How long do nitro piston guns last unsed/shelf life

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Gun77

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Jun 3, 2020
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I ordered this gun https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/remington-express-hunter-pellet-gun-17remaxprsshntr22agu/17remaxprsshntr22agu?camp=EML:DSG_TRN:05312020_2018Oct_Order_Confirmation:LINK_1&customerkey=696840808, I saw it has a nitro piston, how long do these things last and how good is the durability on them? I read a good one can get around 10000 shots. Also how long do nitro pistons last unsed, like if I put a few thousand shots in it then didn't use it for a few years then picked it back up would it not work because the nitro leaked out or something? So I'm wondering what the shelf life of guns like this are and how many shots you can normally put through them before they die. 
 
I have a Gamo Mach 1 with over 25000 shots. I haven't counted tins for a while so I don't know how many over. I replaced the piston seal at 20,000 and would not have had to. I replaced the lock up plunger and spring and a few breach seals. Mine has the 33 mm piston and the 5 year warranty so it may be built better than the cheaper models. I am not familiar with the gun you bought but as long as parts are available it should last quite a while. Make sure you clean it well and finish with an alcohol patch to remove any oil left in the barrel to prevent dieseling. Also just to be sure you may want to shoot with open sights a bit before putting a scope on it to be sure it is done dieseling.
 
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From what I've seen on the forums over the years, it's highly variable to the extent of not being something you can reasonably predict for a sample size of one. Some last years and years, others fail in very short order. The supposed benefit is being able to be left cocked for extended periods of time without the concern of a metal spring taking a set (weakening). Several long term tests have been done to show this concern is vastly overstated.

My takeaway from it all is that gas springs are a solution looking for a problem.
 
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Gas rams, whether air or nitrogen, have silicone lube inside them for the seals. They need to be stored so the body of the ram is on top so that silicone stays down around the seals to keep them from drying out. Most are in the back end of the receiver and need to be stored muzzle down.

I've got a couple that are going on 4 years old, 5000+ shots on them and still shooting just fine but your mileage may vary. 
 
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So it seems if it fails it flat out does not shoot anymore not like a spring that can slowly loose power, if it leaks it leaks there's no grey area. I mean if it has at least a 4 or 5 year shelf life I will probably shoot it a good bit and get a better one before that time runs out anyway, I still doubt it has the same shelf life as a spring just beacause the seals will at some point crack its just a matter of when. Nitros Probably easier to cock but that's not a problem for me.
 
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