So precision air guns really do need regular care. But what about RWS products? Like all fine mechanical devises, even RWS precision air guns require routine maintenance to perform at their very best. Fortunately, RWS has designed its entire air gun line to deliver top performance with only minimal care. Just keep in mind that "moderation" is the key to basic air gun maintenance, which includes everything from power plant and pivot point lubricating to simple external surface care. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your RWS air guns in top shooting condition well into the next century:
The Basic Idea
As was previously noted, precision air guns are unrelated mechanically to firearms. Therefore, most firearm lubricants are not recommended as they can quickly ruin internal seals by promoting a violent diesel reaction within the piston chamber. While RWS spring-piston models do rely on a tiny diesel effect to produce full power, sever dieseling must be avoided. To ensure correct lubrication of your spring-piston air guns, RWS conveniently offers products that are specifically formulated for this purpose. How, where and when to lubricate? Well, first do a very thorough read of your gun's owners manual for lubrication points such as the air transfer post. Once located, RWS Chamber Lube and applicator needle are the other items you'll need. Just one or two drops placed inside the chamber every few thousand shots is usually all that is required. Alternatively, you can apply RWS Spring Cylinder Oil directly on the main spring through the slot on the underside of the compression chamber. (On some models the stock must be removed first.) But with either method, fire a few dozen shots afterwards to distribute lubricant evenly throughout the power plant. And always keep the gun unloaded and on safe whenever you do any form of maintenance work.
Other important areas requiring periodic lubrication are pivot or hinge points. RWS barrel and side-cocking models are prime examples, needing occasional applications of lubricant to prevent excessive wear and to keep their joints moving freely. Apply RWS Spring Cylinder Oil or moly grease in moderate amounts to these areas. RWS Spring Cylinder Oil is also ideal for preserving your precision air gun's exterior metal surfaces. It is especially important when used in wet conditions or when stored for extended periods. Regular applications will prevent the onset of corrosion and keep your gun looking new. Rifle models should have their actions and stocks separated at regular intervals so the metal beneath can be treated as well.
General Cleaning Considerations
Given the degree of handling, a true "working" air gun will receive over the years, any exposed steel surface is fair game for the onset of corrosion. After every use, it's always a good idea to wipe-down the action with a silicon-treated gun cloth or mild degreaser. Then follow-up with the aforementioned RWS Spring Cylinder Oil as a finish preservative. The same goes for your valued precision air gun's hardwood stock, as it too is subject to the stresses of regular handling and outside elements. Similar to preserving fine wood furniture, a rifle stock or pistol grip can be treated with the products including, wood cleaners, conditioning oils, and polishes. Just remember that the key to maintaining any wood surface is to keep the timber well sealed against elements. The inlaid portion of hardwood rifle stocks should also be treated at regular intervals.
Another often overlooked air gun maintenance chore is barrel cleaning. With respect to spring-piston models, each time the gun is fired, a small amount of internal lubricant is also expelled from the power plant. Over the course of several hundreds of shots, there is excess oil buildup in your air gun's barrel, along with lead, dust and other materials that are present at the time. The net result is loss of accuracy, which may be subtle in some cases or quite severe in others.
In such instances, a thorough cleaning of the bore will completely restore lost accuracy. Of course, there is a wrong and right way of cleaning a precision air gun barrel. First and foremost, always make absolutely certain that the gun in question is unloaded. This may be done by using a small flashlight to inspect for any possible obstructions in the loading system, breech and barrel. Once cleared, begin the process of cleaning in the direction of projectile travel (i.e. from breech to muzzle), to prevent any chance of damaging the muzzle crown. With break-barrel models, the RWS Shooters Kit does the job in minutes. Start with the included nylon brush dipped in a mild degreaser to loosen built-up fouling, then finish with several cloth patches or RWS Felt Cleaning Pellets. For more awkward to clean guns such as side and under lever models, it's recommended that you use the flexible Breechway Cleaning system in combination with cloth patches or RWS felt pellets. Like all air gun related maintenance work, never use any harsh firearm solvents as they can seriously damage the seals of precision air guns. A final pass with a cloth patch lightly treated with RWS Spring Cylinder Oil completes the bore cleaning process.
A phenomenon unique to many high power spring piston air guns is the loosening of stock screws due to vibration. When this happens, the gun will typically exhibit a loss of accuracy as well as additional harshness in its firing cycle. Regular inspection of all mounting fixtures, including action, accessory, sight and scope mount screws will usually prevent such problems before they start. check screws for tightness every thousand shots or after using up two 500-count tins of RWS pellets. Should a loose screw be discovered, thoroughly clean both the male and female threads of direct and oil, then apply a small drop of mild locking compound and retighten. For best results, use appropriate size gunsmithing tools to tighten all mounting screws to an equal level of tension.
A final work on basic precision air guns maintenance involves inspection and adjustment of trigger assemblies. Especially important with respect to safety, periodic inspection of trigger function is time well spent. If your gun fails to cock or fires prematurely (i.e. without deliberately pulling the trigger), then it should not be used again until the problem has been corrected. In most instances, the trigger may only require a simple adjustment which means following the manufacturer's adjustment instructions to the letter! Conversely, should the trigger fail even once after the maximum adjustment level is reached, it is time to turn the gun over to a professional. Normal adjustments can usually be done safely by the owner. Follow any and all manufacturer instructions precisely.
courtesy of Dynamit Nobel/RWS
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