| PCRI Product
Evaluation
Armson Stealth Barrel for the Tippmann Model
98
The Armson "Stealth" Barrel is the newest
addition to Pro Team Products' long list of barrels and accessories. For
the next three months we are going to evaluate and report on the Stealth
barrel for several different paintguns. This
 month's article will focus on the Stealth barrel for the
Tippmann Model 98.
Design/Construction
The Stealth barrel used for this evaluation is twelve and one-half inches
in length and weighs six ounces. The barrel is constructed from aircraft
grade aluminum. Like Armson's original rifled barrels, this one has internal
twist rifling, but differs in that it has sixty drilled holes (eight straight
rows of holes) in the front six inches of the barrel. The Stealth barrel
is machined beautifully and finished in matte anodized black.
Design/Construction rating [4]
Accuracy
Procedure: With a securely bench mounted paintgun we fire 200+ rounds
of three different brands at two target distances. At 100 & 125 feet
the target size is 22" x 22". All accuracy testing is performed indoors at
temperatures of 60-80 degrees (F). For this test we used RP Scherer Premium,
Proball, and Zap Pro-Series.
Stock Tippmann barrel: Shooting at the 125 foot target, the Model
98 with the stock barrel hit the mark at a rate of 38% with RP Scherer Premium,
41% with Proball, and 29% using Zap Pro-Series. At 100 feet the ratios increased
to 64% for Premium, 63% for Proball, and 58% for Zap.
With the Armson Stealth barrel the 125 foot ratios were increased to 45%
using RP Scherer Premium, 46% with Proball, and 40% with Zap. At 100 feet,
the Armson barrel's accuracy ratios were 81% for RP Scherer, 75% for Proball,
and 73% with Zap.
Observations: As you can see, the Armson barrel increased the accuracy
of the Model 98 in all six test areas. We encountered no ball breaks using
the Armson Stealth barrel.
Accuracy rating (3)
Performance Tests: (CO2 efficiency, ball breakage, etc.)
Using the Armson barrel with Diablo paintballs, the velocity was about 25
feet per second higher than that of the stock barrel gun. We attribute this
to a better fit between the paintball and the bore size of the barrel. Using
the standard barrel we got about 725 good shots (275 FPS or higher) from
a twenty-ounce tank in 60 degree temps. With the Armson Barrel, the shots
per twenty-ounce tank fill was increased by about 40.
During field testing the Armson Stealth barrel we encountered no ball breaks
in the barrel, using any of the four paint brands. We purposely broke paint
in the barrel so we could test how paint shoots through ball breaks. After
one pass of a "Jerk" type squeegee, the loss in accuracy was noticeable.
After a good off-field cleaning, the Armson barrel's accuracy was back to
its earlier standard.
Also of note, the Armson Stealth barrel is much quieter than the original
Armson rifled barrel. This is a result of the 60 drilled holes which "vent"
the C02.
Performance test rating [3.5]
Price
At around $99, the Armson Stealth barrel is priced in the middle of the pack.
The ratio of improvements over the stock barrel, compared to many other third
party Model 98 barrels is higher than most. The Stealth barrel is a very
good value.
Price rating [3.5]
Conclusion
If you're looking for more accuracy from your Tippmann Model 98, take a look
at the Armson Stealth barrel before you buy an aftermarket barrel. This one
offers improved accuracy, it's quiet, efficient, and looks good to boot.
PCRI IS PLEASED TO AWARD THE ARMSON STEALTH BARREL FROM OUR FOUR STAR
SEAL OF QUALITY. |
