Page 56 - flipmag03
P. 56

T
        T IPPM A NN                ON E S T               T H I S       I S    M Y      R I F L E …         T H E R E        A




































             TWEAKS                         These two modifications, in particular, solve   about the CO2 option. All that being said,
         Firstly, the shot-to-shot consistency is still   the main (yet minor) issues I have with the   when powered through HPA, the Tippmann is
         slightly less than desirable. We’re not talking   out-of-the-box Tippmann system. All other   simply unstoppable, and this then stops me
         huge amount’s here, but when faced with a   modifications, such as aesthetic upgrades, the   comparing it to a GBBR, and instead I have to
         choice of HPA systems, shot-to-shot consistency   heavy bolt, or the ROF (Rate of Fire) spacer,   draw parallels between the Tippmann, and
         between different platforms can be the   are purely preference driven. The reason I   other HPA systems.
         ultimate deciding factor. The fact of the matter   have mentioned modifications that solve the   The experience is so far removed from
         is that drop-in HPA systems can offer plus   spring noise and the consistency fluctuations,   that of a drop-in system like Polarstar for
         or minus variations as low as one foot per   is I don’t want someone who is particularly   example, that its nearest rival is the infamous
         second in well-tuned and airtight setups. The   interested in purchasing a Tippmann system to   Daytona. The recoil on the Daytona is notably
         Tippmann, especially from stock, simply can’t   be put off by minor issues that are very easy   more violent, especially in comparison to the
         touch these figures. I achieved a relatively   and very cheap to fix. Other modifications that   stock Tippmann bolt. However, the Daytona is
         low variance of around 4 feet per second in   take this rifle to the next level, are ones you   also more expensive, by quite a considerable
         either direction, by first restricting the air flow   could expect to perform on any other rifle.   amount, and they are also not famed for their
         through the nozzle with a 3D printed choke, and   These include: using Teflon tape to create   reliability either. For the level of experience,
         then adding another hex screw into the nozzle   a better seal between the barrel and the   fun, and reliability, I dare say that Tippmann
         assembly for fine adjustment. The necessity   hop-bucking, and the addition of an R-hop (or   has hit the middle ground perfectly, and
         of these modifications are only dictated by   S-hop) to improve shot-to-shot accuracy.  balanced the level of usability and unique
         what you are trying to achieve with your rifle.                     features. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not perfect,
         However, they are an extremely cheap, and                           but then what system truly is? Out of the box,
         relatively easy method of reducing the FPS     PRICE VS VALUE       the Tippmann M4 is seriously fun, but if you
         variance. Tippmann, if you’re reading this, a   So, while I could harp on about the differences   want a competitive rifle, she’ll need just a
         version three addition perhaps?   between each version, I actually want to   little work. The Tippmann system is, however,
          Next is another astoundingly cheap mod,   compare Tippmann as a platform and compare   a reliable, low maintenance platform, that
         which tackles the ‘springy’ noise you hear from   it on a price vs value basis to other platforms.   can withstand most things the average player
         the buffer tube with each cycle. When I first   The version two comes setup for HPA out of   can throw at it. Some very rough and ballpark
         bought the version one, I was led to believe   the box, whereas the version one came CO2   maths here, but I’ve put around 140,000
         that grease would do the trick. For me, at least,   ready. I have to say that in my opinion, the   rounds through my original version one M4,
         it didn’t. The next suggestion was to wrap the   CO2 option didn’t really work as intended.   and the internals are still very clean. There’s
         spring in paper, but again, this did not work for   It was a great idea, but the drawbacks of   very little wear on the sear, power tube, or
         me. In fact, and this was my error, I had failed   using CO2 to power the Tippmann has its   surrounding areas, and I’ve only ever applied
         to completely remove all the grease from the   drawbacks, the most prominent being at the   lubrication maybe every 30,000 rounds or
         inside of the buffer tube, and the paper and   end of the magazine, whatever remaining CO2   so. As I mentioned in my previous review,
         grease combo, around a moving spring and   you have left in your cartridge will be lost   the poor thing has been submerged in mud,
         bolt system, well, you can imagine the mess it   the second you remove the magazine. Having   water, and dropped from a great height, and
         caused. I found the best and most reliable fix,   an enclosed system like you would find on a   she has never once skipped a beat. If she did,
         was to wrap the spring in a piece of overhead   CO2 pistol would perhaps have been a more   however, I can sleep easy at night knowing that
         projection film. The rigidity and springiness   sustainable idea. The other issue, of course, is   Tippmann’s lifetime warranty supports me. I
         to the film has kept it in place ever since I   magazines working free from over 800PSI of   feel comfortable and confident in saying that as
         applied it, and what’s more, it fixed the spring   CO2 trying to escape, causing the magazine to   far as warranties go, Tippmann has got the best
         noise, and still functions perfectly to this day.   fly from the magwell. This was an infrequent   out there, period. No quibbling and no arguing,
         While improving the noise isn’t a performance   problem, so I’m probably doing Tippmann a   they are just genuinely superb at customer
         enhancing modification, it’s so cheap and easy   disservice, but seeing a couple of instances   service, and it’s for that reason also that I can’t
         to do; I would highly recommend it.   like this was enough to make me think twice   recommend Tippmann enough.





         056    W W W . A I - M A G . C O M
   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61