Airgunning is a lot of fun. But what’s not fun is when things break down. Airguns are mechanical devices that will require maintenance at some point in time. The initial cost does not matter, as even very expensive and well-built airguns will wear out over time. So, let’s look at some of the most common issues airgunners face and how to get your gear back up and going.
Pump Pneumatic Airguns
Pump pneumatic air rifles are some of the most affordable airguns on the market. The Daisy 880 and Crosman 760 Pumpmaster come to mind. These guns can be very reliable, but they do need a little silicone oil in the pump now and then to ensure the pump continues to work. Usually, there’s a little “oil” hole that will let you put a few drops in front of the piston seal.
Other areas to look for are the cocking joints. Most of the time, the joints will be fixed rivets that can’t be adjusted or replaced easily. However, dropping a couple of drops of Air Venturi MP5 oil can help them last longer.
Spring Piston & Gas Ram Airguns
Spring and gas piston airguns generate a lot of power with only a single cock of the action. They do this by compressing a heavy spring or gas ram piston and then releasing it when the shooter pulls the trigger. The heavy piston, topped with a rubber or synthetic seal, flies forward with great force and velocity. At the end of the shooting stroke, the piston drives the seal into the front of the compression chamber with a thud.
The heat generated is so significant that it will ignite any flammable material residue and cause “dieseling.” New break barrels are famous for this right out of the box. With the force and heat generated, it’s no wonder that parts wear out.
It’s not practical to inspect the seal on your spring or gas ram powered airgun. You know you have a problem when you have a distinct drop in velocity. And you will only know that if you use a chronograph and have kept track of your airgun’s performance. If you do find that your airgun’s velocity and accuracy have dropped, then you may need to replace the seal. This should be done by someone who does it all the time, but if you want to try it, you’ll probably need an Air Venturi Spring Compressor tool, a new spring or gas ram, and a new seal. Because the process can be dangerous, we always suggest that customers contact the manufacturer for assistance with the repair.
The other and much simpler issue we see break barrel spring gun enthusiasts face, is a random drop in accuracy. We often blame the airgun, our optic, or the pellets, but they are not generally the cause. More often than not, it’s our stock screws. Most break barrels will have three screws holding the action into the stock. There are two forearm screws and a single screw back by the trigger. The accuracy will begin to suffer when these get loose due to the violent nature of the piston slamming into the compression chamber. So, before you sit at the bench or head out to the woods, check your stock screws. Doing so will save you a lot of wasted time, pellets, and personal frustration.
PCP Airguns
PCP airguns rely on a completely sealed system of extremely high-pressure air. The air is held in by o-rings and tight manufacturing tolerances. It’s always a good idea to store your PCP airguns at their rated optimal pressure, as that helps increase the useful life of the o-rings.
It’s not if, but rather when you’ll have to rebuild your PCP airgun. The o-rings will wear out over time. Most manufacturers will include extra o-rings in the box or have full rebuild kits available. The process of resealing an airgun can take a lot of time and patience. While it can be done using some simple tools, it’s no fun getting your gun all back together only to find it leaking from a different location. If you are not mechanically inclined, it may be best to send it out for repair.
Warranties Exist for a Reason
Regardless of what type of airgun you have, if you run into problems, the first place you’ll want to look is at your warranty. Many airguns have multi-year warranties. We always like to suggest that you use the warranty if one’s available.
