Tippmann
Encyclopedia
Tippmann is a manufacturer of paintball marker
s and paintball equipment
, including military simulation (MilSim
) kits. A related company, Tippmann Industrial Products manufactures manual and pneumatic heavy-duty sewing machines primarily used for leather, other leather-related equipment, and some industrial products. Originally a family owned business run from Fort Wayne, Indiana
, in 2004 Dennis Tippmann Sr. sold a majority ownership stake to Summit Partners
, a private equity firm. Tippmann designed the first automatic marker, the use of refillable air systems in place of 12 gram cartridges, the "Cyclone Feed" system, the "Flatline" barrel, and the Tippmann C-3, the first propane-powered marker.
In June 2004, Tippmann announced that the company had completed a financial recapitalization
with private equity and venture capital firm Summit Partners
. Howard Kosick joined Tippmann as its president and CEO, with both Dennis Tippman Senior and Dennis Tippmann Junior remaining on the company’s Board of directors
as consultants; the latter continuing with the management team in product development. Shortly afterward in 2005, the company announced a record year for increased sales of paint marker units.
The company has been credited with the development of several technologies, including the introduction of C3 with PEP Technology propane markers in 2005, and improved Anti-Chop technology in 2006 to combat paintball breakages inside the marker.
Tippmann was named best paintball gun making company of 2011 do to innovative designs and great customer service, also was nominated for being the most sexy paintball gun maker of the year in 2009 and again in 2010
) includes a stock and handle. The "tactical electric" improves upon the "tactical" by adding an electric firing mode.
s and an AR-15
style magazine. The marker incorporates a flat-top Picatinny rail built into the receiver, in order to accommodate a handle, site, scope or other modification. Renowned for their military armament paintball replicas, Tippmann has combined the shape and style of the AR-15 with the reliability and durability of the Tippmann name to give us Project Salvo. Project Salvo was originally a military research project that developed the AR-15 and this paintball marker is equally ground breaking. It includes an AR15 style six position collapsible folding stock which expands and collapses for custom adjustability and the stock is hinged to fold out of the way. Another innovative feature is the AR15 style shroud with four picatinny rails (in addition to the picatinny rail along the top of the receiver) for mounting any accessory you can dream of. This marker comes with a high performance 11" quick thread barrel, removable and adjustable front and rear sights, and the field proven high performance in-line bolt system. This marker is compatible with 98 Custom Response Trigger, E-Grip, Cyclone Feeder Upgrade, and Flatline barrel systems. In Canada it is called the Sierra One Marker.
The 98 series features a clam-shell design, allowing users to remove the six bolts on the left side of the marker and dismantle the marker into halves or shells; allowing easy cleaning and maintenance. The valve however, is difficult to access and clean, but rarely requires it. This clam-shell design was modularized for the 98 Platinum. ACT (Anti-Chop Technology) was featured in later versions of the 98 Custom, which prevented the front bolt from chopping a paintball if it was not completely in the firing chamber when the trigger was pulled. In early 2008, the 98 Custom Platinum was released, and older 98 non-A.C.T. models were discontinued.
The A-5 is a semi-automatic
paintball marker
. It utilizes an atypical pneumatic loader called the "Cyclone Feed" similar to the Tippmann F/As force feed. This enables the marker to have a higher rate of fire than a gravity feed without the addition of a battery operated loader (at the cost of air efficiency). It uses a larger surface area and a series of rotating arms in a star-shaped pattern. Five balls are held between the paddles as they rotate paintballs into the firing chamber (moving 1/5 of a revolution per trigger pull). Theoretically, this system eliminates chops by positively feeding a paintball into the chamber before each shot.
The stock Cyclone is rated for a maximum of 15 balls per second. While higher rates of fire are possible, the stock mechanics are not designed to deal with the stresses this will place on them. This limitation was addressed during the creation of the X-7.
In addition to the stock semi automatic function, the A-5 can be easily upgraded with either the Response Trigger or an electronic trigger (by swapping out the lower grip frame, a feature introduced on the A-5). The response trigger (rt) uses a small pneumatic piston to create automatic fire and runs off excess blow-back gasses. The E-Grip uses a 9-Volt battery, a microswitch, and a solenoid to trip the sear . The A-5 can often be purchased with these upgrades already installed.
On November 20, 2006, Tippmann launched their X-7 marker product line in cooperation with Special Ops Paintball
. Tippmann marketed the X-7 as the most customizable marker on the market. The marker is sold as either a basic model, a response trigger edition or an E-grip edition (the latter using a Hall effect
sensor for select fire modes).
