spring vs gas
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I like gas because I love the realistic bolt pull, the adjustability offered by a regulated external rig, the general realism offered by gas rifles, and the lack of constantly wearing parts (or at least they are few and far between).
Basically, gas rifles are very easy to put up to very high FPS, and do not wear through parts like sears, or...say your arms trying to pull the bolt back.
The only con (in my mind) is the inconsistency that happens when you deplete a finite volume of gas over multiple shots (as in gas in mag or gas in bolt). This, of course, is fixed with an external rig...which also allows you to dial down your FPS to be legal on most fields.
Basically, gas rifles are very easy to put up to very high FPS, and do not wear through parts like sears, or...say your arms trying to pull the bolt back.
The only con (in my mind) is the inconsistency that happens when you deplete a finite volume of gas over multiple shots (as in gas in mag or gas in bolt). This, of course, is fixed with an external rig...which also allows you to dial down your FPS to be legal on most fields.
I would suggest you look into your environment of were you will play most.
When I lived in Chicago I used a Gas System and had very few problems.
But when I moved to Las Vegas that system imploded and I looked into every possible combination to make my system work out here and failed miserably. And it was not a cost issue... I have the means to drop $2000 into any weapon system at any given time.
so I switched to spring and have not gone back..
the upside is its mechanical I can use it anywhere in any condition with minor fluctuation in consistency +/- 5 fps ... and it is the easiest weapon system I have to maintain.
When I lived in Chicago I used a Gas System and had very few problems.
But when I moved to Las Vegas that system imploded and I looked into every possible combination to make my system work out here and failed miserably. And it was not a cost issue... I have the means to drop $2000 into any weapon system at any given time.
so I switched to spring and have not gone back..
the upside is its mechanical I can use it anywhere in any condition with minor fluctuation in consistency +/- 5 fps ... and it is the easiest weapon system I have to maintain.
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It seems like it would be the opposite mojo, as gas is more effected in colder temperatures than warm temperatures.
what we found is gas works best in a very tight Temperature range... 70-90 degrees
the problem we have is those temp only last for extended periods of time in september and march.
the HPA systems we tried to put to use extended the temp range on the colder side (60) but became dangerous in terms of FPS in temps higher than 97 degrees.. and when we dialed it down to safe ranges we completely lost consistency.
it was an overall nightmare in this desert environment...
but drive it 5 hours to California fields..
No Issues! Worked Perfectly.
Since I only play in Cali twice a year didn't make sense to keep it.
the problem we have is those temp only last for extended periods of time in september and march.
the HPA systems we tried to put to use extended the temp range on the colder side (60) but became dangerous in terms of FPS in temps higher than 97 degrees.. and when we dialed it down to safe ranges we completely lost consistency.
it was an overall nightmare in this desert environment...
but drive it 5 hours to California fields..
No Issues! Worked Perfectly.
Since I only play in Cali twice a year didn't make sense to keep it.
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716 Posts
This is often a debated subject. Honestly, I see pros and cons on both sides, being what was already mentioned, but more so for the cons on the gas side of the house is that if you're in a pretty nasty firefight, the more you shoot, the more that cold gas builds up in the weapon, and your consistancy goes very far off +/- 20-30 FPS. Where as mentioned before, a spring will perform very well with +/- ~5 FPS for just about any environment, reguardless of mud/water/temperature.
It all depends on where you live, but my personal advice is go spring. It might not be as realisitc as far as bolt recycling goes, but in the long run it pays for itself (Vice having to spend that $2 or $3 to get your external tank setup or $5 to $15 for the propane tank and adapter.
-Mosin
It all depends on where you live, but my personal advice is go spring. It might not be as realisitc as far as bolt recycling goes, but in the long run it pays for itself (Vice having to spend that $2 or $3 to get your external tank setup or $5 to $15 for the propane tank and adapter.
-Mosin
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716 Posts
It could. But again, that depends on your tank and the rifle you're using, along with how many shots your putting through it. Having a HPA usually will keep your consistancy pretty solid for a while, but again, just like paintball in cold environments, you can expect that you'll be getting about 30% less shots because of the density of the atmospheric pressure.
