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What Propellants Are Used In Gas Airsoft Guns?

August 14th, 2009

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.

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Anthony Carter Safety , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Various Uses Of Airsoft Guns

August 10th, 2009

People use airsoft guns for many reasons and activities. For instance, some people shoot cans in their backyard, some hold airsoft wars against friends, and others join teams to participate in organized combat simulations. The purpose of your airsoft gun should be an important factor when purchasing one.

Speed and versatility are not necessary airsoft gun characteristics when simply shooting targets (also known as “plinking”). In fact, a cheap, low maintenance spring pistol will do just fine for this type of activity. You can get away with buying a pistol based on how attractive you find it when you’re not using it for anything other than plinking.

If backyard wars and other such friendly battles is the reason why you’re buying an airsoft gun, it’s recommended you consider a spring shotgun or an automatic electric gun, both of which have higher firing rates than the cheaper pistols. A spring shotgun can be easily purchased for around forty dollars and is ideal for small skirmishes.

Automatic electric guns are very powerful airsoft guns boasting RPMs of authentic rifles. If you think your backyard battles could benefit from faster firing, an AEG will serve all of your sniping needs as well as perform similarly to an assault rifle. The only downfall is the cost of an automatic electric gun in addition to the number of pellets one goes through when using this type of gun.

If you can’t afford an automatic electric gun, you can still get a really fast rate of fire with a low-powered electric gun, also call an LPEG. For much less money, the only real difference in performance between an AEG and an LPEG would the number of feet per second at which the fired shots travel.

It’s going to cost you a lot more money to join an airsoft team than if you are to hold friendly backyard battles. This is because performance relies pretty heavily on the quality of the airsoft gun being used, warranting team players to invest in the best equipment and accessories for their position. Airsoft teams consist of snipers, riflemen, grenadiers, and support shooters, all of which require different equipment. High capacity AEGs are the airsoft gun of choice for those in riflemen positions while those who prefer sniping generally have high precision sniper rifles with an FPS of 400 feet or more plus the optics needed for distance shooting.

A machine gun would be the ideal weapon for a support gunner; however an automatic electric gun with a box magazine addition works similarly and costs much less. The same is true for the grenadier position, though they also require a quality grenade launcher plus lots of grenades. In all circumstances, every position on an airsoft team should also have a gas pistol, which costs about seventy dollars alone.

There are so many uses for airsoft guns that it’s impossible to have just one kind. This is why you should be well aware of what you intend to use your airsoft gun for and how much you intend to spend before making any final decisions.

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Joe Carter Safety , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,