F.E.A.Rs Review of the new BT TM-7

[Enhander]

Team F.E.A.R's hands on first look at the brand new BT TM-7!

*NEW* Videos Review/Maintenance:
Maintenance Video: http://www.viddyou.com/viddstream?videoid=38350
Test/Review Video 1: http://www.viddyou.com/viddstream?videoid=38380
Test Video 2:http://www.viddyou.com/viddstream?videoid=38639
Test Video 3: http://www.viddyou.com/viddstream?videoid=38793

*NEW*Written Review

My initial impressions of the gun are that of great happiness. The stock barrel is insanely accurate but a bit on the loud side. This is due to it being so short (9 inches and .691 Bore Size) and the porting not coming until the very end of the barrel. Though it is not a problem for me it maybe for others.
The gun is extremely light for a fully decked out milsim gun (2.5 pounds)...even with a hopper on the gun there is still nothing to it!
The kick in ramping and FA is barely noticeable out of the box and will only get better as the spring breaks in. Just secure the stock on your shoulder and you're good to go.
The gun is also very efficient from the get go. I was shooting a full hopper of paint and only using 250-300 PSI in my CF 68/4500. Again once the reg breaks in this will only get better.
Switching firing modes is fast and easy. You can go between every firing mode in a matter of seconds and be prepared for what ever the battle brings your way.
The battery changing system is by far the best I have seen on any gun. It is incredibly fast and easy, you can change a battery out in less than 5 seconds with no tools.
The velocity is also very easy to adjust requiring only an allen key small enough to fit in the adjustment hole that needs to be turned near the battery door.
The trigger has 4 adjustment locations that can change the feel of the trigger to meet anyone’s preferences. I choose to keep it stock as I loved the way it felt right out of the box. Was a very light pull and very responsive.
It also come with an awesome barrel sock, a helpful manual, and a nice parts kit with a spare of almost everything you need to rebuild the gun including an extra set of detents and lube.

Now onto my gripes....come on nothing is perfect.
The stock does not lock into place when the stock is pushed all the way in. This is not a bad thing really as it makes pulling the stock out very easy to do when needed in the heat of battle. There are indents in the stock for it to lock in that position, but it looks like the stock won't slide in far enough to catch them.
The foldable fore grip is only 2 position, open and closed. Most others are 3-5 position. Although it is obvious it is a cheap grip it is still very comfortable.
Due to the way the hopper sits on the marker you are limited as to what you can mount on the back rail. Most large dot sights and scopes will not clear the hopper. A ripclip, qloader, or an offset mounting rail will fix this.
The stock grips are kind of hard, but still very nice and have finger grooves for increased grip.
It hasn't happened yet, but I am afraid the select fire switch labels are going to wear off with continued mode switching. The same way as my X7's did.
You have to split the shell to get to the bolt. Not anymore work than an A5 or and X7 but compared to the Mini and other speedball type markers this is a lot of work.
First time I took it apart I was afraid of breaking the eye and battery wires on the inside of the gun when I had to disconnect them to remove the internals. As long as you go slow and are careful you have nothing to worry about though.

All in all I would give this gun a 9/10 right out of the box. For the price you pay for this marker you are getting one heck of a value!
Nothing needs to be done to this marker for it to compete with any other gun you will run into on any field.

Without further adieu the pics:

The Unboxing:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06622.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06623.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06626.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06627.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06628.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06630.jpg

More pics to come, please be sure to scroll through all my posts as I can only post so many pics at a time.

Please feel free to leave questions and comments!

[Enhander]

With a Halo B attached:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06634.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06651.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06652.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06644.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06639.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06641.jpg

[trevorjk]

ive got serial number 168 at the store :p

also, the foregrip is complete crap. WAY to loose and wobbly. they definitely need to make that far more sturdy

also, you should of used the halo in the speed test, the Egg is slowing the gun down

[Epic_Scotsman]

anybody got one with shot guts so I can do a mag conversion :p

[Enhander]

ive got serial number 168 at the store :p

also, the foregrip is complete crap. WAY to loose and wobbly. they definitely need to make that far more sturdy

also, you should of used the halo in the speed test, the Egg is slowing the gun down

We were shooting 15 bps, Eggy was set at max (17 I believe)

Please note in the test we were shooting a very soft deer target and were getting a lot of bounces. If you don't pay attention you could mistake a ball bouncing off the target for another ball coming into the target. In the future I think we are going to have to do this video again using a board target to solve the bouncing problem. This gun is very solid and is accurate and ready to perform right out of the box. I had 1 barrel break all day and I was able to shoot through it!

