How Often Should You Clean Your Air Gun?

by
posted on August 30, 2017
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
airgun-2.jpg

In order to alleviate equipment malfunctions on the line, it is important to maintain a clean competition air gun. Just like in other competition firearms, it is essential to keep the barrel of your air gun clean of any unnecessary oils or undesirable particles at all times. How often you clean your barrel will depend on the type of air gun you have, the smoothness of the bore and the type of pellets you use.

Collegiate Air Rifle Competition
Regular cleaning and maintenance ensure that a gun is safe to operate. Photo by John Rickards.


Most air gun dealers will recommend that a well-used air gun be brought in annually for servicing, but a less-used air gun may require servicing only once every two years. During servicing, most shops will replace the air seals, clean, lubricate and test the air gun for accuracy. By making sure your air gun is clean and well-lubricated, you could easily turn your 10s into Xs.

Feinwerkbau 500
Feinwerkbau .177 Model 500.


For a more in-depth look at keeping your air gun in tip top shape, read the Shooting Sports USA article “Air Gun Maintenance” by Scott Pilkington.

Latest

Rangebag Parkerrensch 5
Rangebag Parkerrensch 5

Deaf Youth Shooter Overcomes Obstacles to Compete

Deaf teen trapshooter breaks barriers to compete safely and confidently, inspiring teammates and reshaping perceptions in Minnesota.

Mount Aloysius College Tops First Mid-Atlantic Rifle Conference Rankings of 2025-26 Season

Mount Aloysius College dominates the opening MAC rifle rankings, while standout Molly Miller tops the individual air rifle leaderboard.

Legends Rise and Records Fall: 1984 National Matches

The 1984 National Matches saw record participation and standout performances from legends like Lones Wigger and Ron West at Camp Perry.

Collegiate Rifle: Kentucky, Nebraska Share Top Spot in Latest CRCA Rankings

Kentucky and Nebraska tie for No. 1 in the latest CRCA poll, with West Virginia close behind as NCAA rifle competition intensifies.

New: Cole Exclusive Beretta 688

Cole Fine Guns refreshes the Beretta 688 with hand-selected Turkish walnut, blending tradition and aesthetics for a modern classic.

Collegiate Rifle: Akron Tops Field in VMI Four-Team Match

Akron rifle topped UAB, VMI mixed and VMI women’s teams in Lexington, with standout performances by Natalia Siek in smallbore and Matthew Kimball in air rifle.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.