The Various Propellants For Gas Airsoft Guns

There are plenty of reasons why gas airsoft guns are gaining in popularity across the United States, such as accuracy, functionality, cost of operation, and realism. One of the most important factors about the maintenance and operation of these guns is the propellant, some of the most common being 134A, green gas, and CO2.

The gas that should be used in any particular airsoft gun should be determined by more than one factor. First of all, the temperature in which the gun is being used can affect the gas pressure which in turn affects the gun's firing power. Since one propellant may be appropriate in one temperature may be also be harmful to use in, say, a temperature that is 30 degrees Fahrenheit warmer, the fact that most gas type guns are designed for only one type of propellant is indeed a common problem.

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.

Always pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations and also to the current temperature when selecting a propellant for your gas airsoft gun. If you use a propellant that is too powerful or within the wrong temperature, you can cause damage to your gun.

There are several brands of airsoft guns that can use 134A as a propellant; however, almost all guns of this type crafted in Japan are designed specifically to use this gas. 134A can function in any temperature that doesn't dip below 40 degrees F, at which point a more powerful gas such as propane or green gas would be the more appropriate choice.

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.