[pmstc]

I don't really like milsim markers but that thing is badass. Is it based off a mini?

[behemoth]

Yes, it is.

I still want one. Qloader, and a remote. I'd play xball with it.

[Enhander]

I don't really like milsim markers but that thing is badass. Is it based off a mini?

Yea, the internals are pretty much the same as a mini.

[trevorjk]

I don't really like milsim markers but that thing is badass. Is it based off a mini?

yes it IS a mini, with a milsim shroud.

Enhander, i know the eggy is set to 17bps, but it does not maintain that rate of fire. try with a Halo and you notice a higher rate of fire instantly. every egg i have ever used only had a sustained rate of around 13-14 on a good day.

also another note, unless your using a small 45/45 with a small reg. putting a tank onto the gun feels VERY ackward. i do believe this gun was and is only for remote setups :( (personal opinion)




edit: also, enhander does the TM-7 have the back cap that can be adjusted like on actual mini's? if so you can definitely tune that thing to have no kick (but gets bad air consumption)

[Enhander]

Yes, it is.

I still want one. Qloader, and a remote. I'd play xball with it.

We (our team) might be working with Q-Loader to make a TM7 adapter.

[Enhander]

yes it IS a mini, with a milsim shroud.

Enhander, i know the eggy is set to 17bps, but it does not maintain that rate of fire. try with a Halo and you notice a higher rate of fire instantly. every egg i have ever used only had a sustained rate of around 13-14 on a good day.

also another note, unless your using a small 45/45 with a small reg. putting a tank onto the gun feels VERY ackward. i do believe this gun was and is only for remote setups :( (personal opinion)




edit: also, enhander does the TM-7 have the back cap that can be adjusted like on actual mini's? if so you can definitely tune that thing to have no kick (but gets bad air consumption)


Yea, thats true. We'll be doing another test (shooting a hard target instead of a soft one), ill be sure to put my Halo or a Pulse on it.

And again, Tank on gun is very awkward, you are correct.

[trevorjk]

We (our team) might be working with Q-Loader to make a TM7 adapter.


you could also just use a BT Rip-Clip :cheers:

[Enhander]

you could also just use a BT Rip-Clip :cheers:

Rip clips are very nice, but at the same time very heavy. Being the TM7 only weighs 2.5 lbs the ripclip might offset it..but i do agree, a rip clip would be awesome with this gun

[Enhander]

With a Eggy 2 attached:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06653.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06654.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06655.jpg

Size Comparisons!

SP SP1 vs. BT TM-7:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06645.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06646.jpg

BT Delta vs. BT TM-7:
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06647.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/TM7/DSC06648.jpg

[ThePixelGuru]

The gun is also very effecient from the get go. I was shooting a full hopper of paint and only using 250-300 PSI. Again once the reg breaks in this will only get better.
:nono: That's doesn't tell us anything. 250-300psi of what? With the lack of info I can only hope you're referring to a drop in tank pressure rather than the operating pressure of the marker. Still, even if it is tank pressure it doesn't tell us anything, because dropping the pressure of my 45ci that much is way less gas than dropping my SCBA tank's pressure that much.

You might want to consider spellcheck, too. ;)

Other than that, cool review. If I bought milsim markers (or markers with batteries) I'd consider picking one up. How wobbly is that front grip, though? That's the one thing I hear from everyone who's tried one, seems pretty sloppy for them to do that if all they did was make a new shell. Well, that and the stock not going in far enough to lock, that's kinda sloppy, too...

EDIT: That mode selector worries me, though. Any way to lock it so you need tools to change it? I'm just thinking some kid could easily flip that into full-auto and back to semi if a ref comes to check.

[Spider-TW]

Enhander, i know the eggy is set to 17bps, but it does not maintain that rate of fire. try with a Halo and you notice a higher rate of fire instantly. every egg i have ever used only had a sustained rate of around 13-14 on a good day.
I believe that. My son could regularly out shoot his eggy with a modded piranha and my classic pneumag, but neither one should be going over 17 bps. He is considerably faster than my common 10-11, but he is definitely under the 19 RT bps of my mag. :D

Out shooting your loader with a piranha R6 - just sad all the way around.

[Enhander]

Thanks for the feedback all! Please note this is a work in progress and all the kinks will be worked out. I just wanted to get this info out quick and into some ballers hands!

I dunno what people are complaining about the front grip being wobbly for. Mine is extremely tight on there and I had a fun time getting it off the marker the first time. My only complaint about it is it's hollow, feels cheap, and is only two position. However it is still nice and I would much rather have it on there than not getting anything at all.

