Tippmann

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Tippmann Sports LLC

Type	LLC
Founded	Fort Wayne, Indiana (Early 1980s)
Headquarters	Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Key people	Jimmy Tippmann Jr.
Industry	Paintball Pneumatic Sewing Machines Industrial
Products	Model 98 98 Custom Custom Pro A-5 C-3 X-7 Triumph Series Flatline Barrel System Response Trigger System
Revenue	N/A USD (2005)
Operating income	N/A USD (2005)
Net income	N/A USD (2005)
Employees	120 (2005)
Website	www.tippmann.com

Tippmann Sports is a manufacturer of paintball markers, paintball equipment and airsoft guns. Tippmann also manufactures pneumatic sewing machines and some industrial products under the name of Tippmann Pneumatics. Originally a family owned business run from Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 2004 Dennis Tippmann sold a majority ownership stake to Summit Partners, a private equity firm.

[edit] History

In the 1980s Tippmann was known as Tippmann Arms Company. As such, they produced scaled down .22 cal replicas of military machine guns.
In 1986 gun laws changed, and the owner of Tippmann Arms Company, Dennis Tippmann Sr., was looking for new business. Dennis noticed the growing popularity of paintball and started to develop paintball markers with his knowledge from developing machine guns.

[edit] Early Paintball Markers

The first Tippmann paintball marker on the market was the SMG60. The SMG60 fired .62 cal as a full automatic. The SMG60 used a side feed system using a stripper clip and a screw on constant air (CA) tank now known as a threaded CO₂ tank. As paintball calibers became standardized, Tippmann developed the SMG68 which used .68 cal paintballs and only produced a few of them. The SMG68 is now worth more than $800 USD.

The next Tippmann marker was the Tippmann 68-Special, which was semi-automatic and used a hopper, then called the Ammo Box, that could contain up to 40 paintballs. Tippmann also released a product which converted the SMG68 into the 68-Special.

Tippmann went on to produce other notable paintguns, such as the semi-auto Pro-Am which used a solid machined aluminum receiver proceeded by the well known Pro-Lite (widely used as a rental gun because of its durability), and the SL68, a pump marker that was based on the Nelson Nel-Spot action. Tippmann also released the Factory F/A, which used the first force-feed system and a fire rate limiter to shoot semi and full automatic, and the Model 98 which used a cast aluminum design to retain quality but lower prices.

[edit] Current Paintball Markers

[edit] 98 Custom

Main article: Tippmann 98 custom

The 98 Custom is known for its ease of use, durability and reliability making it an appealing choice for newcomers to the sport. The simple design allows players to play the game, rather than constantly monitoring their equipment. Of course, as a player finds his/her niche on the field, aftermarket upgrades and modifications allow a 98 Custom owner to customize their marker to their playing style. Like all Tippmann markers, the 98 Custom sports an iron-sight system commonly found on firearms. The sights can prove useful if the gun and barrel is upgraded to something decent. By depressing the front sight, the player can unhinge the feedneck, allowing for easy access to the firing chamber, thus allowing for fast in-game cleaning. Overall, an adaptable woodsball marker, excellent for newcomers and advanced players alike.

Another feature of the 98 series of guns is their clam-shell design. By removing the six bolts on the left side of the marker you can dismantle the gun into two halves or shells. This allows users a very easy method of cleaning and maintaining the internals of the gun. The only part not revealed or easily cleaned is the valve, but this part is generally low maintenance.

One feature newly introduced to the 98 Custom is the inclusion of ACT (Anti-Chop Technology) with no added price on some models.

[edit] Custom Pro

The Tippmann Custom Pro is an upgraded version of the 98 Custom, coming out of the box it includes a double trigger (two-finger trigger), a drop-forward which moves the tank down and forward, changing the center of gravity making the paintball gun balanced, and an 11-inch high-performance stone-honed barrel, and ACT. The paint on the Custom Pro is also scratch resistant. Although it is approximately $30 USD more expensive than the 98 Custom, all these accessories separately would cost a recreational player even more. There is a common misconception about the Tippmann Custom Pro's electronic Trigger. The Custom Pro does not use the E-Grip, instead it uses the E-Trigger system.

[2]

[edit] A-5

Main article: A-5 (paintball)

The A-5 is a semi-automatic paintball marker. It utilizes a new loading concept called the "Cyclone Feed." This enables the gun to have a high rate of fire without the addition of aftermarket loaders. It uses a larger surface area and a series of rotating arms to move paintballs into the firing chamber of the gun. The arms come together to make a star shape, holding a total of five balls between its arms. The arms push the paintball completely into the firing chamber, almost eliminating the chance a paintball will be chopped by the front bolt. The preloading of the five paintballs also makes it very unlikely that the marker will fire without a paintball in its firing chamber. The faster that a user squeezes the trigger, the faster the cyclone arms will turn and feed balls into the chamber. Because there is no need to purchase aftermarket loaders, many choose to add on specialty grips, and triggers to increase their gun's rate of fire. Two options made available by Tippmann to upgrade the A-5 for automatic function are the Response Trigger and the E-Grip. The repsonse uses a small pneumatic piston to create automatic fire and runs off the markers CO2 bottle. The E-Grip uses a 9-Volt battery. The A-5 can often be purchased with these upgrades already installed.

