Corrosion

Corrosion is a chemical or electrochemical reaction between metals and the surrounding environment, causing gradual degradation, weakening and changes in appearance. It most often occurs due to moisture, oxygen, sweat, salt and chemical substances. The typical result is rust on steel, but other metals can corrode as well (aluminium, alloys, brass). Corrosion is a natural process — once metal is exposed to an environment where water and oxygen are present, it begins to react. This is why both real firearms and airsoft replicas must deal with it. Corrosion is therefore a chemical reaction of metals with moisture and oxygen that slowly destroys the material. It affects airsoft guns as well, especially steel parts, screws and mechanical components. Prevention includes regular maintenance, cleaning and protective oiling, as well as proper storage. With this care, an airsoft replica can remain functional for many years. A common mistake is thinking that an airsoft gun only needs internal maintenance and not surface care. Metal behaves the same everywhere — a little maintenance now and then prevents many issues.

Corrosion imitation on a POST-APO airsoft AK

Can airsoft guns corrode?

Yes, airsoft guns can corrode, because many of their parts are made of metal:

steel internal parts (gears, springs, screws),
external steel parts (barrels, bolts, receivers),
aluminium parts (handguards, gearboxes, mounts).

Corrosion risk increases especially when:

you play in rain or humid environments,
the gun is exposed to sweat or salt water,
the gun is stored for a long time without maintenance,
metal parts are not protected by oil or surface treatment.

Aluminium does not rust, but it can corrode through oxidation (dulling, white deposits). Steel parts, however, can rust significantly faster.

How to prevent corrosion?

There are several simple steps that greatly increase the lifespan of an airsoft gun:

Clean and oil metal parts regularly (thin layer of silicone or gun oil).
Do not leave the gun wet — wipe and dry it after rain.
Store it in a dry place, avoid basements and humid rooms.
Check screws, the inside of the barrel, and external metal parts.
Maintain the hop-up chamber and barrel — rust can appear inside the barrel as well.
Use quality surface finishes — anodizing, bluing, nitriding (high-quality guns usually come with these from the factory).