While airsoft gear tends to be durable, I have come across a few prematurely broken electric airsoft sniper rifles in my time. More often than not, these rifles fell victim to user misuse and abuse. I firmly believe that you should get the most out of your airsoft equipment, but it is also important to take care of your investment so that it lasts for the long haul. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

• Use only quality pellets. If you remove a single concept from this list, let it be this: avoid cheap BBs at all costs! Low-grade airsoft BBs are found at sporting goods stores and Wal-Mart. They are sometimes labeled “Seamless Airsoft 0.20g” or “Seamless Airsoft 0.12g” BBs, but don’t be fooled by the name, these are inferior BBs and should be avoided. These cheap BBs break too easily, leading to jamming, worn pistons, and chipped gears. Also if you use cheap BB’s it will void your warranty. High quality BBs are sold exclusively at specialist airsoft retailers and will minimize interference, improve FPS and improve shooting accuracy.
• Watch out for low battery. When your rifle’s battery is low, it’s easier for the gearbox to “lock up” which can lead to damage to internal components. To avoid this, keep your firearm properly charged and stop using the rifle when the battery is low.
• But also beware of excessive changes. On the other hand, it is not advisable to leave the battery charging overnight with a standard wall charger. This practice can lead to battery cell damage. Charge for fixed periods of time using a high performance “smart” charger, which will cut power when the battery is full.
• Be careful with updates. Updates should only be done by experts. Keep in mind that increasing battery voltage will put more strain on your firearm as it will increase your rate of fire (ROF) rather than feet per second (FPS) or velocity. If you want to increase your FPS, it makes more sense to upgrade your spring, but again, this will add more stress to the internals that haven’t been upgraded in proportion to the spring. In short, it’s best to consult an expert when considering upgrading your rifle.
• Take care of your weapon. You should always perform general maintenance before and after a serious game. General maintenance should include unclogging and clearing the barrel of debris, as well as lubricating the inner barrel, hop up, and magazine. Expert internal maintenance should be performed every 4 to 6 months.