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Revolutionizing Paintball: The PCS US-5 Marker Takes the Field
Paintball guns have just had a new standard for excellence set with the introduction of the PCS US-5 paintball gun. PCS, the milsim brand from PMI Inc., promises quality and innovation, and delivers both with the versatile PCS US-5 marker. With innovations in trigger options, multimodes, and the barrel and body design of the paintball gun, the new PCS US-5 is sure to be an innovator in markers.
PCS, the milsim brand from PMI Inc., promises quality and innovation, and delivers both with the versatile PCS US-5 marker. Topping the long list of features is how quickly-by releasing two clip pins-you can replace its mechanical trigger "clip" with a PCS electronic trigger "clip" for a change of game pace.
Inside the PCS US-5 is an in-line operating system, a reliable design that has proven its worth over many years. This is the first in-line marker from Pursuit Combat Systems (PCS).
The black test marker came with both trigger clips, plus a rechargeable battery, charger, 200-ball loader, barrel plug, lube, Allen wrenches, owner's manual, and o-rings.
Trigger Options
Using the standard mechanical trigger setup ("clip"), each trigger pull mechanically trips the sear to start a shooting cycle.
With the Advanced Electronic Clip (AEC) and its electronic trigger and multimodes, each trigger pull operates an electronic switch that starts an electronically controlled, programmed shooting cycle. The trigger trips the electronic switch before it contacts the sear. The solenoid in the AEC then trips the sear so the trigger experiences no mechanical resistance from the sear. This produces a light trigger and fast trigger action.
Two screws (or the optional fieldstrip clip pins) hold a clip in place. The mechanical trigger clip should stay in place, other than for a total bench stripdown for complete cleaning.
The AEC holds a 9-volt battery, and an NiCd rechargeable battery and battery charger come with the AEC. An indicator light shows on the left side of the grip and blinks when the battery needs to be charged. You must remove the AEC clip to remove the battery, which is then plugged into the wall charger.
The wall charger can charge two batteries at once. A player's options are a) buy a second rechargeable battery and have a charged backup, b) use regular disposable batteries while the NiCd battery is being charged, or c) do not use the PCS US-5 when the NiCd battery is being charged. PCS recommends a 22-hour initial charge to fully charge the NiCd battery. The charge time for a "top off" charge will depend on how depleted the battery is.
Multimodes
The AEC has an on-off switch on the spine. Push once to turn the US-5 on, push again to turn it off. When the AEC is removed from the marker, a tournament lock switch is accessible. When the switch is set to lock, the US-5 will only shoot in semi-auto mode. When it is set to unlock, the marker can shoot in three-round burst and full-auto modes.
The mode select switch is in the grip frame on the left side, just behind the trigger. With each push of the selector switch, the AEC advances through the shooting modes from semi-auto to three-round burst to full-auto, and then starts over. The switch is easy to operate with bare fingers, but a bit more difficult if the player has full-finger gloves on.
Barrel & Body
The Piranha threaded barrel is 9 inches long, with porting in the last 1.25 inches. The barrel, like most of the rest of the marker, is smooth, lightly polished, and comes in basic black. The inside diameter (i.d.) measured a very consistent 0.693 inches throughout. Inside-diameter measurements were made using the Stan Baker Barrel Reader (bore micrometer) from Brownells (www.brownells.com). Four rows of porting holes are machined into the last 1.25 inches of the barrel.
Conveniently, the PCS US-5 body is a split case held together by 10 bolts. The sight rail, which covers about half the length of the top of the body, is actually a double rail with a nominal 3/8-inch dovetail rail immediately above a 3/4-inch Weaver rail.
The iron sights consist of a ring and post front unit held on by one of the body bolts and a rear unit with four notches. The rear unit is mounted at a forward angle and rotates so one of the notches can be positioned in the visual sight line. The notches are different widths, but in testing the notch choice made no practical difference.
A captive front grip can move about 3/4 inch in a slot, giving some minor accommodation in finding a comfortable setup.
The barrel mounts into an adaptor that clamps between the case halves. Since the adaptor is a replaceable part, it's possible that consumer demand will lead to adaptors made to fit different barrel threadings.
|  Pursuit Combat Systems PCS US-5, left side.  PCS US-5, right side.  The on-off button is on the spine of the Advanced Electronic Clip.  A cross-bolt mechanical safety (A) is above and behind the trigger (B); the mode selection switch (C) for the AEC is below the safety.  The PCS US-5 with the left case half removed and partially stripped. Front sight (A), cocking rod (B), power tube (C), hammer (D), hammer spring (E), rear block assembly (F), Advanced Electronic Clip (G), bottom line assembly (H), foregrip (I), ball detent (J), bolt (K), and feed tube latch plate (L).  The PCS US-5 with the left case half removed and partially stripped. Front sight (A), cocking rod (B), power tube (C), hammer (D), hammer spring (E), rear block assembly (F), Advanced Electronic Clip (G), bottom line assembly (H), foregrip (I), ball detent (J), bolt (K), and feed tube latch plate (L).  The trigger assembly (A) includes the sear (B), and the sear arm (C) that the solenoid strikes. The trigger guard was removed for this photo, and then | {mospagebreak} Feed Neck
In the upper right hand case half is the ball inlet. The feed neck mounts below the inlet on hinge-type pivots. When the feed neck pivots up, its contours mesh with the case contours. A small spring-loaded hook will snap over a retaining plate, holding the feed neck securely in place. The feed neck has a 45-degree bend so a mounted loader sits upright.
