Last updated: December 2026
Proper air rifle maintenance is the difference between a pellet gun that shoots accurately for decades and one that loses precision after a few seasons. Unlike firearms that require cleaning after every range session, airguns have different needs—and getting them wrong can actually damage your rifle.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about pellet gun maintenance, including specific procedures for spring-piston, PCP, and CO2 rifles. You’ll learn how to clean your air rifle properly, which lubricants to use (and avoid), storage best practices, common problems and fixes, and a maintenance schedule that keeps your airgun performing at its best.
Why Air Rifle Maintenance Matters
Many shooters treat their air rifles the same way they’d treat a .22 LR—and that’s a mistake. Airguns have unique maintenance requirements that differ significantly from powder-burning firearms:
-
Lead fouling vs. powder fouling: Airguns don’t produce the burnt powder residue that firearms do, but they do accumulate lead deposits
-
Seal integrity: O-rings, gaskets, and piston seals are critical to air rifle function and require proper lubrication
-
Moisture sensitivity: Compressed air systems are particularly vulnerable to moisture damage
-
Mechanical wear: Spring-piston rifles have moving parts that require specific lubricants
Proper maintenance extends accuracy, prevents mechanical failures, and protects your investment. A well-maintained quality air rifle can last a lifetime with minimal degradation in performance.
Essential Air Rifle Maintenance Supplies
Before diving into procedures, let’s cover the supplies you’ll need for proper pellet gun maintenance:
Cleaning Supplies
-
Pull-through cleaning cord or Boresnake: Never use rigid cleaning rods on air rifle barrels
-
Cleaning patches: Cotton flannel patches appropriate for your caliber
-
Barrel cleaning pellets: Felt pellets designed for barrel cleaning
-
Microfiber cloths: For external cleaning and wiping down metal surfaces
Lubricants
-
Chamber lubricant: Specifically designed for spring-piston compression chambers (like RWS Chamber Lube)
-
General purpose airgun oil: For external metal parts and pivot points (Ballistol is excellent)
-
Silicone-based lubricant: For O-rings and seals (especially important for PCP and CO2 rifles)
-
Pellgunoil: Specifically formulated for CO2 airguns
Warning: What NOT to Use
Never use petroleum-based lubricants (like WD-40, 3-in-1 oil, or motor oil) inside spring-piston air rifles. These products can cause “dieseling”—where the lubricant ignites from compression heat, potentially damaging seals or creating dangerous pressure spikes. Use only lubricants specifically designed for airguns.
Ballistol Multi-Purpose Oil on Amazon
How to Clean an Air Rifle: Barrel Cleaning
Barrel cleaning is the most commonly needed maintenance for any airgun. Here’s how to clean your air rifle barrel properly:
When to Clean the Barrel
Unlike firearms, air rifle barrels don’t need cleaning after every shooting session. In fact, over-cleaning is more harmful than under-cleaning. Lead pellets actually create a thin layer of lead in the barrel that can improve accuracy once “settled in.”
Clean your barrel when:
-
Accuracy noticeably decreases
-
You notice visible lead buildup at the muzzle
-
After approximately 1,000-2,000 shots
-
After shooting poor-quality or damaged pellets
-
If the rifle has been stored for extended periods
Step-by-Step Barrel Cleaning Procedure
-
Ensure the rifle is unloaded: Check the breech and magazine (if applicable). With spring-piston rifles, leave the rifle uncocked.
-
Use a pull-through cleaner only: Never insert a rigid cleaning rod from the muzzle end—this can damage the crown and destroy accuracy. A Boresnake or pull-through cord is ideal.
-
Apply a small amount of Ballistol to a patch: Don’t soak it—just a light coating. Run it through the barrel from breech to muzzle if possible.
-
Follow with dry patches: Run 2-3 clean, dry patches through until they come out clean.
-
Alternative: Use felt cleaning pellets: These can be fired through the barrel like regular pellets and are effective for light cleaning.
-
Final pass: Run one lightly-oiled patch through to leave a thin protective coating.
Pro Tip: The Re-leading Process
After cleaning, your first 20-30 shots may show slightly reduced accuracy as the barrel “re-leads” itself. This is normal. Shoot a few magazines of pellets before judging accuracy after a cleaning session.
MTM Cleaning Patches on Amazon
Maintenance by Air Rifle Type
Different powerplants require different air rifle maintenance approaches. Here’s what you need to know for each type:
Spring-Piston Air Rifle Maintenance
Spring-piston rifles (including gas piston/gas ram models) require the most attention to lubrication. The compression chamber sees significant heat and pressure with every shot.