It has a mechanical design similar to the A-5, while featuring an upgraded cyclone feed that can achieve up to 20 balls per second. Accessories built specifically for the A-5 receiver cannot be used with the X-7 (and vice versa). It features a sleek exterior hosting an array of picatinny type accessory rails, a strong lightweight magnesium receiver, a low profile cyclone hopper, an on-board magazine shaped tool kit (sacrificing a standard ASA tombstone for expansion/regulation).
loop, open-notch sight and clamshell design.
Accessories for the pistol include a remote kit with compressed air or , removing the need for 12 gram tank. A HammerHead barrel adds spiral rifling to control ball rotation, and provides a consistent bore size of .688, minimizing air loss for improved air efficiency. A leg holster to be worn on the legs is provided for the pistol, which also allows for four cartridges, and a barrel blocking device. The TPX Magazine 2-Pack includes two magazines.
of World War II
. The marker is .62 caliber, has a fixed steel barrel, and uses three stripper clips of five balls each (or four clips if using the extended 20-round magazine); the fire rate is 10 paintballs per second, therefore an entire standard magazine can be emptied in about 1.5 seconds.
The SMG-68 is a .68 caliber version of the SMG-60, configured for semi-automatic operation, and featuring a removable barrel. Tippmann offered a trade-in for SMG-68's to be converted into 68 Specials, by adding a front bolt and external linkage arm.
The Pro-Carbine is a popular rental gun at paintball fields. It is semi-automatic and is known for its durability and reliable function. The Pro-Carbine is also known for its "rifle-like" forearm grip and Thompson SMG Style Action (even though it's only a Mechanical Semi Automatic). This gives the gun an appearance that is similar to that of a real-life rifle. It is a popular woodsball/scenario marker due to its focused upgradability toward Mil Sim, but is less popular in speedball or Tourney games due to its handling, weight characteristics and slower rate of fire.
One of the workhorses of the Tippmann line, it has been superseded by the 98 Custom and the Custom Pro.
The shells were redesigned for the model 98 custom key changes included:
-a removable trigger guard (previously part of the shell)
-elimination of the gills on the front of the marker
-internal changes to the shells to allow the additions of other aftermarket parts namely the reactive trigger system.
Special Note: New style thread flattline barrels will fit both the old thread and new thread guns.
design. The three basic models include the XL semi-automatic (with 8½ inch basic barrel), XT semi-automatic (adding an expansion chamber, front grip assembly and 11 inch barrel), and eXT Electronic - which operates at fully automatic twelve or fifteen BPS, single-shot, or three round burst. The markers all feature a high impact composite body, double trigger, a center feed neck, in-line bolt system and a 200 round gravity feed hopper.
.
As a shot is fired, excess (normally waste) gas from the shot is scavenged through the side of the marker via a banjo fitting (a T-type fitting is required for use with the response trigger system). The gas is utilized to rotate the cyclone as the marker re-cocks, force feeding a paintball into the chamber. The Cyclone Feed System comes standard on the Tippmann A-5 and an enhanced version comes on the X-7. Tippmann offers Cyclone upgrades for 98 Custom and Custom Pro users. The advent of the Cyclone Feed System marks the first widely used, non-electronic, agitated hopper. The lack of electronics means the user can expose the system to moisture (rain, snow, etc.) which would interfere or destroy other, mechanical systems.
The Cyclone feed concept first appeared on the Tippmann F/A as a spring operated system that required manual rewinding.
or compressed air
from the firing process to reset the trigger and sear
with a pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder can reset the trigger with only moderate pressure. When this happens, the pressure of the finger immediately pulls the trigger back again, firing another shot. If the operator utilizes the correct amount of pressure on the trigger, a "bouncing" effect occurs, resulting in fully automatic like fire for the duration of the time that the operator can maintain that amount of pressure (commonly known as the "sweet spot"). As such, its use has been restricted to single-shot operation at some commercial paintball fields while banned completely at others.
The Response Trigger System is available on the 98 Custom, Custom Pro, A-5, and X-7 markers. It can also be installed in the Model 98 with modification (tapping the powertube and allowing space in the grip for the cylinder).
