I tried this barrel out for the first time the other day on my A5 in near-freezing conditions in CT using HPA. I was breaking Diablo Nightmare paint (small diameter, .687-.689) on semi-auto right from the start and switched to RPS' Polar Ice and Big Ball (both medium/large diameter, .689-.691) with only a little more luck. SpecOps lists the barrel as having a .691 bore, so I was worried I got a bad one, but I took it off and found I was breaking some paint even without the barrel so I attribute at least some of the problem to the conditions.
I brought all of my paint home, let it warm up for a day or two and then tried again. I continued to break the Nightmare paint regularly and again had a little better luck with the Polar Ice, but was still breaking some. I then went through a bag of Monster Balls (large diameter, .692+) using 3-shot burst and didn't break one. With their thick shell, I'm betting they won't be too brittle if I take them in cold conditions like that again, too, so problem solved...sort of. The problem is that if a field is FPO but doesn't have a large diameter paint available (some around here in CT don't always), I have to switch to another barrel and, because it's a similar bore to the Flatline, usually can't use that either.
I'm now getting 6" x 6" accuracy at 50' with this 4" C-series barrel, though, using low-grade "big bore" paint (in controlled conditions). If I can get that kind of accuracy in any reasonable temperature with any large diameter paint, at $35, this barrel will be worth the investment but I'll continue to use the Flatline for distance (and probably wind) and will need to find a smaller bore barrel if I'm having problems with the available field paint and want to go short. Which brings me to the other positive about the 4" barrel: it's size.
When used in "village" or urban situations, it's handy to not have to worry about catching your barrel on a door jam or a tree or your buddy. It also lowers the weight of the gun and, in comparison to using a Flatline, changes the balance dramatically for the better. It's supposedly really strong, too, but I haven't fallen on it or anything yet, so I can't speak for that aspect. Finally, the look is nice, but it'd be great to have a "suppressor" shroud option.
Conclusion:
All in all, it's a solid shorty barrel for the money (the nicest version, the 4" black, is $34 before shipping) if you have large diameter paint available. It's accurate at short range (haven't tested longer ranges or in wind yet) and they give you a variety of tips to choose from...for an extra $10. (The Flanker is my favorite so don't buy it.) If your field is BYOP, buy this barrel, buy some Monsters and have fun. If not (and you're not just a barrel whore), make sure you'll have enough use for this product before buying it. I'll give this barrel an overall 8 for now. If a suppressor shroud mod becomes available, I'll bump it up one to 9. If they make a small bore version of this barrel, I'll bump it up two more (mine goes to 11).
Rating:
8 out of 10
Last edited on Monday, January 29th, 2007 at 10:21 am PST
It is illegal to own a suppressor for any type of firearm, including paintball and airsoft. As such you should not have took off a point for not having one. Specops has an article on their site explaining why suppressors are illegal.
It is illegal to own a suppressor for any type of firearm, including paintball and airsoft. As such you should not have took off a point for not having one. Specops has an article on their site explaining why suppressors are illegal.
its Not illegal to own a suppressor if you have a permit. it IS illegal to go hunting with a suppressor. now paintball i dont know what they would consider it go this site for more info on themhttp ://www.securityprousa.com/sipr.html
when you had consistant breaks with all your paint smaples you probably had some paint stuck around the barrel adapter and bolt, same happened with me, just take the whole gun apart, clean it inside-out and your away!