This pivoting feed neck allows a player to use a pull-through squeegee to clean the barrel. Much of the inlet area can also be field-cleaned easily, but not the bolt itself.
A rear block that mounts to the body with two pushpins holds a handy pivoting sling ring.
Internals
At the front of the body cavity, a barrel adaptor is held in place with molded-in rings and tabs, so it is stable and does not rotate. Next is the bolt, which slides on the power tube during each shooting cycle. The power tube brings in the air and holds the air valve. The hammer cycles back and forth between the sear and the air valve. At the back end, the hammer spring and spring guide fit into a hole in the hammer and into a hole in the rear block assembly.
The vertical adaptor has an ASA (air source adapter) on the bottom and seals into the power tube at the top. It is held in place by the body sides so it does not rotate.
The trigger assembly fits between the grip frame and the hammer. The trigger goes through the body. A trigger guard is held in place by the body halves. Since both the trigger assembly and the trigger guard are replaceable, double-finger triggers are possible future factory or aftermarket upgrades.
Field Tests
Initial testing of the PCS US-5 started in temperatures around 59 degrees F, with humidity in the low 30s, and occasional light breezes to about 4 miles per hour. Pre-test setup included lightly oiling the hammer and bolt and installing the electronic clip, and then attaching a 200-ball non-motorized loader. The CO2 source was a 12-ounce CO2 tank.
Shooting PMI Marballizer, the marker's velocity started at 286 fps (feet per second) and climbed. By the fifth shot the velocity went over 300 fps, so the velocity was turned down with a 1/4 turn of the velocity adjusting screw. After the adjustment, all shots stabilized under 300 fps with only one exception.
The first measured Marballizer string averaged 293 fps, with a standard deviation of 5.9 fps. An entire hopper stayed in that range. Later tests shooting DraXxus Podium Series X-ball Gold (a slightly smaller ball size) averaged 283 fps with a standard deviation of 7.8 fps. Karnage Tear (also slightly smaller) averaged 270 fps with a standard deviation of 8.5 fps. The smaller paint combined with chilling of the CO2 cylinder from constant shooting resulted in the lower velocity readings.
Marballizer accuracy tests showed an average of 16 out of 20 hit a 12-inch-diameter target at 60 feet. DraXxus: 16/20. Karnage Tear: 15/20. No paintball broke in the marker or loader during the extensive testing, including the many times when the marker was shot until the loader was empty.
Comments from testers included: "The mechanical trigger has a solid feel" and "The offset loader lets you add a sight." There were no function problems during the testing of both the mechanical and the electronic clips.
The marker will de-gas immediately when the tank is unscrewed from the ASA. However, when running remote or using a CO2 tank with an on-off valve, be aware the marker will retain some air after the valve or slide check is "off." Always remove all paintballs from the marker and the barrel, and drain the marker of all gas or air, before working on the marker (and when done playing for the day).
Impressions
Step into scenarios with a PCS US-5, to look and feel like an experienced gamer. Paintball snipers will like the rail that takes either dovetail or Weaver mount sights, and the marker's basic-black finish. Add an optional stock if that's your style. The reliable operating system makes this marker a good choice for your next custom paintball tank's armament, too!
PCS has a very wide selection of milsim paintball products, including the PCS 20/20 paintball mask in digital urban or jungle camouflage. Visit www.pcs-paintball.com and your local paintball pro shop to see what's new from Pursuit Combat Systems.
Pursuit Combat Systems (PCS)
PMI Inc.
55 Howard Ave.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone: 800.579.1633
info@pcs-paintball.com
www.pcs-paintball.com
PCS US-5
Features: Multimode (semi-auto, three-shot burst, full-auto); side-cocking; interchangeable optional electronic grip frame; mechanical trigger frame with tournament lock; modes set by push button select; offset gravity feed; MP-5-style iron sights; sight rail; single-finger trigger with 10-plus bps capability; removable trigger guard; vertical ASA; stainless-steel hard line hose and bottom line ASA; anti-double feed; velocity adjuster. Side feed tube flips down for easy cleaning. Power source can be nitrogen, compressed air, or CO2. Receiver is made of corrosion-resistant aluminum die-cast, and has an adjustable foregrip; interchangeable threaded aluminum barrel with muzzle break. Air system adapter will accept PMI Pure Energy gas systems as well as standard threaded tank necks.
Classification: Multimode electronic
Method of Operation: Electro-mechanical; in-line, open-bolt blowback
Power Supply: CO2, N2, or HPA/compressed air
Stock Barrel Length: 9 inches
Barrel Mount System: Piranha-compatible
Overall Length (with stock barrel): 19.5 inches
Included Accessories: Owner's manual, barrel plug, 200-round hopper, 110-volt indoor
charger, 9.6V NiMH battery, Allen wrenches, o-rings, lube.
Weight: 3.25 lbs.
Warranty: 1-year factory |  A green plastic ball detent is positioned just forward of the ball feed.  The feed tube pivots down for access to the chamber and barrel.  The feed tube (A), front sight (B), spring-loaded feed tube latch (C), and the pivot hinges (D).  Velocity is adjusted with an Allen screw located on the right-hand side of the marker.  Two pushpins (A) hold in place the rear block assembly (B) with its pivoting sling link (C).  The foregrip location can be changed by moving the foregrip within a slot at the bottom of the marker body.  The cocking knob (arrow) is opposite the feed tube. | |
