| PCRI
Product Evaluation
Oh Pawlak Signature Series
Automag
(Editors Note: As you probably already know,
Oh Pawlak is one of PCRI's Contributing Editors. Evaluating one of his products
could be seen as a conflict of interest. Having told you that, we've decided
to do it anyway. We just wanted you to know where we are coming from. The
Oh Pawlak Signature Series Automag is an excellent selling paintgun, so we
felt it was necessary to evaluate it...good or bad. If you believe this article
may be biased, then my advice to you is not to read it.)
The Oh Pawlak Signature Series Automag is a
fully upgraded tournament ready paintgun. For $695, the Oh Pawlak Automag
comes with an add-on Power-Feed, 45- grip frame, vertical-bottle adapter,
custom spiral-driller barrel, quick-disconnect, eight-hole modification (valve
body), polished main body, and is "splash" anodized in a choice of
colors.
Design/Construction:
The Oh Pawlak Automag is
seventeen-inches in length and weighs two and one-half pounds. The polished
main body has five machined grooves and three holes to give the gun a unique
look. The frame rail, 45-grip frame, Power Feed, vertical-bottle adapter,
and barrel come with a gloss splash anodized finish.
Internally, the Oh Pawlak Signature Series
Automag comes with the "Pro-Mag" eight hole valve modification. In theory,
this allows the gun to recharge faster when rapid firing. Other than that,
the Oh Pawlak Automag is internally identical to the stock Automag.
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 100
& 125 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 re-sighted at each target distance change.
For this accuracy test we used RP Scherer "Premium Gold", "Marballizer",
Proball, and Zap Advantage paint.
At a target distance of 125 feet, the accuracy
ratios were 61% for Premium Gold, 64% for Marballizer, 59% for Proball, and
57% for Advantage. At 100 feet the ratios were 72% for Premium Gold, 71%
for Marballizer, 73% for Proball, and 69% for Advantage.
With the reduced target size, the 75 foot ratios
were 56% for Premium Gold, 59% for Marballizer, 60% for Proball, and 51%
for Advantage. At 50 feet, all ratios improved. Premium Gold hit the target
at a rate of 90%. Marballizer's ratio was 96%, while Proball and Zap hit
the target at a rate of 98% and 94% respectively.
The overall ratios were:
Premium Gold 71%
Marballizer 73%
Proball 72%
Advantage 68%
Observations:
Out of the box, the Oh Pawlak Signature
Series Automag chronographed at 291 feet per second (fps). Of the 3102 shots
fired during accuracy testing we encountered one ball break (Zap
Advantage).
Accuracy rating (4)
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) using C02.
290 fps 288 fps 279 fps 286 fps 286 fps 290
fps 289 fps 281 fps 287 fps 292 fps 283 fps 285 fps
high feet per second 292 (+6)
low feet per second 279 (-7)
average feet per second 286
Maintenance of Velocity shows
a gun's ability to hold velocities during rapid firing.
1st shot 290 fps 10th shot 288 fps
1st shot 287 fps 10th shot 281 fps
1st shot 288 fps 10th shot 285 fps
We fired a twenty-five shot string using a
standard Automag, here's what we observed;
1st shot 288 fps - 10th shot 285 - 25th shot
281
With the Oh Pawlak Signature Series Automag
we repeated the same test. Here's what we observed;
1st shot 292 fps - 10th shot 286 - 25th shot
278
Observations:
All performance testing was done
using a twenty-ounce C02 tank. We got 830 good shots from a full tank shooting
in the 280's (fps). Using a Pact chronograph, we could fire 7.1 - 7.6 shots
per second. Like the standard Automag, the Oh Pawlak Signature Series version
does not shoot through liquid C02 well. The gun comes set up for vertical
C02 so liquid is not usually a problem.
During field testing we had about one ball
break per 1,000 rounds. Although the add-on Power Feed is better than the
standard Automag feed tube, it is not as effective as the Power Feed main
body.
Performance test rating (3)
Versatility:
The Automag is one of the most versatile
paintguns available. The Oh Pawlak version is no exception. There is an array
of add-on aftermarket accessories available for the Automag. There are many
barrels, grips, etc. accessories that can be purchased for this gun. The
Oh Pawlak Automag is easy to convert to high pressure gasses such as nitrogen
and compressed air as well.
In addition, when ordering an Oh Pawlak Signature
Series Automag, you can specify what configuration you would like (bottom-line,
vertical bottle, etc.).
Versatility rating (4)
Customer Service/Support:
The Oh Pawlak Signature Series Automag
is still under warranty from Airgun Designs. Airgun Designs offers one of
the best customer service departments in the industry, supporting their product
line at tournaments and special events world wide.
Customer Service/Warranty rating
(4)
Price: At $695 retail, the Oh Pawlak Signature
Series Automag is one of the lowest priced tournament ready paintguns. If
you bought this gun piece by piece, it would cost you about $850- 900 (including
the splash anodized finishing).
Price rating (4)
Conclusion:
The Oh Pawlak Signature Series Automag
is a very good paintgun at a very fair price. It performs well, looks good,
and comes with almost everything you need to play tournament Paintball. If
you are in the market for a top-notch paintgun, give this one a look
over.
PCRI IS PLEASED TO AWARD THE OH PAWLAK SIGNATURE
SERIES AUTOMAG OUR FOUR STAR SEAL OF QUALITY.
Copyright 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
International Paintball Publications Inc.
©All rights reserved |
