Airsoft Inner Barrels

What are airsoft inner barrels?

The inner barrel is a component found inside of the outer barrel of your airsoft gun. The distinction between the two is that the outer barrel is the part you see which emulates the look of the real gun which your airsoft gun is a replica of. The inner barrel is a smaller diameter barrel that your 6mm BB will shoot through. This barrel on a stock gun will typically have a 6.05mm or larger diameter. A tight bore barrel is considered an upgrade over this and will measure usually 6.01mm to 6.03mm for the most common sizes. A tight bore barrel has a smaller constriction which means your shots will fly straighter with less deviations. This also increases the velocity by a little bit due to more air pushing the BB with less room to escape. The BBs themselves are typically 5.95mm to 5.98mm. Different brands will have different tolerances that the manufacturer will adhere to so these numbers are just general. Top tier BB manufacturers will keep their tolerances tight so you will see consistent weight and diameter which translates to better accuracy and lowers your likelihood of jams.

Speaking of jamming, running low quality BBs in all situations, whether you have a standard barrel but even more so when you have an upgraded barrel is not advised. A jam in an electric airsoft gun can lead to catastrophic failures inside your gearbox if you attempt to keep shooting. A jam is usually caused by an excessively dirty barrel or by a misshapen or low quality BB stuck in the barrel. When you attempt to fire your AEG the BB is supposed to be pushed out by the air from the gearbox. But when the BB is stuck, the air doesn't have a way to exit with the BB and out the bore. What happens next is you have air pressure being pushed back into the gearbox. This air pressure hits the piston which has the job of creating compression. This air seal now is working against you as the piston is being pushed out of position from that air and during the shot cycle your gears are still turning. Now your gears will catch the wrong part of your piston and the result is either damage to the piston or the gears. Gearbox repairs are time consuming and the whole gun has to be taken apart to access these components so you can see how this adds up very quickly. So this is why it is crucial to run high quality BBs, and with an upgraded barrel now this is even more critical.

What barrel do I get? 6.01mm or 6.03mm?

For most users, an upgrade to a 6.03mm barrel will give you a noticeable increase in accuracy and performance and so we recommend this type more. 6.03mm barrels will be more forgiving for jams too so take that into consideration. The 6.01mm variety of barrels offer even better performance but this setup will not be forgiving on jams. If you ever experience a jam in any situation stop shooting and clear with an unjamming rod immediately. Attempting to shoot some more will compound the problem and break your gearbox as mentioned above.

When having upgrade or repair work done, please consult with a qualified airsoft technician. Doing your own work and modifications is a guaranteed way to void your warranty if that is a concern for you. Your chance for success is pretty slim on the first time due to the intricate nature of airsoft guns. There will be several tiny parts that need to be installed properly or you will risk damage to your components. 

Q & A:

Q: Does an inner barrel increase accuracy on my airsoft gun?

A: Yes!  A good tight bore inner barrel can increase accuracy, range, and velocity on your gun.

 

Q: What is a hop up bucking?

A: A hop up bucking is the piece of rubber that makes contact with your BB.  A good bucking can have a significant impact on the consistency of your shots