There’s nothing worse than when something doesn’t work. Especially when it worked the last time you used it. And in the world of Airsoft, things are no different. One minute you are firing BBs and racking up the hits, the next minute, click, click, click. Or if you’re really unlucky, nothing at all. So why is your Airsoft gun not firing? Let’s find out.
Airsoft guns will fail at some point. This is because they are made up of moving parts that are prone to breaking or simply stopping working. But having the right knowledge can help you find the fault and get it fixed quickly.
Several issues could be causing your gun to not shoot. In this article, I am going to going to talk about the most common ones.
But before I do, I’ll talk about the common issues that can happen with all Airsoft gun types first.
Common Reasons Why An Airsoft Gun Is Not Firing
One of the most common problems faced by airsoft players is the gun not firing. If you are experiencing this issue with your airsoft gun, here are some possible reasons why and what you can do about it.
1. Battery Issues
One of the most common reasons why airsoft guns fail to fire is battery issues. If your battery is not charged correctly, your airsoft gun will not have enough power to fire. Additionally, if the battery is not in good condition, it will not hold a charge long enough to keep your gun firing. To avoid this issue, ensure that you charge your battery properly and maintain it in good condition.
2. Low FPS (Feet Per Second)
If your airsoft gun is not firing, it could be because it has a low FPS (Feet Per Second). This happens when the spring inside the gun is not strong enough to propel the BBs out of the barrel. To fix this problem, you will need to replace the spring inside the gun with a stronger one.
It is important to note that different airsoft guns have different FPS limits. Before purchasing a new spring, make sure that it is compatible with your gun’s FPS limit.
3. Jammed BBs
Another common issue that causes airsoft guns to stop firing is when BBs get jammed inside the gun. This can happen if there is debris or dirt inside the barrel or if the BBs are not loaded correctly. To fix this issue, you will need to clear the barrel of any debris and ensure that the BBs are loaded correctly.
4. Faulty Magazine
A faulty magazine can also cause your airsoft gun to stop firing. If the magazine is not feeding BBs into the gun correctly, it will not fire. In this case, you will need to clean the magazine and ensure that it is functioning correctly. If the magazine is damaged, you will need to replace it.
5. Broken Parts
Airsoft guns are made up of several small parts, and any one of these parts can break, causing the gun to stop firing. Some of the most common parts that break include the piston, gearbox, and hop-up unit. If you suspect that any of these parts are broken, you will need to disassemble the gun and replace the broken parts.
6. Hop-Up Issues
The hop-up unit is responsible for providing backspin to the BBs, which allows them to travel further and more accurately. If the hop-up unit is not functioning correctly, the BBs may not fire at all or may not travel very far. To fix this issue, you will need to check the hop-up unit and adjust it as necessary.
7. Dirty or Clogged Barrel
If the barrel of your airsoft gun is dirty or clogged, it can prevent BBs from firing correctly. This can happen if debris or dirt accumulates inside the barrel. To fix this issue, you will need to clean the barrel thoroughly using a cleaning rod and some cleaning solution. It is important to note that you should never use a metal cleaning rod as it can damage the barrel.
8. Worn-out Gearbox
The gearbox is responsible for controlling the firing mechanism of the airsoft gun. If the gearbox is worn out, it can cause your gun to stop firing. This can happen if the gearbox is not properly lubricated or if the gears are worn out. To fix this issue, you will need to disassemble the gearbox and replace any worn-out parts.
9. Incorrectly Installed Components
If you have recently upgraded or modified your airsoft gun, it is possible that some components were not installed correctly. This can cause the gun to malfunction or not fire at all. If you suspect that this is the case, you will need to disassemble your gun and double-check that all components are installed correctly.
10. Environmental Factors
Environmental factors can also play a role in the functioning of your airsoft gun. If you are playing in extremely cold or hot weather, your gun may not function correctly. Additionally, high humidity can cause the BBs to become damp and swell, making them difficult to load and causing them to jam inside the gun. To avoid this issue, make sure to keep your gun and BBs in a cool, dry place.
11. Operator Error
Finally, it is possible that the gun is not firing because of operator error. If you are new to airsoft, it can take some time to learn how to properly use your gun. Make sure to read the instruction manual thoroughly and practice shooting before heading to the field.
There are many reasons why your airsoft gun may not be firing. If you are experiencing this issue, it is important to first identify the cause of the problem before attempting to fix it.
Remember to always practice proper safety measures when handling airsoft guns and to regularly maintain your gun to avoid any malfunctions.
If none of the above help with fixing your Airsoft weapon, then the issue could be more specific to the type of gun you are using. Below are additional issues with specific gun types.
Why Has My Electric-Powered Airsoft Stopped Firing?
AEG or Automatic Electric Guns, have quickly become a popular choice of Airsoft guns. They run on batteries, motors, a gear system, and obviously electricity. And it’s because of these additional components you could argue there is more that could go wrong.
Here are 3 reasons why your AEG may have stopped firing;
- The battery has died or defected.
- Fuse has blown
- The motor has died or the connections are loose
1. Battery Has Died Or Defected
One of the first things to check is definitely the battery. I know it sounds obvious but trusts me, some people forget to check. Check the charge in the battery, is it dead? If so, charge it. Does it charge? If not, try another battery in the charger to see if the charger works.
Try using the battery in another gun if possible. If it works then it could be one of the other issues that are the problem. Have you tried to see if the connection is loose, the bit where it connects to the gun?
If you’ve tried everything battery related and all seems well, try the fuse.
2. Fuse has blown
Another obvious but often overlooked issue is the fuse. In most cases, the fuse is often located next to where the battery connects to the gun. This is a good opportunity to check for any loose connections as mentioned above.
