Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Airsoft Gun Winter Service

One often asked question here in the Great Lakes Region of the United States is "will my airsoft gun work outdoors in the winter"? The answer is "Maybe" but this depends on certain factors. Is your airsoft gun highly upgraded is one huge factor. The version 2 G&P mechbox shown below is set to shoot at around 390 FPS. 15 minutes outside and this gearbox will cease to fire until it is warmed up and the cylinder and other parts contract back to normal dimensions.
In general it is best to use a stock mechbox in the winter months. They tend to out perform the upgraded gearboxes since the mechanical tolerances are not so tight to begin with and will allow for cold air expansion of critical parts. Preparing your airsoft gun for winter would include switching to a lighter viscosity silicone oil, Using a thinner grease inside the mechbox and keeping the barrel clean and coated with a lite film of oil.
The mechbox unit below has had the heavy grease removed and the thinner winter grease added. One thing to note is that Systema upgraded pistons do not work in cold weather and have a problem shattering when used in temps below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure and give your airsoft gun proper maintenance and cleaning once the gun has warmed to room temperature as condensation will develop on and inside of your airsoft gun from the snow and cold weather. Airsofting in the winter is a game of endurance for both player and equipment but if properly prepared for can add a whole new dimension to airsoft gaming in general.
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Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Airsoft Gun 400 FPS Club

Check out these trophies from the airsoft gun 400 FPS club. Yep cracked mechboxes mostly version 2 but version 3 mechboxes crack about the same way and in the same place. Sometimes one will completely crack the nose off the gearbox. How can you Avoid this?
Keep your mechbox shooting below 350 FPS. If you must go to 400 then start with a reinforced type mechbox and put in a bore up or silent type piston head and cylinder upgrade. This will help absorb some of the shock created by the spring and piston. Also be prepared to have frequent maintenance and repairs for any airsoft gun upgraded beyond about 380 fps.
Building airsoft guns that shoot over 400 fps on full auto can be allot of fun. Just keep in mind that joining the 400 FPS club will quickly build you a trophy pile of worn out airsoft gun replacement parts.
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