Key maintenance points:
-
Chamber lubrication: Every 500-1,000 shots, apply 2-3 drops of proper chamber lubricant (like RWS Chamber Lube) to the compression chamber. With break barrels, this is done through the transfer port with the barrel broken open.
-
Pivot points: Lubricate the barrel hinge on break barrels, and any cocking linkage pivot points with a light application of airgun oil.
-
Piston seal: The piston seal is the heart of a spring rifle. Proper chamber lubrication keeps it supple. Never use petroleum-based products.
-
Spring care: Springs don’t require lubrication during normal use. If you’re doing a full tune/disassembly, moly paste on the spring is common, but this is advanced work.
-
Never leave cocked: Traditional spring rifles should never be stored cocked—this causes spring fatigue. Gas pistons can be stored cocked without damage.
PCP Air Rifle Maintenance
Pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) rifles are remarkably low-maintenance but have specific needs related to their high-pressure air systems:
Key maintenance points:
-
O-ring care: All fill ports, reservoirs, and regulators use O-rings. Apply silicone lubricant to fill probe O-rings regularly. Keep spare O-rings for your specific rifle.
-
Moisture management: Moisture is the enemy of PCP rifles. Always use a moisture trap/filter on your fill system. Never fill from a source that might contain moisture.
-
Fill probe maintenance: Wipe the fill probe clean before every fill session. A tiny piece of debris can damage seals.
-
Regulator care: If your rifle has a regulator, it generally requires no maintenance under normal use. Don’t attempt to adjust or service regulators unless you have proper training.
-
Degassing for storage: If storing long-term (3+ months), some manufacturers recommend degassing to reduce seal stress. Check your owner’s manual.
-
Barrel care: Same as above—pull-through only, clean only when needed.
CO2 Air Rifle Maintenance
CO2 rifles have the simplest maintenance requirements but benefit from specific attention to their cartridge seals:
Key maintenance points:
-
Pellgunoil on every cartridge: Before installing a new CO2 cartridge, place one drop of Crosman Pellgunoil on the tip of the cartridge. This lubricates the piercing seal and extends its life dramatically.
-
Don’t store with cartridge installed: Remove CO2 cartridges when not in use. The constant pressure on seals accelerates wear.
-
Seal inspection: Check the piercing pin seal periodically. If you notice CO2 leaking after installation, the seal likely needs replacement.
-
Temperature awareness: CO2 pressure varies significantly with temperature. Never store CO2 guns in hot vehicles or direct sunlight.
-
Cold weather precaution: CO2 rifles lose significant power in cold weather. This isn’t a maintenance issue—it’s physics—but be aware that performance will return to normal when warmed.
Air Rifle Storage Best Practices
Proper storage is a critical component of pellet gun maintenance that many shooters overlook. How you store your air rifle directly impacts its longevity and performance.
Environmental Conditions
-
Temperature: Store in climate-controlled environments when possible. Extreme heat degrades seals and lubricants. Extreme cold can crack synthetic stocks.
-
Humidity: The ideal humidity range is 40-50%. High humidity promotes rust on metal surfaces and can affect wood stocks. Low humidity can crack wood.
-
Avoid temperature swings: Moving a cold rifle into a warm room causes condensation that promotes rust. Let rifles acclimate gradually.
Storage Position
-
Muzzle up or horizontal: Store rifles muzzle-up in a safe or rack, or laid horizontal. Avoid muzzle-down storage which can cause lubricants to migrate into areas they shouldn’t be.
-
Uncocked: Spring rifles must be stored uncocked. Gas piston rifles can be stored either way but uncocked is still preferable.
-
Unloaded: Always store unloaded. Remove magazines and verify chambers are empty.
Long-Term Storage Preparation
If storing your air rifle for more than a few months:
-
Clean the barrel thoroughly
-
Apply a light coat of oil to all external metal surfaces
-
Lubricate the compression chamber (spring rifles)
-
Remove CO2 cartridges (CO2 rifles)
-
Consider degassing (PCP rifles, per manufacturer recommendations)
-
Store in a padded case with silica gel packets to absorb moisture
-
Check on the rifle periodically and wipe down metal surfaces
Plano Gun Guard Case on Amazon
Common Air Rifle Problems and Fixes
Even with proper air rifle maintenance, problems can develop. Here’s how to diagnose and address common issues:
Velocity Loss
Symptoms: Pellets hitting low, less felt recoil (spring rifles), weaker report
Possible causes and fixes:
-
Spring fatigue (spring rifles): After many thousands of shots, springs weaken. Requires spring replacement—usually a job for a qualified airgunsmith.
