One of the most realistic aspects of airsoft is the experience a gas blowback airsoft replica provides. Using a gas blowback replica can be incredibly fun, from its realistic firing action to the sound and simulated recoil. Similar to all other airsoft guns, they have their own challenges, particularly in cold weather.
"The lower the temperature drops, the worse your gas replica performs"
The winter can be detrimental to gas gun users depending on where you live in the country and whether you play outdoors frequently or in a heated indoor environment. The lower the temperature drops, the worse your gas replica performs, and the low pressures caused by low gas pressure are too weak for the gun to cycle. The scientific reason behind this is the vapor pressure of the gas. When you fill your gas gun magazines with a bottle of green gas, the form of matter entering your magazine is a form of liquid gas until the pressure in the bottle you are filling from and the magazine equalizes. Once this happens, the liquid in your magazine evaporates to fill the leftover space with gas. This gas's pressure is determined by the temperature of the air surrounding it. Essentially, the lower the temperature, the lower the pressure of the vapor above the liquid.
There are a few reliable ways to ensure your gas replica functions optimally in cold weather. One effective method is to use a gas with a higher operating pressure. Red gas and black gas are excellent alternatives to green gas, as they operate at higher pressures, allowing your gun to function in colder temperatures. However, green gas is far easier to acquire than red and black gas. Remember, it's crucial to research your specific replica's compatibility with these higher-pressure gasses.
CO2 is also a great option if your replica has alternative CO2 mags available. Like red and black gas, CO2 operates at an incredibly high pressure and can handle much colder temperatures. Like the previously mentioned operating systems, CO2 has certain aspects the user must be aware of, such as your replica's ability to accept CO2 and the potential for an increase in FPS. Ignoring these facts can cause damage to your replica or cause it to shoot above fields FPS and/or joule limit.
One of the most reliable ways of mitigating the shortcomings of gas guns in low-temperature climates is converting them to HPA. Several companies make gas magazine adapters that allow them to run off of a tank, line, and regulator. HPA is typically the most unaffected by frigid temperatures. There are two main downsides to doing this. The biggest drawback to this system is that 90% of the time, installation falls on you, and if done incorrectly, you might risk leaks or even damage to your replica or equipment. Secondly, running a tank, line, and regulator (and, in some cases, mag adapters) might interfere with or ruin the look of your replica or your entire kit (if this is something you care about). It can also be significantly more expensive to get set up with all the equipment required to run the HPA system.
We can explain the science behind green gas and how temperature affects it until we are blue in the face, so we did some real-life tests on different gas forms in different temperatures. Check out our test video! ->