A brief note on weapon cleaning...

Someone recently suggested that I have a page on the recommended methods for cleaning your Airsoft models; so, here it is!

From the first, let me make it clear that this is generic advice; your Airsoft model comes with a manual, and that will show you in pictoral form (i.e., pretty drawings!) how to strip the model down safely. Do not strip it down any further than the manual shows, unless you really know what you're doing!

OK, for the examples, I'm showing my new P90, and my older KSC G17 (with metal slide, Wooo!)

AEGs...

Initial steps:

Remove the magazine.
Remove the battery.
Check that there are no rounds left in the feed line or chamber (look).
Using the method shown in the manual, take the weapon down to its stripped state. In this case, I pressed the takedown catch, and carefully withdrew the Barrel/Sight group from the body. This is as far as the model needs to be stripped for cleaning purposes.

Cleaning the model...

Initially, look down the barrel. If there is dirt, muck, or whatever, down there, you'll need to use the cleaning/un-jamming rod that comes with the model. Note the coloured line that's on the rod - I'll come back to that in a moment.

You'll need a small cloth patch - .22" cleaning patches are a good start (and have the benefit from being widely available from just about every gun shop that sells air weapons and/or firearms), but you'll need scissors to cut the patches to size; they must be no larger than 10mm by 30mm, or you run the risk of them jamming inside the barrel.

Thread the properly sized patch through the 'jag' end of the cleaning rod (as shown in the photo), and push it down the barrel from the muzzle end only; Remember to rotate the rod in one direction as it moves down the barrel (this helps to keep the cloth patch actually on the rod!). Remember the coloured line? do not push the rod any further than this coloured line, or you could end up breaking the hop-up mechanism. Once you've got the rod down the barrel to the coloured line, rotating the rod in the same direction, withdraw it from the barrel, and look down the barrel again; repeat as required until the inside of the barrel is clean again.

Next up, where to spray that lubricant. Note: For all Airsoft models, you should only use silicon spray, as oil-based lubricants will eat into the rubber seals and gaskets used within the mechanism of the models; you can get silicon spray from just about anywhere, but do not use WD-40, or any other silicon spray that uses a solvent in it's formula - your Airsoft retailer will be able to advise you on this as well as sell you the appropriate spray.

You should spray the feed line, hop-up, and air nozzle. You should also spray any springs and external moving parts as well; this is to provide protection from the elements (we use these models outdoors, remember!), and to allow the internal moving parts to be properly lubricated.

You can also, although it's not really required, obtain a silicon-impregnated cloth (see the tools page for info on these), to wipe down the outside of the model, once you've re-assembled it.

Gas Pistols...

Initial steps:

Remove the magazine.
Check that there are no rounds left in the chamber (look), at the front of the 'bolt' face, and underneath the slide.
Using the method shown in the manual, take the weapon down to its stripped state. In this case, I worked the slide to cock the model (the slide won't come off unless it's cocked) pulled down the takedown catches, and carefully removed the slide from the body. This is as far as the model needs to be stripped for cleaning purposes.

Cleaning the model...

Initially, look down the barrel. If there is dirt, muck, or whatever, down there, you'll need to use a cleaning/un-jamming rod; you can use one that comes with an AEG, if one isn't supplied with your model. REMEMBER, though, thet the coloured line on the rod is for the AEG, NOT your pistol, so you'll need to exercise care whrn using it.

Thread the properly sized patch through the 'jag' end of the cleaning rod (as shown in the photo), and push it down the barrel from the muzzle end only; Remember to rotate the rod in one direction as it moves down the barrel (this helps to keep the cloth patch actually on the rod!). Isuggest, before you thread the patch into the rod, that you observe how far down you need to put the rod, before it begins to enter the hop-up mechanism. Note the point of the rod that's at the muzzle, and use a piece of coloured electrical tape to mark this; in this manner, you won't send the cloth patch through the hop-up chamber, and thus won't risk breaking the hop-up.

Once you've got the rod down the barrel to the taped line, rotating the rod in the same direction, withdraw it from the barrel, and look down the barrel again; repeat as required until the inside of the barrel is clean again.

You should spray the hop-up chamber, air nozzle, gas vent, and slide rails. You should also spray any springs and external moving parts as well; this is to provide protection from the elements (we use these models outdoors, remember!), and to allow the internal moving parts to be properly lubricated. In addition, you should spray the gas vents and valves on the magazines.

You can also, although it's not really required, obtain a silicon-impregnated cloth (see the tools page for info on these), to wipe down the outside of the model and magazines, once you've re-assembled it.

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