| PCRI Product
Evaluation
Brass Eagle Raptor Semi-Auto
The "Raptor" semi-auto paintgun is manufactured by
Brass Eagle/Daisy paintguns of Rogers,
Arkansas. The Raptor is a blow-back semi which is very similar in design
to the F-2 Illustrator and Kingman Spyder. The Raptor features a vertical-bottle
C02 set up, removable eight and one-half inch aluminum barrel, external velocity
adjuster, 45 grip frame, and built-in power feed (welded to the receiver).
The Raptor comes with a feeder elbow, barrel plug, instructions, allen wrenches,
and replacement parts list/instruction manual. The suggested retail price
of the Raptor is $189.95.
Design/Construction:
The Raptor is eighteen inches in length and weighs two pounds, twelve-ounces.
Internally the Raptor is almost identical to the F-2 Illustrator using the
bolt/striker (over/under) design and front cup seal assembly, but has some
nice added amenities. One of the nice features of the Raptor is the ambidextrous
cocking knob. The handle will thread into either side of the striker. The
cocking handle screws into the connecting pin to make removing the internals
easier than having to look for a tool (the F-2 uses a tool to remove the
connecting pin). The Raptor also differs from the F-2 in that it comes standard
with a 45-grip frame and is set up for vertical bottle C02.
Materials: The receiver (main body), vertical-bottle adapter, barrel,
bolt, striker & bolt plugs, valve plug, and grip frame (cast) are all
manufactured from aluminum. The striker, connecting pin, and spring guide
are made from stainless steel. The valve and cup seal are brass.
The Brass Eagle Raptor contains four springs; the valve spring, striker spring,
and two springs in the trigger mechanism. There are nine o-rings in the Raptor
counting the three that are used to seal the valve, striker, and bolt plugs.
The trigger and power feed plug are a carbon fiber plastic. The Raptor is
a very well made paintgun.
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 Marballizer, Proball,
and Zap Pro-Series paintballs.
At a target distance of 125 feet the ratios were 32% for Marballizer, 29%
for Proball, and 30% for Zap. At 100 feet the ratios improved to 48% for
RP Scherer Marballizer, 44% for Proball, and 39% for Zap.
At 75 feet with the reduced target size the accuracy ratios were 30% for
Marballizer, 33% for Proball, and 24% for Zap. The 50 foot ratios increased
to 89%, 93%, and 90% respectively.
Observations: Out of the box the Brass Eagle Raptor chronographed
at an average of 275. Using the external velocity adjuster we were easily
able to increase the average feet per second into the high 280's. The Raptor
broke only two of the 2,000+ balls fired during accuracy testing.
Accuracy test rating (3)
Performance tests: (field testing, maintenance of velocity, velocity
consistency, etc.)
Velocity consistency: All velocity consistency testing was done using
a regular (gas) twenty-ounce C02 tank. Read form right to left.
284 fps 282 fps 289 fps 286 fps 286 fps 283 fps 285 fps 283 fps 289 fps 290
fps 280 fps 286 fps
average fps 285 fps
high fps 290 fps (+5 fps)
low fps 280 fps (-5 fps)
Maintenance of velocity shows a gun's ability to hold it's velocity
during rapid firing.
1st shot 287 fps 10th shot 285 fps
1st shot 284 fps 10th shot 279 fps
1st shot 286 fps 10th shot 287 fps
1st shot 281 fps 25th shot 282 fps
Observations: During field testing we were able to get about 780 good
shots from a twenty-ounce C02 tank in 60 degree temperatures. We also observed
that the Raptor will shoot liquid in small doses without causing problems.
A ball break in the barrel will cause the Raptor's accuracy to very erratic.
The Raptor does not shoot through a ball break in the barrel well. The Raptor's
trigger has some "play" in it which makes the trigger pull seem a bit sloppy.
Performance test rating (3)
Versatility:
Versatility is one of the real strengths of the Raptor. The 45-grip frame
included with the Raptor allows you to easily adapt your gun to bottom-line
C02. There are currently many 45-grip frame accessories used mostly for the
Automag and Autococker that will fit the Raptor's grip frame. Installing
a stock is easy as well. Also there are many add-on grips available that
will fit the Raptor's 45-grip frame. The power feed plug includes a small
drilled hole that will enable you to install a ring (key ring type) that
can be used to quicken the removal of the plug. The striker is drilled on
either side to allow the user to put the cocking handle in place for either
a right or left-handed user.
Since the majority of the Raptor is manufactured from aluminum, anodizing
the gun in different colors or patterns is possible.
Versatility rating (4)
Maintenance:
Like all paintguns, the Raptor works best when it is clean and well oiled.
The Raptor's barrel can be unscrewed and squeegeed in a matter of seconds.
The bolt and striker can be removed for cleaning quickly as well. Internally
there are four o-rings and one cup seal that may need occasional changing.
Debugging the Raptor is simple since there are not many o-rings, springs,
etc. to deal with. The grip frame can be broken down by removing three screws.
Maintenance rating (4)
Customer Service:
Brass Eagle offers an excellent warranty with the Raptor. The gun is warranted
for a one-year period free of charge if sent to the service department "pre-paid"
freight. For guns out of warranty there is a $38 repair or replacement charge.
Brass Eagle's customer service has
been dramatically improved since the company merged with Daisy Air Guns.
We have found replacement parts to take a bit longer than some other companies
occasionally.
Customer Service rating (4)
Price:
At about $190, the Raptor is one of the lowest priced semi-autos in it's
class. The Raptor is an excellent value.
Price rating (4)
Conclusion:
Although the Raptor does not have a great trigger pull or outstanding accuracy,
it excels in most other areas when compared to guns in it's price range.
The Raptor looks good, gives you good overall performance, and has a great
retail price. As a field rental or starter semi, the Raptor is worth a close
look.
PCRI IS PLEASED TO AWARD THE BRASS EAGLE RAPTOR OUR FOUR STAR SEAL OF
QUALITY.
Order
the Raptor Survival Guide!
 Raptor Survival Guide: This 26 page guide will
give you the step by step details on maintaining, troubleshooting, and upgrading
the Brass Eagle Raptor. Other chapters include "Raptor Tips", "Commonly Asked
Questions", "Disassembly/assembly", "Cold Weather Performance" and much
more.
PRICE:
$8.45
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