The term E-Trigger is usually applied to the system in the 98 Custom and Alpha Black, while the term E-Grip is applied to the A-5 and X-7 markers, because they use a removable grip frame that contains all the electronics.
on the ball which increases its range to upwards of 250+ feet (100 ft over a standard barrel) and creates a flat trajectory. With a regular paintball barrel, a player will often have to raise the angle at which he/she is shooting in order to reach the opposing player. The accuracy of this barrel system is dependent on more factors than a standard barrel. With backspin being put on the paintball, inconsistency in the shape of a paintball will create unusual trajectories. Another disadvantage is its tendency to break thin shelled paintballs more easily. However, this can be remedied by avoiding the use of low-grade paintballs.
The Flatline barrel shroud, on the 98 Custom, looks somewhat like that of a rifle and allows one to hold it as such. The 98 Custom Flatline shroud can be removed but is necessary to hide the unusual shape of the barrel. The standard shroud for the 98custom flatline system is made of dense plastic and comes as part of the system. The 98 Custom Flatline must be re-adjusted for accuracy whenever it is removed and reinstalled. Therefore it's a good idea to "mark" where the barrel is aligned for reinstallment. Also the flatline barrel curves above the markers normal sight system, which is replaced by the sight system integrated with the barrel shroud. The A-5 Flatline, which resembles a large suppressor (though it does not operate as one), only extends the length of the barrel, so the normal sight rail system is not changed. The A-5 Flatline system can be removed and installed to the same position, making it unnecessary to adjust unlike its predecessor the 98 Custom. Also the barrel system does not have any porting and is therefore louder than a typical paintball barrel.
It is also important to keep the marker adjusted to no more than 300 ft/s (91.4 m/s), 275 fps being the most effective velocity, for higher velocities cause paintballs to curve upwards before reaching its maximum distance, which in turn decreases the barrel's normally high effective range. Tilting the barrel to the left or right will also cause the trajectory to be altered in that direction.
The new Platinum Series flatline barrel is threaded and goes on like any other barrel. It also has a picatinny rail, where you can mount accessories that attach onto a rail system.
Paintball marker
A paintball marker, also known as a paintball gun, is the main piece of equipment in the sport of paintball. Markers use an expanding gas, such as carbon dioxide or compressed air, to propel paintballs through the barrel. Some paintball players refer to the piece of equipment as a "marker" rather...
s and paintball equipment
Paintball equipment
Paintball is an equipment intensive sport and in order to safely conduct a game, every player requires a marker with propellant to fire the paint, a mask to protect the eyes and face, paintballs, and a loader to hold them...
, including military simulation (MilSim
MilSim
MilSim is an abbreviation of Military Simulation, and refers to military simulations conducted by civilians for entertainment purposes. There are several forms of MilSim: airsoft games, paintball games, and video games simulating military scenarios and tactics.Weapons used in MilSim are commonly...
) kits. A related company, Tippmann Industrial Products manufactures manual and pneumatic heavy-duty sewing machines primarily used for leather, other leather-related equipment, and some industrial products. Originally a family owned business run from Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
, in 2004 Dennis Tippmann Sr. sold a majority ownership stake to Summit Partners
Summit Partners
Summit Partners is a growth equity investment firm focusing on a wide array of transactions from leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations to growth capital, venture capital investments, and mezzanine capital....
, a private equity firm. Tippmann designed the first automatic marker, the use of refillable air systems in place of 12 gram cartridges, the "Cyclone Feed" system, the "Flatline" barrel, and the Tippmann C-3, the first propane-powered marker.
History
The Tippmann family, headed by Dennis Tippmann Senior, originally manufactured collectible, half-scale replica machine guns. However, a change in gun laws led to entry into the paintball market in 1986; forming the Tippmann Pneumatics Incorporated company. The company attempted to make high-performance, durable and affordable products - with the company claiming to have built the first semi-automatic and full-automatic paintball markers in the world.In June 2004, Tippmann announced that the company had completed a financial recapitalization
Recapitalization
Recapitalization is a sort of a corporate reorganization involving substantial change in a company's capital structure. Recapitalization may be motivated by a number of reasons. Usually, the large part of equity is replaced with debt or vice versa...
with private equity and venture capital firm Summit Partners
Summit Partners
Summit Partners is a growth equity investment firm focusing on a wide array of transactions from leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations to growth capital, venture capital investments, and mezzanine capital....
. Howard Kosick joined Tippmann as its president and CEO, with both Dennis Tippman Senior and Dennis Tippmann Junior remaining on the company’s Board of directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
as consultants; the latter continuing with the management team in product development. Shortly afterward in 2005, the company announced a record year for increased sales of paint marker units.
The company has been credited with the development of several technologies, including the introduction of C3 with PEP Technology propane markers in 2005, and improved Anti-Chop technology in 2006 to combat paintball breakages inside the marker.
