How to clean and maintain your electric airsoft gun (AEG)

Learn how to clean and maintain your electric airsoft gun or rifle.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• 100% Silicon oil spray
• Rags
• 22 Caliber cloth or spare cloth
• Electric Airsoft gun

1. Please note that this article is for how to clean an airsoft gun, which is a toy. You should not use this information to clean a real firearm. Read your specific airsoft guns manual. All manuals will include a basic understanding of how to care for your airsoft gun, as well as safety tips. Your manual will also point out small differences that are specific to your gun's disassembly and overall construction.

2. Before you start the disassembly of your gun, you want to make sure it is safe. First make sure the safety is engaged and remove the gun's magazine. Once the magazine is removed from the gun, point the barrel of the gun into a safe place, such as a pillow, then switch off any safety device or put the firing selector onto single-shot, and pull the trigger to expel any BB's and release tension on the spring. Once you have done this, turn the safety back on and remove the battery from the airsoft gun.

3. At this point we will start disassembly. Each gun will have a different way of being disassembled which can be found in your airsoft gun's manual. I will go over a few of the popular airsoft guns below. For AR-15 variants proceed to step 4. For AK47 variants proceed to step 5. And for SIG variants proceed to step 6. Make sure you have a clutter free work space, as you do not want to lose any of these parts!

4. For an AR-15 or M-16 variant, you will have two pins that will need to be pushed out. Note the locations and direction of the pins since they will only go in one way. One pin will be located towards the front shroud and the other between the fire-mode selector and rear stock. Once these two pins are completely removed, grasp the rifle by the top rail and the pistol grip and pull the rifle apart.

5. For AK47 and other Kalashnikov style rifles it fairly basic for a maintenance tear-down. First start by pushing that button that you always wondered about on the top of your rifle's receiver. If you have a folding stock, this is normally where the battery is. By pushing this in and holding it you can remove the top cover. At this point if you have a folding stock, you're done. If you don't have a folding stock, all you need to do is remove the metal cylinder laying there by pulling it out with your fingers.

6. For SIG variants firs you need to remove the three flathead screws located on your receiver. Remove the screw heads and the pins from the other side of the rifle. Next, put your stock into the folded position as you normally would and remove the other flathead screw from its location in the back of the receiver and remove the folding stock. Next, on the front side of the lower receiver there will be a Phillips screw to remove. Once this final screw is removed you are able to separate the upper and lower receiver. Do this gently so you do not snag or tear any internal wiring.

7. Once you have disassembled your airsoft gun to this point, or a point where you can access the gear house and barrel, you are ready to clean and lubricate it. Start by cleaning the barrel with the cleaning kit that came with your rifle and the thin cloths you have bought. This cloth can be a cut up old t-shirt or .22 caliber barrel cleaning clothes purchased at a sporting goods store. The pieces of cloth should be roughly one inch by one inch square. Spray a piece of cloth with the 100% silicon oil spray (not water!) and thread it into your cleaning tool. Insert the end of the cleaning tool into the barrel and swab it through the barrel several times. Now remove the tool and replace the old cloth with a new dry (non-sprayed) piece of cloth and repeat the motion to remove the excess silicon spray from the barrel. Dispose of both cloths, do not reuse them.

8. Now that your airsoft gun's barrel is clean its time to focus on the receiver. Take a clean rag and spray it with the 100% silicone oil spray (not water!) and gently wipe down both the upper and lower receiver and internal parts of your airsoft gun. Keep the silicon away from any wires or any obviously electrical parts like circuit boards. Once you have cleaned off as much old residue as possible, lightly wipe off the upper and lower receiver and internal parts with a separate dry, clean rag. Lightly spray any exposed gears with a small amount of the silicone spray and begin reassembly of your clean and well maintained airsoft gun.

Tips & Warnings

• The barrel on your airsoft gun should be cleaned after every event.
• The gear box on your gun should be cleaned every 3 to 4 months.
• Once a year you should take your airsoft gun to a trusted professional for a full break down and inspection.
• Use only clean, unused BB's in your airsoft rifle to keep it clean and working well.
• Only use 100% Silicon oil spray to clean and lubricate your airsoft rifle.
• Using water or petroleum based cleaners and lubricators can cause damage to your gun.
• Read all safety and maintenance sections in your airsoft manual.
• Keep all liquids away from electrical parts.

[kc7655]

on 11/2/2009 first of all you need to use lithium grease for the gearbox. also, if you are able to do your own tech work you should never have to take it to a professional. good guide to cleaning the barrel, but oiling the receiver is not necessary at all. also, there are no circuit boards in airsoft guns. even if there were silicone oil does not conduct electricity. it wouldn't matter.