The Various Propellants For Gas Airsoft Guns
Posted on August 14th, 2009 in Sports | No Comments »
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.
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.
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.
Another type of gas propellant is CO2, though the airsoft guns that are made to work with CO2 are generally frowned upon by airsoft enthusiasts because of their intricacies which make them difficult to operate and maintain. CO2 still has a small but loyal following since this gas has the widest temperature range over the other options.