Gas or CO2?

Misterfwishy

I'm considering buying a pistol and was wondering if gas or CO2 would be best for skirmishing outdoors.
Any suggestions?

Skatedude

Co2 tends to be stronger, make sure it's still under the 1 joule limit, but it is more expensive then gas. But you often need extended mags to allow for the cylinder

Gas is cheaper and more convenient, but less powerfull

Misterfwishy

Is co2 more reliable than gas? I've heard gas guns misfire if it's cold outside

OzCam

CO2 is a gas. Did you mean propane?

AKA Green Gas and a lot of other colours, mostly for marketing purposes. It's basically propane with the smell washed out and a splash of silicone oil added.

In most guns propane will stop working due to insufficient pressure at somewhere between 11 centigrade and 9 centigrade. You may be lucky and get it to work at temperatures below that, but it's unlikely.

So for pistols, CO2 is better during cold weather. Depending on the efficiency of the particular gun, you might get up to two mags (around 40-50 shots) from one capsule. The pressure is highest for the first few shots with a fresh capsule, fairly constant for most of them, then tails off for the last few. That will tell you when it's time to change the capsule.

There's no lubrication with CO2, like there is with Green Gas. You might need to sparingly oil the gun from time to time. Do not over-lubricate, it just attracts dirt.

Mark#1

No experience with CO2, but my son's "gas" WE P226 is all but useless on really cold days. Probably going to be trying both of these on the colder days over xmas - they each make some interesting claims:

http://www.airsofteire.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1919&category_id=49&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26

http://www.airsofteire.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=1920&category_id=49&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26

Seems there's an even "better" version too...

http://www.patrolbase.co.uk/airsoft/we-europe-nuprol-4-0-ultimate-power-gas-black.htm#.VIuPYcmkOSo

Don't know of anywhere in ROI selling that 4.0 "Ultimate" black version?

K.Flyer

Having had green gas pistols in the past I found the CO2 much more reliable especially in cold weather.
The small cannisters are easier to store, carry and change especially when your in a game, rather than carrying an aerosol can around with you.