After a few exhilarating skirmishes with your trusty AEG, the temptation to enhance its capabilities becomes irresistible. If you’re looking to upgrade your AEG for enhanced durability and seamless performance, consider the following essential tips. Whether you own a mid-level or high-end AEG like the Lancer Tactical LT-19, both internal and external upgrades are feasible. However, if your AEG is a basic model from retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods or Walmart, it’s wiser to invest in a higher-quality gun, such as the Lancer Tactical M4 Generation 2, before considering upgrades.
Why Upgrade Your Airsoft Gun?
Many enthusiasts question the necessity of upgrading airsoft guns, especially with proper maintenance. Indeed, if your airsoft gun functions well, there’s a saying to heed: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Yet, for the avid airsoft enthusiast seeking exhilarating performance, upgrades can be quite beneficial. Ready to enhance your airsoft gun? Explore hundreds of upgrade parts in our online store.
- Enhancing Durability
Your first maintenance session is an opportunity to assess which parts may need upgrading. Common durability upgrades include replacing movable parts like spring guides and bushings. Before purchasing upgrades, check if your AEG already includes these components in its gearbox.
Popular durability upgrades include:
- Appropriate spring guides
- Metal bushings
- Full steel tooth pistons
- Performance Upgrades for Final Velocity Up to 350 FPS
Start with the internal barrel and hop-up unit, then consider gear ratios. Upgrading to a battery with a higher capacity, such as 9.6V, can significantly increase the rate of fire. Ensure you have aftermarket gears in place to avoid damaging the stock gear setup.
Key components for performance upgrades:
- 6.03mm tightbore barrel
- M100 spring
- 9.6V NiMH battery
- High-speed gearset
- Metal spring guide and bushings
- Enhanced hop-up components
- High-Velocity Upgrades for Over 350 FPS
Achieving velocities above 400 FPS requires careful selection of compatible upgrade parts, including pistons, springs, high-torque gears, and motors. High-performance setups consume more power, so consider the energy requirements early on.
How to Approach Upgrades
Dividing the upgrade process into two main systems—the Compression System and the Drive Train—helps simplify the task:
- Compression System Upgrades
These are generally simpler and less expensive. They improve the air seal and direct air efficiently down the barrel, noticeably enhancing performance immediately. You can also perform a simple compression test to evaluate the current setup.
- Drive Train Upgrades
This section is more complex and involves a detailed breakdown of mechanical and electrical upgrades. Consider what you aim to achieve—whether it’s high speed for CQB scenarios or high power for woodland play—and plan accordingly.
Upgrading your airsoft gun can be a fulfilling project that not only extends the life of your AEG but also boosts its performance significantly. With the right parts and a bit of know-how, even beginners can achieve professional-level upgrades.
Mechanical Upgrades
When planning drive train upgrades for your airsoft gun, consider the following four main objectives:
- High Speed (CQB)
- High Power (Woodland)
- High FPS/RPM
- A balance between decent RPM and adequate FPS
As you design your upgrade strategy, think about your goals and budget. Upgrades aimed at high FPS/RPM can be costly, so prepare to invest significantly.
Main Springs The main spring, often the first upgrade for FPS enhancement, drives the functionality within your gearbox. Upgrading to a stiffer spring necessitates replacing any plastic bushings with metal ones to withstand increased pressure.
Upgrading springs to ranges between M110 and M130 requires replacing cast pot-metal gears and reinforcing piston heads. Without a stronger motor and battery, your gearbox may lock up due to insufficient power for full spring compression. Springs above this range might necessitate a complete gearbox rebuild to handle the increased stress.
Replace any plastic spring guides with metal ones, preferably with ball bearings, to reduce stress and allow smoother spring flex.
Pistons Available in various designs, pistons are tailored to your airsoft gun’s needs:
- Half-tooth pistons increase torque and are ideal for high FPS with high torque gears.
- Full-tooth pistons are versatile for general use.
- Short stroke pistons reduce piston travel and spring compression intensity.
Pistons made from synthetic or nylon materials are lighter and suitable for high RPM, while aluminum alloys provide durability for higher torque and FPS.
Gears Installing high-speed gears enhances the rate of fire (ROF). Standard airsoft guns typically fire at about 720 BBs per minute. With high-speed gears, the ROF can exceed 1,200 BBs per minute without needing motor adjustments, provided the FPS remains around 350. For higher FPS, further modifications to the motor and battery may be necessary.
Sector Gear Delay Clips can improve feeding reliability by adjusting the tappet plate’s timing, allowing BBs to align correctly with the hop-up unit. For enhanced power and torque, opt for gears with higher torque ratios.
Ensure pistons and gears are from the same manufacturer to ensure compatibility and reduce operational noise.
Bushings & Ball Bearings Bushings are ideal for general applications due to slower motion, while ball bearings are better suited for high-speed applications, supporting springs up to M130. To avoid premature failure with heavy springs, opt for ball bearings with larger balls than those in bushings.
Motors and Batteries Motors are available in high-speed, standard, and high-torque versions. The harder a motor works, the greater the battery capacity required. Overworking a motor can lead to overheating, weakening the magnet’s charge and damaging the wire windings, significantly reducing motor efficiency.
For larger batteries, consider modifying the gun stock or using an externally mounted battery bag, like a replica laser battery box. Modern LIPO batteries offer high power in a compact size and are effective in upgraded airsoft guns.
With this comprehensive guide, you are well-equipped to undertake functional, durable, and efficient upgrades to your airsoft gun, whether you’re a novice or an expert.
