It’s Q&A time, so let’s take a look at some of the top questions we get in dealing with CO2 airguns. They are some of the most popular airguns on the market, so it makes sense that folks will ask questions. Let’s see if we can deliver some useful help to fill in the gaps.
Question 1 – How long can I leave CO2 in my air pistol?
This is the most common question we see. The short answer is that you should never leave a partially used CO2 cartridge in your CO2 pistol. You should always shoot through the cartridge and then remove it. Here’s why.
The pressurized CO2 should not hurt your pistol, but there is a small seal around the piercing pin. When you insert a fresh cartridge and then use mechanical pressure to press it into place, this small pin pierces the cartridge, and the seal is pressed against the end of the cartridge. This small seal can wear out prematurely if it’s kept under constant pressure. So, by leaving the CO2 pressed against the seal, you cause the seal to flatten, and eventually, it will no longer seal. By removing the CO2 cartridge, the seal can return to its normal shape and be ready for your next shooting session. Now, it won’t last forever and will need to be serviced at some point, but you’ll get a lot more life from it if you remove the cartridge when done.
Question 2 – How do I stop my CO2 pistol from leaking?
Given that our most common question dealt with how long to leave a CO2 cartridge in your CO2 pistol and that doing so can cause your pistol’s seal to wear out and leak sooner than expected, it makes sense that our next question is about how to stop a leaky CO2 pistol.
Realistically, if your pistol is leaking, you may not have many options. But here are a couple of things to try. Put a couple of drops of Crosman’s Pellgunoil on the tip of your cartridge before you try and seat it. It’s a long shot, but you might get lucky.
Another option is to tighten it. Again, it’s a long shot, but if you can tighten the pressure a little bit more, you may get it to seal. If the leak is internal, then you’ll need to try and get it serviced.
On another note, many modern CO2 pistols use a drop-free mag that holds the CO2 and ammo. If your valve wears out, you can always replace the mag and get back up and going. You can then rebuild the leaking mag or send it in for service.
Question 3 – How does my CO2 air pistol work?
Our last question for the day is another good one. How exactly does a CO2 pistol work? Well, they all work pretty much the same way. There are some differences between single-shot CO2 pistols like the Crosman 2240 and semi-automatic CO2 pistols like the Sig Sauer “We The People” BB Pistol. Let’s look at the basics.
All airguns use pressurized gas to push a projectile down the barrel. Some may use compressed air, while others may use an inert gas like CO2. CO2 is a great medium because at room temperatures and in a liquid state, its resting pressure is 900 PSI. So, as long as there’s enough CO2 and the temperature remains in the right zone, each shot should be about the same as the last. Many 10-meter precision airguns use CO2 for this reason.
The CO2 remains in the cartridge and is released in small bursts when a valve is opened. The valve is usually opened by a spring-driven hammer that hits the valve stem, opening the valve and releasing the compressed CO2. The amount of CO2 released in the process, combined with the length of the barrel, will determine the potential velocity and power of the pistol.
That’s a Wrap!
We hope we’ve helped answer some of your questions about CO2 pistols. But if we’ve missed one, or you have more airgun questions in general, just let us know. We’d be happy to help you find the right answer.
