| PCRI Product Evaluation
Tippmann Factory F/A Full/Semi-Auto
The "Factory F/A" is the newest paintgun from Tippmann Pneumatics of Fort
Wayne, Indiana. The Factory F/A is an open-bolt, blow back system that can
be used in both full and semi-automatic mode. The suggested retail price
of the Factory F/A is $479.
Design/Construction:
The Tippmann F/A is about twenty-two inches in length and weighs two pounds,
nine ounces. The foregrip, receiver and feeder housing are manufactured from
a durable carbon fiber material; the same material used in manufacturing
the Pro-Lite. The remainder of the external components are made from aircraft
aluminum and stainless steel.
Internally, the design of the F/A is very similar to the Pro-Lite. The Factory
F/A's rate of fire is adjustable. Simply loosen the locking jam screw and
inner jam screw and slide the cover forward to expose the adjustable rate
of fire screw. In full-auto mode we were able to set the rate of fire from
about six, to about eighteen balls per second.
The Factory F/A uses a specially designed Indian Springs feeder that holds
about 170 rounds. The feeder housing contains a spring crank handle, that
when turned, loads paintballs into the chamber.
Included with the Factory F/A is a removable barrel, nine-ounce tank, tools
for adjusting the velocity, a squeegee, a feeder, and a very good instruction
manual.
Design/ Construction rating (4)
Accuracy:
Procedure: With a securely bench-mounted gun, we fire 200+ rounds
of paint (four brands) at four target distances. At 125 & 100 feet, the
target size is 22" x 22". At 75 & 50 feet the target size is reduced
to 8" x 11". All accuracy testing is performed indoors at 60 - 80 degrees
(F). The gun is resighted at each target distance change. For this test we
used RP Scherer Marballizer, Premium Gold, Zap Advantage and Gold Caps paint.
At a target distance of 125 feet, the accuracy ratios were 49% for Marballizer,
53% for Premium Gold, 46% for Advantage and 48% for Gold Caps. At 100 feet
the ratios were 66% for Marballizer, 59% for Premium Gold, 55% for Zap and
51% for Gold Caps.
With the reduced target size, the 75 foot ratios were 51% for Marballizer,
44% for Premium Gold, 45 % for Zap Advantage and 41% for Gold Caps. At 50
feet the ratios improved dramatically to 93% for Marballizer, 90% for Premium
Gold, 91% for Advantage and 90% for Gold Caps.
The overall ratios were:
Marballizer 64%
Premium Gold 61%
Advantage 59%
Gold Caps 57%
Observations: Out of the box, the Tippman Pneumatics F/A chronographed in
at an average of 288 feet per second. Of the 3,000+ shots fired during the
accuracy portion of this evaluation, we encountered six ball breaks.
Accuracy Rating (3)
Performance Tests (field testing, maintenance of velocity, velocity
consistency, etc.)
Velocity Consistency: All shots are fired at a slow rate (read from
left to right). All velocity consistency testing was done using a twenty-ounce
"gas " CO2 tank.
291 fps 288 fps 287 fps 290 fps 290 fps 286 fps 287 fps 289 fps 292 fps 291
fps 288 fps 289 fps
high feet per second 292 fps
low feet per second 286 fps
average fps 289 fps
Maintenance of velocity: shows a guns ability to maintain its velocity
during rapid fire.
1st shot 288 fps 10th shot 287 fps
1st shot 290 fps 10th shot 291 fps
1st shot 286 fps 10th shot 288 fps
We fired a twenty-five round "string" and recorded the first and last shot.
Here's what we observed:
1st shot 289 fps 25th shot 281 fps
1st shot 290 fps 25th shot 279 fps
Field Testing: We field tested the Tippman F/A and found it to work
completely trouble-free in semi-auto mode. In full-auto we encountered a
few problems, mostly minor. To load paintballs you first must wind the loader
spring crank three to four complete rotations. If you don't occasionally
crank the handle while you're playing, you may break a ball because the balls
won't feed properly. This happened to us several times.
Observations: Using a Pack chronograph we were able to register 4.5
- 5.5 balls per second in semi-automatic mode. In full-auto we had no problems
until we tried to fire 12+ balls per second. Since the Tippman F/A does not
have a mechanically driven feed system, you need to be a bit more careful
than you would with the TS-1 Select.
The Tippman F/A's velocity consistency and maintenance of velocity were
outstanding. In addition, cold weather performance with the F/A will be
excellent.
Performance test rating (3)
Versatility:
The Tippman F/A is an excellent semi-auto gun, unlike the TS-1 which is really
made to be full-auto. The larger feeder is one of the best features of the
F/A. Since it has a standard flip-top lid, it enables you to use your standard
feeders. Tippman Pro-Lite aftermarket barrels will work with the F/A as well.
Versatility rating (3)
Customer Service/Warranty:
Without a doubt, Tippman's customer service is one of the best in the industry.
Like the Pro-Lite, the F/A comes with a one-year warranty. Almost all warranty
work performed at Tippman Pneumatics is done in a 24- hour period.
Customer Service rating (4)
Price:
At about $480, the Tippman F/A is priced just above the TS-1 Select. Comapared
to other paintguns, the F/A is priced in the middle of the pack.
The Tippman F/A is not as sophisticated as the TS-1 Select from Tagline.
It is probably more useable for Paintball though. The F/A is a very good
semi-auto paintgun, as well as an excellent full-auto. Whether it will be
allowed on your local Paintball field is another story. Our guess is that
it will.
PCRI IS PLEASED TO AWARD THE TIPPMANN FACTORY F/A OUR THREE STAR SEAL
OF QUALITY. |