Tippmann was named best paintball gun making company of 2011 do to innovative designs and great customer service, also was nominated for being the most sexy paintball gun maker of the year in 2009 and again in 2010
Alpha Black
The Alpha Black (also "U.S. Army Alpha Black", or the "Bravo One" in Canada) is a marker designed in partnership with, and fully licensed for, the U.S. Army - and is used by soldiers for training. It has four variations, with the basic model consisting of a marker and barrel. The "e-basic" model comes with an electronic firing mode, while the "tactical" model (which resembles an M4A1 carbineM4 carbine
The M4 carbine is a family of firearms tracing its lineage back to earlier carbine versions of the M16, all based on the original AR-15 designed by Eugene Stoner and made by ArmaLite. It is a shorter and lighter variant of the M16A2 assault rifle, with 80% parts commonality.It is a gas-operated,...
) includes a stock and handle. The "tactical electric" improves upon the "tactical" by adding an electric firing mode.
Project Salvo
The Project Salvo, a United States Army Paintball marker, is named after a series of tests conducted by the army's operations research office in the late 1950s; however it is marketed as the Sierra One outside the United States. It features a six position collapsible and fold-able stock, an AR-15 style shroud with four built-in Picatinny railPicatinny rail
The Picatinny rail or MIL-STD-1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail or a "Tactical Rail" is a bracket used on some firearms in order to provide a standardized mounting platform. A similar system is the Weaver rail mount.-Description:...
s and an AR-15
AR-15
The AR-15 is a lightweight, 5.56 mm, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed semi-automatic rifle, with a rotating-lock bolt, actuated by direct impingement gas operation. It is manufactured with the extensive use of aluminum alloys and synthetic materials....
style magazine. The marker incorporates a flat-top Picatinny rail built into the receiver, in order to accommodate a handle, site, scope or other modification. Renowned for their military armament paintball replicas, Tippmann has combined the shape and style of the AR-15 with the reliability and durability of the Tippmann name to give us Project Salvo. Project Salvo was originally a military research project that developed the AR-15 and this paintball marker is equally ground breaking. It includes an AR15 style six position collapsible folding stock which expands and collapses for custom adjustability and the stock is hinged to fold out of the way. Another innovative feature is the AR15 style shroud with four picatinny rails (in addition to the picatinny rail along the top of the receiver) for mounting any accessory you can dream of. This marker comes with a high performance 11" quick thread barrel, removable and adjustable front and rear sights, and the field proven high performance in-line bolt system. This marker is compatible with 98 Custom Response Trigger, E-Grip, Cyclone Feeder Upgrade, and Flatline barrel systems. In Canada it is called the Sierra One Marker.
Carver One
The Carver One, a United States Army Paintball marker. This marker is compatible with 98 custom barrels and E-Grip. It is not compatible with the Tippmann 98 cyclone feed, response trigger, or flatline barrel.98 Custom
The custom 98 was originally the Model 98, until modified to make it a more easily upgradeable marker. It utilized Tippmann's venerable inline blow-back design (used in all of its current line except the X7 Phenom). The front sight could be pressed down, allowing the player to swing-down the feed-neck for easy access to the chamber, allowing quick swapping of the feed-neck (used on most of Tippmann's non-cyclone fed lineup).The 98 series features a clam-shell design, allowing users to remove the six bolts on the left side of the marker and dismantle the marker into halves or shells; allowing easy cleaning and maintenance. The valve however, is difficult to access and clean, but rarely requires it. This clam-shell design was modularized for the 98 Platinum. ACT (Anti-Chop Technology) was featured in later versions of the 98 Custom, which prevented the front bolt from chopping a paintball if it was not completely in the firing chamber when the trigger was pulled. In early 2008, the 98 Custom Platinum was released, and older 98 non-A.C.T. models were discontinued.
Custom Pro
The Tippmann Custom Pro was an upgraded version of the 98 Custom aimed at entry level speedball play. It features a double trigger (two-finger trigger), drop-forward (which moves the tank down and forward, changing the center of gravity and allowing a tighter setup), 11 inch high performance stone-honed barrel, and Anti-chop technology. The marker also features a scratch resistant powdercoat, and also has models that utilize the E-Trigger system.A-5
In appearance the A-5 was modeled after the H&K MP5K but can be modified to look like a number of different real world firearms. It is one of the most customizable markers on the market, with many different cosmetic and performance parts. The Tippmann A5 could easily accept standard ASA expansion chambers and regulators allowing easier performance upgrades, unlike the later X-7. Departing from previous Tippmann bodies, the A-5s hammer is completely enclosed within the clam-shell, using a separate overhead cocking mechanism. The body also incorporates a removable barrel thread adapter, allowing the marker to change it's barrel threads to any major type (Spyder and Autococker being the most common).The A-5 is a semi-automatic
Semi-automatic firearm
A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a weapon which performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing—assuming cartridges remain in the weapon's feed device or magazine...
