Airsoft Modified M16

The entire Midwest USA has now entered the late January deep freeze stage of Winter. I have been staying busy writing some airsoft gun troubleshooting tips over at the airsoft gun repair website but  this deep freeze for me seems like a perfect time to bench some of my own guns and get them ready for the upcoming 2010 airsoft season.
 My backup loadout includes among others a TM M16-A2. This gun was upgraded with a 120% spring (380-400FPS), steel gears, metal 6mm bushings and a V2 metal spring guide in July 2009, in October the gun started double and triple firing bb's and I lost most range. The problem was not real hard to locate as seen in the photo. My options are to just replace the gearbox shell knowing that at the current 390 FPS I will have to replace the gearbox again in 3 to 4 months cost ($39.90).  I could, downgrade the FPS to 350 or lower and not worry about cracking the gearbox again, or I could install one of the new V2 upgraded gearbox shells and see if it works as claimed. ($59-89)

Well since I like the Modify companies other airsoft upgrade products I have used in the past, I decided to go with the Modify Torus upgraded version two gearbox. I chose the 7mm gearbox model since the unit does not come with bearings or bushings and I already had the 7mm size metal bushings on hand. To save money I figured I would just transfer the rest of the old gearbox internals into this new shell. The unit does include a reinforced tappet plate, as standard tappets will not fit this gearbox.
All of my M16 TM components transferred into the modify torus design and fit nicely. I am impressed with the look and solid feel of this unit. I also like the idea of the open maintenance viewing ports machined into the face of this gearbox. This allows for lubrication and field inspection without opening up the gearbox.
 Once assembled this gearbox unit fit perfectly into my TM M16-A2 replica body and the completed airsoft gun chronographed at 397 FPS. Perfect. Now to see if it can hold up all season, under my heavy trigger finger.

Armsdealer...OUT!!!       

Airsoft Gun Breakdowns

The second decision in owning an airsoft gun (right after which eye protection you will use) should be what style and or model are you going to purchase. A huge part of that decision should include doing some research on the availability of replacement airsoft gun parts. Yes you will need them sooner or later. Perhaps you will want to upgrade your airsoft guns external parts to an assault style that better suits you. If you make sure the airsoft gun you purchase uses standard internal and external parts it will make repairs and maintenance procedures less frustrating and quicker when airsoft gun breakdowns do occur.

For those of you who are searching for and even willing to pay big bucks for the airsoft gun that never breaks down, you will be disappointed. What you can do however is learn how to maintain and repair your airsoft guns yourself. I view it as an airsoft gun owners responsibility to maintain your guns in good working order just as you would with any other hobby or collection. Once you learn how to care for your guns the hobby is not nearly as expensive or frustrating and you can begin a quest to build your own airsoft gun that does not breakdown.

Be prepared to spend some money on high quality custom airsoft gun parts and components. I currently use modular style gears in all of my AEG's and some are on the second year without a failure and only general lubrication and maintenance needed. These gearsets will set you back about 84 bucks a set but well worth every penny. I typically will spend around 150 dollars to purchase a gun. I typically spend 150 to 200 dollars on the gearbox replacement parts I add to make it a durable gun.

Basically if I decide I want a certain model airsoft gun, I buy it based on the external build quality and style and it's ability to accept standard parts. The internals in most cases are gutted and replaced with custom airsoft components based on the build specifications of the particular gun. If I want to turn any gun into a high rate of fire support gun then its high speed modular gears with a 16:1 or even 13:1 gear ratio and a 110% spring capable of 350 FPS velocities or less. For a higher velocity gun I would change the internal parts to heavier duty torque style components.

 If you take the time to learn some basic airsoft gun troubleshooting and repair techniques you will find you can take most any gun and turn it into a bb spewing threat that will be feared in any airsoft skirmish. The game will be way more fun with less airsoft gun breakdowns and loss of valuable trigger time.

Armsdealer...OUT!!! 

Airsoft Gun Maintenance

Today's airsoft guns can be tweaked and modded to perform to the likes of just about any shooting or shooter style. You can add stronger springs for higher FPS, high speed gears for a faster ROF, tight bore barrels for more range and accuracy, and countless internal upgrades for added durability. There are also many little things you can do to maintain and improve the overall durability of your metal gearbox style airsoft gun.

