Need Some Advice – Struggling to Maintain My MWS Setup

[Ulmocuk]

Hey guys !

I could use a bit of help and advice here.

I’ve been running the MWS platform for 5 years now. My latest setup TM M4A1 and a Noveske N4, and I’ve really enjoyed using them. Unfortunately, with a busy personal life kids, work, and everything else I can only make it out to airsoft games about 4–5 times a year.

Lately, it’s becoming really expensive to maintain this setup. My mags are starting to leak, likely from sitting unused for long periods. My nozzle broke recently, I replaced it, and it broke again. Between the cost of mags, gas, and general maintenance, it’s getting hard to justify the expense.

I’ve been playing since 2014, and my first replica was a WE M14 GBBR. I've always preferred GBBRs and never really touched AEGs, but with the rising costs and the fact I had twin babies last year, I just can’t spend the kind of money I used to.

Is there a way to keep running this system more affordably? Or should I be considering alternatives at this point?

Any advice or suggestions would be really appreciated.
 

Thanks in advance!
 

[Impulse]

I've never had any issues with leaky mags or shattered nozzles, so I think there's an element of bad luck on your part there.

 

In terms of what I do, I make sure to never use gas that will be too strong for it (depending on temperature, as gas has different psi at different temps), and for the mags I always keep them stored with a little bit of Abbey maintenance gas in them to keep the seals nice and lubed.

[MistakenMexican]

Nozzle breaking: that sounds like a set up issue. The nozzles shouldn’t be breaking so frequently. Have you fitted a GM v3.5 nozzle? I’ve fitted those and they seem to be pretty robust.

I’ve also heard nozzles snapping can occur from over-loading the magazines with bbs. Maybe try putting a few less bbs in each mag?

you could also look at a stronger nozzle return spring.

 

mags leaking: if properly maintained and stored, they shouldn’t leak. My pistol mags are stored in a peli case with a desiccant and pressure valve. Of the 50, only 5 leaked after 6 months in a storage container (when I moved house) and presently those 5 are the only ones that leak and that’s because the orings have perished.

 

if you store them with a low pressure, high silicone gas, they’ll likely stay gas tight indefinitely. I used to to abbey maintenance gas but recently moved to ultra air because it’s cheaper.

[TheFull9]

On 29/04/2025 at 17:17, Ulmocuk said:

Or should I be considering alternatives at this point?

 

Just gonna steal one of Negative Airsoft's posts:

 

 

But no, that's the pure facetious answer.

 

I think GBBRs have had a such a huge spike in popularity the past few years because (especially with MWS) they reached a point where they're reliable and effective enough for regular use, certainly if you have regular access to your collection and time/money/energy to do that bit more maint than an AEG. It's not a ton of maint (unless you get unlucky) but the fact is it is just more than an AEG overall. You can still get unlucky with an AEG, but it's slim odds with a good one realistically.

 

Personally I only have access to my own RIFs about 10% of the time, so all the mags for my few gas guns are stored with maintenance gas and often sealed in bags. Occasionally use the pistols but don't touch the rifles frankly; plink toys at this point given the logistical issues I have and the rarity of getting to games. AEGs just work for me given the limitations I have to contend with and I think they make more sense for people who want to play but only just about have the time and money to do that part, not to milsim being an armourer as well as a special army soldier (again, sarcasm, relax gassy people).

 

I think the easiest overall solution is get something like the TM G36C+ or SG553+ and just never worry about it. Plenty of other options of course and those examples are a smidge behind the curve in power, but for myself I'd take that in exchange for the high probability of just being able to use them, chuck them back in storage and never think about them until they're back in my hands again on the field.