Tools for your model rifles, etc...

It's always a pain in the backside when your expensive (and sometimes not so expensive) Airsoft model weapon goes wrong. Nine times out of ten, it'll be a simple jam (a 'stoppage', in shooting teminology), but for that tenth time, you'll need a sturdier tool than harsh language.

With this in mind, there are a few simple and relatively inexpensive tools that no self-respecting Airsoft gamer should be without, to perform those oh-so-essential running repairs, to keep your model 'in action', until you can get it to an Airsoft Technician...

I suppose that at this point, I should point out to you, that if you do not know what you're doing inside your model weapon, you should under no circumstances open it up, or mess with it in any way, form, or manner - especially in the guarantee period after purchasing it!

A multi-tool

Two good examples are the 'Leatherman' tool, and the Gerber Multipliar, both of which can be found retailing for under the £30 mark (you may have to hunt around for that price, by the way). They come with a complement of built-in blades and the most useful tool of all: A small pair of Pliars. For the Gerber tool, get the needle nosed version, rather than the more usual blunt-nosed one; it's easier to get into those small spaces in Airsoft models.

A set of Jewelers scewdrivers

Due to the range of small screws that all Airsoft model manufacturers use.

Silicon impregnated cloth, or 'Sentry Tuf Cloth'

Available from most good gun shops, with the better of the two being Sentry Tuf Cloth, which is available from Attleborough Accessories.

Pull-through

WARNING: THIS IS ONLY for use with a rifle in a completely stripped condition, with the feed and hop-up assembly REMOVED.

This is a cord, which drags a small cleaning patch though your model AEG's barrel, to clean it. Some older army SA-80 rifle cleaning kits have recently found their way onto the shelves of some army surplus shops, and the pull-through cord from those is ideal for this purpose. If you can't find one, you can make one from a wire-coated curtain cord, with a small loop of enamelled copper wire attached to an end (wrap the join with electical tape, to prevent scratches to the inside of the barrel, by the way). You slip the cleaning patch (from all gun shops, and Attleborough Accessories), carefully pull the cloth through the barrel. presto, a clean barrel. Since dirt in the barrel is a major cause of stoppages, cleaning the barrel before and after each day's gaming is rather important. Note that the cleaning patch should, when dry, be cut to measure NO MORE than 10mm by 30mm, or it may well jam inside the barrel itself!

By the way, the SA-80 pull-through I noted above only works if you can easily remove the barrel from your Airsoft model. If it doesn't, don't bother to get one; instead, either use the curtain-cord described above, or use (damned carefully) the cleaning rod that came with your model. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES allow the pull-through to pass through the hopup chamber - it'll most likely break it. Remember, I said only to use this is (a) you're competent at striping down and re-assembling your model, and (b) if you know what you're doing!

Silicon spray

You need this to both clean and lubricate your model;WD-40 should not be used, as it corrodes the rubber air-seals within your model!

Spare fuses

For your AEG, just in case.

Super glue

Super Glue, or cyanolyte (I think I spelt that correctly!) is NOT available to the under eighteens. Never the less, I keep a tube of it in my repair kit; it's good for those quick glue-up fixes, where a more permenant solution would require workshop conditions. remember, though, that
(a) this stuff will, if used without due care and attention, stick your fingers together, requiring the services of a hospital to unstick them, and
(b) you don't need much to glue something togther using this stuff.
Used with care and attention to detail, therefore, it's almost essential in your field tool kit.

A small container

Chances are you'll need these tools out in the field, just when you don't need the aggravation. You should therefore get a container that can fit into your webbing, whilst stopping it all rattling while you run or walk.

I'll also recommend the following tools for your toolbox; these are items that you may not neccessarily take into the playing area with you, but which will certainly, if you like to get into the insides of your rifles, be of use (NOTE: Not to be used if you do NOT know what you're doing inside your AEG!)

Faithfull 30 Piece Metric/a/F Hexagon Key Set - Mixed	Stanley Jumbo Organiser Top Toolbox 19in	Stanley Long Nose Plier 203mm	Draper 38716 33Pc Security Bit Set	Dewalt Screwdriver Bit Set 10+1	Draper Expert 50579 6 Piece Precision Screwdriver Set

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