I use gas exclusivly. It requires a learning curve just like anything else. I'm not sure why any serious gas replica user would not use external gas of some sort but even in the most consistent systems that I have seen, no expert here, you still get small single digit fluxuations in the worst case with a nice reg and HPA. Its not that bad I guess, while other systems are amazing.
I'll report back later, but my friend Arron (some might remember SniperWoosh) will be trying out his custom and highly tuned Kokusai Crimebuster this weekend with nitrogen. He had ~3FPS fluxuations on HPA with a double regulated Palmer rig. Nitrogen is even more stamble. If I can get a video I'll try.
As for "gas v spring" I think what has been said sums it up and most comes down to prefference. Without haveing to enter any cons I think we can all agree both have some great pros. And in either case you have the option to blow a bunch of money now or later and in most cases all cost an arm and a leg when we say they are almost finished.
Spring: consistent, weather resistent, reliable
Gas: few moving parts, realistic bolt action, adjustable FPS*
I'll report back later, but my friend Arron (some might remember SniperWoosh) will be trying out his custom and highly tuned Kokusai Crimebuster this weekend with nitrogen. He had ~3FPS fluxuations on HPA with a double regulated Palmer rig. Nitrogen is even more stamble. If I can get a video I'll try.
As for "gas v spring" I think what has been said sums it up and most comes down to prefference. Without haveing to enter any cons I think we can all agree both have some great pros. And in either case you have the option to blow a bunch of money now or later and in most cases all cost an arm and a leg when we say they are almost finished.
Spring: consistent, weather resistent, reliable
Gas: few moving parts, realistic bolt action, adjustable FPS*
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29 Posts
i agree its all on preference, i like my gas rifles because of its realism, but i do sometimes get frustrated with its inconsistency, especially when u take one shot and have to quickly take a follow up shot, sometimes i'll have a bb go where ever it wants
Hahahah I totally feel you on that one. I was forced to switch my CA M24 to gas at the moment because the gas cylinder was the only part available locally to get my gun running at the moment and I dont have tons of money to buy PDI parts right nowdooodstevenn said:
. First shot is fairly dead on, second shot has a mind of its own! I will be going back to spring AS SOON AS I CAN!
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29 Posts
my rifle is a little weird. sometimes my very first shot will go way off target, and it will be somewhat consistent again. recently my first shot is dead on and it goes back to it's somewhat consistent pattern again. i would like a spring rifle, but it seems like a lot of upgrading and i don't like having so much resistance on the bolt. but it is very consistent. i'm just very indecisive
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Get one of each... Then you will be set.
I am in the spring side of things. I bought a rifle from Metaba and it was AWSOME!! Was able to hit guys from such a distance that it made it just about to easy. But the thing I didn't like was the external tank that needed to be carried. But that is just a personal thing, had a bad thing happen when i paintballed.
But I do like the spring for the consistantly.
But the gas is nice for the easy bolt pull.
Kind of like compairing apples to oranges honestly.
I am in the spring side of things. I bought a rifle from Metaba and it was AWSOME!! Was able to hit guys from such a distance that it made it just about to easy. But the thing I didn't like was the external tank that needed to be carried. But that is just a personal thing, had a bad thing happen when i paintballed.
But I do like the spring for the consistantly.
But the gas is nice for the easy bolt pull.
Kind of like compairing apples to oranges honestly.
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364 Posts
There are too many variables in gas rifles. Unless you are using compressed air, there is nothing more consistent than Spring power. Gas rifles are realistic, but not very practical in most situation.
Propane and 134a adapters require lubrication when filling, this keeps your seals from drying out and leaking. However, it also sprays a small amount of lubrication on your BB's, this can be a pretty big downside. I've noticed this happens on just about every GBB I've had, and with my gas M700. Its better to use grittier BB's with gas guns for this reason, I feel it bites the bucking a little more as it goes passed it.
