Do barrel "inserts" work?

[xero28]

When I say "inserts", I mean to include different size barrel backs (sly, pipes, etc) as well. I mean, if you have a 2 piece barrel, and just the back end of it is matched correctly to your paint, won't the paint get messed up while going through the second half? I've never used a kit before, seen them used, and of course peole swear by them. But is it really worth it buying a $140-$200 kit when you can just get three or four decent barrels with different bore sizes? I saw a Un1tek (I think that's what it was) kit on PBN for sale where there is a single back piece and all of the "inserts" are simply various size barrels. I guess this would be the same as buying a bunch of different bore-sized barrels? I would like to hear what you guys think, so please chime in with your opinions, experience, suggestions, etc. Thanks.

[tech-chan]

I swear by three 14" CP one-peice barrels. One for each major bore size: .685 .689 .693

I have never gotten along with two-peices, personally, and will never use one.

And I've never gotten better accuracy.

[MoeMag]

I think they work.

but moreover, I think good paint is the real trick.

I will stand by my dye .688 SS boomstick with quality paint any time tho.

[cockerpunk]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpUTWDY5NFE

stay tuned for the up coming barrel break test, should be out by late this week.

[BigEvil]

I have found that a few different sizes work very well. More than 3 or 4 arent really needed IMO. I find myself using the same ones over and over again, and the small differences in bore size up or down doesnt make all that drastic a difference.

[punkncat]

The only markers I will use "sizers" on are closed bolt in order to keep the balls from rolling out the barrel. Otherwise I just use a large bore size like a .691+

[MANN]

I have found that a few different sizes work very well. More than 3 or 4 arent really needed IMO. I find myself using the same ones over and over again, and the small differences in bore size up or down doesnt make all that drastic a difference.

QFT.

[Spider-TW]

Between one, two and three piece barrels I would rather have a one piece that matches the paint. You can only use a barrel kit effectively with good paint, which has to be premium when its made and kept that way when its shipped and until you use it. That's pretty rare for me. When one out of four balls is large, small or egg shaped, it throws it off. The three sizes tech-chan has are good for me, but .689 gets the most play.

[ThePixelGuru]

Whether or not they "work" depends on what you think they should do. If you asked if they're a good option for stopping rollouts on closed-bolt markers, then yes, they work great. If you mean better efficiency, yeah, great as well. If you mean better accuracy/precision, it's debatable. Many tests have suggested that typical insert sizing wisdom is not so wise - the "perfect" ball/bore match just exaggerates any difference in ball sizes. Slight underboring (ball bigger than bore), while not so efficient, seems to make every ball seal on all sides, eliminating much of the effect of different ball sizes. Overboring prevents the ball from sealing to the bore anywhere, and also solves this problem (though not nearly so well).

Personally, I don't bother. I have a J&J Ceramic and I shoot all paint through it on all days. It's a smooth tube, I don't feel that throwing more money at it will make it shoot any straighter (or at least not enough to justify the expense). I had a Deadlywind Wisper on my 'cocker at one point - nice barrel, but I never felt it made the difference between a hit and a miss. I was always more accurate with my 'mag, though.

[xero28]

I was always more accurate with my 'mag, though.

Aren't we all.

[xero28]

WWA Freak Tip

I've seen a couple of Mags with the White Wolf Air freak tip used to cap just the back end of a freak. I've seen it on a couple of MicroMags. I just acquired my first micro and was thinking of doing this. Has anyone used this type of barrel setup? I would assume this would take the place of three or four different barrels since you could just change out the inserts? Essentially all the barrel would be is the insert? IMO, adding a 10" front to a freak won't do much more than slow the paintball, decreasing efficiency.

[tech-chan]

Depends on how short the back of the barrel is. If it's less than eight inches, you have a problem.

I would definetly at least try a .689 one peice barrel.
It'll be by far your favorite barrel, and will always be chosen to test paint on first.

And read this: http://www.automags.org/resource/tec...rrel_eff.shtml

And this: http://www.automags.org/resource/tec...boresize.shtml

And if your feeling really good about reading, this: http://www.automags.org/resource/tec...spinning.shtml

[Jaan]

I've seen a couple of Mags with the White Wolf Air freak tip used to cap just the back end of a freak. I've seen it on a couple of MicroMags. I just acquired my first micro and was thinking of doing this. Has anyone used this type of barrel setup? I would assume this would take the place of three or four different barrels since you could just change out the inserts? Essentially all the barrel would be is the insert? IMO, adding a 10" front to a freak won't do much more than slow the paintball, decreasing efficiency.

I've tried it. It can be a pain to get the ball up to speed with a short front. Depending on the marker you can hit a "wall" where turning up the velocity just wastes more air out the end of the barrel and doesn't make the ball go any faster. I have the same problem with my PGP as well, especially on cold days.

[Hilltop Customs]

I went with kits because if you buy an extra tip you have 2 barrels of different lengths with multiple bore sizes.....its nice to be able to loan out a barrel if needed. I did this with a pipe and a redz pepperstick.

Oh btw, www.firstcallpaintball.com if you want a pipe....they have them for $50 for a complete kit(no autococker threads tho)

[B-Pow]

I have kits, I like them for increased efficeny, I also saw (a small) diffrence in flight paths where the deviation between flight patters was less than with the stock big bore barrels that tend to come with markers. That observation may just have been wishful thinking of someone who spent money....but whatever. At least the efficency gains were proved by numbers.

Had a marker shooting 275 fps with stock big bore barrel, put on a 2-piece with a fair paint to barrel match and was shooting at around 305 fps with the same ammount of air. Needless to say I lowered the marker back down to the 275 fps range before playing.

That and having the options of barrel fronts to match how you feel like playing that day helps. Longer barrels for shoving it through cover (bushes, manipulating airball bunkers...etc) shorter barrrels when you want to play in smaller tighter cover (way out in front behind a tiny thing...that you probably shouldn't have ran to....but it's too late now)