Monday, January 10, 2011

Protect Your Airsoft Warranty

Voided warranties are one of the biggest complaints I hear in the airsoft community. Airsoft gun warranties are surprisingly easy to invalidate. Because they are not "real" guns, many users overlook the complexity of these devices. Airsoft guns are in fact very realistic replicas with sophisticated firing systems and multiple moving parts. For this reason, manufacturers have stringent warranty rules when it comes to airsoft gun operation. I have found that there are three core rules that will not only help protect your weapon from harm, but they will also make certain that you are compensated if your firearm has technical difficulties.


1. Unless you are a pro, do not attempt to disassemble your gun or perform upgrades on your own.
Unless you are an airsoft expert, you should not disassemble your gun for any reason, even if only to perform a simple upgrade. As mentioned earlier, airsoft guns are complex devices with intricate inner workings. If you need to disassemble your gun, or want to perform an upgrade, seek out an airsoft expert at a certified airsoft retailer. If you or any other non-professional toy with your airsoft gun, you will likely cause irreversible damage and void the gun’s warranty.

2. Use only high quality airsoft BBs.
High quality BBs will improve your shot accuracy, increase FPS, protect your gun’s internals and reduce or eliminate jamming. Cheap BBs like the ones sold in Walmart and large sporting goods stores will jam frequently, tear up your internals, diminish your performance and void your warranty. The bottom line is... always use good BBs. Look for BBs are high-polished, high-density and seamless. Only purchase airsoft ammo from certified airsoft retailers. It is also critical that you carefully read through your manual’s instructions regarding loading the BBs. Every airsoft gun is different and if you load the ammo incorrectly, it can cause major issues and also void your warranty.

3. Know your gun’s battery charge time.
AEG batteries are surprisingly sensitive and each one has specific requirements for the amount of time they are to be charged. Most standard chargers do not have a chip that alerts the device to stop charging. If your charger does not feature a smart kill switch, be careful to not exceed the recommended charging time.




About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, an airsoft retailer offering electric and gas powered airsoft guns. Please visit Airsoft Megastore to shop for airsoft AEGs, full metal airsoft rifles or the right airsoft gas gun for players of any experience level.

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Friday, July 24, 2009

Protect your Airsoft Gun and its Warranty

airsoft gun care

Careless use of an airsoft gun can not only cause injuries, it can break the gun and void its warranty. In addition to protecting yourself and others when dealing with airsoft guns, taking proper care of guns is a responsibility that should be taken seriously. Some of the precautions that should be taken to prevent damage and increase the longevity of your airsoft guns may not be obvious. Following manufacturer recommendations as well as these tips is advised:


  • Use the right BBs. Note that BBs are available in different sizes and weights, and using the wrong type can cause damage to a gun. Most airsoft guns use 6mm BBs, but check your owner’s manual to be sure you are using the correct BBs for each of your guns. We recommend polished, high-grade, seamless BBs. For more information, check out What kind of BBs are right for my airsoft gun?

  • Use the correct battery charge time for each gun. The batteries that power airsoft electric guns (AEGs) are sensitive and have specific requirements for the amount of time they are to be charged. Standard chargers do not have a chip that tells them to stop charging when the battery is full, as smart chargers do. Be sure that you know the correct charge time for each of your guns, and do not exceed it. For specific recommendations on calculating charge times, please see Batteries & Charging Your Battery.

  • Only cock a spring airsoft gun once per shot. Spring airsoft guns, also known as "cock and shoot" airsoft guns, are designed to be cocked once before shooting one BB. Cocking a spring gun more than once can lead to internal damage and a voided warranty.

  • Load BBs correctly. Loading BBs incorrectly is another mistake that can lead to damage to your gun and a voided warranty. The correct procedure for loading BBs varies from gun to gun, so be sure to follow the recommendations from the manufacturer of your gun.

  • Do not disassemble your gun. Doing so can void your warranty, and could cause permanent damage to the gun.

Airsoft guns are made of many moving parts, and often endure wear and tear during skirmishes. For these reasons, parts may need to be repaired or replaced on occasion. Taking care of your guns and adhering to all manufacturer recommendations can promote a longer life and more play time for your guns.


About the Author: Mike Zhang is the VP of Operations of Airsoft Megastore, an airsoft retailer offering electric and gas powered airsoft guns. Please visit Airsoft Megastore to shop for airsoft AEGs, full metal airsoft rifles or the right airsoft gas gun for players of any experience level.

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