Back in the saddle again?

[ramennoodles]

So, i've been away from the sport for a little while now, and i just picked up a marker today.

I was getting rid of some clutter on craigslist, and someone offered me an Automag 68 as a trade.

I thought to myself, "boy do i miss this sport," so i pounced on it.



The traded item was worth about thirty, so i don't have too much in to this.

A lot of the parts are rusted and need severe cleaning or replacing (sear, valve spring, a few bolts) as well as o-rings and macro need replacing.

Anything else i should remember/checkout/know? I'm a newb all over again!!!

I need to pick up a tank, hopper, mask, and barrel plug, but then i believe i'll be ready to play!

Looking forward to rejoining the community here at AO.

-Isaac

[koleah]

I need to pick up a . . . . . barrel plug,

We use barrel condoms now. Welcome to the future.


And get a good mask. Srsly. Its worth the money to not fog up all day long. Maybe get a vortex fan too.

[ramennoodles]

Yeah, we used to use those, my memory is lacking, though.

What passes for a good mask these days?

I think i was using a proflex or a flex-7 last time i play.

What a good cleaning agent for my marker as well?

[KillerOfGiants]

i love my profiler. but it'll all come down to what you prefer. profiler has great cushion, visibility & protection for the price of a profiler. doesnt have that ability to be fashioned like a profiler but still a great mask.

[the mag guy]

If parts are old enough to be rusted out (stainless steel?) then you definitely need to call AGD and get a parts kit. I'm willing to bet those orings are all kinds of crappy. Since you're back now, definitely make sure you pick up a lvl 10 bolt system, well worth every penny. Most agree it is the best single upgrade for any mag without one! If you have the time, check out the Tom Kaye vids on teching your mag! that should keep you busy for now. When you call AGD pick up a new sear too if you need it.

[C_losjoker]

yep for sure get a barrel condom, that is what most fields say you have to have. also check with your fields around you, you might have to get a new frame or figure out a way to put a trigger guard. again most fields because of the insurance have to have a condom and trigger guard.

[koleah]

What passes for a good mask these days?

I think i was using a proflex or a flex-7 last time i play.

What a good cleaning agent for my marker as well?

I've got the full head JT Flex-8 with the dual lense and the vortex fan. Its never fogged up on me once, but its a bit on the small side, so keep that in mind.

Good cleaning agent for your mag: Water. Srsly. Just dry it off after so it doesn't rust more.

Although depending on whats rusting, you may want to deal with that first.


EDIT: Oh, yeah. You may want to just air the thing up and see what happens. Then you'll know what needs replacing and what doesn't. The sear and pin can get surface rust with no issues, the bolt spring can get rusty with no issues. But if its not holding air, then you've got some issues.

[Newt]

"Issues" meaning "Order replacements for any orings that don't look pristine".

Nice find!

[factoid]

I don't think you need to go all fancy on masks. I have a 10+ year old JT Spectra mask. I just bought a brand new thermal lens for it and it's great. The only problem with it is the visor is all bent up from being stored badly, but the mask itself is in fantastic shape even after all these years.

Unlike equipment back then, it's all dirt cheap these days. YOu can get a very usable mask for 30-50 dollars now. I'm pretty sure my Spectra cost me over 70 back in the day...but it was one of the few that had thermal lenses and they were a MUST HAVE back then. Now every mask uses some kind of dual lens system.

To get that baby up and running it sounds like all you need is a parts kit. New bolt spring, o-rings, etc... I wouldn't even worry about the rusty bolts if they're just in your frame and body...they won't affect performance. I had a bit of rust on my vert feed bolt and I just polished it off with some oil. It isn't hurting anything. If your field strip screw is rusty definitely replace that, though.

I have that same exact barrel on my Mag. It's a PMI Perfect Ceramic. Shoots nice most of the time, but I personally just ordered Doc's cocker thread adapter so I can have my pick of newer barrels. Everyone makes cocker threads, but very few still do Mag twist-locks.