| PCRI Product
Evaluation
LAPCO Threaded Timing Rod
Threaded timing rods for the Autococker are one of the older upgrades that
have still not been incorporated into the stock gun. They replace the stock
slip-fit rod and collar that couple the trigger to the three-way valve on
the right side of the paintgun. Threaded rods have long been recognized as
one of the least expensive and most effective reliability-enhancing upgrades
available. As such, LAPCO is hardly original in producing their own. They
do demonstrate, though, that all threaded timing rods are not created equal.
Design/Construction:
As with all threaded timing rods, the LAPCO product provides a threaded rod
and tapped collar to replace the stock parts which are slip-fit and retained
only by small allen screws. Having the rod screw into the collar takes much
of the stress off of the allen screws which hold it place. It also makes
the rod much less likely to back out (putting the Autococker out of time)
if the retaining screw does come loose. Finally, the ability to screw the
rod into and out of the collar in small increments makes it much easier to
fine-tune the Autococker's timing. These features are common to all threaded
timing rods.
LAPCO makes their threaded rods and collars entirely out of stainless steel.
Many other competing products on the market have collars made from aluminum
or, brass.
LAPCO also manufactures the threaded rod and collar to extremely tight
tolerances. With most other threaded rods, the rod fits loosely into the
collar such that when the retaining screw is tightened down, it forces the
rod to the side producing a kink where it enters the collar. This deviation
can lead to three-way valve leaks and trigger-binding problems on Autocockers
with polished valves and high-end trigger-jobs. The LAPCO rod threads into
the collar with no slack so it does not kink when the retaining nut is tightened
down.
Design/Construction rating [4]
Performance/Versatility
We've tried a lot of different timing rods on a lot of different Autocockers.
With a stock or nearly-stock Autococker, any threaded timing rod will do
the job relatively effectively. It is highly modified Autocockers, particularly
ones with extensive trigger work and polished or custom three-way valves
that really accentuate the differences between threaded rods. If you can
not keep the rod and collar in good alignment with the three-way, the valve
shaft is pushed to the side, leading to uneven seal-wear and leaks. The rod
itself can also wobble in and out during the trigger pull, potentially leading
to binding and timing problems.
In our testing, LAPCO's rod never suffered any of those problems due to it's
superior fit. We've also found that this better fit makes it much less likely
that the retaining screw will back out. The end result of this much tighter
fit is that you will have much better reliability throughout the trigger-system.
As with all threaded timing rods, LAPCO's rod allows a full range of
adjustability. The first production run of threaded rods from LAPCO were
a bit too long and thus limited timing options unless they were cut down.
This has been corrected and all current rods from LAPCO are of the correct
length.
Performance/Versatility rating [4]
Price/Warranty
LAPCO does not set an MSRP for its products. Street prices for their timing
rod vary from $8.00 to $15. This is low to average when compared to prices
for other threaded timing rods. Given the superior materials and design of
LAPCO's rod, this price is very good.
LAPCO also offers an excellent warranty. If you have any problems with one
of their products, they will either replace it (if it's defective) or refund
your money. It doesn't get a whole lot better than that.
Price/Warranty rating [4]
Conclusion
In addition to offering a tremendous reliability improvement over the stock
Autococker timing rod, LAPCO's threaded timing rod offers superior materials,
design, and construction when compared to 99% of the threaded timing rods
currently on the market.
If you have a stock Autococker with a stock timing rod, I've found that it's
just a matter of time before the retaining screw comes loose and your 'gun
goes out of time. LAPCO's rod is an investment you will not regret. If you
have a customized Autococker that has periodic three-way valve leaks that
come and go when you wiggle the threaded timing rod, consider replacing it
with LAPCO's excellent product. It very well could be the solution to your
problems.
PCRI IS PLEASED TO AWARD LAPCO'S THREADED TIMING ROD OUR FOUR STAR SEAL
OF QUALITY. |
