New Mag Owner

[OPBN]

Hello All. I am the proud new owner of a Mag. Marker was purchased as having a Classic valve and LVLX bolt and an Xchamber foregrip(pics below). I added an Intelliframe and will probably change some other things as I have the money/motivation. Now for my question(s). The marker came with an HPA tank, but it is out of date, and no one locally hydros, so I had to air it up with CO2. The first time I gassed it up, it sounded as if it was leaking through the VA screw in the back, but stopped after a couple of seconds. I figured it was just filling. I dry fired it a few times and after maybe 20 shots or so noticed the valve getting pretty cold and than the trigger pin wasnt resetting properly. It would make a hissing noise and then the pin would snap back after a couple of seconds. Sometimes, it didnt snap back right away and would only reset after I took the tank off and put it back on. I thought the tank was getting low, so I put a full one on to continue fiddling around with it. I took the marker into the garage, put paint in it and set the velocity. It was fairly consistent, but oddly enough seemed to rise as I shot instead of lowering as my Tippmans often do. I still had some issues with the trigger not popping back. I did check to see if the bolt was sticking and it doesnt appear to be. I put a pencil down into the feedtube and it went all the way in.

Are my issues most likely CO2 based? I have had problems with my Tipp's in the past when it was cold out with CO2, but never when it was warm. I do plan on getting the HPA tank rehydroed and using it, but it will be a few weeks until I can and getting it filled is a hastle as no one locally fills HPa.

Any advise? Sorry if this are noob questions.

[Little_Ho]

hey sounds to me you get partial Liquid in it

but not sure since i never used CO2....lol

[secretweaponevan]

Your assumption appears to be correct.

O-rings hate liquid CO2, and Mags are basically 2 sealing -orings. You get liquid, you get leaks.

You should be fine on HPA.

[michbich]

Like stated above, sounds like liquid CO2 in the valve. I don't understand how you could get liquid in so fast though.

[ManInBlack]

Maybe he had it pointed down?

[OPBN]

Maybe he had it pointed down?

Most of the shots were fired level or very slightly down, never pointed directly down. I just tried to air it up again and it isnt totally cocking. Gas is getting in and the pin is coming out. But when the trigger is pulled it makes a "hissing sound" and the pin doesnt reset. I took the tank back off and put it on my A5 and it fires and the cyclone feeds which means the tank cant be too low.

Went back put the tank on and messed around with the VA and suddenly it starts resetting. I popped off several shots and it seems to be acting better. It did not reset after about 20-30 shots, but popped back on after a few seconds. By this time the valve was pretty frosty. I think I just need to get HPA to see if this solves it. Thanks for the feedback.

[GRimm]

Have you tried stripping the gun and checking the orings? It might be that they are just old or worn, and i would also recomend switching over to HPA. CO2 is fine for markers like tippmanns and spyders, but i wouldnt recomend it for any mag.

[michbich]

Sounds like the expansion chamber isn't doing it's job properly. If you decide to stick with CO2, or using CO2 as a back up, you might want to replace it with a better one.

[OPBN]

Have you tried stripping the gun and checking the orings? It might be that they are just old or worn, and i would also recomend switching over to HPA. CO2 is fine for markers like tippmanns and spyders, but i wouldnt recomend it for any mag.

I have taken the marker down to its components, (frame, valve, rail etc.), but have not gone into the internals of the valve yet. I know I will eventually have to, but find it a little imposing at this point. I guess I need to find a thread for this and give it a shot. I am not sure how long the marker has been sitting, so I am sure it probably could use cleaning and new orings.

As mentioned, I do plan on getting the tank hydroed, just haven't had the chance and it's hard to fight the temptation of playing with a new toy...

[Watcher]

Just some outsider advice

This hasn't been mentioned before... perhaps you are short-stroking it.

I haven't had my mag for too long so I'm definitely no expert on it, but hissing when you pull the trigger could mean a short stroke. Check to see if the trigger rod is only like the width of a note-card from the trigger when you air it up.

It also could be the levelX catching on something and the bolt is sticking back. When the levelX bolt hits something it slowly bleeds the air out instead of shooting it out hard, but again, I'm no 'mag expert and have no experience with the levelX.
Try taking the mainbody off and just running some water through it. Then dry it off really good and try again.

... maybe the reg and the valve aren't lined up right, checkto see you have the hatch markings lined up.

I'm just taking shots in the dark though

Best bet would be to try HPA, at least snatch a buddy's tank to air it up or something.

[OPBN]

This hasn't been mentioned before... perhaps you are short-stroking it.

kinda sounds dirty.

I haven't had my mag for too long so I'm definitely no expert on it, but hissing when you pull the trigger could mean a short stroke. Check to see if the trigger rod is only like the width of a note-card from the trigger when you air it up.

It only hisses when it doesnt recock, which is after several shots when I assume the valve is possibly getting too cold? The trigger when aired up and cocked properly sits very close to the trigger.

It also could be the levelX catching on something and the bolt is sticking back. When the levelX bolt hits something it slowly bleeds the air out instead of shooting it out hard, but again, I'm no 'mag expert and have no experience with the levelX.
Try taking the mainbody off and just running some water through it. Then dry it off really good and try again. Did this already when I took apart the marker. I cleaned all of the non-valve components with either water and/or denatured alcohol and reoiled afterwards. I also used steel wool on the sides of the sear assembly as it was corroded. I reoiled afterwards as well.

... maybe the reg and the valve aren't lined up right, checkto see you have the hatch markings lined up.

No idea on this as I haven't taken the valve apart.

I'm just taking shots in the dark though

Best bet would be to try HPA, at least snatch a buddy's tank to air it up or something. Unfortunately, the only other person I have with equipment is my brother and he still shoots CO2 since that is all we can get around here other than at the field we go to, which is an hour away.

I appreciate the input.

[Watcher]

Last thing you could try, bypass the x-chamber and just run stainless-steel line into the valve. Maybe the x-chamber is screwed up and is outputting too little pressure...

There is a video of Tom running the .68 automag on back-bottle co2 and a long ss line.

[secretweaponevan]

Last thing you could try, bypass the x-chamber and just run stainless-steel line into the valve. Maybe the x-chamber is screwed up and is outputting too little pressure...

There is a video of Tom running the .68 automag on back-bottle co2 and a long ss line.

An expansion chamber won't directly reduce pressure. However, as the temperature in your system decreases, CO2 will move from a gas to a liquid.

While some have had luck running CO2 on a mag, I haven't. HPA makes mags sing for me.

Every symptom the OP described matches my CO2 experiences with mags since '92.