With World Cup coming to an end, it’s time for everyone to wash their gear, clean their markers and go back to life. I’ve heard from Nicky Cuba that this part supposedly “sucks“.

One of the more popular markers being shot today is Smart Part’s Shocker line. The marker is a closed bolt design that requires a little bit more effort to cleaning that your average Ego or Angel. There is no difference between the SFT and NXT internals, so this guide will apply to both. However, depending on what bolt kit you have, grease application may vary. For the demonstration, we have a 2006 SFT with a NDZ Low Pressure Bolt Kit.

1. Start by unscrewing the bolt guide and removing it

2. Set the bolt guide aside

4. Using a blunt object (wooden spoon, barrel swab, etc) insert into the breech and press firmly against the bolt.

5. Continue pushing until the entire firing assembly exits out the back of the marker.

6. Set the bolt kit aside.

7. Clean off all old grease off all parts. From here begin by applying a light coat of appropriate grease (Dow 33, Hatersauce, etc) to the entire circumference of each o-ring on the bolt sleeve.

8. Now lube firing chamber’s o-rings. Also, slide the bolt forward until it stops and apply some grease to where the bolt slides in and out of the firing chamber.

9. Now pull the bolt back and lube where it rides on the back of the firing chamber.

10. Now lube the two front o-rings on the bolt guide.

11. Once done, re-assemble everything in reverse order and insert into the body.

12. Insert the bolt guide and screw down until it stops. Air up and your ready for play.

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With there being a somewhat stale industry for loaders, Empire has released a brand new loader dubbed the “Magna Drive”.

Empire’s goal was to improve upon is Reloader B design by making the Magna Drive more reliable, consistent, sleeker, and faster. The design at first approach appears to be a hybrid of a Reloader B and a Evolution2/3. However, do not be fooled. The designs are no where similar and share nothing in common but a silhouette.

“The Empire Magna-Drive feed system is the newest innovation in the progression of loader speed and performance. Features include a patent pending, new magnetic clutch drive system and patented Halo technology for a unique wireless RF (radio frequency) system. The Magna-Drive system is the most highly advanced and customizable feed system on the planet. You can determine your feed rate, adjust the tension, set the torque, dial in the sensitivity and even synch your loader with your marker for unparalleled results.

The Magna-Drive also introduces a bold new profile for improved weight distribution and reduced exposure while playing your bunker, plus easy access battery pack and magnetic lid. The best players demand the best equipment. The Empire Magna-Drive is the answer. ”

Features:

• Magna-Drive - Magnetic Clutch System
• Proprietary RF Capabilities for Wireless Activation
• Easy Acess Battery Pack (No tools required)
• Magnetic Lid
• Durable Polycarbonate Body and Reinforced laminated Feed Neck System
• New Reduced Profile Body Design
• Rip-Drive
• 2 Floor Settings With 200 and 220 Ball Capacities.

Empire has even gone through the trouble of creating some teaser commercials for the market.

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Hey you guys out there!

Sorry for the delay over the weekend. I was in Orlando checking out everything at World Cup. Unfortunate for me, my hotel did not have free wireless, and I never got around to wardriving around Orlando looking for open access points.

But that is all through with, as I just walked back into the room. The site has received an enormous number of hits throughout the week. The traffic has literally quadrupled.

But now that I’m back, expect articles to start being cranked out regarding all the newest and latest gear for 2008. I’ve got a bunch of stuff with me from the trade show, so I’ll stay plenty busy throughout the week writing product reviews.

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Looks like Dye had something up their sleeves. The new Proto SLG…”Super Light Gun”.

With the popular success of the Invert Mini, Dye apparently figured that the market was in demand of paintball markers that are lighter, smaller, and inexpensive.

I’m going to go out on a limb and call this the PMR v2. Looks good. We’ll see how it shoots when we get one in from Dye.

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Smart Parts is taking on the paintball world by releasing FOUR new paintball markers into the market.

They are not only looking to capture the players on the tournament fields, but they are starting to push more heavily into the scenario / woodsball line with the releases of the SP series.

The first of the releases is the Smart Parts Vibe - $140.00 MSRP:

“Low price, high performance. Entry level used to mean low performance, but once again Smart Parts changed the game. The Vibe brings the smooth, accurate, fast shooting performance of true low pressure electropneumatic operation to even first time players with its unbeatable entry level price.”