The following is a short list of do's and do not's to help extend the durability and maintainability of your airsoft gun between full repair service sessions. This is not a complete list, just a few suggestions:

DO NOT
Use .12 gram bb's they are to light and will shatter when used.
Use petroleum based lubricants
Use used bb's
Upgrade airsoft guns beyond 400 FPS
Continue shooting a jammed airsoft gun...Unjam immediately or damage can occur.
Fire prolonged full auto burst of 1 minute or more
Continuously dry fire your airsoft gun
Over tighten screws

DO
Oil your AEG with 100% airsoft gun silicone oil
Clean and oil barrel after each game
Check your bb's for defective ones
Tighten all screws after each game
Perform motor adjustment when gear noise (whine) increases
Learn how to repair your airsoft gun



Airsoft guns are much like any other mechanical appliance or vehicle you own and must be maintained and serviced regularly for safe, continuous and proper operation. Spend some time in the off season learning to diagnose, tear down and rebuild your airsoft gun and find a good airsoft gun parts supplier and you will ultimately save yourself a lot of cash. Many common issues arise from worn parts that need to be replaced on an annual basis like the hop up rubber bucking and nub. Failing to properly assess and maintain these in a timely fashion can lead to more severe and costly repairs like a cracked air nozzle or broken tappet plate. For more in depth repairs and upgrades it may be best to send your gun to an airsoft gun repair center. In most cases a few minutes after each game performing simple preventative maintenance on your airsoft guns can keep you in the game "sharing the welts" twice as long as your competition.





Armsdealer...Out!

Airsoft Gun Diagnostics

If you use your airsoft guns on a regular basis sooner or later you will experience a broken airsoft gun. Properly diagnosing these issues can save you money and time. Preventative maintenance can help keep your airsoft guns firing under most conditions but the time will come when a bench repair is needed. If you need more airsoft gun repair tips visit us at:

http://www.airsoftgunrepair.com/

Here are some simple steps you can use the next time your airsoft gun needs troubleshooting:

Airsoft Gun Performance Diagnostics:

Symptoms = Airsoft Gun jams allot, Gun is not accurate and has a noticeable decline in distance. BB's may roll out of the barrel.

Diagnostics and Solutions:

1. Check, Clean and Oil Barrel

2. Remove inner barrel and hop up unit. Check bucking and re-align or replace as needed. Check hop up nub for wear.

Symptoms = Airsoft Gun Cycles (fires) but no bb's come out

Diagnostics and Solutions:

1. Check for Jammed BB's in barrel

2. Check magazine and magwell for problem.

3. Turn gun upside down and shine flashlight in bb entrance in magwell (where you insert your magazine) with hop up dialed off dry fire gun once or twice and see if the air nozzle is moving back and forth. If not tappet plate is most likely broken...bench repair needed.

Symptoms = Airsoft Gun Does Nothing

Diagnostics and Solutions:

1.Check battery

2.Check Fuse

3.Check all connections

4.Check motor leads

5. Bench repair needed

The Illustrations to the right show you where to make your airsoft motor adjustments I address in the next paragraph.

Symptoms = Airsoft Gun Makes a loud squealing noise when trigger is actuated.

Diagnostics and Solutions:

1. Make sure hand grip and all parts are tight and have no wobbles.

2. Perform airsoft gun motor adjustment by turning motor adjustment screw clockwise until resistance is felt. Now turn counter clockwise 2 or 2 1/2 turns. Try to fire gun. If you feel the motor trying to work continue adjusting 1/4 turn at a time until gun sounds smooth when firing.

3. Bench repair needed

Just a few more tips to keep in mind for the proper preventative maintenance of your airsoft gun:

1. Never Use Used BB's

2. Do not use .12 gram bb's in any gun that shoots 300 FPS

3. Only use seamless BB's

4. Stock guns will typically work best with .20 gram bb's

4. Oil your airsoft gun after each use

5. Clean your airsoft gun barrel after each use

Well thats all for now...Hope it Helps

Armsdealer...Out