What Propellants Are Used In Gas Airsoft Guns?
There are plenty of reasons why gas airsoft guns are gaining in popularity across the United States, such as accuracy, functionality, cost of operation, and realism. One of the most important factors about the maintenance and operation of these guns is the propellant, some of the most common being 134A, green gas, and CO2.
The gas that should be used in any particular airsoft gun should be determined by more than one factor. First of all, the temperature in which the gun is being used can affect the gas pressure which in turn affects the gun’s firing power. Since one propellant may be appropriate in one temperature may be also be harmful to use in, say, a temperature that is 30 degrees Fahrenheit warmer, the fact that most gas type guns are designed for only one type of propellant is indeed a common problem.
The opposite can occur in cold weather. An airsoft gun can stop working completely in cold climates because gas pressure decreases significantly, resulting in the ultimate loss of firing power. It’s also possible for the valve to remain open following fire if it’s too cold, which will cause all of the remaining gas in the gun to leak out.
So you should consider both the manufacturer’s suggested propellant as well as the temperature in which you plan to use in order to ensure the safe and proper operation of your airsoft gun. You want to avoid using a gas that is too powerful as it may damage some gun components.
The most commonly used gas for airsoft guns of Japanese origin (and other selected brands of different origin) is 134A. It can be used in practically any climate that is above forty degrees Fahrenheit, which is why it is such a popular gas to use. If you notice your airsoft gun is misfiring while using 134A, it could mean you need a more powerful gas like propane or green gas.
Just about every other non-Japanese airsoft gun on the market is made for (or at least can use) green gas, the most popular airsoft gun propellant. Green gas is more powerful than 134A, so you need to be cautious in hotter weather to avoid causing damage to your gun.
There are so many different kinds of airsoft guns using green gas that it’s impossible to determine the maximum temperature at which point the propellant should be changed to something like 134A. Higher quality guns can withstand higher temperatures and lower quality guns can become damaged more easily by use in warm weather, so it’s up to you to pay attention to the temperature and amount of direct sunlight to which the airsoft gun is exposed. One tip to remember is continuous firing will decrease pressure in the gas chamber, subsequently lowering the internal temperature.
CO2 has the best temperature range for gas airsoft guns, though there are a few disadvantages that make this propellant and its related guns the least popular within their category. For one, almost every single CO2 airsoft gun takes CO2 gas and nothing else; for two, these guns are much more complex to deal with than other models. On top of everything, the CO2 ones are also rather pricey.

