How to Spray Properly in Counter-Strike 1.6 – Complete Guide

Spraying is one of the most essential mechanics in Counter-Strike 1.6, especially during close- and mid-range gunfights. While tapping and bursting are important, mastering spray control lets you handle chaotic situations, win multi-kills, and remain accurate even while moving or under pressure. This guide breaks down how spray works in CS 1.6, how to control it, and which techniques will help you improve quickly.

🔥 What Is Spraying?

Spraying is when you hold down the mouse button and fire continuously instead of tapping individual bullets.
Because CS 1.6 has fixed recoil patterns, each weapon follows a predictable movement of the crosshair. Learning to counter these patterns is the key to landing bullets consistently.

🔫 Understanding Recoil Patterns

Every weapon has a unique recoil pattern, but the two most important guns are the AK-47 and M4A1.

AK-47 Basic Pattern

First ~6 bullets go straight up.

The spray then curves left, then right, forming a rough “S” shape.

The last bullets become increasingly random.

Control tip: pull your mouse down, then gently right, then left.

M4A1 Basic Pattern

Rises upward slightly smoother than AK-47.

Tends to drift right, then left, but with less violent movement.

Easier to control but weaker at long range.

Control tip: pull down, then slightly left, then right.

📌 Important: In CS 1.6 recoil resets only after stopping shooting for ~0.5 seconds. Spraying too long makes bullets extremely inaccurate.

🎯 How to Control Spray Step-by-Step

Here’s a simple method to master spraying:

1. Start With Short Sprays (5–10 bullets)

Don’t practice full 30-bullet dumps right away. Short sprays help you understand the “upward climb” without confusion.

2. Focus on Body Level

Aim at the upper chest.
Due to recoil, bullets naturally rise into the head.

3. Counter the Pattern Smoothly

Don’t jerk your mouse. Make one smooth motion:

Down to compensate upward recoil

Left or right depending on the weapon

4. Keep Your Feet Still

In CS 1.6:

Moving = bullets go everywhere

Crouching = massive accuracy boost

Crouching during a spray can turn a lost fight into a headshot.

5. Practice on Walls

Go into aim_map, dust2 long doors, or de_dust2 mid.
Spray at a flat wall and evaluate your pattern.

Try to make your bullet group as tight as possible.

🧠 Advanced Spray Tips
• Adjust for Distance

Close range → full spray is fine

Mid range → 10–15 bullet spray

Long range → don’t spray, use bursting

• Use Counter-Strafing Before Spraying

Stop your movement instantly by tapping A→D or D→A before spraying.
This resets your accuracy faster.

• Switch to Bursts When Pattern Goes Wild

After ~15–18 bullets, recoil becomes erratic.
Stop for a moment, re-center your aim, and begin a new short spray.

🖼 Helpful Images (Replace With Your Own)

🔗 Useful Links

Spray control tutorials (YouTube):
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FxN3ZkHBD8

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6IFK6lmO7g

Training maps for CS 1.6:
• https://gamebanana.com/mods/16684

• https://gamebanana.com/mods/40376

Spray chart generator:
• https://csgospray.com/cs16