It’s been a blistering summer so far. What does that mean for our airguns, and how do we keep them in peak operating condition during the summer months? In this article, we will look at some tips on how to keep your airguns going when it is hot and humid outside. Let’s get started.
Block Humidity
If you live in the deep South, you know all about humidity. And if you’ve ever left your airgun out on the back porch overnight, you certainly know what humidity can do, and it’s not pretty. Wet heat is like airgun kryptonite. Nothing can take an airgun out of commission like a hot and wet environment. So, how can you combat this when that’s what you deal with day in and day out?
The simple answer is to keep it as dry as practical. One of the best options is to use a silicone-infused gun sock. The silicone helps prevent moisture from getting to the metal and causing rust. We’ve seen firsthand what even one night can do to an airgun mistakenly left outdoors during a hot and humid summer night. It’s crazy to see how quickly rust can develop, literally overnight. Keeping all your guns in a silicone gun sock is a very affordable way to help mitigate this problem.
Gun Cases
Another option is to keep your guns protected in foam-lined gun cases. Did you know that there are two basic types of foam used in gun cases? There’s open-cell and closed-cell foam. Open cell foam is softer and more easily shaped to what it’s protecting. Closed cell foam is more dense and firm. But those aren’t the only differences between the two types of foam. The most critical difference is how they handle humidity.
Closed-cell foam acts as a moisture barrier which is critical to keeping your airguns looking and operating their best. Open-cell foam actually allows moisture to pass through and can actually accelerate rust even when your airgun is sealed up in the case. So, if you are going to use a foam-lined gun case, make sure that it uses only closed-cell foam. If you are unsure of what type of foam is in your rifle case, then be sure to reach out to the manufacturer for clarification.
PCP Filling
Our next tip for all who live in hot and humid climates is to make sure that you only use clean, dry air when filling your PCP airguns. Hand pumps are some of the worst offenders, as they seldom have a proper filter and moisture trap on the high-pressure side. While some may have a desiccant filter on the intake, this does little to actually dry the air before it’s pressurized in the pump. If you want your PCPs to last, then use only clean, dry, breathing-quality air. This can be achieved via additional filters that are attached on the high pressure side. Your fill source will determine the type and quantity of filters. This filter from Tuxing is an example of a good starting point for whatever you are using to fill your airgun:
To really get the air coming out of your compressor clean and dry, you may need to stack multiple filters and moisture traps. This complexity is one reason that breathing-air quality scuba compressors are so expensive. Just remember the dryer and cleaner the air that you put in your airgun, the better off you’ll be and the longer it will last.
We’ve talked a lot about external protection for the metal parts of your airguns and internal protection for your PCPs, but what about your barrel? If you are going to put your gun away for a while, it’s always a good habit to pull a patch loaded with Ballistol down the bore, followed by one dry patch. Doing this helps prevent rust in the barrel, which could easily damage the bore and ruin your airgun.
Final Tip
Our final tip, which applies to all airguns in every climate, is to shoot often. The more frequently you use your airguns, the sooner you’ll notice if something’s not quite right. Regular visual inspection and use are the best ways to keep your airguns in top shape.
If you have more questions, then certainly reach out to us. We are always happy to help. And if you are curious about what to do if you live where it’s hot and dry, be on the lookout for an upcoming article, as we will certainly get to that soon.
