Whether you love your airsoft gun the way it came from the factory or get enjoyment from modding the platform to wring every last drop of potential from it, there’s hardly an airsoft player among us that would answer “no” when faced with the question of “do you want your airsoft gun to shoot more accurately?”

And, given the fact that any airsoft gun can be modded for accuracy (albeit it with varying degrees of efficacy) there are things you can do at home to improve performance.

So if you’re looking for airsoft gun parts you can upgrade or mods you can make to improve your airsoft gun’s accuracy, look no further. Here are some of our top tips, from tailoring the airsoft ammo to the airsoft gun to upgrading the hop-up system.

Use the Right Hop-Up System

All else considered, this is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to an airsoft gun to improve its accuracy. The accuracy of effectively any airsoft gun can be improved by changing this airsoft gun part.

It is also important to recognize that hop-up systems consist of different components, including a nub and a bucking.

It’s not that you should simply upgrade your hop-up system, but that you should choose a hop-up system with a nub and bucking that are appropriate for the power of your airsoft gun.

The nub, specifically, is a part that applies pressure to the bucking, which in its turn presses down on the BB and imparts backspin, depending on how the system is adjusted/set.

Depending on how fast your airsoft gun is, there are different types of hop-up buckings that you should choose, which vary according to how hard or soft they are, given in “degrees.”

The technical term for the softness of hop rubber is known as durometer, and is measured on a scale (again, in degrees) from 1 to 100. The lower the degree, the softer the durometer of the hop rubber, and the higher the degree, the harder the durometer.

Most airsoft buckings tend to fall somewhere between 50 to 80 degrees of durometer, with those nearer 50 degrees considered soft and those closer to 80 considered hard.

Regardless of the weight of airsoft ammo, the faster the airsoft gun shoots, the higher the durometer should be. A good rule of thumb is sort of according to the following:

• 50 degree: 280 to 360 FPS
• 60 degree: 295 to 390 FPS
• 70 degree: 360 to 460 FPS
• 75 degree: 425 to 490 FPS
• 80 degree: above 450 FPS, better for the fastest airsoft guns.

In addition to the fact that hop rubber hardness (durometer) influences its suitability according to how fast the airsoft gun shoots, it also influences its suitability in the cold.

All things considered, the lower the durometer, the better the airsoft gun will perform in the cold (and the more accurately it will shoot).

Upgrade to a Stainless Steel Barrel

While upgrading your hop-up system is likely the most impactful upgrade you can make on accuracy, upgrading the inner barrel is another one that can make quite a difference.

Just be aware it isn’t always necessary. If your airsoft gun came with a stainless steel tight-bore barrel, your time and money are better spent tinkering with the airsoft ammo and hop-up system.

If not, get a barrel made with stainless steel and install it.

The problem lies with the fact that some stock airsoft barrels are made with brass alloys. While fine in the short term and at shorter ranges, brass is prone to corrosion and pitting.

These things change the inner surface of the barrel’s bore, creating inconsistencies. When these inconsistencies interact with BBs as they move through the barrel, they create disturbances to the BB’s path of travel.

And so, they harm accuracy, if even by a little. Long story short, if your AEG came with a brass alloy barrel, upgrade it to a stainless steel one.

Keep Your Airsoft Gun Clean

This next tip has to do more with maintenance than it has to do with airsoft gun parts. The best thing you can do - with respect to the barrel - is not often to replace it, but to keep it clean.

Even from the factory, dirt and dust are usually fairly common inside of a barrel’s bore. Not only will this dirt adversely impact accuracy, but shooting through a dirty barrel can result in micro-scratches that will permanently damage it.

Then, when you clean it again, it won’t make a difference because the barrel will still be scratched. So the best rule of thumb is simply to clean it when you get it and keep it clean.

Some users recommended washing the barrel with water and soap. This is acceptable but if you do, make sure you thoroughly remove all soap residue before shooting the airsoft gun, and always thoroughly dry the barrel.

Equally important is that you do not ever use a liquid lubricant. This includes both gun oil and silicone oil. They will trap dust and dirt and worse, they will slow down your FPS and harm accuracy.

However, after cleaning your airsoft gun, you can, if you choose, use a dry lubricant, like a PTFE coating.

Shoot the Right Airsoft Ammo

Last but not least, make sure you shoot appropriate airsoft ammo.

Most airsoft gun’s FPS ratings are given with .2g airsoft ammo which is like a standard, but not all airsoft guns will perform well with ammo this light.

It’s better, all things considered, if you match the ammo to the power of the airsoft gun.

Airsoft guns between 300 and 350 FPS will usually do alright with .2g airsoft ammo, but above that, you should shoot heavier ammo.

Airsoft guns rated between 350 to 400 FPS should be used with slightly heavier BBs, like .25g BBs, and between 400 and 450 FPS, even heavier, close to .28g. Above 450 FPS, you should be shooting heavier airsoft ammo, between .3 g and .36g ammo, or even heavier.

The fastest, most powerful airsoft guns should also shoot the heaviest ammo, .4g or even .45g ammo.

The reason for this has to do with how the BB interacts with air when fired. Lighter BBs are more affected by air resistance, so they are both less accurate than heavier airsoft ammo and have shorter ranges, especially when fired from powerful airsoft guns.

We covered this topic more fully in our post, How to Choose Airsoft Ammo: Everything You Could Need to Know.

For more information, visit that post or get in touch with us directly.

Airsoft Gun Parts and Airsoft Ammo You Need to Accurize Your Outfit

Are you staring down the prospect of accurizing your airsoft gun but you aren’t sure where to start? The suggestions in this post make easy and straightforward starting points.

Start with one of these, see what sort of difference it makes, and then continue to experiment. It might be that all you need is heavier ammo, or to clean your barrel.

Then you can go from there.

Remember - our price match guarantee covers our airsoft ammo, airsoft guns, and parts - with no coupon code required, so stock up. You’re getting the best prices here.