Friday, August 14, 2009

What Propellants Are Used In Gas Airsoft Guns?

By Anthony Carter

Cost of operation, accuracy, and realism are among the countless reasons why gas airsoft guns are rapidly increasing in popularity across the country. Owning a gas airsoft gun involves selecting the appropriate propellant, whether it's 134A, green gas, or CO2 (which are the most frequently used). The correct use of propellant will ensure the best operation and maintenance of your gas airsoft gun.

The gas that the manufacturer recommends you use is not the only thing you should be looking at since there are other factors that affect an airsoft gun's performance that manufacturers can't control, such as temperature. If you live in a consistently hot climate such as the Arizona desert, the gas that should be used with your airsoft gun could actually be harmful to your gun because the heat is causing an enormous amount of pressure.

Cold climates can also influence the type of propellant you require for your gas airsoft gun. If you live in a consistently cold area, the gas that the manufacturer suggests you use may not work because the pressure inside the gun has gone too low to support the firing action. A case of reduced pressure can also cause the valve to stay open following fire, resulting in the loss of all the gas in the gun.

Using a propellant in a temperature that is too hot or too cold can cause damage to your airsoft gun so be wary of the temperature. Also, avoid using a gas that is more powerful than the gas the manufacturer originally intended for that design.

134A is usually used in Japanese made gas guns, but there are some brands of other origins that use this gas as well. It can be used in temperatures anywhere above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, though a general rule of thumb is to upgrade to green gas when the gun begins to misfire.

The most popular gas propellant used for an airsoft gun is green gas. Almost every gun that is not made in Japan is designed to use green gas; however, you need to beware of using green gas in hot summer weather as it could become too powerful and harm your gun.

In terms of quality, there is a wide range of airsoft guns using green gas, so it isn't exactly possible to determine the exact temperature at which you should switch to a less powerful gas. You can play it safe by always keeping around some 134A and using that when the temperature exceeds 100 degrees F. You can also decide on the right gas by considering how often you're using it and the amount of direct sunlight. For example, direct sunlight will heat up the gas faster whereas frequent firing actually decreased pressure and subsequently the temperature of the gun.

The most versatile gas propellant for an airsoft gun would be CO2; however, guns that use CO2 are notorious for being complicated and difficult to maintain. CO2 guns are few and far between, can become costly, and very rarely take any other type of gas. For these reasons and more, CO2 guns have the smallest following in the airsoft community.

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