Every 1000 Shots - Proper Lubrication of Your Air Rifle — — Watch the Video

The lubrication of any mechanical device is critical for long-term enjoyment. Lubrication of moving parts and seals ensures proper function and extends the life of the product—be it a vehicle engine, circulating fan, or a door hinge. Without proper lubrication, moving parts and seals will be subject to excessive wear and a shortened life. Your air rifle is no exception. Following are five points on an air rifle that should be lubricated at 1000 shot intervals (or after every two tins of 500 count RWS pellets). Remember, before doing any maintenance always make sure your airgun is unloaded and un-cocked.

You may find the RWS Shooter's Kit helpful in maintaining your air rifles.

Piston Seal
The piston seal requires regular maintenance in order for your air rifle to achieve optimum performance. With proper lubrication the seal moves smoothly in the compression chamber, experiences less wear and therefore an extended life. If the pistol seal becomes worn, air is allowed to escape from the compression chamber, which will reduce pellet velocity. After every 1000 shots, apply two drops of RWS Chamber Lube down in the compression chamber port. You can use a 3-1/2 inch applicator needle that attaches directly to your RWS Chamber Lube bottle to ease this application. Regardless of brand, be sure to us a non-petroleum based lubricant. Regular types of petroleum-based oils will cause your gun to diesel. Dieseling is the explosion created by the igniting of petroleum-based oil in the compression chamber due to the extreme air temperature created when the air rifle is discharged.

Breech Seal
The breech seal is a rubberized O-ring located at the back of the barrel where the pellet is seated. If this seal dries out, air can escape which will diminish the velocity of your air rifle. Apply one drop of RWS Chamber Lube to the outer edge of the breech seal after every 1000 shots.

Main Spring
The main spring should be lubricated to maintain proper flex and free movement. Some air rifles require the stock be removed to access this area. We recommend applying 6 drops of RWS Spring Cylinder Oil to the main spring. Again, every 1000 shots is key.

Hinges and Pivot Points
Anything that moves is subject to sticking or squeaking if not lubricated. After every 1000 shots use RWS Spring Cylinder Oil to lube the hinges of triggers and pivot points on break barrel rifles. Just one drop is all it takes. Oil the hinges of cocking arms on under-lever and side-lever air rifles as well as the bolt on bolt-action models like the 850 Air Magnum. Don’t forget to occasionally lube the threads of the exchangeable barrel retainer or the hinge of the pawl on the Hämmerli X2 dual caliber air rifle.

The Barrel
Without cleaning and lubrication, your air rifle’s barrel can experience a build-up of debris or even worse, rust. Any obstruction in the barrel will result in diminished velocity and very poor accuracy. Apply this solution to a clean patch and pass through the barrel from the breech end if possible. Then, use a bore brush with nylon bristles to further loosen remaining deposits of lead and debris. Next, run clean patches and the cleaner/degreaser through the bore until they appear clean upon exiting the barrel. Do not allow the bore cleaner to make contact with any seals/o-rings. Finally, run a patch, lightly oiled with RWS Spring Cylinder Oil, through the barrel. Always push the patch from the breech end if possible. An RWS Flexible Cleaning Rod may help with this process.

One final note: Too much lubrication can be damaging to your air rifle. Apply only the recommended amount.