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

Vizzi 2026 ISSF WC March 1
Vizzi 2026 ISSF WC March 1

Dania Vizzi Earns Women’s Skeet Silver at 2026 ISSF World Cup Tangier

Dania Vizzi earns women’s skeet silver at 2026 ISSF World Cup Tangier, falling one target short of gold medalist Bethany Norton in Morocco.

Rebuilt Trap Fields To Greet Empire Satellite Grand American Competitors

The Amateur Trapshooting Association’s 22nd Annual Empire Satellite Grand American runs six days in Cicero, N.Y., with 15 events, cosmic night shooting and newly refurbished trap fields.

Eric Harvey Goes Back-to-Back at Gator Cup, Edmunds Takes Lady Crown

Eric Harvey wins his second consecutive Gator Cup Main Event HOA with 183/200. Desi Edmunds claims Lady HOA as Winchester and White Flyer competitors sweep top titles.

A Tornado, a Target Mix-Up and Triumphant Returns: 1992 National Matches

The 1992 National Matches at Camp Perry featured tornado evacuations, a historic target mix-up and dominant performances by Lozoya, Wigger and Bernosky.

Benelli’s ‘Art of Performance’ Series Goes Inside the Making of a Lupo Barrel

First video in Benelli USA’s new “Art of Performance” series showcases the three-step barrel engineering process in its Lupo bolt-action rifle.

Parcell, Powell Lead Team Remington’s Podium Run at 2026 Gator Cup

Brandon Powell finishes HOA runner-up and Turner Parcell takes third in the Main Event at the 2026 Gator Cup.

Interests



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