How long can you leave a CO2 cartridge in a gun?

[NoviceWithQuestions]

I just bought a Daisy 426 bb pistol from walmart to plink / shoot at pests in the yard.

Anyone have advice on how long you can leave a half used CO2 cartridge in the gun without ruining the rubber seal or something else? It's under pressure of the air in the cartridge and the pressure of the cartridge pushed up to the rubber seal.

Is there any deformation that causes air leaks over time?

I bought a tube of pellgun oil thinking I'd put a drop (or more?) on the needle / rubber seal before inserting the co2 cart? Is that advisable? before each CO2 change? or less frequent? I envision this seeing minimal use (weeks? between shooting a few shots). I'd hate to have to toss a CO2 cart with lots of air left just to be able to fire off a few shots at a rat or similar pest once in a while.

Then again, the gun was only $20. if the rubber around the needle stops making a seal, just get a new one? Can that rubber seal be replaced? Not worth the cost / trouble?

THANKS!

 

[addertooth]

I am lazy. After shooting I just leave the old CO2 cartridge in. I have done this for years and have had no problems. I don't cinch down the CO2 cartridge insanely tight. If it bleeds off over the weeks of non-use, I don't cry; cartridges are cheap. I pull out my old CO2 pistol, when I am training a new shooter. After they demonstrate basic competency and safety, I let them play with the more powerful airguns.

 

[JohnL57]

The pellgun oil is a good idea.

 

[nervoustrig]

I leave all mine pressurized and have no problems that I can attribute to it. The only problem that I see others run into is the thing addertooth mentioned…cranking down too hard on the seal. If you do that and if there is a leak somewhere that causes it to lose pressure, the cartridge will sometimes stick to the seal. Removing it at that point may require disassembly or drilling a hole in the end of the cartridge to grab it with a hook or a screw. And as John mentioned, a thin film of oil on the end of the cartridge helps avoid that situation as well.

 

[chasdicapua]

I put a drop of the pellgun oil on the tip of the CO2 cartridge each time I put a new one in and I've had no problems. I do shot my cartridges empty each time I use the pistol though. Not because I'm afraid of it leaking of ruining the seal, but because it's so much fun to shoot!

 

[Guest]

My 160 Pellgun uses two 12g Co2 cartridges. But with the replacement valve giving more power, 50 shots went down to 25 on the button. I put a drop of Pellgun Oil on the tip of each cartridge when inserting fresh ones. It keeps the seals and valve assembly lubricated properly so they don't get sticky. Cheap insurance, I dare say!