PCRI Product Evaluation
Tippmann Model 98
The Tippmann Model 98 is the latest
creation from Tippmann Pneumatics of
Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Model 98 is a slick looking semi-auto that comes
with a ported aluminum barrel, 45-grip frame, vertical foregrip, quick release
feeder elbow, bottom-line C02 set up, external velocity adjuster, adjustable
sight, and 200-round feeder. The
Tippmann Model 98 retails for right
around $200.
Design/Construction:
The Model 98 is nineteen inches in length and weighs just under three pounds.
The receiver (main body) is manufactured from die cast aluminum and actually
can be separated in half by removing five allen screws (see diagram). The
seven and one-half inch barrel is manufactured from aluminum and is ported.
The 45-grip frame comes with wrap-around
Allen Paintball Products
(APP) hand grips, and is machined to accept all standard bottom-line/cradle
adapters. The rear sight can be adjusted from left to right using the thumb
screw. The Model 98's quick release feeder adapter has a hinge-type mount
that enables the user to quickly clean the breech in the event of a ball
break.
Design/Construction rating (4)
Accuracy:
Procedure: With a securely bench mounted paintgun we fire 200+ rounds of
three different brands at four target distances. At 100 & 125 feet the
target size is 22" x 22". At 50 & 75 feet the target size is reduced
to 8" x 11". 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.
Shooting at the 125 foot target the Model 98 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 smaller target size, the 75 foot ratios were, 54% for RP Scherer
Premium, 55% for Proball, and 56% for Zap. At 50 feet the ratios were 95%
for Premium, 96% for Proball, and 93% for Zap.
Accuracy rating (3)
Performance/Versatility:
The Model 98 will run on gas C02, liquid C02, or high pressure (compressed
air, nitrogen). Using liquid C02 in the cold winter months will allow you
to raise your velocity to acceptable playable levels. There appears to be
no amount of liquid C02 that will freeze up the model 98 to the point where
it becomes unusable.
The vertical foregrip on the Model 98 is removable and there will be a
vertical-bottle adapter available shortly that will enable the user to switch
from bottom-line to vertical easily. To switch to a high pressure system
(hps) you can use a screw-in type that uses the standard C02 tank adapter.
Or you can replace the bottom-line adapter with any standard hps cradle.
Since the Model 98 is so new there are not many aftermarket products available
for it yet. That will change in the very near future.
Velocity Consistency: All velocity testing was performed using gas
C02. Read from left to right.
A sample of what we found...
288 fps--285 fps--285 fps
286 fps--284 fps--288 fps
285 fps--286 fps--285 fps
287 fps--282 fps--285 fps
average fps--285 fps
low fps--282 fps (-3 fps)
high fps--288 fps (+3 fps)
Maintenance of Velocity shows a gun's ability to hold its velocity
during rapid firing.
1st shot 286 fps--10th shot 286 fps
1st shot 287 fps--10th shot 285 fps
1st shot 284 fps--10th shot 285 fps
1st shot 286 fps--25th shot 283 fps
Field Test: We field tested the Model 98 on four occasions and found
it to work very well. The rate of fire with the Model 98 is higher than that
of the Prolite or 68 Carbine. We encountered no problems in terms of double
feeding, excessive ball breakage, etc.
Ball Breakage: During accuracy testing we broke two ball breaks in
1984 shots fired. In field testing we encountered about one break per 775
shots fired.
Air Efficiency: Using a twenty-ounce gas C02 tank we got 810 good shots--the
weather was 62 degrees and the gun was shooting in the mid 280's.
(Editors note: If your Tippmann Model 98's serial number is less than
50 and you are experiencing ball breaks, contact Tippmann and they will supply
you with a new barrel.)
Versatility rating (3)
Velocity consistency rating (4)
Maintenance of velocity (4)
Performance test rating (4)
Maintenance: The
Tippmann Model 98 is fairly simple
to maintain--the quick release feeder elbow makes it simple to clean the
breech, the barrel unscrews for a good cleaning, and the entire gun body
can be split for a complete cleaning.
Maintenance rating (4)
Price:
At $200 retail, the Model 98 is priced to compete with most other similarly
featured paintguns. There are however, a few lower priced guns in this category.
Price rating (3)
Conclusion:
The Tippmann Model 98 is a very good
paintgun from a very reliable company. Tippmann's customer service is outstanding
to say the least.
The Model 98 has an excellent trigger, good accuracy and overall performance,
and it comes at a very fair price.
PCRI IS PLEASED TO AWARD TIPPMANN PNEUMATICS' MODEL 98 OUR FOUR STAR SEAL
OF QUALITY.
Order the
Tippmann Model 98 Survial Guide!
 Tippmann Model 98 Survival Guide:
The Model 98 Survival Guide is 24 pages and contains chapters on cold weather
performance, upgrading, how the '98 works, and of course all of the
troubleshooting tips you'll ever need to know. "Commonly Asked Questions",
"Maintenance", "Safety" and "Don't Ever Do This" are four more of the sixteen
chapters included in this guide.
PRICE:
$8.45
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