Airsoft Pistons, Cylinders & Heads | AEG & Sniper Upgrades

Improve compression, consistency and durability with our airsoft pistons, cylinders, piston heads and cylinder heads. Choose from ZCI, Rocket, FPS Softair and Sniper Mechanics parts for V2 and V3 AEGs, Tokyo Marui Next Gen Recoil rifles and spring sniper rifles such as the VSR-10 and TAC-41.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need To know more?

Which Cylinder Do I Need for My Inner Barrel Length?

As a rule of thumb, the longer your inner barrel, the more air volume it needs. Long barrels pair with non-ported or lightly ported cylinders, and short barrels with more heavily ported ones.

Most cylinder listings include a recommended barrel length range. If you're unsure, get in touch and we'll help you match them.

Are AEG Pistons and Cylinders Universal?

Not completely. Many parts fit standard V2 and V3 gearboxes, but some platforms, such as Tokyo Marui Next Gen Recoil rifles, use their own designs. Always check the compatibility listed on each product.

How Can I Check My AEG's Air Seal?

With the gearbox open and the compression parts assembled, block the nozzle with your finger and push the piston forward. A good seal will resist and release slowly. If the resistance disappears quickly, check the piston head, cylinder head and nozzle O-rings for leaks.

What is the legal FPS for Airsoft UK?

In the UK, the legal limit for fully-automatic airsoft guns is 1.3 joules/350 fps. Here at Socom, we sell approved guns and parts, with new products available weekly. Shop now!

Airsoft Pistons, Cylinders and Heads

The compression parts sit at the heart of every spring-powered system. In an AEG or bolt-action sniper rifle, the spring drives the piston forward, pushing air out of the cylinder, through the cylinder head and nozzle, and into the barrel behind the BB. A good air seal across these parts is essential for consistent FPS and accuracy.

Pistons and piston heads

Our AEG pistons include high-speed designs and pistons with full metal teeth, which suit builds running stronger springs or higher rates of fire. Pair them with an aluminium piston head, including bearing heads that let the spring rotate freely as it compresses, or silent heads designed to reduce noise.

Cylinders and cylinder heads

Cylinders come with different levels of porting so you can match the air volume to your inner barrel length. Broadly, longer barrels need more air and suit non-ported or lightly ported cylinders, while shorter barrels suit more heavily ported ones. ZCI's numbered cylinder types make matching straightforward, and a quality cylinder head with an O-ring improves the seal at the front of the cylinder.

Sniper rifle compression parts

For spring snipers, we stock Sniper Mechanics W.A.S.P pistons for the VSR-10 and TAC-41, plus TAC-41 cylinder heads. Find more in our sniper upgrades and VSR sniper upgrades.

Completing a rebuild? Add springs and spring guides, nozzles, bearings and shims and grease and lubricants, or save with one of our tune-up kits. Always chrono your gun after fitting new parts to make sure it stays within your site's limits.

Pistons, Cylinders and Heads