| PCRI Tech
Tips
Welcome to "Tips from the Workbench". This month I will be discussing customizing
the 68 Automag.
Customizing the Automag
As you probably already know, the 68 Automag is a very versatile, upgradable
paintgun. There are literally hundreds of aftermarket products available
for the 'Mag. Lets start with your power source.
Power source: If you are shooting your 'Mag with C02 you need to be sure
not to allow "liquid" C02 into your gun. There are many ways of doing this,
none of which are fool-proof. First you can install a vertical-bottle adapter
on your gun (comes standard with the Minimag). This will keep the tank vertical,
improving the chances of keeping the liquid in the bottom of the tank from
getting into the gun. If you have a back-bottle or bottom-line C02 adapter
on your Automag, have an anti-siphon tube installed inside the tank. Do not
attempt to do this yourself--bring your 'Mag to a qualified Airsmith. If
you don't want to use an anti-siphon tank, you'll need to use a remote system
on your gun. You have to do one of the two or your gun will not work properly.
If you are using nitrogen on your Automag, you'll need to have a bottom-line
"cradle" on your gun or use a remote system. There are a couple of ways of
setting your 'Mag up for on-gun nitrogen. The easiest way to do this is to
run a Microline hose from the tank directly to the Automag regulator. You'll
need to have an on-off valve on your tank or you will have no way of "bleeding"
the system. You can also run a hose from the regulator to a vertical-bottle
adapter. Then run a hose from the vertical adapter to the tank. Again you'll
need an on/off or bleed valve somewhere between the tank and the gun. To
use your 'Mag with a remote, you will need a gun-to-hose adapter with a quick
disconnect, and any one of the many remote systems. If you are using a remote
system with high pressure, you don't need an expansion chamber. With C02
you probably do. Remember, do not use an anti-siphon tank with your remote
system.
Double triggers: There are several types of double finger triggers
available for the Automag. The best kind that I know of is the Pro Team Products
double finger trigger 45-grip frame. This is not a trigger shoe or replacement
trigger, it's an entire grip frame. This product offers an enclosed trigger
guard which makes it safer and better looking than the type that requires
cutting the trigger guard.
45-grip frames: There are a few companies marketing 45-grip frames
for the Automag--most of them are manufactured by a company called Benchmark
in Florida. 45 style grip frames give your gun a different feel and allow
you to change the hand grips to one of many styles available for "real" gun.
You'll also notice a different trigger pull with a 45-grip frame. It will
be slightly longer and much "softer."
Barrels: Changing barrels is the first thing most 'Mag owners do almost
immediately. It's not that the Crown Point barrel isn't a decent barrel--it's
just that there are many other barrels that are better (in my opinion). Smart
Parts "original" barrels are the most commonly seen aftermarket barrel for
the Automag. They're very quiet and very accurate. DYE makes stainless steel
and aluminum barrels that are excellent as well. They too are quiet. J &
J, Armson, and B.O.A. all make quality Automag barrels as well.
Bolts: This one is still debatable. The "foamie" bolt was recently replaced
by Airgun Designs with the "foamie-less" bolt. The jury is still out as to
which one works better. If you can deal with losing the foamie tip every
now and then, it is definitely easier on fragile paint.
Other stuff...
AKA Performance Paintball is producing the "Cyclone" on/off replacement valve
for the Automag. Exotic Sportz makes a replacement on/off as well. I personally
have not used either of these products yet, but I do know that PCRI is currently
testing both. Air America makes great aftermarket regulators for the Automag.
Some helpful phone numbers
Airgun Designs (847) 520-7507
Air America (847) 297-4020
AKA Performance (317) 631-7200
Allen Paintball (216) 439-3222
J & J Performance (330) 567-2455
National Paintball (609) 464-1068, (803) 458-7221
Paintball Mania (314) 296-9319
PMI (847) 272-4765
Pro Team Products (904) 439-3600
Thanks for reading, I'll see you next month.
(About the author -- Rick Muncy is an Airgun Designs certified technician
and works as an airsmith at Pev's Paintball Pro-Shop in Woodbridge, Virginia.)
Fax your questions to Rick at (703) 491-6391.
To Airgun Designs Home Page |
