Tippmann TPX
Encyclopedia
The TPX is a magazine fed paintball pistol
made by Tippmann
. New to the paintball pistol market, Tippmann released the TPX in 2009. This paintball marker
uses an air system that allows for 12 gram CO2 cartridges to be placed underneath the barrel. This was meant to eliminate bulk in the grip of the marker caused by placing the CO2 cartridge in the magazines.
paintball pistols. It competes with Tiberius Arms in the .68 caliber magazine fed pistol market, but includes features that set it and its competitors products apart.
allowing it to be easier to hold.
windows allow for the user of the TPX to view paintballs as they are inside the grip of the pistol. The TPX includes this feature. Holes are made in the sides of the pistol grip, and in the top of the marker above the magazine to create ammunition windows. These are covered with clear plastic to protect the paint inside the marker from external elements.
. Rails similar to this are found on numerous paintball markers, and are designed in order to attach accessories such as tactical light
s or laser pointer
s.
through. Attaching a lanyard allows the user of the paintball pistol to string the marker to their wrist in order to keep from losing it.
To use a remote air source a remote line adapter must be installed. This feature requires that an empty 12 gram CO2 cartridge be in place before a remote hose can be used with the TPX paintball pistol. Attachment of the remote air source depends on the remote line being used and is compatible with standard lines.
upgrades and modifications for the marker.
Paintball pistol
Paintball pistols are a type of paintball marker used in paintball, which loosely resemble pistols. There are two main types of pistols: pump and semi-automatic.-Speedball:...
made by Tippmann
Tippmann
Tippmann is a manufacturer of paintball markers and paintball equipment, including military simulation 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...
. New to the paintball pistol market, Tippmann released the TPX in 2009. This 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...
uses an air system that allows for 12 gram CO2 cartridges to be placed underneath the barrel. This was meant to eliminate bulk in the grip of the marker caused by placing the CO2 cartridge in the magazines.
Features
The TPX pistol is designed to include many features not included on many .68 caliberCaliber
In guns including firearms, caliber or calibre is the approximate internal diameter of the barrel in relation to the diameter of the projectile used in it....
paintball pistols. It competes with Tiberius Arms in the .68 caliber magazine fed pistol market, but includes features that set it and its competitors products apart.
Under Barrel Air Cartridge
The Tippmann TPX features an area underneath its barrel for the operator to place 12 gram CO2 cartridges that provide velocity for paintballs to be shot out of the pistol. In this chamber the CO2 cartridge is held in place by a quarter turn cap that twists clockwise into place. Tippmann claims that the TPX punctures this cartridge when the user pulls the trigger of the marker for the first time, although there have been troubles reported with this feature. The purpose of this design is to remove the cartridge from the paintball magazines. Removing the air cartridge from the magazine is meant to eliminate bulk from the pistol gripPistol grip
On a firearm or other tool, the pistol grip is that portion of the mechanism that is held by the hand and orients the hand in a forward, vertical orientation, similar to the position one would take with a conventional pistol such as the M1911....
allowing it to be easier to hold.
Magazines
Tippmann's TPX pistol is their first .68 caliber paintball pistol that is designed to feed paintballs using magazines. Magazines made for the TPX pistol were designed to hold eight paintballs originally, but are now sent with a newly designed seven paintball configuration to prevent breaks. These are loaded with a spring that when released forces paintballs into the chamber of the pistol, allowing the TPX to be fed from the bottom up, as opposed to traditional paintball markers that are fed from the top down with the assistance of gravity. This spring must be compressed before loading paintballs into the magazine, and when loaded into the marker will be released automatically to start feeding paintballs into the TPX chamber. Upon a press of the magazine release button, the TPX ejects the loaded magazine with a push from a spring.Metal Trigger
In order to add stability to the initial puncture of the CO2 cartridge Tippmann designed the trigger of the TPX pistol out of aluminum. After insertion of a 12 gram CO2 cartridge one pull of this trigger will puncture it allowing for the CO2 to enter the gun to be used to propel the paintballs.Covered Ammo Windows
AmmunitionAmmunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
windows allow for the user of the TPX to view paintballs as they are inside the grip of the pistol. The TPX includes this feature. Holes are made in the sides of the pistol grip, and in the top of the marker above the magazine to create ammunition windows. These are covered with clear plastic to protect the paint inside the marker from external elements.