paintball marker
Paintball marker
A paintball marker, also known as a paintball gun, is the main piece of equipment in the sport of paintball. Markers use an expanding gas, such as carbon dioxide or compressed air, to propel paintballs through the barrel. Some paintball players refer to the piece of equipment as a "marker" rather...
. It utilizes an atypical pneumatic loader called the "Cyclone Feed" similar to the Tippmann F/As force feed. This enables the marker to have a higher rate of fire than a gravity feed without the addition of a battery operated loader (at the cost of air efficiency). It uses a larger surface area and a series of rotating arms in a star-shaped pattern. Five balls are held between the paddles as they rotate paintballs into the firing chamber (moving 1/5 of a revolution per trigger pull). Theoretically, this system eliminates chops by positively feeding a paintball into the chamber before each shot.
The stock Cyclone is rated for a maximum of 15 balls per second. While higher rates of fire are possible, the stock mechanics are not designed to deal with the stresses this will place on them. This limitation was addressed during the creation of the X-7.
In addition to the stock semi automatic function, the A-5 can be easily upgraded with either the Response Trigger or an electronic trigger (by swapping out the lower grip frame, a feature introduced on the A-5). The response trigger (rt) uses a small pneumatic piston to create automatic fire and runs off excess blow-back gasses. The E-Grip uses a 9-Volt battery, a microswitch, and a solenoid to trip the sear . The A-5 can often be purchased with these upgrades already installed.
X-7
Special Ops Paintball
Special Ops Paintball is a paintball manufacturer, distributor, and online retailer specializing in paintball gear for woods or recreational players. Their service motto is "we are woodsball"...
. Tippmann marketed the X-7 as the most customizable marker on the market. The marker is sold as either a basic model, a response trigger edition or an E-grip edition (the latter using a Hall effect
Hall effect
The Hall effect is the production of a voltage difference across an electrical conductor, transverse to an electric current in the conductor and a magnetic field perpendicular to the current...
sensor for select fire modes).
It has a mechanical design similar to the A-5, while featuring an upgraded cyclone feed that can achieve up to 20 balls per second. Accessories built specifically for the A-5 receiver cannot be used with the X-7 (and vice versa). It features a sleek exterior hosting an array of picatinny type accessory rails, a strong lightweight magnesium receiver, a low profile cyclone hopper, an on-board magazine shaped tool kit (sacrificing a standard ASA tombstone for expansion/regulation).
X7 Phenom
The Tippmann X7 Phenom makes use of FlexValve technology, and operates below 300 PSI which improves air efficiency (with Tippman stating that this allows over 1,400 shots) from a 68 cubic inch 4500 psi tank). The marker is three inches shorter than the X7, is designed to be low maintenance, with a spool valve design to reduce recoil.Tippmann TPX
The Tippman TPX is a low-cost, high-performance paintball pistol, which use magazines inserted into the grip, but has no integrated 12-gram cartridge. The pistol features an A5/X7 threaded barrel, self locking magazine, internal regulator, under-barrel , 2 inch under-barrel picatinny rail, puncture on first trigger pull, high-impact composite body, metal trigger, lanyardLanyard
A lanyard is a rope or cord exclusively worn around the neck or wrist to carry something. Usually it is used where there is a risk of losing the object or to ensure it is visible at all times. Aboard a ship, it may refer to a piece of rigging used to secure objects...
loop, open-notch sight and clamshell design.
Accessories for the pistol include a remote kit with compressed air or , removing the need for 12 gram tank. A HammerHead barrel adds spiral rifling to control ball rotation, and provides a consistent bore size of .688, minimizing air loss for improved air efficiency. A leg holster to be worn on the legs is provided for the pistol, which also allows for four cartridges, and a barrel blocking device. The TPX Magazine 2-Pack includes two magazines.
