Vey Noo-b questions

TommyKnocker

New to Airsoft and I have a few questions I am hoping somebody would help with

1. With GBB Gas mags, how do you know if they are leaking?
2. Hi-Cap M4 Mags
   1. If the mag has an XX BB capacity, how do you know that you have not over filled it? Surely you do not count out the requisite number of BB's prior to loading :eek:
   2. What is the story with winding it after filling? Why is this done and how much winding is required
3. How often do Airsoft AEGs' and Pistols require maintenance?
4. Does anybody have any links to videos etc they would recommend, showing the maintenance procedures for an KJW M9 GBB Pistol and a KWA M4 S AEG
5. I don't drive. Would carrying my devices in a rifle case, inside a kit bag to sites/shops (for chron'ing & repair) be permissable (given that the rules regarding the mags and batteries being carried sepeate are observed), or would this be a bad idea
6. Should Mags be emptied of BB's when not in use? If yes, what is the method to empty the Hi-Cap M4 mags? I know that I can use the filling hole at the top of the mag, but there still seems to be BB's in the feed.

Apologies if these questions seem a little crazy

TNTQ

Welcome man...

With GBB Gas mags, how do you know if they are leaking?

You'll hear it and you wont get any more than a few shots from your pistol.

If the mag has an XX BB capacity, how do you know that you have not over filled it? Surely you do not count out the requisite number of BB's prior to loading

No man, fill the mag until you cant get any more into it, then wind the mechanism, this will free up some space and you can horse in a few more.

What is the story with winding it after filling? Why is this done and how much winding is required

Normally depending upon the quality of the mag, you will have to wind on the mag after 60-70 shots or so. No need to count them, once they stop coming out the business end, do a bit of winding. Most guys who use high-caps will do a bit of winding during down-time as not to run out mid-battle

How often do Airsoft AEGs' and Pistols require maintenance?

You "should" get it looked at after every 20,000 bbs or so (especially with high speed set-ups) but most guys dont go anywhere until they loose performance or break something

Does anybody have any links to videos etc they would recommend, showing the maintenance procedures for an KJW M9 GBB Pistol and a KWA M4 S AEG

Youtube & Google are that way >>>> .

I don't drive. Would carrying my devices in a rifle case, inside a kit bag to sites/shops (for chron'ing & repair) be permissable (given that the rules regarding the mags and batteries being carried sepeate are observed), or would this be a bad idea

Its a damn fine step up from the bin liner most lads use mate

Should Mags be emptied of BB's when not in use? If yes, what is the method to empty the Hi-Cap M4 mags? I know that I can use the filling hole at the top of the mag, but there still seems to be BB's in the feed.

Yeah, its best to take BBs out of mags. Otherwise leaving the spring compressed will reduce it's effectiveness in the long run

TommyKnocker

Cheers for the response, Much appreciated.

One more question with regards to maintenance.

As well as bringing it to a reputable store for maintenance, what about the normal barrel cleaning, application of silicone oil etc which can be carried out by myself?

How often? After ever use or once a month?

Anything to be wary of/avoid? Other than WD-40 of course

Faolchu

TommyKnocker wrote: »

Should Mags be emptied of BB's when not in use? If yes, what is the method to empty the Hi-Cap M4 mags? I know that I can use the filling hole at the top of the mag, but there still seems to be BB's in the feed.

yeah basically just empty the mag back into the bag you have so just open teh mag as you'd fill it and pour away. then where the BBS feed out of the mag ( it's beside where you fill the mag, you'll see one BB) theres usually a small catch, point the mag into your bag and pull that catch across, the BBS that have been fed from winding will fly out of the mag releasing tension on the spring.

Salaas

1. different ways to know if they are leaking. you could fill the one you suspect is leaking and a known good mag and leave them for a period of time and check then if the suspected leak is empty. (this is for those sneaky slow leaks) I have heard of people who do the bicycle tyre route and fill a mag and then dunk it in water and see if there's bubbles coming up. Never did it and don't think its a good thing to do either, but if those wiser than me know anything about it they can advise if its crap or not.

2. To overfill it you have to be unable to close it. rule of thumb is if you can't close it without having to forcibly push bbs down, you are better off removing one or two bbs so it closes easily.

3. Depends on usage. I tend to always give a quick external check for any sawdust or dirt that might have gotten stuck in my gun after a game and if my gun took any hard knocks I'd check to make sure everything is ok.

