Question on re-sealing rifles

[boogermeister]

I am fairly new to PCP's, I have a Marauder, Hatsan Flashpup, and a BSA R10SE. I do not need O ring kits now, but was wondering if I should order them to have them on hand. But my question is do these O rings have a shelf life before they may dry up? If my guns do not need a reseal for 5 or 6 years will the kits still be useable? The BSA O rings look like they need to come from the U.K., I cannot find them in the U.S. I do plan on getting bolt probe O rings to have on hand as I can see these wearing faster than anything else.

 

[xia8534]

You can apply silicone oil to protect the O-ring, but it is best to replace it once every six months or once a year in order to keep your airsoft gun problem-free.

 

[nervoustrig]

Buna-N is the most common material for PCP O-rings and it has a shelf life of 15 years. Generally a PCP will need resealing somewhere inside of 5 years (of course sometimes sooner). So it's perfectly sensible to have some on hand for the eventual time you need them. Just keep them in zip lock bags and out of direct sunlight until you need them.

 

[JamesD.]

A drop or two of Crosman silicone oil in the sinter filter of most any airgun 1 a year or so. 
I've have a Discovery from 15 years ago still holding air perfectly. If a cheap Crosman can do it, I expect as much from the $1200 on up PCP's.

 

[hawkeye69]

They appear to have about a 15 year shelf life

https://blog.brennaninc.com/what-you-dont-know-about-o-ring-storage

 

[steve-l]

You should have replacement O rings on hand for everyone in use. You do not need a kit. They are often incomplete and overly priced. O rings are very inexpensive. Typical price for most sizes are $2.50 for 10. For your information O rings are sized by ID and diameter of the ring material. Always use silicon grease or oil on the ring and mating surfaces. Never use petroleum oils or grease, only silicon! All sizes are available everywhere. Use Google, eBay or Amazon. You will find them. Always buy 10 each, they are cheap. Always keep them is sealed plastic bags and mark the size on the bag when you receive them. Sometimes, mark the bag with the manufacturer's part number as well, you won't regret that. When you need one, all the stores will be closed. I don't know why that is so, but it always happens that way with me. Last, the sizes, and material type specified (hardness and type) usually can be found on the IPB (Illustrated Parts Breakdown drawings) for your gun.

 

[Gerry52]

Check out Ebay! There are complete o-ring kits for the Marauder. Here's one example. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Benjamin-Marauder-BP2563-25-Cal-PCP-Rifle-O-Ring-Kit-R-S-004-118K-25-/163081413435?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[steve-l]

Gerry52, I don't want to rain on your parade, but you usually find out the kits you buy are incomplete when the O ring you need is not there. Before you buy, do the IPB exercise, count the O rings you need, make a list and then price them out (10 Ea). It's free.

 

[Raden1942]

I use captain oring they sell high quality rings and are color coded with a print out of your gun and where each color goes in your gun. 

 

[biohazardman]

From my personal experience o-rings in the guns last many years like 15 or 20+ for the guns I have had that long. But I would expect environmental issues such a as heat, low humidity and dust to affect the longevity of o-rings greatly.

I have purchased several kits for my guns and the only o-rings I have used from them are the ones I messed up when disassembling and reassembling my guns, which I do way to often, and a couple from 40 to 60 year old Co2 guns.

Yes, I have had good luck with Captain O-ring and a local store as well.

 

[Brent]

I like the ziplock bag idea put the rings you need for each gun in separate bag and label for that gun. And keep them in a cool dark place. You may not need it too soon but if and when you do they are handy to have when you do.

 

[Gerry52]

@Steve-l, I only cited that as an example. I got an o-ring kit for my FX Boss that was COMPLETE & individually bagged & labeled for $12. I agree with making SURE that you're buying what is needed! 

 

[Bigragu]

While you’re at it in buying o rings online like from places like oringsandmore.com, think beyond the gun, meaning your fill equipment, hand pumps, QD fittings, even backer o rings to place on top of X rings to help orient the pcp gage to your liking, order all of those. O rings are cheap, you get enough from online stores to reseal your gun like 20 times, but if you’re also going to pay $12-$15 for shipping you may as well pick up o rings for everything that involves the high pressure air system.

I keep all mine in the original zip bags they come in that notes the size, but I also write down what part of a gun it goes onto so I don’t have to keep referring to a parts diagram and try and find the size.

the last step is organizing them per the gun. I invested in some inexpensive plastic storage boxes with no dividers, and the boxes are labeled for a certain gun, a separate box for regulator rebuilds, and a separate one for specialty like the fill systems and CF tanks

 

[boogermeister]

Thanks for all the replies! Gonna get me some O rings!! Still cannot find the sizes for the BSA. It seems like it is a secret or something so you have to buy a kit from the U.K. Not going to get O rings for the regulator, I will just replace it with a Huma if the factory one goes out.

 

[Gerry52]

Get yourself a decent caliper for sizing o-rings. As long as you've got the I.D. & cross section (thickness) you should be able to find inexpensive but correct o-rings. I've always used Mcmaster-carr but there are other options as mentioned above. 

 

[boogermeister]

I have a good caliper, but I am not going to take my gun apart just to see what O rings are in there. The gun probably won't be resealed that many times before I die of old age to save a few bucks. I will just buy the reseal kit, thanks.