A couple problems with the Mag...

[Aslan]

Well, finally my Mag worked well enough to use...and IT WAS AWESOME!! Even with the horrible paint the field dumped on us...only 1 ball break all day!!

Okay...now the bad news...I'll split into three parts:

Part A: I went to chrono the gun. It was shooting 340fps. I turned the velocity down...it shot 310...I turned the velocity down...it shot 295....I turned the velocity down again...it shot 181 then wouldn't fire. I turned the velocity up...it started shooting in the 250-260 range....but it was jumping all over the place! 264, 266, 246, 294, 281, 255...etc... Finally, I got it to somewhat stabalize around 266-276...but if the ref would have made meshoot 8 shots rather than 4 to certify it...I may have never gotten to play. Any ideas why it would be so crazy? All I could think of was maybe it was some ind of "break-in" since much of the valve had been new and rebuilt. My only other idea was maybe I had oiled it too much or something.

Part B: The efficiency is absolutely HORRIBLE!! I played in 8 fifteen minute games...I had to fill my 3000psi tank 3 times!! I figure I was going through 2000-2300 psi every 2-3 games. I was shooting around 20-250 shots per game...probably 200 shots per game for simplicity sake and lets say 1000psi per game. Is 5psi per shot normal with a Level 10 Classic Mag? I mean, with a 20oz CO2 tank, with my Spyder, I can play 10-12 fifteen minute games. With this 3000psi air tank...an can only play 2 games...maybe 3 if I don't get into too many firefights. This is problematic. ...I play at 2 fields (primarily)...one is free air all day...one is not. And the field that charges for air charges like $12 to fill up a 3000psi tank. If I play there all day...I might go through 4 tank refills!! I could spend almost $50 in air!! If that's the case, the Mag will stay in the car at that field...I can't add $50 to the price of a day of paintball...it's already too expensive.

Part C: I noticed at the end of the day that there was a slight leak. I'm thinking that maybe my Level 10 wasn't completely broken in before. I dry fired it about 100 times after installing the Level 10...I thought I had broken it in...well...I cleaned the gun...went to the next smaller size carrier...it's not leaking anymore. So I think I solved that problem...I only mention it because could that be responsible for the problem in Part B?

Thanks in advance guys!

[Rather]

A; When you chrono, take 2-3 shots after eachvelocity adjustment. Between shots hold the trigger back, and pull the trigger immediately after releasing pressure on the trigger. It won't be your average velocity, but it will be your max velocity (mags have a tendency to shoot at higher fps when rapid firing, doing this simulates the rapid-firing). As for the velocity, expect a big difference from shot to shot, won't change much over time.

B: Possibly caused by the leak. Mag's arent too air friendly before level 10 and leaks, you may have stick with the backup gun at the field with no all day air. Test out how many more shots you get at the free all day air field now that you fixed the small leak, if its vastly improved then you'll be set at the field that charges every fill. Can't really offer any other help than reccomend getting a larger tank.

C; If it was leaking between full cycle shots (as in not showing off the abilities of level 10) then yes it may have been the carrier and you fixed it if you went one size smaller. If it was having trouble resetting after testing the anti chop of the lvl 10, then it was your shims.

It sounds like it was the carrier so no worries since oyu already fixed that problem.

[athomas]

You don't have to worry about holding and releasing the trigger then quickly pulling the trigger again to properly chrono a classic valve. Just fire across the chrono the same as any other gun.

The erratic velocity is probably due to inconsistent paint.

If you want to maximize your efficiency, you needa barrel with minimal porting in the first 10in. It also helps to have an barrel id that is suited to your paint. This is hard to achieve with inconsistent paint due to velocity fluctuations. If you do use good paint, then a properly sized barrel will definately help your efficiency.

[11 Bravo]

I use the smallest spring that came with my lvl 10 and get great results. I chrono at + or - 2 or 3, sometimes better. I also have pretty good efficiency. I get more than 6 pods and a hopper from a 68/4500 bottle.

[Jasonl619]

And the field that charges for air charges like $12 to fill up a 3000psi tank.

any field that charges more than $1-$2 per 1000 psi is ripping you off. I'm sure they have a compressor running in the back somewhere so they have a constant air supply. I would write a letter to the field owner about that and maybe if you got enough people to do the same they would lower it.