Do you want to pamper your air gun to maintain excellent performance throughout your shots? David, our specialist reveals how to take care of your weapon. Through his expert advice and tips, from the butt to the barrel, become an expert on the cleaning and maintenance of a pellet gun.
MAINTENANCE OF A PELLET GUN: WHICH INTERIOR PARTS TO CLEAN?
- BARREL MAINTENANCE
If you notice a decrease in your rifle’s accuracy, your gun’s barrel may be clogged. By dint of firing, fine particles of lead alloy are deposited in the grooves of the barrel. During the propulsion of the projectile, the rotation of the lead in the barrel is no longer done correctly. As a result, the accuracy of your shot decreases. In general, this occurs after several hundred shots.
To maintain performance, there are two solutions to properly clean the inside of the barrel.
The swab comes in the form of a cylindrical brush that is inserted into the barrel to clean the inside. This very effective method requires a little technique and effort to achieve optimal results.
Felt pads, easier and faster than the previous method, also allow you to clean the barrel of the rifle slings. For this it suffices
to insert the stamp as if you were inserting a pellet and firing. When firing, the pad will expand in the barrel to pass through the grooves and thus remove all lead residues.
From my point of view, the two techniques are equal. Afterwards, it’s up to you to find the method that suits you best and with which you are most comfortable.
- O-RING LUBRICATION
Even if the pellet rifle requires little maintenance, there are still a few review points to be carried out from time to time to keep a rifle at the top of its performance.
When you feel a loss of power or you see that the seals are dry, I recommend lightly lubricating them. This part must keep all its elastic properties to ensure perfect sealing during compression and decompression of the piston.
For proper maintenance of a pellet gun, be sure to put one to two drops of oil on the seal. It should be covered with a light film. In general, for break-action pistols and rifles with synthetic rubber seals, I prefer a silicone-based oil as well as custom rifle slings.
Leather O-rings require more lubricant and grease on a more regular basis. For this piece, I recommend a basic maintenance oil.
- LUBRICATION OF MECHANICAL PARTS
Mechanical parts such as the trigger, the barrel breaking mechanism or any other mechanism that experiences friction need to be oiled regularly. The application of a thin layer of oil is more than enough.
From time to time, the coil spring of spring pellet rifles needs a shot of lubrication. You can coat this mechanical part with a little mechanical grease. But personally, as a professional, I prefer a grease based on molybdenum disulphide, because it better withstands the repeated shocks of the spring. In addition, this grease reduces the friction between the cylinder and the spring. It makes your shooting smoother.
The pellet rifles equipped with gas piston technology, do not need to be lubricated at all during their life.
EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE OF A PELLET GUN
- LACROSSE
The synthetic stock requires little maintenance, which is why airgun owners opt for such a stock.
To remove dirt and dust from this type of stock, simply use soap and water. Any type of soap will do.
Wooden stock: a wooden stock brings a real touch of elegance to your pellet rifle. But this material remains more fragile and requires slightly more careful maintenance than a synthetic stock.
To maintain such a stick, I recommend the use of linseed-based oil. This product has many benefits and properties in the treatment of a wooden stick. Linseed oil will nourish, brown, and protect the wood. For a perfect result, choose a soft cloth to avoid micro scratches.
- THE CANNON
The exterior of the barrel requires very little maintenance. For steel barrels, lightly oil it with a dry cloth or a barrel wipe will suffice to finalize the cleaning. This operation aims to remove the acidity of the fingerprints and therefore any risk of oxidation of the barrel.
Another piece of advice I can give you as a gunsmith. Never put oil inside the barrel. Being a flammable substance, on the first shot, the air pressure in the barrel transforms the oil into volatile and burning micro particles. This chemical reaction causes premature wear and deterioration of the barrel.