4. http://www.mechbox.com/ is your friend, Or if you know someone who is experienced with the guns you have, they would be able to show you.

5. so long as they are secured inside a gun bag or box and mags and batteries are stored separately, you should be good. Its people who walk down the street with the gun slung over their shoulder that is a big no no.

6. I use the same mags. Empty out the majority of them through the feed hole and then with the few in the feed you have to pull the release switch to have them come out. *release switch is basically that switch that is next to the feed hole at the top.*
You might have to wind it if there are any bbs stuck in the winder



Oh and questions are not crazy. Tis better you ask and get advise than to be stuck there wondering what to do or experiment and break something.

TommyKnocker

A follow on question about leaky gas mags.

If a mag is leaking, is it going to be leaking out through the filler valve, or is there somewhere else the mag can leak through? Of course I understand that if the mag has somehow been pierced, then it could leak through the actual body of the mag, but otherwise...

Firekitten

Depends on the mag....

Some are hald together half way by a hex screw in the base... certain designs atleast... bumping can loosen that, leaking in that type is predominently from that location, ie, TM mags, and can be fixed by tightening the screw.

Others... can be baseplate, filler valve, the top valve... anywhere some part has an o ring that can fail really.

T4RGET

you said in the original post that you're looking for guides to cleaning m9 and a M4, I can only assume you have those then. I'f I'm right this may help.

M9:

I have the KJ Co2 version and they're really easy to maintain and I find M9's reliable too.
also just on the point about the mags leaking, the base plate for the gas mags for these pistols leaks sometimes when dropped as it's held in place by two pins, especially if taken apart and put back together wrong.

1) remove mag, and make sure there's no BB's in the barrel or mag. Then remove the top slide, turn it up side down.
2) now with the slide removed spray some silicon into the little hole in the loading muzzle.
3) remove the barrel and spring guide/spring
4) turn off the hop and clean barrel using cleaning rod and silicon oil. do this until clean (cloth on cleaning rod comes out clean) optional clean the spring guide and lub that up too, don't really need to I do it every now and again to stop all the oil and grim building up together.

put it all back together and voula

M4:

1) if you can remove the barrel and hop up assembly it will be easier to clean so you don't push the cleaning rod to far down. clean it the same way as the M9, making sure the hop up is off. done.
the rest of the gear box really shouldn't be touched unless there's something broke, if it's not broke.... handy rule for airsoft as it's a sport where over spending is easy buying up grades for AEG's and stuff

And lastly welcome to airsoft

Inari

PTFE Tape and Silicone oil solve all Airsoft problems. Literally. Well, sometimes you might need a screwdriver...but mostly it's silicone oil and PTFE tape.

How do you know if a gas magazine is leaking? Listen. You'll be able to hear it - it's rare that you can't hear it, and if you can't hear it at all, then it won't really effect you lest you be playing 24 hour games. But really it's just a case of listening - if it's from the bottom (i.e. 90% of the time), ensure the baseplate is properly secured e.g. body pins, allen screw etc. If it is secure and still leaking, try isolate the noise - if it's emanating from the bottom of the base plate, odds are it's your filler valve - tighten it up, and see if it helps. If not, remove and have a look at the O-rings on the filler valve. Are they perished? Are they actually still there

If your magazine is leaking from the base plate (between base plate and main body), then seperate the pieces and inspect the O-Ring. Replace if ripped/torn. If shrunken/dry, spray liberally with silicone oil, remove and apply 1-3 rings of PTFE tape around the mag (underneathe where the O-Ring goes). Put the O-ring back on, and for extra measure you can apply 1 - 2 wrappings over the O-ring. I add this second layer to help protect the O-ring when putting the magazine back together. When back together ensure that the base plate is firmly secured. Your magazine should now be leak free.

If, however, your magazine is leaking from the top, you're looking at a full valve replacement, although it can be as simple as replacing an O-ring on the valve.

Co2 Magazines are similar, but also slightly different. You have to make sure everything is in the right place, and that nothing has become displaced - O-rings may need reviving/replacing throughout their lifespan, but again, when they're properly looked after, you should be fine. If your magazine is leaking from the bottom, you can apply PTFE tape around the screw-in piece, and this will stop the gas escaping through the threads.

Hope this helps