Barrel Review

[Walrus]

I am not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I though perhaps (if has not been done before) we could start a sticky of barrels we have used and liked (or disliked). This would provide good information to all of us on the hunt for individual barrels and/or barrel kits. I know I have used many barrels over the years with different guns, but I always appreciated input about other barrels I haven't used before. I have seen quite a few posts about barrels on here, and I thought this would help all newcomers and old timers who are looking to upgrade or to start new. I would suggest posting only useful information and if you have further questions about a barrel, then you could PM or email the individual that posted. This is just a thought and if I am out of line, please let me know; and if this does not belong here, please move. Thanks and I can't wait to hear some reviews

Walrus
The Proud new owner of a Tuna built ULE Mag (See It Here) and many other other guns.

[MarkM]

Barrels and Opinions are like Arseholes...everyone has them and they are always different. Go with what you like not what another tells you.

[Walrus]

Barrels and Opinions are like Arseholes...everyone has them and they are always different. Go with what you like not what another tells you.

I appreciate the input Mark, but I like most people do not want to spend lots of time and money hunting for the perfect barrel. I would figure if someone has had a good experience with this barrel or kit, then post it.

If you wany my opinion, I really like my old Stainless Steel BOA Snakebite barrel on my Minimag. The problem is, they don't make them anymore and if you do find one, they are sometimes beatup or overpriced. And since I just purchased a new ULE Mag, I really don't want to put on a barrel that weighs more than the gun. There are a lot of barrels on the market now. Some are cheap in price, but not good quality; others are reasonably priced and are great shooters; etc. etc. The whole point of this is to get input for the barrels that are on the market today and to see what everyone's experience has been.

[Dayspring]

I'm a BIG fan of the Powerlyte Scepter system.

Smooth (one of the smoothest in the industry)
No orings to wear out and increase wobble (Freak)
Self aligning & locking inserts- won't spin or mis-align. Near seamless when both sides are screwed together.
The inserts are the correct size. .686" is REALLY .686".

https://www.powerlyte.com

[BD_Paintball]

freak VS pipe
pbreview
PBN barrel section
there are a TON of places for reviews, just search here and look at pbreview for reviews

i got a pipe and love it. my brother has a freak and he also loves it

[NewMagMan21]

personally I love the Custom Products (1 or 2 peice)...and they're real cheap.
Or go with a Dye Ultralight

[Archangel Zer0]

I'm a BIG fan of the Powerlyte Scepter system.

Smooth (one of the smoothest in the industry)
No orings to wear out and increase wobble (Freak)
Self aligning & locking inserts- won't spin or mis-align. Near seamless when both sides are screwed together.
The inserts are the correct size. .686" is REALLY .686".


www.powerlyte.com

The Powerlyte Scepter is probably the best barrel system on the market today for all of these reasons. I've only compared it to the Hammerhead, Freak, Kaner, and J&J Edge kits. I found all of them lacking for one reason or another. I've used the full Scepter kit for quite a while now and it still looks brand new, so the finish is pretty good, too.

[Outlaw5]

Scepter Barrel Kit

I agree with the above posts. I have a Scepter Kit on my X-MAG and people at my field are amazed by the precision that I get on the field. It shoots very consistently even with paint that is less than stellar. The craftsmanship and finish are excellent and the sleeves work as advertized. I highly recommend this kit, it is worth the money. Good Luck.

[AGDlover]

I have an Empire 7peace and I love mine not a problem yet

[Automaggot68]

I've owned both a first Gen kaner, and a Matchstik kit from MacDev.

I ADORE the MacDev kit, but I had cruddy results with the Kaner.
I once had two vikings, and a kit on each viking.
I lent the viking with the Kaner to a buddy, and sued the other with the MacDev, the Kaner was breaking paint all day long. I ended up letting my buddy use A different tip and back for the Matchstik kit, and we had ALOT better results.

HOWEVER.
I have nother friend who uses the Kaner and has GREAT results with it.

It really varies that much.

My CP second Gen 14inch one peice has never seen a barrel break, I love it.

[sokoban]

Lapco

I've shot lapco barrels pretty much exclusively since 96 and find them to be top notch. I have yet to try the new snapshot system, but I am sure that it is very high quality. I don't mind a loud barrel so much and extra gas efficiency is always nice. Having an unported barrel for me makes the difference between using a 45ci and a 68 ci tank.

[Boski51]

Another vote for the Powerlyte barrel kits.....best I have used.

[Evil1]

I have a 14" J&J hard chrome barrel from 94. It is cocker threaded. I got it from my cousin when I first started playing in early 96. The barrel is plain and heavy, but it shoots straight and shoots through breaks pretty good. I actually used it on my alias one day when all of my other barrels were breaking paint all day. That old barrel was the best that day and even took the fast rof of the alias. I sure did get alot of funny looks though. I think stiffies are very overrated.

[abunkerer]

try and find an old skool 14in. "Rekka" barrel with the .694 or even larger bore, thats a barrel that you can throw some nasty paint thru and not worry about a barrel break. Im a fan of big bore, cheap quiet shooting barrels...your lose a few shots per fill but it is a small price to pay for zero barrel break, and the accuracy is the same...try it for yourself. Or else get a C.P. they are fine...like someone said before "a barrel is a barrel"; get what looks nice on your gun.
I've owned a stiffi and was not impressed, they are cool and all but too $$ and I saw no performance gain...plus I like the little extra weight of a metal barrel over carbon fiber -I may be supersticious but I think that it helps to stabilize the shots and makes it easier push into bunkers.

[MarkM]

try and find an old skool 14in. "Rekka" barrel with the .694 or even larger bore, thats a barrel that you can throw some nasty paint thru and not worry about a barrel break.

I think the maker of those barrels would find it hilarious to hear of them being described as "old school" They only came out in the last 5 maybe 6 years at the outside.
The point of Rekka barrels was that they had very tight tolerances although to use a big bore version of any barrel is going to give false results as to the quality of the barrel.