Something I've been getting into lately, paintball. The guy I work for, and a bunch of friends of ours are planning a game for the 16th of next month. Got our reservations set, and we'll be able to take the fields without having to get walk-on players with us.

This is my Tippmann 98 Custom.

Mods include:

folding stock;
14" barrel (J+J ceramic for any folks in the know);
Air-cooled shroud (mainly for looks, also to protect the barrel from dings);
Ricochet AK electronic hopper (one in the photos is a Rhino, which is the cheaper version, cause an unscrupulous eBay seller advertised it falsely. I've got the right one on order and he's GONNA take this one back. Look the same, though)
Last but not least, a response trigger kit, which uses some of the excess gas during re-cocking to push the trigger forward to reset it. The right amount of steady pressure will fire it full-auto.
I had a spare sling swivel, and luck would have it, it was the same thread pitch as the screws in the gun body. It's a quick-release, so I just slip the sling off the barrel shroud, and unclip the swivel and stuff it in a pocket. I was jealous of the sling on Michelle's Pro/Carbine, so I had to get one on mine. I would replace the front sight screw with another swivel...but I just can't see spending $10 on it

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/98Ccompact.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/98CRiflefull.jpg[/img]

Just a folding AK bipod. The barrel doesn't protrude far enough through the shroud to really mount it, but damned if it doesn't look cool.

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/98CMGfolded.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/98CMGfull.jpg[/img]

Here's a close up of the response trigger feed line, there is a cylinder inside the grip frame that pushes a plunger forward, which resets the trigger. You can see the tip of the plunger behind the trigger.

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/98CRT.jpg[/img]

And here's Michelle's Tippmann Pro-Carbine. A bit older than mine, but accurate as all hell. Also got a 14" J+J barrel, those things are well worth the money. Also got an eVLution electric loader (with Z board, for any interested) that a friend of mind donated, his Angel outgrew it, so it was just sitting around. The battery and loader door are busted up, but I found a complete shell kit with both doors for $8 on ebay!

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/ShellsPC.jpg[/img]

Just a close up of the J+J barrel porting, we think it looks cool.

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/PCMuzzle.jpg[/img]

And lastly, here's a paper I was sketching ideas on last month before I started getting parts together. I still like the idea for the Pro/Carbine with a clamp-on AR front sight and carry handle, and fit on a barrel shroud (aluminum or PVC, depends if I can find someone to do the machining) to give it a DEA look Those parts cost a bit more, and Shell's not really into aesthetics at all. I'd still like to do it, though.

www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/98PCIdeas.jpg
Exo2

My Props WebsiteEdited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=exoframe2>Exoframe2[/url] at: 9/27/05 10:36 am

dude thats cool. im using the A-5 right now, decked out like an AR-15 shorty. i love the response trigger! your right about the full auto! i turned mine up and was pacing my buddy's autococker. for some reason the 98's trigger response works perfect with compressed air also. the A-5's are so friggin hard to keep the sweet spot. so i went back to CO-2. looking good bro!;)
P.F.C. J. LEE U.S.C.M.C. A08/TQ1.0.101316X3

Got bored a couple nights ago and made up an adapter to fit the bipod around the barrel shroud like a 1919A6. Paint wasn't sticking well to it, so I got lazy and just slapped some black tape on it.

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/C981.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/C982.jpg[/img]

Don't plan to use it in the game tomorrow, but I want to keep it on at the chrono and let it rip with the response trigger on full auto just to see the looks I get from the speedballers
We'll probably take a couple pics tomorrow, have some film left on a disposable camera (gasp! 35mm instead of digital!) that we're trying to use up.
Exo2

My Props WebsiteEdited by: [url=http://p220.ezboard.com/bthealienslegacy.showUserPublicProfile?gid=exoframe2>Exoframe2[/url] at: 10/15/05 4:25 pm

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/IMG003.jpg[/img]

Michelle and I

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/IMG002.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.hooverae.com/upload/pics/IMG001.jpg[/img]

The folks we played with, most are friends through the shop I work at, or friends/family of Clint (the owner, red shirt). Michelle and I invited four friends/family, but they all backed out. Punks. We didn't have to play with walk-ons, so we were split 5 on 5.

Oh well, it was a lot of fun, much more fun than last year. Even the speedball courses we played were enjoyable...Michelle and I loathe speedball. We had good teamwork and communication this time around, so it was a good experience. Our team won 7 of the 11 matches. Our team was Michelle and I, the two other guys in woodland camo and the fellow with the afro and blue jersey.
Exo2

My Props Website