A new video is planned to be done this weekend. The video will include a V35 Halo B and a Pulse shooting in Full Auto mode. We will be shooting at a wooden target so no more bounces!

[Ninjeff]

great post. I was thinking about the BT Delta, or this, what would you recommend?

[insixdays777]

best thing about these things is that they will take the BT Rip Clip halo....! :)

[Enhander]

great post. I was thinking about the BT Delta, or this, what would you recommend?

We have a Delta review video in production as we speak and it will be up shortly. Between the TM-7 and the Delta I would take the TM-7 any day of the week. That is of course if money is not a factor.

[Ninjeff]

i was on the fence, but i think the mode selector switch sends me over the edge. That is one badiss feature. :ninja:

[trevorjk]

How wobbly is that front grip, though? That's the one thing I hear from everyone who's tried one, seems pretty sloppy for them to do that if all they did was make a new shell. Well, that and the stock not going in far enough to lock, that's kinda sloppy, too...


like any adjustable on the fly forgrip or stock that is relatively cheaply made, it does have a little side to side slop along with front and back. yes it does lock into its position very nicely but that little bit of slop annoys me.

as for the stock, there should be a lever between the 2 guide arms on the stock that should lock it into place.


- not to take any credit or glory from enhander, but if anyone wants more pics or details ill gladly help Enhander out. as long as the guns are not sold from our store.

[Enhander]

like any adjustable on the fly forgrip or stock that is relatively cheaply made, it does have a little side to side slop along with front and back. yes it does lock into its position very nicely but that little bit of slop annoys me.

as for the stock, there should be a lever between the 2 guide arms on the stock that should lock it into place.


- not to take any credit or glory from enhander, but if anyone wants more pics or details ill gladly help Enhander out. as long as the guns are not sold from our store.

It's all good man, I'm just trying to help people out same as you.

As for the stock comment above I think he was reffering to my comment that when you push the stock all the way into the gun it will not lock into position. You can just grab the butt of the stock and pull it out without pushing the lever to the side. There is a place for the stock to lock into place in that position, but the stock can't slide in far enough for the lever to lock into it. It doesn't really effect anything so I don't know if they did this on purpose to allow the stock to be extended quicker from that position or if it was a design flaw.

[going_home]

My experience with BT is their stuff is poor quality.
Dont ever think BT is Tippmann rugged because its not.
I bought a new BT4 for a kid at church that couldnt afford a marker.
He didnt even play one game and the bolt came loose flopping around.
Even with the manual no one could fix it, had to send it back to BT.
Now their customer service is good, they fixed it and sent it back, but
not even being able to play one game with a new marker before it breaks
didnt impress me at all. I would never buy anything BT again.
My two cents.

:mad:

[Enhander]

My experience with BT is their stuff is poor quality.
Dont ever think BT is Tippmann rugged because its not.
I bought a new BT4 for a kid at church that couldnt afford a marker.
He didnt even play one game and the bolt came loose flopping around.
Even with the manual no one could fix it, had to send it back to BT.
Now their customer service is good, they fixed it and sent it back, but
not even being able to play one game with a new marker before it breaks
didnt impress me at all. I would never buy anything BT again.
My two cents.

:mad:

Im sorry to hear that. Maybe he just got a lemon marker. Every BT marker I have picked up has preformed flawlessly. The TM7 outperformed our DM7 on our testing day. To be fair to the DM-7 not many guns we own like the paint we were using. The TM-7 loved it though. Hence why we decided to use it all up.

[lather]

Nice review. :)

I picked up one last week, and there is some play in the foregrip, but it feels very solid (if that makes sense). Personal preferance but the play doesnt bother me at all. The ability to use the tourny lock without opening up the marker is a nice touch too. There is a small access point to the boards tourney lock under the gun.

There is a minor issue for me. Some after market barrels fit a little tight when between the threads and the shroud. I lost the jewels off my Fibur barrel when switching out barrels. Not really a big deal but I wish there was a bit more space between the shell and the barrel threading.

[manike]

There is a place for the stock to lock into place in that position, but the stock can't slide in far enough for the lever to lock into it. It doesn't really effect anything so I don't know if they did this on purpose to allow the stock to be extended quicker from that position or if it was a design flaw.

Initially it was a mistake, but then in use we grew to like it like that so we left it. I find that with the stock collapsed you don't need to lock it into place and it's nice to be able to grab it and just pull it out.

We are in some discussions about whether or not to make it lock in though. I may be about to lose out on that one.

[Enhander]

To be honest..just leave it. In my opinion its very convientent to just grab the stock and pull it out, as opposed to having to unlock it first.

[manike]

I agree, but I think I've lost that battle. Anyone in the future that wants that feature could always fill in the slot in the stock arms...

