Designing Airsoft Gun Upgrades That Work

ABZ"S Airsoft gun repair receives many requests and questions pertaining to airsoft gun upgrades. Let me first say "NO" you cannot just add a 150% spring to your airsoft M16 to turn it into a 450 FPS, sniperized, BB spewing monster.  So how do you design airsoft gun upgrades that are durable and perform flawlessly? Glad you asked!

Airsoft guns can be upgraded both internally and externally. The first step in any properly designed upgrade project should begin by addressing your power needs. High velocity and high speed upgraded airsoft guns are energy hogs. Most small size 8.4 volt NiMh airsoft gun batteries will only have the capacity to cycle your gun on full automatic for a few minute's of sporadic burst fire before recharging will be required. Operating your gun continously like this will prematurely wear out your motor.

Size Matters

If you are not familiar with the types of batteries airsoft guns use,  then you should search google for information or you can learn some basics from my article on airsoft gun battery care.  Large size batteries will require a large gun stock or some way to securely mount your battery to the gun. Many airsoft gun styles are not designed with any location for a large type battery to fit into. For these guns you will need to use an external mounted battery bag, simulated laser battery box or change the stock to one of the CQB battery holding stocks. The new LIPO style batteries feature more power in much smaller size battery packs, and work awesome for properly upgraded airsoft guns.

Why Upgrade Your Airsoft Gun

Airsoft guns are upgraded internally for three primary reasons.
1.) Durability

Upgrading your guns for durability should be considered automatically during the first maintenance session performed on your gun. A basic durability upgrade is the installation of metal bushings and a metal spring guide. Many airsoft guns now include these parts factory installed, so be sure and check your gearbox before you order any upgrade parts to install.

Parts most commonly used, proper size metal bushing's, proper size and version metal spring guide.

2.) Performance

Final Velocity: 350 FPS or lower

Upgrading your airsoft guns for performance should begin with the hop up unit and internal barrel. Most stock airsoft guns will have a 6.04 MM barrel installed at the factory. You can gain accuracy and velocity by simply adding a 6.03MM tightbore barrel and a properly fitted hop up nub and bucking set. Take notice that once a tightbore barrel has been installed, you will need to use good quality precision type bb's. You will also need to clean and oil your barrel after each use to prevent excessive jamming.

High speed gears are another popular airsoft gun performance upgrade. By installing gears with a lower tooth ratio you can upgrade the rate of fire (ROF) of your airsoft gun. Stock guns typically fire at a rate of around 850 bb's a minute or 15 bb's per second. Adding a lower ratio gearset can up your ROF to over 32 bb's per second without any changes to the motor required if you keep the FPS at or below 350. Switching to a 9.6 or higher volt battery will result in an additional boost in ROF but should only be used with high speed gears installed to prevent premature stock gear failure.

Parts Commonly Used: Metal bushings, metal spring guide, 110% spring, high speed gearset, 6.03 tightbore barrel, hop up bucking and nub, 9.6 volt nimh battery.

High Velocity Upgrades

Final Velocity: 350 FPS and Higher

Airsoft spring velocity upgrades are by far the most widely performed gun upgrades requested. Careful consideration must be used to match the proper airsoft parts to the final upgraded velocity you are hoping to achieve. Many combinations of parts can be used to achieve a 400 FPS or higher upgrade. Even when the perfect combination of motor, high torque gears, piston and spring are used, premature wear will still be a factor. Many airsoft gun manufacturers feature guns that are factory engineered to achieve velocities of 425 FPS or higher right out of the box.  If you plan on doing your own high velocity upgrade be sure and create a budget large enough to replace the parts listed below.

Parts Commonly Used: high torque motor, 120% or higher spring, high torque gears, re-inforced or metal tooth piston, 9.6 volt large battery (LIPO Batteries are better) metal bushings, metal spring guide

Airsoft Gun Upgrade Epic Failures

Upgrading just the spring or battery, and not upgrading the down stream parts associated, is the fastest way to assure premature airsoft gun failure. Done properly with the proper components installed, your upgraded gun will out perform most other guns on the airsoft battlefield. Done improperly or incompletely and your expensive upgrades will reduce your favorite airsoft gun into a wall hanging POS that fails to ever perform.

Armsdealer...OUT!!!