Personal barrel kit experience needed with:

[cawgee]

J&J Edge Elite kit (10, 12 & 14" fronts) ($132)
Python kit + 12" one piece barrel (J&J Ceramic or S2 or ???) ($150)
DeadlyWind Fibur 12" barrel with Freak inserts(8 SS). (~$240)

I have read reviews on all of the above and searched the forums, but it seems that very few reviewers have experience with more than one barrel kit. All reviews for each of the kits about and the fibur and J&J Ceramic barrels are very good.
What I would like to know is how they compare to each other if one was to use them side by side. I do not necessarily need the absolute best, just want the best value in a kit style barrel.
From what I can see so far it looks like the Edge Elite kit gives me the most for my money. The prices listed are what I have found that I can get them for here in SW Ontario.
If it helps, I am using an SP-1. The only concern I have with the Edge kit at this time is if the shorter fronts will leave the porting inside the front shroud on the SP-1 and if so, will this cause problems?
Thanks for all your help!

[AmbushOrigin]

I own/use all 3.

Personally the edge kits arent all that great. The new ones with the flared tips imo are both ugly and new kits dont shoot nearly as good as the old ones with the chrome backs and straight ported fronts.

Id say go for the Fibur. Definatly in my top 3 barrels. I used mine all the time, but now that I have 3 bored in lucky un1tecs i'll be using them instead of my Fibur for majority of the time.

[cawgee]

Thanks VERY much for your help, a couple questions tho...

Flared tips? From all the pictures I have seen the tips do flare, but then taper on the outside of the barrel at the time. Also, all pics I have seen also have straight porting. And is the Fibur worth pretty much 2x Edge kit? I am just a recreational player... I could keep the cost down by getting just the most used SS inserts, but which are those? .684 to .691? Also, does SS over aluminum really make that big of difference?

[killertip212]

the only thing SS has over aluminum is that it can be honed to a much smoother finish.

I run the Aluminum inserts and sold half of them since i'll never use them. I kept .679, .681, .684, .687 since todays paint is going midget sized now :(

[cawgee]

For the recreational player I am, I too am thinking that SS does not justify the approximate 33% increase in cost just because it CAN (not necessarily is)be honed smoother... The only trouble with ordering just the smaller inserts is that once I do that and buy a case to keep them safe, I can buy the entire kit cheaper.

[Corrupted355]

I know it's not on the list, but my personal favorite kit is the Powerlyte Scepter. Or the old WGP Kaner.

[cawgee]

The only problem with the Scepter is I cannot seem to find it up here in the great white north. :P Got to keep it my available options.

Also does anyone know more about the changes in the Edge kit AmbushOrigin mentioned???

[AmbushOrigin]

http://708designs.netfirms.com/708paintball/images/DSC01042.JPG
That is a gen 2 edge kit. Gen 1's came with chrome backs and only 3 backs. Gen 2 was available in chrome and black polished aluminum with 4 backs. Gen 3 was 4 backs and 2 fronts, gen 5 (newest and only one currently made) has flared tips and are made of both ceramic and aluminum.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a23/drummer5829/edge.jpg
That is the Newest gen and personally after owning 2 Ive thought they have sucked in comparison with my gen 2.

As for the freak inserts, Id just buy a .684 .689 and .691 aluminum inserts. As for storing them, most of my team just put them in one of their pods, then take out the one they want to use at the field. I personally find SS ones better, but not worth getting unless you can find em cheap on ebay (havnt checked recently) but full insert kits generally were going for 30-50 bucks, so dont leave that option out. I only shot with .684 inserts this season. When I ordered my SS kit it came with two .684's and I was kinda ticked off that they made that mistake, till I realized that was actually good since its the bore I use the most. So I could have one in my primary and backup marker without having to change barrels.

[cawgee]

I see the difference. Thanks! Even tho those are the bores I think I will need, I was planning on getting the full bore kit as its more economical. With boxing week sales on the Fibur + Alum Insert kit is still about $30 more than the Edge kit, but I think Fibur is going to be the better way to go.

[AmbushOrigin]

If it wasnt for you being canadian, Id just send ya a couple inserts :P

However, Id still suggest looking on forums and ebay for insert kits. They are incredibly easy to find for cheap.

[cawgee]

I appreciate the thought, but know what kind of costs and headaches are involved in cross boarder shipping. Ill look for some used ones, but i think $64 CAD is pretty good for a brand new kit.

[AmbushOrigin]

ebay has a region specific part of the site. ebay.ca I believe it strictly canadian

[cawgee]

that would be nice if it was, but it pretty much just converts the currency and remembers my postal code... i still have to sift through for Canadian sellers and reasonable international shipping. but like i said, $64 cad for the insert kit and the fibur is only $95 cad with free shipping as well, i know its 90 right from DW, but their shipping to me is 30 bucks, and who knows what customs will charge me. So not a bad deal. going to give my local shop a shot first, but i cant really pass this up a chance as I dont see too many sales this good on paintball stuff. Probably not much of a deal for those south of the boarder, but we seem to have to pay premiums up here, so this is as good as it gets for us.