| The internet makes it easy to buy the upgrade | | | | Bigger Bushings constructed in highly durable materials |
| airsoft rifle parts for less, but it is important to | | | | are generally better. |
| understand that sometimes you will need to loop in a | | | | - Piston. The piston is a flat-toothed gear that is |
| professional to get the job done right. If you dive | | | | maneuvered by the motor and spring. Because of |
| into an upgrade on your own, you risk damaging the | | | | the tremendous pressure on the piston, quality |
| rifle and voiding your warranty. For best results, use | | | | counts. Metal pistons are a common upgrade but in |
| a certified professional airsoft technician / shop. In | | | | some firearms they may strip gears. I recommend |
| most cases, you can have that professional show | | | | discussing possible piston upgrades with a professional |
| you how it's done. This will give you a better | | | | so that you can determine what will work best for |
| understanding of how the firearm works which will | | | | you. |
| help you troubleshoot issues in the future. | | | | - Spring. Upgrading your spring will increase the |
| Needless to say, there are a lot of upgrades to | | | | velocity of the piston. If you plan on upgrading your |
| consider. For the sake of simplicity, I'll summarize a | | | | spring, you will need to make sure your internals are |
| few of the most common upgrades for airsoft AEGs | | | | upgraded as well to avoid damaged gears and |
| below. Once you identify the upgrades you are | | | | pistons. |
| interested in, you can contact an authorized retailer | | | | - Spring Guide. The spring guide does just what it |
| for further information and advice. In many cases, | | | | says and prevents the spring from jumping into the |
| one upgrade may require further upgrades in order | | | | gear case. |
| to make sure the parts are compatible. | | | | - Cylinder. The cylinder compresses the air that will |
| - Hop Up. There are two parts to Hop Up that you | | | | force the bullet down the barrel. A longer barrel |
| may consider upgrading. Hop Up Bucking puts back | | | | requires a bigger cylinder, so these upgrades typically |
| spin on the bb. A quality bucking will improve your | | | | go hand-in-hand. |
| shot accuracy. Look for Bucking made in durable | | | | - Cylinder Head. You can either silence your gun or |
| materials such as silicone, which will minimize | | | | improve the piece's air seal by upgrading your rifle's |
| deterioration. Another potential Hop Up upgrade is | | | | cylinder head. |
| the chamber, which will also improve accuracy. | | | | - Air Nozzle. This part pushes the bb into the Hop Up |
| - Barrel. Many airsoft enthusiasts prefer to upgrade | | | | chamber while also sealing the airflow. |
| to a longer, tighter barrel. In most instances, the | | | | - Motor. Too powerful a motor can decrease overall |
| tighter the barrel, the better, assuming you are using | | | | performance and negatively affect rate of fire, so |
| quality BBs as is strongly recommended by any | | | | speak to a professional before you commit to a |
| qualified airsoft dealer. | | | | motor upgrade purchase. |
| - Gears. There are three gears to consider: the | | | | - Battery. A higher voltage battery increases your |
| sector, bevel and spur gears. Gears are both critical | | | | rate of fire, but too high of a battery voltage may |
| and expensive. Avoid sub-quality gears at all costs | | | | damage internal components. Again, I recommending |
| because they will break and lead to expensive gear | | | | speaking to a professional about what your gun can |
| box repairs. The type of gears you use depends on | | | | handle. |
| the other upgrades and I recommend speaking to a | | | | - Scopes and optics. This external upgrade is certainly |
| professional about your specific needs. | | | | something you can install yourself. A quality scope will |
| - Bushings. Gears rotate on the Bushings. They also | | | | improve your accuracy, especially in a sniper-type |
| keep the gears in place and are thus critical in their | | | | role. |
| own right. Broken Bushings lead to stripped gears. | | | | |