To be honest I run mine without the stock now and like it because I can get in behind the gun. I won the battle to put the stock blanking plate in the box stock. Some battles you win, some you lose. :shooting:

I'm a big guy so I really like it with the foregrip further forwards and a tank extender and a 68ci tank. Feels just mean in my hands then. :)

Have you tried putting the foregrip on the side picattiney rail yet? It's fun shooting it like that. Reminds me of the old Sten guns and it's quite cool. :cheers:

[trevorjk]

so your saying you run a 68/4500 on the gun itself? with no stock? can we get some pictures of this please?

the only TM-7 i get to look at and review is sitting on the Shop Wall so i cant take it apart and fiddle with it :(

[Enhander]

TM-7 Test Video 2 added! This time we cranked the TM-7 to 20 BPS and ripped through a hopper full of paint on Ramping and Full Auto Modes using a DXS Pulse Loader.

Test Video 2:http://www.viddyou.com/viddstream?videoid=38639

[trevorjk]

much better on the speed test :)

if i can get a camera i will also post up a vid this weekend, how ever it is unlikely that i can get a camera :(

[Enhander]

We'll be doing a test with the Halo B V35 this weekend.

[trevorjk]

We'll be doing a test with the Halo B V35 this weekend.

nice nice.

im off for the day, so on my way up to my brothers house ill stop by the store and get some images of the gun with a tank on the gun. to show people how odd it is with the tank on gun.

[Enhander]

Test Video 3 has been posted. This time we shoot the BT TM-7 set to 20 BPS in Ramping and FA modes using a Halo B with V35 and a wood target. The Halo B ended up shooting much more consistant than the Pulse in Pulse Mode.

Test Video 3: http://www.viddyou.com/viddstream?videoid=38793

[going_home]

Test Video 3 has been posted. This time we shoot the BT TM-7 set to 20 BPS in Ramping and FA modes using a Halo B with V35 and a wood target. The Halo B ended up shooting much more consistant than the Pulse in Pulse Mode.

Test Video 3: http://www.viddyou.com/viddstream?videoid=38793

Are you guys collecting donations for your test videos ?
All kidding aside .... "very nice" !

;)

[Enhander]

Are you guys collecting donations for your test videos ?
All kidding aside .... "very nice" !

;)

Sadly no....we just needed an excuse to waste all that paint lol...the amount of fun we had shooting the gun was well worth the cost.

[DiRTyBuNNy]

So when is the new baby going to get her first trial by fire at a real scenario?

--DB

[Enhander]

So when is the new baby going to get her first trial by fire at a real scenario?

--DB

This saturday at Halo produced by Mission Masters at Three Rivers Paintball Park! There will be lots of pictures and helmet camera footage to go along with it!

[Looper]

You have to split the shell to get to the bolt. Not anymore work than an A5 or and X7 but compared to the Mini and other speedball type markers this is a lot of work.
First time I took it apart I was afraid of breaking the eye and battery wires on the inside of the gun when I had to disconnect them to remove the internals. As long as you go slow and are careful you have nothing to worry about though.


Well that did it for me... :spit_take if you have to split the shell to clean a marker I'm not interested... Your statement about the A5 confuses me... :confused: I know the A5 can be stripped without splitting the shell, just remove the tombstone, it all slides out the back. It is amazing how many people I have met with A5 and are unaware that you can slide the internals out the back. I can not speak of the X7 as I have never owned one or torn one down.

I am mostly a woods baller but the mil-sim look is second to the actual function of the marker, and that thing looks to have alot of plastic on it... I am yet to find a field that will let you use full auto and for that price... support AGD and buy a Tac-One. :bounce:

[Enhander]

Well that did it for me... :spit_take if you have to split the shell to clean a marker I'm not interested... Your statement about the A5 confuses me... :confused: I know the A5 can be stripped without splitting the shell, just remove the tombstone, it all slides out the back. It is amazing how many people I have met with A5 and are unaware that you can slide the internals out the back. I can not speak of the X7 as I have never owned one or torn one down.

I am mostly a woods baller but the mil-sim look is second to the actual function of the marker, and that thing looks to have alot of plastic on it... I am yet to find a field that will let you use full auto and for that price... support AGD and buy a Tac-One. :bounce:

Sorry if my statement was confusing. I am aware of the fact that the bolt can come out the back of the A5 and the X7 for that matter. They are pretty much the same gun. I was reffering to full tear down and not just a field strip. After a good days play I always tore my Tippmanns completely down and made sure I got all the paint out around the cyclone area and the barrel adaptor and such. For a quick field cleaning yes the A5 is faster, but for a full maintenance they both take the same amount of work to fully gut. Hope that makes more sense now.