Higher power gas rifles in lower pressure areas also produce a nice sized plume of gas that leaves the barrel, often enough you lose sight of your round and cannot tell when its lands. Obviously this inhibits you from making correct adjustments for the next one, but the use of a suppressor will keep that plume under control. But even a suppressor can create turbulence of air depleting accuracy, that is a very minute factor though.
Another thing I don't care about gas rifles, is that there are a lot of moving parts that are not replaceable, there are small pins which are easy to lose and never in stock anywhere. This case goes with GBB's too, pretty much relying on you to fabricate the part if you don't want to have a gun out of commission for months. Every part on a spring rifle is obtainable, aside from accessories to aftermarket parts, you can get just about anything that breaks.
Typically, you can have a spring rifle field stripped in 2-3 screws. This includes the outer barrel removed, hopup completely dismantled, and the bolt & handle apart. That's just a total of taking apart 4-5 screws depending on your model, to have literally everything apart.
Last but not least, unless you live somewhere that is stays over 50 degrees all year, you may have a gas rifle treat you well. But if you live on the east side, forget about it, save money and buy spring. In freezing temperatures, any gas rifle is useless if more than five shots needs to be taken. Condensing gas will freeze in your barrel, and there is no way around it. This can even happen with spring rifles when cold enough. It can harden your bucking making it shoot like a complete pile of shit. I've had this experience at least once a year for the passed 5 years with my rifles, spring and gas.
SUMMARY
Pro's of gas rifles.
-Realistic
-Easy to cycle
-Easy hop adjustment
-Comes shooting hot
-Longer barrels stock than spring
Cons of gas rifles.
-Temperature
-Frequent Hop adjustment
-Generally Inconsistent FPS readings
-Unobtainable parts
-Need to pay for gas
-More Moving Parts
Spring or Bust.
Propane and 134a adapters require lubrication when filling, this keeps your seals from drying out and leaking. However, it also sprays a small amount of lubrication on your BB's, this can be a pretty big downside. I've noticed this happens on just about every GBB I've had, and with my gas M700. Its better to use grittier BB's with gas guns for this reason, I feel it bites the bucking a little more as it goes passed it.
Higher power gas rifles in lower pressure areas also produce a nice sized plume of gas that leaves the barrel, often enough you lose sight of your round and cannot tell when its lands. Obviously this inhibits you from making correct adjustments for the next one, but the use of a suppressor will keep that plume under control. But even a suppressor can create turbulence of air depleting accuracy, that is a very minute factor though.
Another thing I don't care about gas rifles, is that there are a lot of moving parts that are not replaceable, there are small pins which are easy to lose and never in stock anywhere. This case goes with GBB's too, pretty much relying on you to fabricate the part if you don't want to have a gun out of commission for months. Every part on a spring rifle is obtainable, aside from accessories to aftermarket parts, you can get just about anything that breaks.
Typically, you can have a spring rifle field stripped in 2-3 screws. This includes the outer barrel removed, hopup completely dismantled, and the bolt & handle apart. That's just a total of taking apart 4-5 screws depending on your model, to have literally everything apart.
Last but not least, unless you live somewhere that is stays over 50 degrees all year, you may have a gas rifle treat you well. But if you live on the east side, forget about it, save money and buy spring. In freezing temperatures, any gas rifle is useless if more than five shots needs to be taken. Condensing gas will freeze in your barrel, and there is no way around it. This can even happen with spring rifles when cold enough. It can harden your bucking making it shoot like a complete pile of shit. I've had this experience at least once a year for the passed 5 years with my rifles, spring and gas.
SUMMARY
Pro's of gas rifles.
-Realistic
-Easy to cycle
-Easy hop adjustment
-Comes shooting hot
-Longer barrels stock than spring
Cons of gas rifles.
-Temperature
-Frequent Hop adjustment
-Generally Inconsistent FPS readings
-Unobtainable parts
-Need to pay for gas
-More Moving Parts
Spring or Bust.
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29 Posts
i live in southern California where it is constantly over 70 degrees when i play, at that temperature, are the pro's and con's of gas vs. spring still the same?
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