Airsoft Gun Winter Service

One often asked question here in the Great Lakes Region of the United States is "will my airsoft gun work outdoors in the winter"? The answer is "Maybe" but this depends on certain factors. Is your airsoft gun highly upgraded is one huge factor. The version 2 G&P mechbox shown below is set to shoot at around 390 FPS. 15 minutes outside and this gearbox will cease to fire until it is warmed up and the cylinder and other parts contract back to normal dimensions.

In general it is best to use a stock mechbox in the winter months. They tend to out perform the upgraded gearboxes since the mechanical tolerances are not so tight to begin with and will allow for cold air expansion of critical parts. Preparing your airsoft gun for winter would include switching to a lighter viscosity silicone oil, Using a thinner grease inside the mechbox and keeping the barrel clean and coated with a lite film of oil.

The mechbox unit below has had the heavy grease removed and the thinner winter grease added. One thing to note is that Systema upgraded pistons do not work in cold weather and have a problem shattering when used in temps below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure and give your airsoft gun proper maintenance and cleaning once the gun has warmed to room temperature as condensation will develop on and inside of your airsoft gun from the snow and cold weather. Airsofting in the winter is a game of endurance for both player and equipment but if properly prepared for can add a whole new dimension to airsoft gaming in general.