As to why I picked this marker up it has the looks and feel of a fully decked out milsim gun and the function of a speedball gun. It is extremely effecient which means more shots per game than any Tippmann or Mag any day of the week. It weights less fully decked out than an A5 does stock. Eyes, so no blender like the A5 has at times unless you upgrade it. There is no kick to this gun. Shoot an A5 and then this and you will feel the difference. No air lines for more milsim look. As for the plastic, it is tough stuff and will not break. This isn't the same stuff your ninja turtles were made of. The military uses this stuff so it isn't going to break. Ohhh and I already have a Tac One so that made the decision easy :)

[Spider-TW]

This isn't the same stuff your ninja turtles were made of. The military uses this stuff so it isn't going to break. I take exception to that. My son's ninja turtle was indestructible. It had stainless spring-and-cable joints, cast-in color, and was a formidable weapon. :ninja: :p

[trevorjk]

took a few pics of what a tank would look like on the TM-7

first 2 images are with a 45/45 crossfire, and the second 2 are with a 68/45 crossfire. everything is brand new so sizes are what you would find anywhere.

on a side note, even though it looks as if everything will fit and work (which it will) the feel is far to odd to tote around like that.


bigger sized images found here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trolliroadkill/sets/72157604927777827/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2738407029_9ce185d1a6.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3146/2739244100_d70a795013.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/2739241902_a913da45a1.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/2738409335_ca6127b3d2.jpg?v=0

[DiRTyBuNNy]

I'm really trying to decide between this one and the Marq Tactical Marker from Bob Long...

--DB

[Enhander]

Personal opinion, the Bob Long milsim marker looks horrible and is too over priced. Id choose a TM7 any day.

[ThePixelGuru]

Hmm, question: Can you use the stock and actually get your head behind the marker to properly sight up, or does your mask get in the way?

One reason I've found most milsim markers rather silly is because you can't sight up properly.

[Enhander]

Hmm, question: Can you use the stock and actually get your head behind the marker to properly sight up, or does your mask get in the way?

One reason I've found most milsim markers rather silly is because you can't sight up properly.

You can to an extent. They have raised the sights to be used with a mask, but it isn't perfect. I normally don't use the sights anyways. I just shoot a couple rounds, follow my balls, and make adjustments as I need to. Another trick is to stick the gun between your eyes and where you look is where you shoot. Or use your middle finger to pull the trigger and point at what you want to hit with your pointer finger and you should fire fairly close to the target.

[Enhander]

Pics from this weekend's Halo Scenario with a Qloader mounted to the left side. I really like the feel of this setup.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Halo/DSC00474.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Halo/DSC00476.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Halo/DSC00477.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Halo/DSC00478.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Halo/DSC00479.jpg

[Enhander]

In game pics showing the other side of the TM7.
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Halo/DSC00495.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Halo/DSC00528.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Halo/DSC00539.jpg

[DiRTyBuNNy]

has anyone taken one apart to see if it's board is the same as the Mini's?

--DB

[Enhander]

I have it is a different board than a mini has. This is mostly due to the mode selector switch, and how this one sits/attaches in the gun. The TM7's goes horizontally right above the trigger, and the Mini's is in the Front grip.

[DiRTyBuNNy]

I have it is a different board than a mini has. This is mostly due to the mode selector switch, and how this one sits/attaches in the gun. The TM7's goes horizontally right above the trigger, and the Mini's is in the Front grip.

The reason why I asked was to really find out if it would have support mini upgrade boards (which it sounds like it doesn't) to see if you could hook the Magna RF harness up to it for some really fun hopper action...

--DB

[Enhander]

The reason why I asked was to really find out if it would have support mini upgrade boards (which it sounds like it doesn't) to see if you could hook the Magna RF harness up to it for some really fun hopper action...

--DB

Nope it will not accept Mini Boards, and the Magna chip can't be used with it I tried :(

[Enhander]

As the title says I got bored over the weekend and decided to paint my new TM7. Below are the results of around 4 hours of work.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Lees%20Pics/DSC06751.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Lees%20Pics/DSC06752.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Lees%20Pics/DSC06754.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Lees%20Pics/DSC06755.jpg

Please feel free to let me know what you all think. Ohh and incase you're wondering the barrel is the stock barrel off an AGD Tac One.

[Enhander]

Here is some pics with my Qloader and reflex on it!

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Lees%20Pics/DSC06794.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Lees%20Pics/DSC06796.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s113/enhander/Lees%20Pics/DSC06797.jpg