From: wayne@brunz.Santa-Cruz.CA.US (Wayne Feick)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.paintball
Subject: Re: How do you like your semiauto?
Date: Sun, 15 Nov 92 21:49:00 PST
Distribution: world
Organization: Canadian Consolate, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
X-NewsSoftware: GRn 1.16f (10.17.92) by Mike Schwartz & Michael B. Smith

In article <Bxo8JE.8F@fang.att.com> bcd@fang.att.com (Brendan Dwyer) writes:
> I'm looking to purchase a semi-automatic paintgun and I have narrowed it
> down to the PMI-3, F1 Illustrator and the Tippmann Pro Am.  I was
> wondering what those of you who own one of the aforementioned guns,
> thought about your guns?  My main concerns are:
>
>     1. Reliable operation.
>     2. Ease of cleaning and maintenance.
>     3. Minimal ball breakage.
>
> If your gun was stolen by pygmies would you replace it with the same
> model or pick something different?  If something different, what would
> it be?  Email responses would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.
>
>
> Brendan Dwyer

You don't seem to be considering an Automag; any reason?

I've had one for a year or so now and I'm really happy with it.  When I had
a problem with it chopping balls a while back, Air Gun Designs upgraded me
to level 7 (the current shipping level) for free.  I haven't had any
problems since.  (It could have just been cheap paint; I started using a
different store about then as well, after having some problems with the
quality of paint I was getting.)

The simplicity of the gun is a big plus for me.  The barrel comes out with
a twist and pull.  The pressure regulator unit comes off after removing a
thumb screw.  Maintenance involves swabbing out the barrel and lubricating
the valve body.  Lubrication is done by squirting a little lubricant into a
couple holes and dry firing the gun a few times.  If the gun is really
dirty, you can put a gas source on it and dunk it in a bucket of water
without getting water anywhere it shouldn't be.

When I chrono in at the field, the ball speeds are tightly grouped within
about 10 feet per second from slowest to fastest.  I also haven't typically
needed to adjust the velocity during the day because of it going up or down
on its own; it stays locked in for the whole day.  In fact, it's not
uncommon for me to go through two or three days of play without having to
adjust the velocity at all.

I found accuracy on the stock gun was good, but when they upgraded me to
level 7 I had them crown point the barrel ($15) as well.  Acurracy is now
very good.

The gun doesn't like to run on liquid, so the stock configuration will
freeze up if you shoot down at people.	I've dealt with this by getting a
20 ounce, anti siphon tank and bottom lining it to give better visibility
over the barrel.

Efficiency is good too.  It's reasonable for my 20 ounce (filled only with
15 ounces because of the anti siphon tube) to last me all day.	If it's a
day of heavy fire, I'll refill it at lunch.  I haven't sat down and figured
out how many shots I'm getting per ounce of CO2, but I think it's pretty
good.  Yesterday, the tank had some (I don't know how much) left over from
my previous outting and that lasted me until noon.  At lunch, I filled it
to 15 ounces and played the rest of the day.  When we were done, there were
7 or 8 left in the tank (I weighed it again).  Paint consumption was around
1200 rounds for the day.

I really recommend you check into the Automag; it's a really good gun, in
my opinion, and I'm sure many other Automag owners will vouch for this as
well.

If you get one, I suggest you get an anti siphon tank and bottom line it as
I have done.  A crown point, Smart Parts, Armson, etc. barrel would be
nice, but the stock barrel is still good.

Feel free to send me some email if you'd like more information.

--
Wayne Feick				      wayne@brunz.Santa-Cruz.CA.US

1809 Bay Street, Santa Cruz, CA, USA  95060		    (408) 427-0735
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