should be done every 4 to 6 months.

About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, a leading online provider of airsoft guns, gear and accessories. Airsoft Megastore offers guaranteed lowest prices on airsoft guns including electric airsoft guns and airsoft sniper rifles.

Labels: airsoft gun care, airsoft rifle, airsoft rifle care, best airsoft practices, cleaning airsoft