New Tippmann 98C Barrel Threading?

[phoose]

I just recently bought my first pb gun A shiny new T98C (I've been using this for while from rental shops at the local parks etc... and I liked it a lot) Anyways I immediately began my quest for the best custom parts RT, auto loader, barrel, second C02 tank, etc....

Well finally it arrived my brand new Smart Parts 14" Teardrop!! Wow and was I happy... That was until I tried to install it. It seems as though Tippmann changed the barrel threading on the 98C after serial number 495,501 (This confirmed via email to Tipmmans Tech support) anyways, I'm now left with a burning itching feeling as the reason I bought this gun was the ease in which it could be upgrade only to find out the upgrade I wanted most; a barrel with more accuracy and range does not even fit :( Does anyone know of a new barrel that can deliver good distance/accuracy that will fit these new thread patterns?

~P

[mthegrand]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but I thought Tippmann notified all barrel manufactures of the change and they were gonna start making updated barrels. So all you have to do is contact the retailer before you buy and make sure it has the new threading.

[phoose]

Originally posted by mthegrand
Correct me if i'm wrong, but I thought Tippmann notified all barrel manufactures of the change and they were gonna start making updated barrels. So all you have to do is contact the retailer before you buy and make sure it has the new threading.

According to pev's (my local pro-shop) They claim that Tippmann did NOT inform manufactures and that they know of there are currently no barrels produced as of right now that fit this new thread pattern...

Thoughts?

[Coenen]

So you put in the barrel and it didn't work? Were the threads too long or too short? If they were too long it's no prob, too short, return the barrel, or call Smart Parts and ask for a new one.

Can't believe that Tippmann's up to serial 495,501 already, I just got my 98C 2 years ago Christmas and it is only serial 141,364.

[CountyPaintball]

Sorry, Pevs is wrong. Tippmann did notify them. I'm guessing you got an older barrel. J&J changed their threads a long time ago. Lapco is in the process of changing theirs. Lapco is also making an adapter that will let you use older M98 barrels on the new M98s. We should have those adapters in about one week.

Mike

[phoose]

Thanks for the info county, I went to another PEV's closer to my home and they had the J&J ceramic and a DYE boomstick available, I went with the boomstick (crosses fingers) I hope I made the right decision, it seems to be a love it or hate it barrel so who knows.

Thanks for the help all

[Turambar]

The Boomstick will probably work well for you as long as you're using a good kind of paint. Any idea what bore the barrel is?

And thanks Mike for clearing that up.

[Avery]

Okay, I may be out of the loop, but Tippmann did WHAT?!

Why the heck did they change the threads? I hope they got sued or changed to match another kind of well-used threading instead of just splitting their user base for no reason. The 98 thread was fine. Fast on, fast off, didn't loosen up. Why change it? Don't get me wrong, I'd buy a cocker-threaded 98 just to share barrels, but come on...

[Xcalibur104]

I don't know why Tippmann changed the threads, but the lucky people with the markers with serial numbers below 495,501 will still be able to use the old barrels as well as the new-threaded ones.

[Raptorz922]

You didn't need to buy a whole new barrel... I have an old Classic 98 and I got a new Custom. I already had a few things for my older gun, including a Lapco Bigshot. My new Custom was one with the new threads and it was before anyone announced the change. I just took my Dremel and sanded down the threads on the gun and barrel a little bit. For the first couple weeks I had to loosen the grip screw to get it in, but now the two parts are worn enough to get the barrel in just as easily as my old gun.

[MrTiggleBitties]

wait, so you can use the new barrels on the old 98c's?

[ALLGROWNUP]

yes, the new threaded barrel will fit ALL 98's. However, the old threaded barrel will NOT fit the new Marker. The changed was made to correct a small old problem, that problem was 98's would shoot a little to the left or to the right. Think of it as a small improvement.

We should stickie this for a while.

[MrTiggleBitties]

Have the barrels already been shipped to online stores?

[phoose]

Depends on the store I think.... When I checked around it seems as though the only known currently fitting barrels that anyone has are the J&J's and DYE's.

Not sure about the flatlines, but I assume this will likely fit as well.

It really depends on the store as most if not all manafactures have update their thread patterns it's just a matter of getting the new ones into the stores (who likely still have existing stock of the old style)

~P

[MrTiggleBitties]

what di you think about www.pbgear.com and Carbon Fiber Barrels? (i just ordered one)

[phoose]

I'd ask them specifically they should most likely know about this change. Like I said the only barrels I know for sure are the J&J's and DYE's... So I would ask them....

[CountyPaintball]

Smart Parts barrels are updated (at least the ones SP is making now. If you bought from a store that had some old ones still in stock you might be out of luck.)

Lapco barrels are now updated as well. We have 14" in stock with 12" on the way.

We also have a Lapco adapter that lets you use old barrels on the new bodies.
http://www.countypaintball.com/product_description.asp?item=3014

Mike