Tippmann SL-68 II
Tippmann has reintroduced the SL-68 II pump marker with a redesigned integrated feed neck that fits most current standard hoppers, as well as a redesigned ergonomic grip.C-3
The C-3, with PEP technology, was a paintball marker produced by Tippmann - and is the first paintball marker to run on propane. The C-3 was discontinued in 2006, and no plans have been announced to release another propane-powered marker.SMG
The SMG-60 was the first fully automatic paintball marker on the market. It is similar to the British StenSten
The STEN was a family of British 9 mm submachine guns used extensively by British and Commonwealth forces throughout World War II and the Korean War...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The marker is .62 caliber, has a fixed steel barrel, and uses three stripper clips of five balls each (or four clips if using the extended 20-round magazine); the fire rate is 10 paintballs per second, therefore an entire standard magazine can be emptied in about 1.5 seconds.
The SMG-68 is a .68 caliber version of the SMG-60, configured for semi-automatic operation, and featuring a removable barrel. Tippmann offered a trade-in for SMG-68's to be converted into 68 Specials, by adding a front bolt and external linkage arm.
SL-68
The SL-68 was a pump gun designed for improved durability over prior product designs. The body was constructed from a cast and machined magnesium aluminum alloy, and the hopper adapter was integrated into the body casting, reducing the overall number of parts. The pump handle was originally manufactured with a cast metal, but was later replaced with a fiber-reinforced plastic. A squeegee could be stored in the pump handle, and a breech port could be used to quickly clean the barrel.68 Special
The 68 Special was an inline poppet valve design very similar to the SMG-60 in layout and design. One interesting feature about this gun is that the hammer can be moved out of position into a safety position preventing the gun from being able to fire, like the PMI-3/VM-68. It had a built in back bottle setup that ran on liquid and was very inefficient, partially because of the hammer weight (nearly 1 pound). It was one of the first semi-auto markers on the market, and cycled at 6 balls per second, which was very fast considering the loader technology at the time.SL-68 II
A pump marker, the Tippmann SL-68 II superseded the original SL-68, adding anti-double feed and modified breech features. Most importantly, the constant-air adapter was relocated to an ergonomic position in the base of the cast gripframe meaning that players could easily aim with a full mask on. It has now been reintroduced to the market.Pro-AM
The Pro-Am is an open bolt semi-automatic marker. Early models had cast metal foregrips and pistol grips (the Pro-Am), while later models had composite foregrips and grip frames (the Pro-Lite). The loader connection was built into the foregrip, and by clicking the foregrip forward with a sear at the front of the gun the paint was kept from feeding, and the breech became open to clean the gun with a pull through squeegee. This allowed a player to clean the gun really fast with a pull through squeegee, without removing the barrel, or removing the loader. Like all Tippmann markers the Pro-Am was nearly indestructible and extremely reliable gun. While the Pro-am was like the 68 Special in layout, being an inline poppet valve design, it was a major change in design, with a different body, valve, breech, hammer, hammer to bolt linkage, and sear arrangements. Also the tank was moved to below the grip frame for better balance and to allow different bottom line arrangements and stocks, instead of the Lone Star (M-16 style) grip that had been on the previous Tippmann Semi/Full Auto lines. Also it was the first Tippmann Semi-Auto that didn't require a siphon tank to run liquid , even though it could in colder weather without any problems.Pro-Lite\Mini-Lite
The Pro-Lite is a semi-automatic open bolt marker. It is nearly identical to the Pro-am differing only in the materials used to make the foregrip and pistol grip. The Pro-lite used composite plastic while early Pro-Ams used cast metal foregrips and pistol grips(later Pro-Am models used composite foregrips). The difference in materials made the Pro-Lite considerably lighter than its predecessor. Like the Pro-Am, the Pro-lite was designed for durability and is extremely reliable. Paintball Fields commonly used Pro-lites as rentals because of their ease of maintenance and ability to take extreme abuse. The Mini-Lite is essentially a Pro-lite with an extra CA adapter mounted just behind foregrip.Factory F/A
The F/A was a select fire, force fed, blowback paintball gun based on the Pro-Am/Pro-lite body, with the Star feed apparatus on the side. It can be said that the F/A's Star feed, which is close in function to the modern Cyclone feed, is the predecessor to the A-5. The F/A could be switched between safe, semi, and fully automatic firing via a fire selector lever. The full-auto setting changed the sear from a disconnecting version (used in semi-auto) to a full open sear. It used a hydraulic key/linkage/shock style system to slow the rate of fire by dragging 2 sets of keys on the top of the hammer. Although the rate of fire was adjustable from a few shots a second to around 20, the adjustments were seen as "tricky" by some users (although that was a small price to pay for such awesome firepower). Also, the Star feed required manual winding, and no other loaders on the market could feed a marker at that rate of fire. This feed system was prone to breaking paint, partially due to the spring tension, and partially due to the heavy action of older Tippmanns. The F/A, like the Pro-Lite and Carbine series, shares barrel threading and basic valve design with the A-5.Pro-Carbine and .68 Carbine
The .68 Carbine was developed as a lighter and more customizable version of the Pro-Lite, featuring a .45 grip frame, a simplified feed neck that was not part of the forearm grip, and now-standard bottom line ASA adapter. Like the Pro-Lite, it was durable, accurate, and required minimal maintenance. The feed neck turned out to be the only weak spot, which lead to the development of a new model, a combination of the Pro-Lite forearm breech and the Carbine receiver. This new model was named the Pro-Carbine. Pro-Carbine Barrels will fit Pro-Lite, .68 Carbine, and A-5 Models. They will NOT fit the Model 98.The Pro-Carbine is a popular rental gun at paintball fields. It is semi-automatic and is known for its durability and reliable function. The Pro-Carbine is also known for its "rifle-like" forearm grip and Thompson SMG Style Action (even though it's only a Mechanical Semi Automatic). This gives the gun an appearance that is similar to that of a real-life rifle. It is a popular woodsball/scenario marker due to its focused upgradability toward Mil Sim, but is less popular in speedball or Tourney games due to its handling, weight characteristics and slower rate of fire.