If your fuse has blown, this could be a sign of another issue usually related to a surge of electricity from or to the battery. Try another fuse and see what happens. If it’s good to go, then maybe it was just a one-off.
However, if it blows again soon after, you may need to do some investigating. Try going back to step one and make sure the battery is OK. If it is, let’s take a look at the next common issue.
3. The Motor has died or the connections are loose
If after trying 1 and 2 have not got your Airsoft gun firing again, it’s time to dig a little deeper and check the motor. It’s an easy thing to do even if you’re not technically minded. However, if you are in doubt and don’t want to do this yourself, ask a friend or take it to your local Airsoft shop.
The motor is usually located in the grip (handle) and is held in place by a plate and two screws. It’s easy to recognize if the motor has stopped or not by noise. When you press the trigger you should hear the motor kick in, it’s hard not to.
If the motor sounds like a high pitch screech, make sure the base plate is screwed in tightly. Often, the screws can become loose due to vibrations and wear and tear and this can cause the motor to not engage properly.
If there is no noise at all from the motor, remove the screws and base plate and make sure the electrical connections are in place and tight. If you are unsure, try wiggling the connections gently. They may need a gentle pushback in place.
Pull the trigger and see if you have action. If not, there’s a good chance your motor is broken. Unfortunately, you’ll have to order a new one and wait to see if that is the issue.
Why Has My Airsoft Gas-Powered Gun Stopped Firing?
Airsoft gas guns have fewer working components compared to AEGs, so in theory, less should go wrong. A gas gun works using a canister that releases gas into a chamber when the trigger is pulled. At the same time, the hammer hits a valve inside the gun which then forces the gas to propel the BB outward.
So, as you can see, the process of how a BB is fired is much simpler than an AEG. Here are 2 common issues that are specific to gas Airsoft guns.
- The gas canister is empty
- Seals
1. The Gas Canister Is Empty
Duh, that’s obvious. Well yes, it is my friend, but it’s still one of the most common causes as to why a gas Airsoft has stopped firing. And one that is often overlooked. This is because we often think we haven’t shot that many BBs.
An empty gas canister is an easy fix. Simply replace the canister with another one. If you have none left, it may be possible to buy some from the Airsoft field you’re at. If not, I’m afraid it’s hometime.
There are a couple of other issues you could check that could cause the canister to be empty. First of all, check the seal which is located where the canister connects to the airsoft gun. You need to see if it’s broken or deformed in any way.
Secondly, check the gas valve. This valve is what allows a small amount of gas into the reservoir. If this valve is broken or is not working properly, it could cause the whole canister to empty.
Depending on the gun you have, the valve could either be inside the magazine. This is the easiest to check. Or it could be inside the gun, which means the gun needs to be disassembled.
It’s usually easy to identify the fault by how the gas is escaping. If the gas is leaking out of the barrel then this could indicate the valve is at fault. If the leaking gas is around the seal where the gas canister connects, it’s probably the seal.
2. Seals or O Rings
Because these types of Airsoft guns use gas, they require internal seals to make sure everything is airtight. This stops the gas from escaping. Generally, these seals or O rings are made of plastic or rubber – both are prone to corroding.
Over time these seals can and will become damaged. The most obvious sign that one or more of the seals are broken is loss of gas. The easiest to check first are the ones connected to the magazine.
As mentioned earlier, there is one where the canister or mag connects to the gun. Another one can be found by removing the base plate under the mag.
Depending on your gun type will determine how many seals there are and where they are located. The good news is these are replaceable, the bad news is that some of them are inside the gun itself and may require the gun to be taken apart.
Why Has My Spring-Powered Airsoft Gun Stopped Firing?
To make things even simpler, spring-powered Airsoft guns, or springers as they’re known, have even fewer mechanical components than both AEGs and gas guns.
A spring Airsoft gun works by ‘cocking’ the gun. By ‘cocking’ the gun you are essentially compressing a spring that sits behind a piston. When the trigger is pulled, the spring is released and pushes the piston forward, forcing out the BB.
Due to the lack of parts in a spring gun, there are 3 common faults specific to spring-powered Airsoft guns. They are:
- The Spring
- The Piston
- Seals
1. The Spring
Obviously, the spring is well used in these types of guns, and over time they can become weak. Sometimes they can break. One of the easiest ways to tell if the spring is broken is the lack of resistance when cocking the gun because cocking the gun is simply compressing the spring.
Besides obvious damage, a spring can stop working because of poor or lack of maintenance. Spring Airsoft guns need regular care to make sure they continue working for a long time. One common cause of a poor spring is the wrong lubricate being used. The best lubricate for airsoft guns is silicone-based oil or grease.
2. The Piston
A piston in an airsoft gun is one of the most hard-working parts. And like the spring requires regular maintenance. One problem that can happen is the piston can become stripped over time rendering it inefficient. If this occurs, it’s probably time to switch it out.
A piston can also stop working properly if there is dirt or grime inside the gun. A build-up of metal, broken BB, and unused grease can cause friction in the piston, similar to a car. Eventually leading to a worn inner barrel.
3. Seals or O Rings
Due to the fact, that air is essential for a spring-powered gun to work properly, it needs to be airtight. To keep a gun airtight, seals or O Rings are required.
The same applies to springers as it does to gas-powered guns. The seals are typically made from plastic or rubber and are prone to degrading. Most seals and O Rings are replaceable. I say most because it depends on a few factors like the age of the gun, the type of gun, etc.
Conclusion
With a little knowledge and confidence, and this article, you should be able to get your Airsoft shooting again on your own. Just remember there are common issues that apply to all weapon types and then there are specific issues to each gun type.
Always start with the easiest and cheapest fix first. By doing this you could be saving yourself time and money.
