I just got off a conference call with the Quality Control Manager at Tippmann. This was a proactive reach out on their behalf trying to find the most common tech issues on current production guns so they can be addressed as needed. Very nice to see that Tippmann is still concerned about quality and reliability. Not just taking care of people that complain, but really trying to find the problems and fix them proactively.

SO . . . If you have any tech issues that you've seen or heard of on a regular basis then let me know and I'll make sure to pass it on.

Their very first question is the one I posted in the poll. Let me know what you think. Thanks guys. See you on the field.

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- http://www.TippmannParts.com
Tippmann Paintball Gun Comparison Chart

When i bought my phenom
it worked great for the first game
then the next week it started to leak and build up pressure
so if i left my marker for a minute or so and my shot will be very high FPS
and my 2cnd and third would even out
then i contacted the great guys over at tippmann was on the phone for 2 mins and they said they would send me a new piston
i received that (and looked like my piston had a lil metal pc missing in the center) but that still didn't fix the leak but it fixed the build up of pressure and i helped that out by buying the MRT bad karma bolt from TechT (which is great by the way) and it comes with the phaze 5 fitting
which i think helped out letting a lil more air into the cyclone

i have talked to a few ppl out on the fields and stuff and 2 out 6 ppl that had phenoms said that they had the same leak (no build up of pressure)
one guy said it was the oring (i checked that and its perfect)

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They really need to bring production back to the U.S.A. I used to use the fact they were produced mainly in FT Wayne, IN as a marketing tool at the field I help out at.

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Ever since they were bought out in 2004, their quality has gone to crap. Of the 60 rentals my store bought, 3 of them were broken out of the box. Overall the newer tippmanns feel a lot cheaper than the olde ones.

Now, as a tech, I really haven't noticed anything that was too out of the ordinary. The hammer and sear do tend to wear out pretty fast it seems though. Most of the time, all I need to do to fix most Tippmanns is just take them apart, give them a good scrub, a little oil, and they're good to go. On occasion I have to dive into the valve, but it's not too common.

Now, if you want me to talk about all the design flaws that Tippmanns have...

Sounds like your reg is just creeping. Typical sign that a reg piston is damaged or the reg seat is dirty or worn.

In the year and a half that I've been working as a gun tech, I think I've seen 3 Phenoms come in for repair; one where the ball latch got blown out (how I have no idea), one where one of the o-rings on the pin the hold the valve assembly in had torn (pretty easy to do considering the design), and one where the bol insert thing had completely sheared out of the bolt.

I think it's funny that TechT made a Bad Karma branded bolt...

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Model98.org, Where Tippmanns Have No Limits

GONE TIL NOV 2013

magmoormaster but they sent me a new piston and replaced it with that one and its still leaking, i have cleaned and polished as best i can
it shoots like a dream but the leak is still there tiny but still a leak

and just curious why is it funny techt made a bad karma branded bolt?

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I'd say it not bad. There are a few common problems that seem to persist. Like the Meat Hooks having to be sanded down on A5's, X7's, and Phenoms. The issues with the front bolt on the Phenom having sharp edges which cause breaks. Etc.

These are all minor issues that are easily fixed.

The big thing with Tippmann that keeps them ahead of the pack is Customer Service. BT farmed there's out and it has gone to crap since then. I would like to see production in the US to. I would pay more for a product made here.

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Usually if there is a problem with a Tippmann it is usually user related. As in you tried cleaning it, or over tightening something.

That's my problem, is my hulk strength breaks things. I've gone through dozens of ASA's, gas lines, and power tubes. From me breaking them.

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Captain of the Bay State Nemesis paintball team.

Yeah, replacing the piston is what fixed the creep.

Where's it leaking from?

The reason it's funny is that I know Bad Karma. I've met them and played with played with them. The fact that TechT made a branded product for a 'team' that only plays a few events a year (and only scenarios mind you) is laughable.

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Model98.org, Where Tippmanns Have No Limits

GONE TIL NOV 2013

I'll just go ahead and say that you can't please everybody...

but I know that long after I quit playing, every marker I own will still be working just how it was made to. That speaks volumes of Tippmann's quality.

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I find it funny that after selling out maybe they have Bad Karma?? lmao
I'm still a huge Tippmann type guy, and still can't wait till I get my phenom. It will take selling 5 or 6 of my prized milsim markers, but it's worth it!!