KJW M92 mag gas problem

[LUTNIT]

I have next to no experience with GBB's (compared to AEG's, but I'm still pretty much a noob with everything airsoft related) and I've run into a problem with my KJW Beretta. When full the mags only have enough gas to fire about 2/3 of the mag, this is in a room temperature environment and I'm using propane tanks from Coleman and an airsoft innovation propane adapter.

1. Is this a common problem with KJW guns?
2. Are TM mags any better? I read on another forum that KJW guns are largely a knock off of TM guns but with metal slides so the magazines are compatible, would I be better off picking up some TM mags?
3. Are TM mags compatible with propane? I was told that they are designed for lower pressure gas.

Thanks

[Greylocks]

How, exactly, do you put the gas into the mag? You must place the mag and the gas bottle upside-down when you fill so that liquid gas pours down into the GBB's mag.

If you dont, you only get enough gas for a few shots.

[LUTNIT]

Yeah, after a couple tries I figured that out, I could get 3.5 shots (3 and then last one bearly makes the BB fall out the end of the barrel) filling the mag right way up, currently I am filling it upside down (as shown in the propane adpater instructions I didnt read...) and I'm only getting 2/3 of a mag out before the gas runs dry, I'm told KSC mags can cycle 2-3 loads of BB's through em with propane before the gas needs to be refilled, so I figured I should be able to get at least one.

[666]

Is you gun brand new? Maybe mags need some working-in before they will start working properly. KJ does have crappy mags/valves, that's for sure, but I can get at least a mag worth of bb's out of one fill on a warm day.
Also, KSC comes with plastic slide, one fill of propane will probably last you couple of bb loads.

[Squire]

I ran into the same problem with my KJW Beretta, and I think I may have a bit of a solution for you.

Do you do "One long squirt, and then it's done", or do you do "a few shorter squirts". I've found that if I try the one long squirt, I'll only get 7-12 shots out of a mag, but if I do a few squirts (usually about 3), then I can shoot the full 15 with no problems at all. (Yes, the mag can hold more, but I go for the "realcap" philosophy.)

Also, I've tried TM mags with my gun, and they don't seem to work as well. Not nearly the same power, not as good fit, etc...

While the guns are essentially the same, I found that with my gun, the firing pin was hitting the mag a little high on the release button, which is not a problem for KJW mags with their fairly large button, but the TM mags had a smaller release button, and hitting off centre meant that I wasn't getting as much gas per shot.

So, generally, I'd say stick to the same brand mags as your gun (at least for GBB's).

Hope this helps.

Squire.

[LUTNIT]

Would it be worthwhile to swap out for an ABS slide or sell it and get a new GBB all together? Function is more important to me than the realism of a steel slide and now that my friend has one I'm slightly interested in the glock series.

What guns are propane ready out of the box? I was told that TM isnt and the airsoft innovations site seems to imply that WA aernt either. I'm looking at KSC guns mostly.

[666]

If you want to be safe, use guns with metal slides. As far as I know, only KJ, HFC and WE are propane ready out of the box. A lot of people are using plastic slides with propane and have no problems but I wouldn't do it. Glocks can be upgraded with metal slide, so if you want a KSC Glock get one and buy metal slide. It's actually pretty nice. I like action and sound of my G23 with metal slide better than KJ M9. Another thing you have to keep in mind is holster. If you want to use Glock as a backup than you will need to get a holster made specifically for Glocks. Cheaper holsters or holsters not made for Glocks will cause lost mags because of the way mag release is designed on those pistols. I have Eagle SAS MKV, which is pretty decent holster, and works perfect with Beretta pistols but Glock mag still falls out all the time. That's why I only use Glock when I play at TTAC3 and have pistol as primary.
As for KJ Beretta, I find it pretty good choice if you need a field gun, not a display piece. It has fixed hopup and limited range when compared to any higher end GBB's with adjustable hopup but it still works out pretty good since pistols only come out in confined space or when AEG craps out.
I own KJ M9 for about two years now, rarely had problems with it. Only part you really have to watch out for is mag lips. Part is made out of plastic and can break easily if dropped.

[Rumpel Felt]

Hold up here, what's all this talk about a new gun a pansy plastic slides????

I had the same "problem" with mine. First you have to make sure you get the fill time just right. Not to little and not to much or it seems the gun blasts of the extra a causes problems. Then you have to warm the mag. Sometimes a quick armpit job is all it takes but other times what you have to do is warm it to the point where, well, it's actually warm to the touch and stays that way if you shake it. Then you should get at least a full mag.

Then there were those other time where I had them warm for 10 minutes and still only got 10 shots. It may also be a combo of how you fill and the temperature in the tank and the room.

[LUTNIT]

Yup, I was firing the mags cold, just tried em out letting em rest in an *ahem* warm place for a couple min and then I could get about one and a third mag full of BB's through em before the gas ran dry (full 26 round load).

Also found out one of my mags leaks, when I put the gas in it it starts to make a hissing sound and when I load it in the gun I can see the gas escape through the slide (that hazy look you get when you see propane), anyway to fix this?

Thanks all (I said function before realism, but now that I can get both, I'm happier)

[666]

Like I said before, KJ has probably the worst mags/valves, so get ready to deal with leaks once in a while if you will keep the gun. Soaking valves/o-rings in silicon oil usually helps. Try to take it apart and soak valve/o-ring which causes the problem for 30 minutes or so.

[LUTNIT]

Thanks, just ran accross a thread in the solutions area where you told someone how to fix this same problem. Any recomendations for companies to buy from that have less problems? I see everyone buying hi-capas but I have no idea whats special about em.

[666]

TM Hi-Capa is really good gun. I had a chance to fire one. Kicks like a mofo on propane but unfortunately the gun is made for weaker gas. Look around and you will find couple of threads describing problems Hi-Cappa has when used with propane, even when it's upgraded with metal slide. If I remember correctly it has something to do with piston o-ring. Haven't tried WE Hi-Cappa, so I won't say anything about that gun.
Like I said before, KJW guns are workhorses, I use M9 as my outdoor backup, never had any serious issues with it. Crappy/leaky mags in probably the biggest problem I ever had. KSC Glocks are pretty good too. I haven't used one with plastic slide, only metal slide with propane. Really nice kick. I've had a couple of problems with KCS Glock, but it all was caused by internal wear.
Btw, you never mentioned what's the main purpose of your gun. If you will use it as a backup during games than I'd say keep the Beretta. If you want a gun for display and basement plinking than get something more expensive and accurate. KCS, TM or maybe even WA with flow restrictor from AI, this way you will be able to use propane in it without cracking the slide.

[LUTNIT]

Thank a lot for the info!
The Beretta is my sidearm/CQB weapon, I have a G3 SG1 for field work and the like. The LZ here in Ottawa doesnt allow full auto in CQB so its mostly GBB's, or so I'm told, havnt been to a game yet. I'll try fixing up that valve and see what happens, this is all good news to me since I thought the mag was write off.