Model 98
The Tippmann model 98 is the original version of the 98 custom.One of the workhorses of the Tippmann line, it has been superseded by the 98 Custom and the Custom Pro.
The shells were redesigned for the model 98 custom key changes included:
-a removable trigger guard (previously part of the shell)
-elimination of the gills on the front of the marker
-internal changes to the shells to allow the additions of other aftermarket parts namely the reactive trigger system.
Special Note: New style thread flattline barrels will fit both the old thread and new thread guns.
Triumph
The .68 caliber Triumph series was launched in 2006 by Tippman Pneumatics; the marker is an entry level model, which departs from the Tippman standard MilSimMilSim
MilSim is an abbreviation of Military Simulation, and refers to military simulations conducted by civilians for entertainment purposes. There are several forms of MilSim: airsoft games, paintball games, and video games simulating military scenarios and tactics.Weapons used in MilSim are commonly...
design. The three basic models include the XL semi-automatic (with 8½ inch basic barrel), XT semi-automatic (adding an expansion chamber, front grip assembly and 11 inch barrel), and eXT Electronic - which operates at fully automatic twelve or fifteen BPS, single-shot, or three round burst. The markers all feature a high impact composite body, double trigger, a center feed neck, in-line bolt system and a 200 round gravity feed hopper.
A.C.T.
Tippmann recently introduced a feature known as A.C.T. (Anti-Chop Technology), which is a mechanical system integrated into the bolt system to reduce the chance of jams due to misfed paintballs. In the 98 Custom and Custom Pro markers, the hammer has a deep groove that the linkage arm sits in, along with the ACT spring to keep it in position (there is also a small hole to insert the linkage arm into if the user chooses not to use the ACT function). If a paintball is incorrectly fed into the breech when the bolt is closing, the bolt stops on the paintball with little pressure from the ACT spring, while the hammer continues on its stroke unlinked to the bolt. It hits the valve and is blown back open, where it re-engages the linkage arm and retracts the bolt, letting the paintball fall into the breech correctly. The marker is now ready to fire again. The Tippmann A.C.T feature is very similar to Spyder's ACS boltACS bolt
An ACS bolt is a special type of bolt used in some Paintball markers. The purpose of the ACS bolt is to reduce the amount of chopping by using a system that detects when there is an obstruction in the chamber and brings the bolt back...
.
Cyclone Feed System
Much like the Response Trigger System, the Cyclone Feed System uses the excess gas from firing the marker to cycle a feeding mechanism providing up to 15 b.p.s. (Some have tested the unit at 20+ Balls Per Second with some commercially available modifications). In comparison with conventional hoppers, the Cyclone has a much wider mouth, holding multiple paintballs in the feeding mechanism even without a hopper.As a shot is fired, excess (normally waste) gas from the shot is scavenged through the side of the marker via a banjo fitting (a T-type fitting is required for use with the response trigger system). The gas is utilized to rotate the cyclone as the marker re-cocks, force feeding a paintball into the chamber. The Cyclone Feed System comes standard on the Tippmann A-5 and an enhanced version comes on the X-7. Tippmann offers Cyclone upgrades for 98 Custom and Custom Pro users. The advent of the Cyclone Feed System marks the first widely used, non-electronic, agitated hopper. The lack of electronics means the user can expose the system to moisture (rain, snow, etc.) which would interfere or destroy other, mechanical systems.
