Magazine Parts

What does a gas magazine for airsoft guns consist of?

A gas magazine consists of several parts, such as the magazine body itself, the base, the filling valve, the slider that pushes the BBs up, the magazine mouth that holds the BBs in the magazine, and various internal valves that are necessary for filling and releasing the gas needed to fire the BBs. Other common components include sealing rings and magazine necks, which are important for sealing and function. We will explain the purpose of each part below. Finally, we will talk about the maintenance of gas magazines.

Main parts of gas reservoirs

Reservoir body

The main shell in which the gas reservoir and pellets are located. It is made of metal to maintain gas pressure. It includes a container where the gas is stored in liquid form.

Filling valve

An opening at the bottom of the magazine used to refill the internal gas magazine. On the outside of the valve, you will find an external seal that comes into contact with the neck of the gas cylinder.

Magazine slide

Most often a plastic or metal component that pushes the BBs upward toward the magazine opening. This part also has a protrusion that can help you load the BBs by pulling the slider all the way down.

Magazine spring

A component that works with the magazine slider to push the BBs upward toward the magazine mouth.

Magazine lips

The upper part of the magazine that holds the BBs in the magazine. Without it, they would fly out freely and the magazine would not function. It also helps the nozzle loading device guide the BB into the hop-up chamber. They are most often made of plastic or improved metal.

Release valve

This is a large valve located on the back of the magazine body. Its function is that when the trigger is pressed, the internal mechanism of the weapon strikes this valve, releasing the amount of gas necessary to fire the BB. We offer valves that will save gas so that it lasts longer in the magazine, or, conversely, release more gas for higher performance, etc. It is important to check compatibility with your weapon. To replace this part, you need to purchase a special valve wrench.

Magazine base

This serves as the bottom cover of the magazine body, which can be made of metal or plastic. It holds the spring in place. On some weapons, it can serve as a magazine extension to facilitate loading.

O-rings

These are rubber rings of various hardness and sizes that are used to seal individual parts of the magazine so that gas cannot escape. You will also find them as part of individual valves. Their maintenance is very important.

Magazine neck seal

This seal is located on the top of the magazine body. Its function is to fit tightly onto the charging nozzle and prevent gas from escaping when fired.

Can the power of a gas gun be adjusted?

As with AEGs or manual weapons, the power of gas guns can be increased or decreased in certain ways. There are several ways you can influence the power.

Type of gas

The first and easiest way is to use a different type of gas. On the market, you will find basic propane gases, which are suitable for situations where lower power is sufficient. At the same time, you can purchase gases that contain special mixtures of additives that rapidly increase performance (you will find them in stores as red, black, or strong gas). The last option is to use a gas called propylene. This powerful gas is suitable for weapons that are designed for powerful gases from the outset or have undergone an adequate upgrade. Propylene is not suitable for most replicas!

Our tip:
You can find out what redgas, bluegas, green gas, and other types of gases are used for and what they are specifically designed for in the gases category.

Mechanical intervention in the weapon

Replacing the exhaust valve

A mechanical method is to replace the exhaust valve with a Hi Flow variant. These valves allow a few percent more gas into the system, thereby increasing the weapon's performance
Replacing the barrel
Another effective method is to purchase a longer barrel. Simply put, the longer the barrel, the greater the expansion of the gas, resulting in increased weapon performance. Shortening the barrel has the opposite effect.

NPAS

If you don't want to buy other barrels or valves, you can buy an NPAS nozzle. NPAS means that there is a mechanism inside the nozzle that, when loosened or tightened (usually with a long Allen key), reduces or increases the weapon's performance. But be careful here. In some cases, NPAS can cause inconsistency in performance or even cause problems with the weapon's cycling.
There is another parameter that you cannot influence yourself, and that is the ambient temperature. Most conventional gases expand best in warm weather, while in cold weather they do not work very well (in this case, gases designed for winter use are required). Therefore, it often happens that in the morning you measure, for example, 120 m/s, but during the day you suddenly have 6 m/s more power. In this case, it is necessary to use a weaker gas or a high-quality NPAS nozzle.

Which manufacturer of gas gun parts should you choose?

Airsoftpro

This Czech manufacturer has prepared an aluminum magazine slide for Glock-type weapons, which is very durable, and replacement outer seals for filling valves.

RAST

This Czech manufacturer has prepared very practical seal sets for various types of gas guns. The set always includes a complete set of seals for two magazines. Thanks to this set, you don't have to worry about mixing and testing different types of seals.

RAVEN and VORSK

If you own any weapon from Vorsk or Raven, these products are for you. Thanks to them, you can quickly replace a damaged or worn magazine part in a short time. The offer also includes a very important key for disassembling individual magazine valves.

Step-by-step guide to gas magazine maintenance

Gas magazine maintenance includes cleaning and lubricating seals and valves, usually with a silicone-based product. Regular lubrication of the magazine neck seal, filling valve, and drain valve with silicone lubricant is essential to prevent gas leakage due to seal hardening. In addition, keep the cylinder clean of various contaminants and debris, which can be done by wiping the surfaces. At the same time, you may consider storing the cylinder with a small amount of gas to keep the rubber seals lubricated and properly seated.

Lubrication

Use 100% silicone oil or spray to lubricate the seals and O-rings. Use only a small amount of oil, preferably with a dropper.
Focus on the key parts of the tank. Apply lubricant to the neck seal (the rubber part behind the magazine opening), the fill valve (at the bottom), and the drain valve (the button on the back).
Lubricate the valves thoroughly. Pressing the valves while applying the lubricant will ensure that the oil is evenly distributed throughout the O-ring.
For more thorough maintenance, you can completely disassemble the hopper and apply silicone lubricant to the O-rings and seals.

Cleaning

Tap the hopper well or use compressed air to remove loose debris such as dust, pine needles, etc. This will make the following work easier.
Then use a cloth dipped in isopropyl alcohol or a similar cleaning agent to wipe the outer surface of the magazine and remove any dirt, grease, and grime.
No lubricant or dirt should get into the feed channel through which the BBs move, as this could dirty the BBs and the hop-up rubber. Therefore, it is necessary to wipe this area with a dry cloth, or you can use cotton swabs dipped in isopropyl alcohol.

Storage and other tips for gas guns

Store magazines in a cool, dry place. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent premature gas degradation and O-ring deterioration.
Disassemble magazines carefully. If you need to completely disassemble a magazine for deep cleaning or replacement of parts, do so in a clean work area to prevent the loss of small parts such as springs and sealing rings. Ideally, use a white rubber mat on which even the smallest screw is visible and which also protects the table from lubricants and damage.
If you plan to store these cartridges for a long time and not use them, it is best to store them with a small amount of gas inside the cartridge. This will keep the seals lubricated and properly seated.