Propane adapter not filling magazines?
 

Hi all,

I might be having a problem filling my magazines with the Airsoft Innovations propane adapter. I've filled magazines before with the adapter without any problems.

I have a KSC M11A1, and while I thought the gun was not cycling properly - through much troubleshooting, I found out that it was in fact a problem with the magazines instead. One of the magazines (with propane inside already from before was working properly), while my three other magazines didn't. After emptying the working magazine, it stopped working. I decided to test the magazine for leaks, but it didn't seem like there was any (no hissing noises or anything). It seems to hold gas, but not much of it. I've taken one of the magazines apart, and it seems like the filling valve works as I can feel propane go through the pipe.

Would my propane adapter be broken, or is my propane tank just out of propane? Gas (I don't know if its actually gas or just compressed air) is coming out of the tank, and it smells kinda like propane. Any ideas?

try a new tank of propane.

I was going to, but I wanted to know if this is normal or not since the stores are closed at the moment?

The tank is relatively new as I bought it 2-3 weeks ago and haven't filled it much (only have a pistol). Will air still come out of it even though it is out of propane? I have a feeling that it's filling up the magazine with just air.

Some propane tanks gets fucked up and leak with the adapter threaded on. Unscrew the adapter and reinstall it. If all fails, try a new tank.

I've done that already but have gotten the same results. I will try a new tank when the stores open, but I wanted to know if it is normal for the tank to still spew out "air" even though it is out of actual propane? How does one know when the tank is actually out of propane?

I am doubting it is propane as the magazine is not cold to the touch any more like before from the overflowed propane when filling it up.

There is still propane in your tank, it's just not at a high enough pressure to fill a magazine efficiently.

Are you are inverting the tank during filling right? Sorry to ask such a basic question but it's always good to assume that the simplest mistake is being made. People when first starting out with gas guns will neglect to invert the tank and will only fill the gun with a small amount of gas.

Also, to tell if your tank is full or empty is usually a matter of weight and "movement" when gently rocking the tank it should feel like it's full of lightweight sand or semi fluid, it's hard to explain. A good indicator is also weight, as tanks are measured by weight it's always a good idea (if you have the option) to weight your tank when first purchased and record the weight. That way you can then use that starting weight and once you have subtracted roughtly the indicated weight of the fluid (usually 1 or 2 pounds for common tanks) then you know you are empty and can dispose of the tank.





Hope this helps.

No worries. I've been filling correctly as I've been using it for weeks with no issues. I would normally assume that it'd just be empty, but the fact that I literally have not filled more than 20 magazines full and that air still comes out of it boggles my mind how it's already empty.

I have shaken the tank and it does seem like there isn't that "sand" feeling to it any more. I have also pressed on the nozzle base on the adapter with a screwdriver and the air that comes out is very low in pressure (not much stronger than me blowing out of my mouth).

Maybe I just picked up the wrong tank and it was close to empty? :P

The tank it self might have been misfilled or had a slow leak that was not caught on inspection. Consider the low cost of a replacement I would probably look into that when the stores open. Given your description it certianly sounds empty.


Also yes, "gas" will be released even after the majority of the contents are empty as there will be a point where the remaining propane volume in relation to the volume of the tank will be at very low pressure relative to the outside air. Also if water is accidentally introduced into the tank it can effect the propane's ability to vaporize inside the tank.

Thanks for all the help everybody! Hopefully that my problem is resolved by replacing just a $5 tank of propane and not actual guns! ;)

Empty tank. Or nearly empty tank. 100%.

Nest time, when you're at the store buy the pack of three tanks. It's cheaper in the long run and you'll have spares on hand for when you're not looking at the field and you have other people using your gas. Believe me, I learned the hard way. Also, like HK said. I've had tanks go belly up on me half way through the tank. It happens.

Cheers,
FACE

Costco had a deal a few weeks ago. $12.99 for 4 tanks. I've seen it as high as $14.99 for 3 at some places.

Still cheaper than one can of Green Gas, eh!

Thanks for the awesome help everyone here has given me!

I went and bought a 2-pack of propane, and sure enough it is much heavier and my gun is working once again. I feel like such an idiot for not doing this from the beginning, but after reading numerous articles that MAC-11's are really troublesome, the fact that air still comes out of the tank, and how I've only used it not more than 30 magazine fills - my idiocy may be justified, lol.

At least through this mess, I was able to learn how to take every single part on the gun apart and understand how everything works to avoid a future problem. :)

Imagine running a gbbr with 15-20 mags. You'd go through propane tanks like nothing. That's one of the reasons I buy at least 3 or 4 at a time. They go fast. Also, unlike regular gbb mags, gbbr and extended pistol mags like being filled with fuller tanks.

15-20 mags. Jesus. You must weigh a ton on the field.

Who said I was running them all at once? Personally, I don't carry more that 12+1. Most times 8+1 is plenty even with higher ammo capped events. The rest are in the safe zone for quick ammo reloads.

I only have 6 30rd gbbr mags. They feel like a brick strapped to my chest.

For the last couple of games I ran 8 in rig, 4-5 in belt pouch, 1 in gun.

If your load is setup ok you won't really feel the weight...but when they start ending up in a dump pouch, it really starts to drag. I tend to cycle the fulls out of the belt pouch into the rig...the empties into the belt pouch. I've only had to do that in protracted firefights.

On a Flag Raider skirmish day I'll run through all my mags may 4 times (~1600rnds)...that'll kill a fresh full tank of propane. On a milsim I might go through them twice at the most...and the second gassing is really just topping off.

If it's a light CQB/skirmish-fun day...I might just run 5 mags (one in each pouch and one in the gun)....and as Coach said I'll just leave the rest of them ready to go for a quick swap out of empties for fulls.

Do you stick the dump pouch on your vest, or on your waist belt?

on belt, with suspenders

Belt. Vest makes it sit too high. Although okay for dumping, cycling the empties back up to the rig during a lull in the firefight proves to be futile, unless you are very flexible or the vest is too big/long on you.

Also belt worn dump pouches make it easy to drop your rig and run with one or two mags when you're tired.

Edit: my belt is on custom suspenders.

Coleman 1lb tank itself is approx 180g empty. you can measure that from there.

If you're testing/troubleshooting things...make sure you start with a fresh tank of gas...and have enough lube in things. Also make sure that your mags warm back up to room temp before using them (which is a pain if you don't have many mags). I was working on one gas SMG and its mag was ice cold after ripping off a whole mag (to test cycling)...refilling and letting it warm for retesting was a pain in the ass.

I've found that the tanks need to have sufficient liquid propane in them to really fill the gbbr mags properly.

When they get low...I don't find that I get a "good" fill for larger mags.

There tends to still be enough in there to fill pistol mags/grenades....so when the tank gets low I put it aside to use for those. Or to shoot a bit of gas into mags if I'm putting them away for a bit.

I buy 6 at a time...and have a dohicky to lube the tanks themselves so I don't dick around with drops of oil/mag. One of the last game my buddies brought over their tanks and we lubed them all up too. They last for a good bit of time on the gaming schedule I can swing.

Put it in a bag, quick dip into hot water (less than 3 sec) remove it shake it, so the temperature evens out. Usually that fixes the issue there.

Hard to do at a game...:)

not purchasable so far as I know...

I'm curious-Where can this dohickey be purchased?