| PCRI Product Evaluation
from the 1997 Special Eadition
Pro Team Products' MicroMag
DESCRIPTION: The MicroMag is available as a complete gun package as
well as an upgrade for your existing Automag. For this article, we'll focus
on the complete MicroMag package. The MicroMag is less than 12-inches in
length and weighs two-pounds (About a ½
 pound
less than the stock Automag). The MicroMag is machined from solid aircraft
aluminum (three pieces) and contains no welds or epoxies. The three pieces
(main-body, Power Feed, and grip assembly) are joined by allen screws. The
45 grip assembly comes with contoured plastic hand grips. The Power Feed
slides into a channel and is bolted to the main body. The barrel (non- removable)
is machined into the main body (a removable barrel upgrade will be available
in the Spring of 1995). The MicroMag package comes standard with a bottom-line
C02 set-up .
ACCURACY:
PROCEDURE: With a securely bench-mounted gun, we fire 200+ rounds
of paint (nine 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 (original), Marballizer, Zap Advantage, Nelson Precision,
Proball, 68 ultra, Stinger, and Bullseye paint. Below are the results of
the accuracy bench-mount test.
125 feet Hits/shots
RP Scherer 59% 242/411
Marballizer 66% 134/203
Zap Advantage 54% 209/387
Nelson Precision 61% 124/204
Proball 67% 145/216
68 Ultra 58% 125/215
Stinger 59% 129/218
Bullseye 47% 95/202
Challenger 50% 109/219
overall 125 foot ratio...all Brands 57.67% 1312/2275
100 feet
RP Scherer 67% 273/407
Marballizer 76% 152/200
Zap Advantage 60% 250/416
Nelson Precision 63% 131/208
Proball 74% 166/224
68 Ultra 63% 134/213
Stinger 68% 147/216
Bullseye 59% 118/200
Challenger 59% 152/257
overall 100 foot ratio...all Brands 69.54% 1628/2341
75 feet
RP Scherer 70% 291/416
Marballizer 74% 154/208
Zap Advantage 61% 245/401
Nelson Precision 64% 134/209
Proball 72% 146/203
68 Ultra 60% 128/214
Stinger 63% 135/214
Bullseye 70% 149/213
Challenger 63% 147/233
overall 75 foot ratios...all Brands 67.45% 1559/2311
50 feet
RP Scherer 98% 393/401
Marballizer 98% 215/219
Zap Advantage 90% 357/397
Nelson Precision 92% 194/211
Proball 98% 216/220
68 Ultra 91% 184/202
Stinger 93% 187/201
Bullseye 90% 188/209
Challenger 94% 234/249
overall 50 foot ratios...all Brands 93.89% 2168/2309
VELOCITY CONSISTENCY:
The MicroMag's velocity consistency was excellent, varying only 6-7 feet
per second (see chart).
MAINTENANCE OF VELOCITY:
This test show's the MicroMag's ability to maintain velocities during rapid
fire situations.
1 shot 287 FPS
2 shots 288 FPS
3 shots 285 FPS
4 shots 287 FPS
5 shots 282 FPS
6 shots 290 FPS
10 shots 285 FPS
OBSERVATIONS:
The MicroMag has one of the best trigger-pulls available. The short, soft
stroke allows for rapid firing at a rate of 7+ balls per second. The 45 grip
frame is comfortable as well. The bottom-line set-up requires an anti-siphon
tank or remote system to help keep liquid C02 out of the gun. Like the standard
Automag, keeping liquid out of the valve is essential to good performance.
The MicroMag has many of the excellent features of the Crown Point/Power
Feed Automag, plus the 45 grip, short barrel, and it smaller and lighter.
Of the three guns competing for "Semi-Auto of the Year", the MicroMag ranks
third in accuracy, third in velocity consistency, and first in maintenance
of velocity. However, the MicroMag costs about $300.00 less than either the
Evolution, or Signature Autocockers. The only thing that could be considered
a negative, is that the gun is very loud because of the short barrel.
The MicroMag is an outstanding Paintgun, at a great price...and it's our
first runner-up (tied with the Signature Series Autococker) for "Semi-Automatic
Paintgun of the Year, 1997." |
