Can Airsoft Guns Get Wet From the Rain or Snow?

So you’ve got all your airsoft gear ready, but you soon realize that there will be a storm in the location of the airsoft field. Sure, you can always put on weatherproof clothing and footwear, but what about your airsoft gun? Is it okay to use airsoft guns under the rain or snow?

Airsoft guns are water-resistant, so the wetness of rain or snow will not break them. However, depending on the type of airsoft you have, it may not work for a while if it gets fully immersed in water. Unless that happens, you shouldn’t have any problems in inclement weather.

In this article, I will discuss the different types of airsoft guns you can use. I’ll also explain how they react to wet weather, the difference between water-resistant and waterproof, and how cold weather can affect your airsoft gun.

Can You Use an Airsoft Gun in the Rain or Snow?

You can use an airsoft gun safely in the rain or snow because it is water-resistant. However, you must not let your airsoft gun fall into a puddle. That’s because airsoft guns are not waterproof. If your airsoft gun gets immersed into water, it may not work for a while or might not work at all.

Some airsoft guns are more water-resistant than others. I will discuss the different types of airsoft guns in the next section, so keep reading.

You can play airsoft in snow or rain just fine. It actually adds more interesting strategies to the play.

Different Types of Airsoft Guns

When choosing which airsoft gun to buy, you have a few different options. Depending on what you want to spend and how often you plan on playing airsoft should factor in your decision process. 

Here are the different airsoft gun types to choose from:

Gas-Powered Airsoft Gun 

These guns shoot airsoft pellets powered by a compressed gas releasing mechanism. They are more commonly seen in smaller handheld firearms, such as pistols, although you can have gas-powered rifles and submachine guns in airsoft as well.

Gas-powered guns were used more in the earlier days of airsoft. However, they are still a favorite among airsoft players that prefer a blowback with their gun. 

Blowback is when a gun is fired; it will be thrust backward and organically reload the next shot in line.

Spring-Powered Airsoft Gun

When shot, these guns use a spring mechanism to thrust the airsoft pellet forward by pulling the trigger. 

Spring-powered firearms do not have a blowback feature and will need to be reloaded manually after every shot. These models are going to be cheaper overall than gas-powered or electric guns.

Automatic Electric Gun (AEG)

AEGs are powered by a reusable battery, shooting airsoft pellets using a spring mechanism, similar to spring-powered guns. They are the most popular and widely-used guns in airsoft play today.  

You may see AEGS made in various models, from handguns to rifles to shotguns, and all others in between. Depending on which one you use, the charged battery gives off anywhere from 900-5000 mAh. The higher the mAh, the longer your battery will last.

Want to know how long to charge your batteries? I have an article exactly on that topic.

All types of these guns are acceptable in airsoft play and are used based on the player’s preference. When wet, gas- and spring-powered guns will work better than an electric gun, which could short circuit and hinder the performance. 

Video: Will Rain Ruin Your Airsoft Gun?

Are Airsoft Guns Water-Resistant or Waterproof?

Airsoft guns are water-resistant and can withstand raindrops or snow. However, drop it in water, and you might have some trouble using it again for a while. This does not mean the gun is beyond repair, or that you should get rid of it, as it just needs to dry out. 

Let’s consider an example to help you understand the distinction. 

When you use your mobile phone in the rain and a few drops splash on the screen, you can wipe them off, and the device will most likely keep working. 

If you drop your phone in a puddle, completely submerging it in water, then you may have a bigger problem. This is the difference between water-resistant and waterproof.  

Water-resistant means that an object can get wet to a point but will not withstand being wholly immersed in a liquid. Meanwhile, waterproof refers to an object that can get wet and be fully submerged in water and still function as dry. 

So, place the gun in a dry place and clean your weapon’s excess moisture and dirt to prevent rusting. You can also use lubricating oil to clean the gun, but make sure you buy a safe product for use on airsoft guns. 

Effect of Cold Weather on Airsoft Guns

Now that you’ve learned that airsoft guns are water-resistant and won’t completely break down when you use them in the rain or snow, you might wonder if they’ll do well in colder weather in general.

Certain airsoft guns don’t do very well in cold weather. You can run into some problems with your airsoft guns if they are powered by gas or electricity. If your battery becomes frozen, it’s not going to work as well. You can try storing the battery before use in a warm place or your pocket so that your natural body heat will keep it warm. 

The cold weather can affect the compressed gas in gas-powered guns and cause the device not to work correctly. It’s essential to make sure you don’t store your airsoft guns exposed to the cold weather because that can also be harmful to them. 

Another reason cold weather can affect your airsoft guns is that it can shrink your gun’s metal. 

When metal shrinks in the cold, friction increases. This will then cause your gun’s lubricants not to work effectively. If your airsoft gun is made of plastic, cold weather can also make the gun surface more fragile.

Conclusion

We have seen how airsoft guns can be used in the rain and snow. As discussed further, though, it depends on the type of gun you’re playing with and how wet the weapon becomes. 

Even if a gun becomes completely soaked, it won’t necessarily be beyond repair. However, it needs to dry out to be used again. What it comes down to is a personal preference. It can be thrilling and exciting to play in the rain or snow to help enhance the real-life experience of airsoft play. So, you may enjoy playing in inclement weather.