Picatinny Rail
Directly underneath the 12 gram CO2 cartridge chamber on the TPX there is a 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:...
. Rails similar to this are found on numerous paintball markers, and are designed in order to attach accessories such as tactical light
Tactical light
A tactical light is a flashlight used in conjunction with a firearm to aid low light target identification, allowing the marksman to simultaneously aim and illuminate the target. Tactical lights can be handheld or mounted to the weapon with the light beam parallel to the bore...
s or laser pointer
Laser pointer
A laser pointer or laser pen is a small portable device with a power source and a laser emitting a very narrow coherent low-powered beam of visible light, intended to be used to highlight something of interest by illuminating it with a small bright spot of colored light...
s.
Lanyard Clip
At the back bottom corner of the grip of the Tippmann TPX pistol is featured a circular cut-out designed to string a 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...
through. Attaching a lanyard allows the user of the paintball pistol to string the marker to their wrist in order to keep from losing it.
Propellant
To insert a 12 gram CO2 cartridge into the marker turn the quarter turn cap counter-clockwise, then pull out, and then counter-clockwise again. Insert the cartridge narrow side first, then return the cap to its original position with two turns clockwise. The cartridge will not puncture until the trigger is pulled. This first pull however, will not fire the marker.To use a remote air source a remote line adapter must be installed. This feature requires that an empty 12 gram CO2 cartridge be in place before a remote hose can be used with the TPX paintball pistol. Attachment of the remote air source depends on the remote line being used and is compatible with standard lines.
Loading
To load the TPX, first push the magazine follower tab down until it clicks into place with the spring compressed. Next while keeping the magazine vertical, insert paintballs one at a time until there are eight in the magazine. The paintballs should align in an alternating pattern with the very bottom ball being closest to the front. When this magazine is loaded into the grip of the marker the spring will automatically decompress forcing a paintball into the chamber.Preparing to Fire
Unlike the traditional paintball marker, the TPX uses a blow forward action. To prepare this action for fire the operator must simply pull the trigger back once. This initial pull will not fire the marker, but trigger pulls performed after it will until all air is removed from the marker.Upgrades and Modifications
In order to enhance the performance of the TPX pistol Tippmann as well as other companies have designed aftermarketAfter-market (general)
After-market refers to any market where the customers who purchase one product or service are likely to purchase a related, follow-on product....
upgrades and modifications for the marker.
Remote Line Adapter
While the marker is designed to use 12 gram CO2 cartridges as its propellant, a remote line adapter can be installed in order to hook the TPX up to an external air source. Use of a remote line with the TPX increases the amount of air supply the marker has at one time by allowing larger sources of air to be used with the marker. Installation of this modification requires internal parts to be replaced in order to allow the air flow from the 12 gram CO2 cartridge to change and be redirected. This modification also requires a small piece in the back of the marker to be taken out. In order for this upgrade to function properly a used or empty 12 gram CO2 cartridge must be in place in the chamber underneath the barrel. Most remote lines are compatible with the TPX remote line adapter modification, and connection of the line depends on the model of remote hose being used.Extra Magazines
Tippmann includes in their basic TPX pistol package two magazines. Extra magazines made by Tippmann can be bought in pairs, and provide for more paintballs to be carried without having to reload the magazines on the field. Each magazine is exactly the same as the two provided with the stock marker, and are loaded and used the same.After-market barrels
Traditionally, after-market barrels are designed for most paintball markers. Tippmann's TPX is no exception, as there have been numerous barrels made to modify the performance and accuracy of the marker. After-market barrels are often used to enhance accuracy. Hammerhead has designed a rifled barrel that is compatible with the TPX. BT's APEX barrel can also be used with the TPX paintball pistol, and is designed to enhance distance and accuracy, and propel paintballs around obstacles. Other after-market barrels made for the TPX are designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the marker such as RAP4's silencer barrel. All TPX barrels are also compatible with the Tippmann A-5 and Tippmann X7 markers as the threading of these barrels are all the same.Recalls
- As of 2009 no recalls have been announced for the TPX pistol.
- A noteworthy free upgrade for the TPX CO2 puncturing system can be found on Tippmann's web page. This upgrade is sent to TPX owners having trouble puncturing CO2 cartridges with the first pull of the trigger. This kit includes an adjustable set screw to allow for different lengths of 12 gram CO2 cartridges to be used with the marker, as well as a new puncture pin.