Automags...high maintenance?

[werbwerb]

Hi, everyone!

I'm fairly new to paintball and don't own any of my own gear, yet. But I do enjoy reading about markers and the different ways each uses to accomplish the common goal of shooting a paintball. I'm particularly fascinated by the Automag series, probably because of its simplicity in design and appearance (a compliment).

Throughout my reading, I've come across more than a few people who seem to have persistent, detail oriented problems (such as minor leaks and the like). Is this a common experience for all of you? Is a regular maintenace schedule (cleaning, oiling, etc.) enough to keep an Automag tiptop, or are they akin to one of those finicky cars with jerryrigged repairs where you have to turn the key just right and pound the dash with your fist to get it running? I'm asking these questions with the latest upgrades in mind (Level 10 bolt, etc.).

I know there are certain types of people out there who make up bad stories about something because they don't like it, for whatever reason. And the types who will run something over with a bulldozer and then complain when it doesn't work correctly. I'm hoping most of the bad press are from these types of people because I sure would love to have a nice Autococker sometime in the future.

Thanks.

BTW, will a Level 10 bolt work with CO2 and an original AIR valve?

[ZapTheMad]

While most people hae pretty good luck, there are a few that seem to have a plague of problems. Can't really say if it's actually the gun or user error. All guns have things that need attention now and then but sometimes the guy behind the trigger just has no clue. Personally, I completely tear down my guns after every day of play. I'm not one to throw it in the trunk and forget it until next time.

Level 10 will work on any mag valve except rentals.

[paullus99]

I've had my Automag for ten years & the only maintenance I've ever had to do was just a regular cleaning after games (takes about 15min for teardown, clean & oil) then I'm done until next game.

The level 10 takes about 30min to tune (sometimes more if you have to change out springs, etc), but in general, once you've got it in place you can forget it.

On the field, I've never had an issue that kept me out of a game or took longer than a couple of minutes to figure out. The worst lately is a single barrel break (one per day it seems) that is fixed by switching out barrels between games.

All in all, a lot easier to take care of than most of the electros I see out on the fields nowadays.

[phayt]

I've played a minimag since the mid 90's and while I try to clean it and oil it after each sesion, sometimes it will go four or five days of playing with only 2 drops of oil in the back of the gun and a barrel swab. I have never had a day where I couldn't play my gun while I have watched players of every other gun I deal with having to set them aside and grab a rental for the day. The only exception to this is the auto cockers, these guys seem to spend at least half of their game time every day of play fixing their guns. Impressive when they are working but not worth it to me.

Only a Tippman is as reliable on a day to day basis as my mag.

[Backyard Bandit]

I had one problem with my 98 when the valve blew out on my second use. But that was fixed by the warrenty. The only time my mag didn't shoot right is when the drop forward's O'Ring inside began leaking. Since then, I've replaced the o' ring by DOP's excellent customer service (sent two of the to me for free, priority mail). But that's not even AGD's part, so it's unrelated. Once, I stopped shooting on the field. That's cuz I ran out of air when I didn't fill the tank again (aginst better judgement too).

[brianlojeck]

I've never used a lvl10 mag, I understand that requires a bit of tweaking and care to get up and running properly, and part of the reason I've not gotten one is it has the potential to make my mag no longer "gas and go". It might not be a big potential, but it's there.

I can say, though, that my LVL 7 mag is the epitome of reliability. It sat in a box for 4 years one time, and worked PERFECTLY when i gassed it up. It's been dropped, wet, banged, and dirty. It's survived my ham-fisted attempts to "improve" it. I can't remember the last time I had a leak caused by a bad oring (I actually change all my orings once a year or so just on GP)

Hell, if I make sure to work the trigger properly, it doesn't even chop paint more then 1 or 2/case, and that's with an ancient Shredder loader and crappy FPO paint.

and take a look at the serial number in my sig. My gun is older then many of the people on this board...

Pretty low maintenance I'd say.