The Cyclone feed concept first appeared on the Tippmann F/A as a spring operated system that required manual rewinding.
Response Trigger System
The Response Trigger System is a firing system available for current production Tippmann paintball guns. The system uses a series of parts that are added to the gun to greatly increase firing rate for the marker. The system uses excess carbon dioxideCarbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
or compressed air
Compressed air
Compressed air is air which is kept under a certain pressure, usually greater than that of the atmosphere. In Europe, 10 percent of all electricity used by industry is used to produce compressed air, amounting to 80 terawatt hours consumption per year....
from the firing process to reset the trigger and sear
Sear
Sear may refer to:* Sear , part of the trigger mechanism on a firearm* Seir , a Prince of Hell; also spelled Sear* Searing, a cooking technique which quickly cooks the exterior of a food item...
with a pneumatic cylinder. The cylinder can reset the trigger with only moderate pressure. When this happens, the pressure of the finger immediately pulls the trigger back again, firing another shot. If the operator utilizes the correct amount of pressure on the trigger, a "bouncing" effect occurs, resulting in fully automatic like fire for the duration of the time that the operator can maintain that amount of pressure (commonly known as the "sweet spot"). As such, its use has been restricted to single-shot operation at some commercial paintball fields while banned completely at others.
The Response Trigger System is available on the 98 Custom, Custom Pro, A-5, and X-7 markers. It can also be installed in the Model 98 with modification (tapping the powertube and allowing space in the grip for the cylinder).
E-Trigger
The E-Trigger is an electronic means of firing the marker. Utilizing battery operated components, the E-Trigger replaces the trigger function, to where the trigger simply closes a micro switch. The switch sends a signal to a small circuit board, activating a solenoid. The solenoid uses a push rod to actuate the sear in this system. The board has multiple firing modes, allowing semi-automatic, burst, automatic and other modes. A few models of boards are available from different manufacturers, with different features, but the same dimensions to fit into the guides in the grip.The term E-Trigger is usually applied to the system in the 98 Custom and Alpha Black, while the term E-Grip is applied to the A-5 and X-7 markers, because they use a removable grip frame that contains all the electronics.
Flatline Barrel System
The Flatline barrel is the first curved paintball barrel. The slight bend or arch, in addition to a roughly honed surface texture in the barrel, creates backspinMagnus effect
The Magnus effect is the phenomenon whereby a spinning object flying in a fluid creates a whirlpool of fluid around itself, and experiences a force perpendicular to the line of motion...
on the ball which increases its range to upwards of 250+ feet (100 ft over a standard barrel) and creates a flat trajectory. With a regular paintball barrel, a player will often have to raise the angle at which he/she is shooting in order to reach the opposing player. The accuracy of this barrel system is dependent on more factors than a standard barrel. With backspin being put on the paintball, inconsistency in the shape of a paintball will create unusual trajectories. Another disadvantage is its tendency to break thin shelled paintballs more easily. However, this can be remedied by avoiding the use of low-grade paintballs.
The Flatline barrel shroud, on the 98 Custom, looks somewhat like that of a rifle and allows one to hold it as such. The 98 Custom Flatline shroud can be removed but is necessary to hide the unusual shape of the barrel. The standard shroud for the 98custom flatline system is made of dense plastic and comes as part of the system. The 98 Custom Flatline must be re-adjusted for accuracy whenever it is removed and reinstalled. Therefore it's a good idea to "mark" where the barrel is aligned for reinstallment. Also the flatline barrel curves above the markers normal sight system, which is replaced by the sight system integrated with the barrel shroud. The A-5 Flatline, which resembles a large suppressor (though it does not operate as one), only extends the length of the barrel, so the normal sight rail system is not changed. The A-5 Flatline system can be removed and installed to the same position, making it unnecessary to adjust unlike its predecessor the 98 Custom. Also the barrel system does not have any porting and is therefore louder than a typical paintball barrel.
It is also important to keep the marker adjusted to no more than 300 ft/s (91.4 m/s), 275 fps being the most effective velocity, for higher velocities cause paintballs to curve upwards before reaching its maximum distance, which in turn decreases the barrel's normally high effective range. Tilting the barrel to the left or right will also cause the trajectory to be altered in that direction.
The new Platinum Series flatline barrel is threaded and goes on like any other barrel. It also has a picatinny rail, where you can mount accessories that attach onto a rail system.