While browing images of customized Tippmann X7′s, I came across an image of a very nicely painted camo marker. This lead me to the company, Custom Gun Camo. They provide custom gun painting for real firearms as well as paintball markers, and the pictures of their work is amazing. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a cheap option for customizing your marker. But for those of you who are dedicated to having the most realistic and unique X7, this is a great option. Here is an example of an X7 in MC Heavy Green:
Pricing for Camo patterns start at $225 and can include custom lettering or stenciling. All paints are true DuraCoat Firearm Finishes and include clearcoat finishes in matte, satin, or glossy.
If you have any experience with painting your marker, or know of other services like this to customize your marker, let us know and send us pictures. We’d love to showcase them in upcoming articles.
Tippmann has begun shipping their new 16″ straighline barrels with rifled technology. In a partnership wtih Hammerhead, they have developed the four piece kits to work with the A5 and X7 markers, including the available Special Ops mods.
These new barrels include three sizers (.688, .686 and .683) to better match paint, and a removable military style muzzle break. It is expected to be priced around $149 and comes with a case. Buy the Straightline Barrel online here.
“This is a great product that offers loyal Tippmann players the very best accuracy technology in paintball,” said Paul Judson, vice president of HammerHead. “Others have attempted rifling using straight rifling or perpendicular spiral porting to create rotation, with questionable success. But, the HammerHead technology that has been integrated into the new StraightLine uses helix and spiral rifling, in combination with reverse porting, to control ball rotation and minimize the pressure wave and air turbulence at the muzzle – resulting in significantly straighter, more accurate shots.”
Nothing sucks like having paint break in the cyclone feed system on your Tippman A5 or X7. Unfortunately, with the higher rate of fire found in the Response Trigger and eGrip versions, this can, and does happen.
While the paddles in the Cyclone Feed System for the X7 are softer than in the past, it still happens and unless you stop to clean your marker than, you will continue to experience breaks and a mess.
A few aftermarket manufacturers have developed softer paddles… often called squishy paddles. Retailing for around $20, it’s a worthwhile investment given the headache that it will save you later. Especially when you figure that you already have $300 – $500 or more already tied up in your marker.
Be sure when you buy them that you get the latest version of the paddles which interlock. Old versions of the squishy paddles would slip and become misaligned.
You can find the squishy paddles on most paintball sites such as rap4.com or wargearpaintball.com. You can also find them on eBay.
Here is a look at a modified Tippmann X7 eGrip in action. The eGrip version offers full auto and fires up to 20 balls per second! It never ceases to amaze me that in the time that you can read just a few of these words, you could already have been hit 20 times.
If you have video of your X7 in action, or pictures of your modified X7, let us know and maybe we’ll feature them here.
This post is the beginning of a series on how to upgrade your X7 to one of thousands of different looks. The X7 truly is one of the most upgradeable markers available today. The X7 UMP is an easy and very sharp looking mod which looks very close to the real thing.
Step 1: Begin with a standard X7 marker. This mod will work with any version of the X7; Basic, Response Trigger, and eGrip. In our example, we are using an X7 eGrip Marker.
Step 2: IMPORTANT – Make sure that you have removed your CO2 or HPA tank from your marker before beginning any work. The X7 UMP upgrade will require three parts and should only require a pair of pliers to remove the associated push pins. The three parts are the UMP Style Shroud (Tippmann Part #: T275045), UMP Style Magazine (Tippmann Part #: T275043) and the X36 Style Folding Stock (Tippmann Part #: T275044).
Step 3: Remove the End Cap from the rear of the marker. To do so, use a pair of pliers to remove the two push pins which hold the cap in place. The push pins are different lengths, so mark them accordingly. The shorter push pin is the top pin. Be careful when removing the End Cap as the Guide Pin and Drive Spring will come out. Note the position of these parts so that they can be reinstalled. Below is an image of the End Cap removed.
Step 4: Remove the Front Grip from the marker in a similar way. There are two push pins which hold the Front Grip in place. You will want to store this away in case you wish to revert back at a later time. The image below shows the location of the push pins which hold the Front Grip in place.
Step 5: Remove the magazine from the marker. There is a release button on the side which should allow the magazine to slide out easily. The only downside to the UMP Mod is that the new magazine does not double as tool storage as the standard magazine does. This may mean keeping the tools in your pocket if you need them on the field during play.
Step 6: Now we are ready to begin installing the new parts. In the same order that we just removed items, we will add back the upgraded parts. The X36 Folding Stock should slide in where the End Cap was removed. Be sure to replace the Drive Spring and Guide Pin in the same direction it was when removed. This means that the drive pin should be toward the rear of the marker. Replace the two push pins (shortest on top) to secure the stock in place.
Step 7: Slide the new UMP Shroud over the barrel of the marker until the Push Pin holes line up. Insert the push pins to secure the new shroud in place.
Step 8: Slide the new magazine where the stock magazine was removed. Be sure to push hard enough for the lock to engage. Below is a picture of the parts prior to installation.
Step 9: Take your marker out to the field and be the envy of your friends.
While the paddles in the Cyclone Feed System for the X7 are softer than in the past, it still happens and unless you stop to clean your marker than, you will continue to experience breaks and a mess.
