Macro Line.

[GoatBoy]

If I am to believe the specs on ASP and Macroline guy's site, the stuff they have is 1000 working pressure, 3000 burst, which is pretty good.

I have an older batch of stuff that I did buy from Macroline guy, and it was marked:

PARKER PARFLEX N 1/4 O.D X .062 WALL 500 W.P. UL94HB 008170 3

When I check that online, it comes up as 500 PSI working pressure, 2000PSI burst pressure.

"Working pressure" is defined as:

"The pressure rating that indicates the maximum pressure a conductor should experience in service."

[kevdupuis]

The Parker parflex I use is pn# NBR-4-050, 1/4" dia, 625 psi working pressure, 2500 psi min burst pressure which I get from a local hydraulic parts store. I've used it for approx 5 years and have not had any problem with it.

[p8ntbal4me]

....and its certainly easier than SS hose but not nearly as reliable in my opinion.

Cut a SS hose in half and you will find marco line inside.

Macro line is nothing more than SS hose withou the SS mesh around it and threaded ends.

~ P8nt

[Watcher]

Well, yes and no.

The macroline can afford to be thinner in the SS line because the steel braid keeps it from expanding and blowing open. Aside from allowing it to be more flexable without breaking, this means you can have a bigger inner diameter and better airflow with the SS line than just Macro, and it is stronger.

The downside is that is isn't as easy to work with.

[Thordic]

If you are running high pressure into your mag, you will likely burst your macro once or twice, or blow out a fitting. The stuff just isn't made to run 1000 PSI constantly.

I've had macro blow while in my hand, its not fun. Left a silver dollar sized bruise and my hand hurt for a week. Fittings blowing isn't much better, and you run the risk of the collar shooting out a few feet.

SS is definitely better to run on mags if you are running high pressure.

I run macro myself, but I've come to accept the fact that it could blow on me at any given time. I think I've had the hose go twice, and I've lost two or three fittings to blowouts over the years. It's always happened at gas-up, not during a game or anything.

[GoatBoy]

The downside is that is isn't as easy to work with.

Second downside is that all the metal involved in the braid, the fitting, the elbows, and the quick disconnect pairs add weight.

Not something the milsim guys care much about though.


I've used micro/macro line since the 90's. I've never had anything burst on me -- neither hose nor fittings.

I keep my runs short, avoid bends, and generally respect my equipment.