Consistency troubles have got me down...

[A.T.S]

I Came to AO about a year ago and was convinced to buy a Mag over a cocker. I was told that the Automag is an extremely consistent gun out of the box. I have not gotten my gun to shoot consistently in the 11 or so months that I have had it. This past weekend I took my gun to a local field and tested the consistency. +/-15 to 20 fps!!! I then replaced the regulator seat and retested. +/-15 to 20 bps!! I fired about 250 balls at the crono with the average shot coming in at about 270 fps. After some time I realized that if I release the trigger slowly, I the next shot will drop about 100fps. The gun has no leeks and is oiled before each use. My setup is a level 7 classic Mag with intelliframe and a Minimag body. I am using a crossfire 88/4500 fixed tank and the edge barrel kit. I am about ready to through my Mag away. Please help me; I do not want to give up on my Mag. I will be taking apart the back half of my regulator body to clean it. What type of grease should I use on the spring pack? Do you have any tips on how to clean the regulator piston?

[Dave]

Ok, 1st things 1st:

1. Don't give up on your mag...when the issue is settled, it will never give up on you.

2. Sometimes the fine tuning is not perfect from the factory, and so you have to adjust it on your own.

3. Seeing as how your mag is 11 months old, I'd suggest you go ahead and buy a parts kit ($25) and totally replace all the o-rings so you get that out of the way.

4. You tank could very well be causing the inconsistency...before you blame the gun, try a different tank on it.

5. Check your paint to barrel match. If this is not matched well, it can cause inconsistency.

6. Check your paint. Inconsistently sized paint will give inconsistant results. Try different paint.

7. Test fit the mag bolt outside the gun in the end of the barrel...making sure its not sticking.

8. Oil your mag with about 3 drops of Kermode Concepts oil...cycle about 60 times to make sure its properly lubed.

9. The slowly releasing the trigger and causing a 100 fps drop in your velocity is essentially you intentionally short stroking it...don't do it

10. Play around w/ the velocity...your mag might be happier shooting at 285-290 than it is at 270.

If I think of anything else that could be affecting it, I'll post it, but I think thats just about it....

Once everything is adjusted properly, your mag will rock.

-Dave

[A.T.S]

Today I replaced my regulator piston o-ring. I cleaned and regressed the spring pack put it all back together and tested it out... Same results. I did not replace all of the o-rings in the gun because the on/off and power tube assemblies seam to be working properly. I did notice however, that the regulator valve pin does not move smoothly. The spring is a very tight fit inside the front half of the valve body. Watching the video I discovered that the valve spring On tom's demo gun seamed to fit loosely in the in the front half of the valve body and fit snugly around the end of the valve pin. How does your valve fit into the front part of your valve body? If you gently depress the valve pin, should it move smoothly?

I did try a different hpa tank with similar consistency results. The paint is fresh, round, and seems to be consistently sized. I matched the paint to the smallest back of my edge kit (.685) the bolt slides smoothly inside the barrel. I always drop 2-4 drops of oil in the asa and cycle the gun 50 -100 times before use. Please help!!

[BlackVCG]

What kind of oil are you using?

The valve pin won't feel too smooth, don't worry about it.

Are you putting in the seat so that it snaps into the back half of the regulator? It's a uni-directional seat, so you can only put it in the one way.

[A.T.S]

I used standard Napa multi-purpose Wheel Bearing and Chassis Grease for the spring pack for the rest of the gun I use Gold cup paintball Lubricant. Yes the regulator seat is properly installed. I am at a loss ...

[BlackVCG]

What type of chronograph are you using to measure your velocities?

Also, what brand of paint are you shooting and at what velocity are you trying to shoot?

[A.T.S]

Yesterday, I used a yellow Paintball Radar Chron- Hand Held.
Last Monday before I Changed the regulator piston o-ring, I used the normal red field chrono I was using a paint from my local store I have no Idea what brand.
I have been trying to get my gun to fire an average of 280-290 In order to eliminate spikes into the 300's the velocity range seems to be between the low 260's and 300 fps.