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A well maintained airsoft gun shoots straighter, lasts years longer and is far less likely to let you down halfway through a game day. The good news is that basic maintenance is simple, cheap and takes only a few minutes after each game. Here is exactly what to do, for AEGs, gas guns and the batteries that power them.

The essential maintenance kit

• Cleaning rod long enough for your longest barrel (most guns come with one).
• Microfibre cloth or cotton patches. Avoid fluffy cloths that leave fibres.
• 100% silicone oil. Never use WD-40, gun oil or petroleum-based products, which destroy rubber seals and hop-up buckings.
• Isopropyl alcohol for degreasing the inner barrel.
• Cotton buds and a soft brush.
• A small screwdriver and hex key set.
• A smart balance charger and a LiPo safe bag.

After every game: the 10-minute routine

1. Unload and make safe. Remove the mag and battery, clear the chamber, set the hop-up to off if your manual suggests it.
2. Empty your magazines. Leaving BBs and spring tension in mid-caps for weeks weakens springs. Empty them back into the bag.
3. Wipe down the exterior. Remove mud, grit and moisture, especially from rails, the mag well and moving parts.
4. Dry it out. If you played in the rain, leave the gun somewhere warm (not hot) and well ventilated overnight before casing it.
5. Check for loose screws on the stock, grip and rails.
6. Deal with batteries: disconnect them and put LiPos to storage charge within a day or two (more below).

Cleaning the inner barrel

If your gun starts throwing curving or inconsistent shots, a dirty inner barrel is the first suspect. Dirt, BB residue and excess oil build up and upset the hop-up.

1. Set the hop-up to minimum so the bucking is not in the way of the rod.
2. Thread a small strip of microfibre or a cotton patch through the eye of the cleaning rod and wrap it so it fits snugly.
3. Dampen it lightly with isopropyl alcohol.
4. Push it gently through from the muzzle end towards the hop-up, then withdraw it. Do not force it into the hop-up chamber.
5. Repeat with a fresh patch until it comes out clean, then finish with a dry patch.
6. Reset your hop-up and test fire. You will usually need to re-tune it slightly.

Do not oil the inner barrel. Oil on the barrel or bucking is one of the most common causes of poor range and flyers.

AEG maintenance

AEGs (automatic electric guns) are low maintenance. Most of the work is in the barrel and battery. Every few months, or every 8 to 10 game days:

• Clean the inner barrel as above.
• Put one or two drops of silicone oil down the nozzle (through the hop-up with the barrel removed, or via the air nozzle as your manual instructs) to keep the piston head O-ring and cylinder seal supple. Fire a few dry shots to spread it, then clean the barrel again.
• Check wiring and connectors for heat damage, discoloured plastic or loose crimps.
• Listen to the gearbox. A change in sound, grinding, a stuck trigger or a slow cycle means it needs attention from a tech.

Gas pistol and GBB rifle maintenance

Gas blowback guns have more moving parts and seals, so they need a little more care.

• Keep magazines topped up with a little gas. Storing gas mags completely empty can let seals dry out and leak. A short burst of gas keeps them seated.
• Silicone oil the seals. Many green gas cans include silicone lubricant. If yours does not, a drop of silicone oil on the magazine fill valve and outlet valve every few uses helps prevent leaks.
• Lubricate the slide rails lightly with silicone oil after field stripping.
• Watch the temperature. Gas guns lose pressure in the cold. Keep mags warm in an inside pocket in winter, and never heat them with anything other than your hands.
• Store mags upright, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

Spring rifles

Bolt-action sniper rifles are the simplest of all. Never store them cocked, as it weakens the main spring. Keep the barrel clean, oil the cylinder with silicone oil sparingly, and check the hop-up bucking regularly for wear.

LiPo battery care: the important bit

Most modern AEGs run on lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries. They are powerful and lightweight, but they need treating with respect. Looked after properly, a LiPo lasts several seasons. Mistreated, it can swell, fail or catch fire.

If your gun has no MOSFET (an electronic trigger unit with low-voltage protection), keep an eye on how it sounds. When the rate of fire drops noticeably, swap batteries. Running a LiPo below around 3.0V per cell causes permanent damage.

Find suitable batteries, smart chargers and LiPo safe bags in our shop. Dead LiPos must go to a battery recycling point, not your household bin.

Storage between games

• Store guns in a hard case or gun bag, somewhere cool, dry and secure, out of sight and out of reach of children.
• Keep batteries and gas separately from the guns.
• Avoid lofts, sheds and garages with big temperature swings, which damage seals and batteries.
• Always transport replicas covered in a bag or case. Carrying an imitation firearm uncovered in public can lead to a very serious police response.

A simple maintenance schedule

Frequently asked questions