Green gas airsoft is a type of compressed gas used to power airsoft guns and pistols. It provides a realistic blowback action and recoil compared to spring-powered airsoft guns. The gas is stored in small canisters and released in measured bursts to fire BB pellets at high speeds.
The main component of green gas is propane mixed with silicone oil. Propane provides the propellant while silicone oil lubricates the gun’s moving parts like the slide and hammer. The gas expands rapidly when released, providing the energy to fire the BB. The silicone oil prevents wear and tear, ensuring smooth cycling of the pistol or rifle action.
Green gas gets its name from the addition of a bitter chemical that makes it smell like rotten eggs. This stench helps identify leaks and prevents accidental ingestion. Most airsoft fields require the use of scented green gas in gas-powered guns for safety reasons. The odor is a dead giveaway if there is a leak in the magazine or seal.
How Does Green Gas Airsoft Work?
The inner workings of a green gas airsoft gun are similar to their real firearm counterparts. The key difference is green gas guns lack an actual firing pin and chamber for a bullet. When the trigger is pulled, a valve releases a burst of compressed green gas that rapidly expands.
This expanding gas pushes the BB pellet or airsoft ball down the inner barrel at speeds over 300 feet per second. The gas also pushes back a piston assembly that mimics the cycling of pistols and rifles. This gives green gas airsoft guns a realistic blowback action with recoil and moving slides.
Magazines contain an internal reservoir that holds the compressed green gas. Loading BBs into the magazine primes the gun. Pulling the trigger releases a puff of gas with each shot that propels the BB downrange. Green gas magazines come in many sizes from 10 rounds to 50+ rounds. Pistol magazines are usually larger due to the gas reservoir.
For automatic electric guns or gas rifles, the green gas feeds a pneumatic system that reloads BBs from a top-mounted magazine. The gas rapidly cycles the rifle’s bolt, allowing full auto or semi-auto firing. Larger green gas canisters are used with these guns instead of the smaller magazines.
Benefits of Using Green Gas
Green gas has become the most popular gas source for airsoft pistols, rifles, and gun replicas. Here are some of the benefits that make it the top choice:
- Realistic recoil action – The blowback effect of expanding green gas makes the gun kickback after each shot. This adds a satisfying realistic recoil.
- Semiauto/full auto firing – Green gas can rapidly cycle a rifle or pistol allowing for semiauto shots or full auto firing. More realistic than spring-powered guns.
- Better power – Green gas provides more power than CO2 cartridges giving BBs higher velocity and impact energy. However, CO2 performs better in very cold weather when green gas pressure drops.
- Reusable – Green gas canisters can be filled over and over unlike CO2 cartridges that must be replaced when empty. This helps lower operating costs.
- Less maintenance – The silicone oil in green gas keeps seals and O-rings lubricated for smoother operation and reduced wear. Replacing seals or magazines due to dry firing is less common.
- All temperatures – Green gas works well in most temperatures from the heat of summer to cooler fall and spring climates. Maintains pressure better than propane alone.
- Realistic blowback – Green gas provides enough pressure for forceful blowback action on pistols and rifles, adding to the realism and enjoyment.
Disadvantages of Green Gas Airsoft Guns
While green gas airsoft guns have proven very popular, they do come with some inherent drawbacks compared to electric and spring airsoft guns:
- Less power in cold weather – Green gas contains propane so its pressure drops in colder temperatures. This reduces velocity and impacts the power of shots. Using heavier BBs can offset this.
- Smaller ammo capacity – Magazine capacity is lower than electric guns since they must hold both BBs and compressed gas. More frequent reloading is needed.
- Heavier magazines – Carrying multiple loaded magazines can wear you down faster due to the added weight of the gas.
- Fragile seals – Rubber O-rings and other seals are needed to maintain the gas pressure. These can tear or dry out from improper maintenance and cause leaks.
- No blowback on replicas – Non-blowback pistols and rifles don’t benefit from green gas since its only powering the BB, not a moving slide. Other cheaper options work just as well.
- Shorter effective range – While green gas guns can achieve 300+ fps velocity, electric guns shoot faster BBs resulting in better effective range and accuracy at distance.
- Not usable in extremely cold weather – Green gas completely loses pressure below freezing. CO2 guns or electric models would be a better option for snow games.
Green Gas Airsoft Gun Maintenance
Proper maintenance is critical for keeping green gas airsoft guns shooting strong in the long run. Here are some tips on cleaning and maintaining them:
- Lubricate O-rings and seals – Apply a few drops of silicone oil on any O-rings and seals before use. This prevents tearing and keeps the pressure tight. Do this every few hundred shots.
- Clean barrel – Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to wipe out the inner barrel. This removes BB residue that can impact accuracy.
- Wipe exterior – Give a quick wipe down of the outer body and moving parts after games to remove dirt, dust and debris.
- Check magazines – Ensure the base seals are not torn or dried out. Lubricate with silicone oil if needed to maintain the gas pressure.
- Store safely – Keep magazines partially filled and do not leave in direct sunlight or heat for extended periods as the gas pressure can swell the magazine seals.
- Test fire – Test fire the gun before games if it’s been in storage to ensure it still cycles properly. Check for leaks during firing.
Proper cleaning and lubrication will keep green gas guns shooting straight for years. Avoid neglect and always do routine maintenance. These steps prevent costly repairs down the road.
Types of Green Gas Airsoft Guns
The green gas airsoft market has grown tremendously in recent years. Let’s look at the common types of gas guns available:
Pistols
- Blowback pistols – Offer realistic kickback action from the blowback gas system. Popular models are replicas of guns like the Beretta M9, 1911, Desert Eagle, and Glock.
- Nonblowback pistols – More affordable pistols like the FN57 don’t have moving slides but can still shoot hard with green gas power.
- Revolvers – Gas-powered revolver replicas provide a classic six-shooter revolver experience. Slow to reload but pack a punch.
Rifles/SMGs
- Gas blowback rifles – High-end gas-powered replicas of rifles like M4/ARs and AK models that mimic the recoil and cycling. Expensive but very realistic.
- Non-blowback rifles – More affordable gas-powered replicas of military rifles that lack blowback but efficiently fire BBs using green gas.
- Gas SMGs – Compact submachine gun replicas allow for close-quarters full-auto firefights. Popular choices are MP5, UMP, and P90 models.
Shotguns
- Gas shotguns – Powerful tri-shot spring shotgun models that use green gas to rapidly propel 3 BBs downrange per trigger pull. Effective CQB tools.
Grenade Launchers
- Gas grenade launchers – Specialty gas-powered grenade launchers provide explosive sound and shower BBs for added realism and fun. Great for outdoor games.
With the popularity of green gas for airsoft, almost any firearm can be faithfully reproduced as a gas-powered gun. The realistic blowback action and strong power ensure their popularity for airsoft target practice, training, and gaming will continue.
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