| Realism, accuracy, operating action, and cost of | | | | 134A is typically recommended for airsoft guns of |
| operation are just a few of the reasons gas airsoft | | | | Japanese origin, although there are exceptions. This |
| guns have become extremely popular in the United | | | | gas can be used under all but the coldest |
| States in recent years. The most important aspects | | | | environmental conditions. The temperature drop |
| of owning, operating, and maintaining a gas airsoft | | | | during the winter months usually starts affecting |
| gun is the appropriate selection of propellant. The | | | | these guns at 40 degrees and below. When your |
| most commonly used propellants are 134A, green | | | | airsoft gun begins to misfire it is general safe to |
| gas, and CO2. | | | | move to the more powerful green gas or propane. |
| The type of gas needed is determined by several | | | | Green gas is the most popular of the gases in airsoft. |
| factors. Airsoft guns are typically designed to run | | | | The majority of guns, especially from countries other |
| only one type of gas. However, there is an inherent | | | | than Japan, are designed to utilize this type of gas. |
| problem with this approach. The pressure a gas | | | | During summer months, the temperate may cause |
| exerts, power in the case of an airsoft gun, depends | | | | green gas may become too powerful and damage |
| on temperature. The same propellant that is | | | | your gun. The quality of airsoft guns that are |
| acceptable at room temperature may be harmful to | | | | designed to use green gas vary greatly, and make a |
| the same airsoft gun, in let's say Arizona in August. | | | | hard temperature limit difficult at best. However, if |
| The exact opposite also holds true. A gas airsoft gun | | | | the ambient temperature is approaching 100 degrees |
| that works perfectly fine indoors during the winter | | | | Fahrenheit you may wish to switch to the less |
| months in Montreal may begin to malfunction soon | | | | powerful 134A. The amount of direct sunlight and |
| after stepping outdoors. In this case because of the | | | | frequency of use need to be considered as well, if |
| decrease in temperature, the gas pressure inside the | | | | your airsoft gun is in continuous use, the process of |
| airsoft gun has dropped to such a level that there is | | | | expelling a little gas for each shot will actually lower |
| no longer enough power to complete the firing action | | | | the temperature of your gun. |
| of the gun. This reduced pressure can also allow the | | | | CO2 airsoft guns, with a rare exception, will only be |
| valve to remain open after a shot and result in the | | | | able to accept CO2. CO2 operates in a wider |
| expulsion of the remaining gas. | | | | temperature range, but the cost of operation and |
| Gas selection depends on the manufacturers initial | | | | over all hassle of dealing with the intricacies of this |
| design intentions, as well as, the temperature at | | | | gas make it less than favourable. CO2 is generally |
| which the airsoft gun will be operating. While using a | | | | frowned upon in the airsoft community except for |
| more powerful gas or using the recommended gas at | | | | some speciality rifles that have a small but loyal |
| an elevated temperature you run the risk of | | | | following. |
| damaging your airsoft gun. | | | | |