AEG maintenance: cleaning, checks and what not to do

Before every game

• Battery charged and connector intact, no exposed wires.
• Clean magazines that feed well.
• External screws tight, stock and handguard without play.
• A few test shots and a pass over the chronograph.

After the game

• Remove magazine and battery.
• Fire a few dry shots on semi, somewhere safe, to decompress the spring.
• Wipe off dust and mud; if wet, let it air-dry before storing.
• Store the battery separately (LiPo at storage voltage: see the battery guide).

Barrel cleaning

When accuracy drops or BBs curve, check the barrel first. With the hop-up open, run a cleaning rod with a clean cloth from muzzle to chamber until the cloth comes out clean. No oil inside the barrel: it dirties the BB and the bucking.

What not to do

• Random oils (WD-40 and the like): they ruin buckings and seals. Only silicone or airsoft-specific lubricants, outside or where the manufacturer says.
• Stronger batteries than intended: an 11.1 V in an unprepared AEG speeds up wear.
• Cheap or reused BBs: they scratch the barrel and can jam the gun.
• Opening the gearbox without experience: springs and small parts fly out easily; better see a technician.

The gearbox: V2, V3 and others

The gearbox is the heart of an AEG. The most common versions are V2 (typical of M4/M16) and V3 (typical of AKs and G36s); internal parts aren't interchangeable between versions. In the database, among spec sheets that list it, 82 show V2 and 39 V3.

V2 gearbox AEGs under 1 J

• ASG Hybrid Series H4 Torrent MK III AEG Value Pack 0.90 J · 2500 g
• ASG B&T 5 A5 AEG Value Pack 1.00 J · 1900 g

FAQ

How often should I clean the barrel?

When accuracy drops or after dusty, wet games. A cleaning rod with a clean dry cloth is enough, or slightly dampened with a bucking-safe product.

Can I lube the gun with any oil?

No. Many oils damage the hop-up bucking and seals. Use only silicone or airsoft-specific lubricants, and never inside the barrel.

Should I leave the spring compressed?

Better not: after a game fire a few dry shots on semi, safely and with the magazine out, to decompress the spring.

When do I need a technician?

Strange gearbox noises, a big drop in rate of fire, jams or big velocity changes. Opening a gearbox without experience is the easiest way to break it.