-
Worn piston seal: Seals degrade over time. Can be DIY replaced on some models, but often requires professional service.
-
O-ring failure (PCP/CO2): Check for audible leaks. Replace O-rings as needed.
-
Low tank pressure (PCP): Check your gauge. Refill as needed.
Accuracy Degradation
Symptoms: Groups opening up, inconsistent point of impact
Possible causes and fixes:
-
Dirty barrel: Try cleaning per the procedure above.
-
Loose scope mounts: Check all screws. Apply blue Loctite if they repeatedly loosen.
-
Damaged crown: Inspect the muzzle for nicks or damage. Requires professional re-crowning if damaged.
-
Barrel lockup (break barrels): Check that the barrel locks up firmly. Worn hinges can cause accuracy issues.
-
Pellet issues: Try a different pellet brand/type. Damaged or inconsistent pellets cause accuracy problems.
Cocking Difficulty
Symptoms: Increased cocking effort, grinding or rough feeling during cocking
Possible causes and fixes:
-
Lack of lubrication: Apply chamber lube and lubricate pivot points.
-
Debris in action: Compressed air can blow debris into mechanisms. May require disassembly to clean.
-
Worn parts: Linkages and pivot pins wear over time. Requires professional inspection.
Air Leaks (PCP/CO2)
Symptoms: Hissing sound, rapid pressure loss, failure to hold charge
Possible causes and fixes:
-
O-ring failure: Identify the leak location. Replace the O-ring. Keep spare O-rings for your rifle model.
-
Damaged fill port: Often caused by debris or cross-threading. May require professional repair.
-
Valve issues: Internal valve problems usually require professional service.
Air Rifle Maintenance Schedule
Here’s a recommended maintenance schedule for optimal pellet gun maintenance:
| Frequency | Maintenance Task | Spring | PCP | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Every Session | Wipe down external surfaces | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Every Session | Pellgunoil on CO2 cartridge | — | — | ✓ |
| Every Fill | Clean fill probe, check O-rings | — | ✓ | — |
| Monthly | Lubricate pivot points | ✓ | — | — |
| 500-1,000 Shots | Chamber lubrication | ✓ | — | — |
| 1,000-2,000 Shots | Barrel cleaning (if needed) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quarterly | Full inspection, check all screws | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Annually | O-ring inspection and replacement | — | ✓ | ✓ |
When to Seek Professional Service
While most air rifle maintenance can be done at home, some tasks require professional attention:
-
Spring replacement: Requires specialized tools and proper safety procedures
-
Piston seal replacement: On some models, accessing the seal requires complete disassembly
-
Trigger work: Unless you’re experienced, trigger adjustments beyond basic user settings should be done professionally
-
Regulator service (PCP): High-pressure components require proper training and equipment
-
Re-crowning: A damaged muzzle crown requires precision machining
-
Resealing: Complex seal replacements often need professional expertise
Quality airgunsmiths are worth their fees. A botched DIY repair can cost more than professional service would have in the first place.
Related Guides on PelletGuns101
Looking to learn more about your air rifle? Check out these related guides:
-
Best Air Rifle Scopes Guide
-
Best Pellets for Accuracy
Final Thoughts on Air Rifle Maintenance
Proper air rifle maintenance isn’t complicated, but it is different from firearm maintenance. Remember these key principles:
Key Takeaways
-
Less is more with barrel cleaning—only clean when accuracy degrades
-
Use only airgun-specific lubricants—petroleum products can damage seals and cause dieseling
-
Different powerplants need different care—spring rifles need chamber lube, PCP rifles need O-ring attention, CO2 rifles need Pellgunoil
-
Storage matters—climate control, proper position, and moisture management extend rifle life
-
Know your limits—some repairs are best left to professionals
A well-maintained air rifle will reward you with consistent accuracy, reliable function, and decades of shooting enjoyment. Take care of your equipment, and it will take care of you.
Happy shooting!
Recommended Maintenance Kit
Here’s everything you need for comprehensive pellet gun maintenance:
| Product | Purpose | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Ballistol Multi-Purpose Oil | Barrel cleaning, external metal protection | Amazon |
| RWS Chamber Lube | Spring-piston compression chamber | Amazon |
| Crosman Pellgunoil | CO2 rifle seal maintenance | Amazon |
| Hoppe’s Boresnake | Safe barrel cleaning | Amazon |
| MTM Cleaning Patches | Barrel and general cleaning | Amazon |
| Plano Gun Guard Case | Protected storage and transport | Amazon |
| Silica Gel Packets | Moisture control in storage | Amazon |
Disclosure: PelletGuns101.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our site and allows us to continue providing free airgun content and reviews.