So, how long should a piston seal last, anyway?

[onemountain]

Title says it all. There's a fellow over in the Benji gate wondering about it , and it got me wondering, and I couldn't find a definitive answer, so here we are.

Thanks in advance, folks.

[Magnum]

That is a hard question to me because I am no expert on the guts of an AG just know enough to be dangerous:) I would have say I think  it depends on the type of seal, material, gun and if lubed correctely. i.e I have a 30+year well looked after old leather seal in a bsa and is still working ok. My guess is  if all is correct it would be years and thousands of shots. I keep track of  the fps to detect when it starts to drop off I would hate damage a good cylinder. sry no absolute numberbut should exeed 10k and then you would likely be replacing the spring first!

[bcshooter]

Eric, With a compression tube in perfect round, deburred, polished andproperly lubed,.........a synthetic seal should be able to give you about5,000 to 7,500 shots easily.........JMHO......Bill

[CharlieDaTuna]

I have guns out there that I tuned 8-10 years ago plus with many thousands of shots through them and never needed new seals. The secret is using the right lubes, no lubes in the compression chamber and no heavy pellets. All three have a direct impact on both seal and spring life.

[HNT5]

Decades, possibly longer. There are some guns from way back, often called Pre-war (usually when referring to German guns prior to the 1940's) that are still shooting today. Some even earlier than that. Most of them had leather seals that will refresh with a good oiling if they are dried up.  The early synthetic seals from the 70's were often prone to degrade, especially after years of inactivity. Modern synthetics are much better. Some early Sheridan and Benjamin multi-pumps built back in the 50's (and earlier) still shoot today. Same for many Crosmans. With proper care airguns can last literally a life time and be handed down.
Here is pic from Tom Gaylords blog of a deteriorated seal.

Nathan

[going2fast]

BOB
What do you refer to as a heavy pellet? would that be anything over 20 gr? and why would that hurt the seal? i've always heard that too lite a pellet and of course no pellet would damage the gun. just looking for clarification.
thanks
ricky
p.s. got your trigger. cant wait to get the gun back so i can try it.