Features:

• Hammer free design means that even beginning players can now afford a marker with tournament level performance, durability, and simple maintenance.
• Protection provided by the Vibe’s all-new Max Flow R Vertical Regulator means that it is safe from the dangers of liquid CO2.
• Weight (marker only): 1 lb. 11 oz.
• Length (w/out barrel): 8.75 in.
• Operating Pressure: 180psi
• Gas Source: HPA or CO2
• Anti-Chop System: Low force bolt
• Trigger Pivot: Stainless steel pin
• Ball Detent: Dual rubber style
• Semi auto firing mode
• Max Rate of fire: 11bps
• Field legal mode lock
• Runs on one 9 volt battery
• Standard ASA included
• One piece 10 inch barrel
• Feedneck: Vertical clamping
• Aluminum receiver/bolt
• Glass fiber reinforced nylon grip frame/body

The second release is the Smart Parts Ion XE - $225.00 MSRP:

“The embodiment of affordable firepower. Ion changed the paintball paradigm by being the first marker to deliver true electropneumatic performance in the casual paintball player’s price range. With multiple firing modes, an aggressive rate of fire, and break beam Vision anti-chop system, the Ion XE continues the Ion tradition of tournament level performance at a low price.”

Features:

• Bolt-Out-Back design makes this Ion easier to maintain than ever before. One allen wrench is all that is needed to remove the bolt sleeve, bolt and bolt stop from the rear of the marker, providing complete access to the entire bolt and valve assembly in seconds.
• Weight (marker only): 1 lb. 15 oz.
• Length (w/out barrel): 8.5 in.
• Operating Pressure: 180psi
• Gas Source: HPA or CO2
• Anti-Chop System: Break Beam Vision
• Trigger Pivot: Stainless steel pin
• Ball Detent: Dual rubber style
• Semi auto, rebound, 3 round burst (10bps max), full auto, (10bps max)
• Max Rate of fire: 17bps (higher with Blackheart board)
• Field legal mode lock
• Runs on one 9 volt battery
• Standard ASA included
• Ion one piece 14 inch barrel
• Feedneck: Low profile friction grip vertical / NXT thread
• Aluminum / polymer grip frame/body

The third release is the Smart Parts Eos - $390.00 MSRP:

“True tournament performance.”

Features:

• Unique rapid-charge, low volume fire chamber and volume control inserts makes the EOS deliver high-end tournament level performance, protected from distance-robbing shoot down even at the highest rates of fire
• Vision anti chop technology combined with fast and simple single tool disassembly of the entire bolt and valve system gives the EOS the reliability and fast turn around time needed in the staging pits of today’s tournaments.
• Weight (marker only): 2 lbs. 3 oz.
• Length (w/out barrel): 8.4 in.
• Operating Pressure: 280psi
• Gas Source: HPA or CO2
• Anti-Chop System: Break Beam Vision
• Trigger Pivot: Conical Mounted Bearing
• Ball Detent: Dual rubber style
• Semi auto, rebound, 3 round burst (10bps max), full auto, (10bps max)
• Max Rate of fire: 17bps
• Field legal mode lock
• Runs on one 9 volt battery
• Smart Parts On/Off ASA
• Includes Freak Jr. three piece 14 inch barrel
• Feedneck: Vertical Q-Lock/NXT thread
• Lightweight alloy grip frame/body

And finally the fourth release, the Smart Parts SP-1 - $150.00 MSRP:

“A fresh take on tactical. With its military styling and ultra rugged lightweight construction, the SP-1 is built for speed and made to last.”

Features:

• Mil-spec accessory rails at every angle and integrated mount points for a stock, the SP-1 is ready for a limitless variety of accessories.
• Equipped with an integrated tactical flashlight mount right below the barrel, which accepts inexpensive focused beam flashlights at a fraction of the cost of expensive tactical flashlights.
• Low pressure electropneumatic operation replaces the outdated spring and hammer designs that power competing tactical markers, and allows the SP-1 to deliver a fast , accurate and quiet hailstorm of paint.
• Weight (marker only): 2 lbs. 6 oz.
• Length (w/out barrel): 12.5 in.
• Operating Pressure: 180psi
• Gas Source: HPA or CO2
• Anti-Chop System: Low force bolt
• Trigger Pivot: Stainless steel pin
• Ball Detent: Dual rubber style
• Semi auto firing mode
• Max Rate of fire: 11bps
• Field legal mode lock
• Runs on one 9 volt battery
• Standard ASA included
• One piece 10 inch barrel
• Feedneck: Vertical clamping
• Glass fiber reinforced nylon grip frame/body

The only thing that we are waiting for now is an upgrade to the Shocker line.

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