How To Take Off Orange Tip on Airsoft Gun

The orange tip on an airsoft gun is there for a reason. With the proliferation of replica firearms in the past couple of decades, legislation across the US has required airsoft manufacturers to affix a brightly-colored orange tip on all gun replicas. This serves as a measure for public safety to differentiate between a fake and the real thing. But what if that safety measure needs to be removed for whatever reason? Removing the orange tip is a common enough question for airsoft owners, and if done incorrectly, it can render the gun functionally incompetent. The following article looks to provide an informative guide on taking off the orange tip securely and without causing any damage to the airsoft gun.

What Is The Orange Tip?

The orange tip on an airsoft gun is an inverted cone made of hard, plastic material. It is practically impossible to remove the orange tip without drills, saws, chemicals, or tools specifically made to perform the task as it is securely tightened onto the end of the airsoft barrels. Most orange tips are made in Neon orange, but some models come with a more subdued shade of orange in order to blend in better with the general color scheme of the airsoft gun.

Why Do Airsoft Guns Have An Orange Tip?

The orange tip is a legally-mandated requirement on all airsoft guns. This is because many airsoft manufacturers shape replicas of real firearms leading to immense confusion when it comes to a potentially dangerous situation. The orange tip, as brightly-colored as it gets, has been proven to be an effective method for notifying people around that the firearm is, in fact, a fake.

Is It Illegal To Remove The Orange Tip?

In the United States, no federal law requires airsoft manufacturers to affix a brightly-colored orange tip on all gun replicas. However, some states mandate that an airsoft gun cannot be sold or carried without a visible orange tip. Hence, it would be wise to exercise due diligence when removing the orange tip.

How To Remove The Orange Tip

Removing the orange tip requires a few tools and some know-how. Let's take a look at the necessary steps:

Step 1: Prepare The Gun For Disassembly

Before attempting to remove the orange tip, the gun must be completely disassembled to ensure it will not malfunction during the procedure. Make sure all the external parts and screws are removed to prepare the gun for removal.

Step 2: Look For A Retaining Screw

Once the internal parts of the gun have been removed, the orange tip will be exposed. Most of the orange tips are secured in place by a single screw or by a set of plastic clips. If the orange tip is secured by a screw, use an appropriate-sized screwdriver to unscrew it. If there are plastic clips, pry them out gently with a flathead screwdriver while holding onto the orange tip to keep it from levering off.

Step 3: Clean Up The Remaining Metalwork

Once the screw or plastic clips have been removed, use sandpaper and/or a handheld dremel to clean up the metalwork left behind from the orange tip's base. This will ensure that the internal threads remain undamaged to ensure a secure fit.

Step 4: Install A Silencer Or Barrel Extension

A traditional orange tip can be easily replaced with a barrel extension or silencer. To install the desired attachment, follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation. Once you have successfully installed the desired attachment, your gun is ready to go.

Brief Recap

The orange tip on an airsoft gun is a legally-mandated measure for public safety added by the manufacturers to differentiate between a replica and the real thing. While it is not illegal to remove the orange tip in the US, it is important to exercise due diligence when doing so. Finally, removing the orange tip requires a few tools and some know-how; with the right steps in place, the process should be easy and secure.