In appearance the A-5 was modeled after the H&K MP5K but can be modified to look like a number of different guns. It is one of the most upgradeable markers on the market, with many different cosmetic and performance parts.

[edit] C-3

Main article: Tippmann C-3

The C-3 is a unique pump-action marker that runs on propane rather than the usual carbon dioxide or compressed air. The manufacturer claims that it is capable of approximately 50,000 shots per 16oz. tank. Propane has similar properties to other propellent gases, but is much more widely available than others, at hardware stores and other shops that stock the small disposable propane tanks, designed for use with a camp stove. This marker is especially enticing to those who live in remote areas that may not have CO₂ filling stations available. According to Tippmann, propane is not as significantly affected by temperatures as CO₂ is, and is more like nitrogen or compressed air (which is mostly nitrogen) in this respect. If Tippmann manages to use the lessons of the C-3 in creating an electric or semiautomatic marker, the whole world of paintball could be changed.

[edit] X-7

On November 20, 2006 Tippmann launched their X-7 marker product line in cooperation with Special Ops Paintball.^[1] Tippmann boasted that it is the most customisable marker on the market, with over 1000 different looks. Most upgrades available for the X-7 are purely cosmetic, and have little, if any, affect on gameplay.

The stock X-7 includes:

Magnesium receiver which is extremely lightweight and durable
Cyclone EP (Enhanced Performance) system feeds up to 20 BPS
Air-thru stock compatible system eliminates gas line under the marker
Low profile, offset hopper for clear site line
Modular shroud with four rails to add on sights and scopes
AR15 style magazine with built in tool storage
Picatinny top rail to easily add new risers, sights or handles
Upgraded adjustable rear site helps with long range aiming
Push pin design for easy field stripping and accessory add ons
Maintenance pack, barrel sleeve, and gun oil

The Tippmann X-7 website can be found at http://www.tippmann.com/product_guide/markerDetails.aspx?categoryid=12

[edit] Triumph

In 2006, Tippmann Pneumatics launched a new line of (.68 cal) paintball markers called the "Triumph Series".
The triumph series is aimed at capturing the "other half" of the entry level market of painballers who favor a more compact and lighter marker and who have no desire for the classic MILSIM look that Tippmann is famous for.
The Triumph series consists of 3 markers:

Triumph XL: Semi-Automatic
Triumph XT: Semi-Automatic, Expansion Chamber included
Triumph eXT: Electronic (Single-shot, 3-round burst, Full-Auto 12 BPS, Full-Auto 15 BPS), Expansion Chamber included

All Triumph markers include:

High impact composite body
Double trigger
Center feed neck
In-line bolt system
200 gravity feed round hopper

Triumph XL includes:

8½" basic barrel

Triumph XT and eXT includes:

11" barrel
In-line expansion chamber
Front grip assembly

Triumph eXT includes:

Electronic, 4 mode trigger

Very few aftermarket upgrades can be purchased for any of the Triumph Series. But more parts are expected to become available for the markers sometime in the future.

[edit] Previous Products

[edit] SMG60

The SMG 60 was one of the first fully automatic paintball markers on the market. Notable for it's similarity to the British Sten of WW2, and for the clouds of CO2 produced when fired. Many players complained about it's overpowered nature in game play. However, this is countered by the fact that it uses 3 stripper clips of 5 balls each (for 15 total), making it's capacity quite limited. The entire magazine can be emptied in a matter of seconds (about 7 seconds or so) It was chambered in .60 caliber, instead of the now popular .68. Also the barrel is fixed, i.e. not removable. Quickly becoming a collector's piece, they can sell for as much as $250, even though ammunition (paintballs) are extremely hard to find.

[edit] SMG68

The same as the SMG60, except it was chambered in .68, and the barrel is removable.

[edit] SL 68II

A pump marker , the Tippmann SL 68II superseeded the original SL-68...(adding anti-double feed and modified breach features). At the time of its initial production it had a considerably high rate-of-fire for a Pump Marker.

[edit] 68 Special

This semi automatic paintball marker was made by Tippmann. One interesting feature about this gun is that the bolt can be moved out of position into a safety position preventing the gun from being able to fire.

[edit] Pro-Carbine and 68 Carbine

The Pro/Carbine is a popular rental gun for paintball fields. It is semi-automatic and is known for its durability and reliable function. The Pro/Carbine is also known for its "rifle-like" forearm grip and Thompson SMG Style Action (Even though it's only a Mechanical Semi Automatic). This gives the gun an appearance that is similar to that of a real-life rifle. It is a popular woodsball/scenario marker due to its focused upgradablity toward Mil Sim, but is less popular in speedball or Tourney games due to its handling, weight characteristics and slower rate of fire. The Pro/Carbine is also known for being hard to upgrade but nevertheless, it remains revered by many paintball players and is known for being the most reliable on the field.

Special Note: Pro-Carbine Barrels will fit 68 Carbine and A-5 Models.

[edit] Model 98

The Tippmann model 98 is the original version of the 98 custom. One of the workhorses of the tippmann line, now a cheaper and less customizable alternative to the improved versions the 98 custom and the custom pro.

Special Note: New style thread 98 barrels will fit both the old thread and new thread guns.

[edit] Additional equipment

[edit] Response Trigger System

The Response Trigger System is a firing system available for some of Tippmann's paintball guns. The system uses a series of parts that are added to the gun to greatly increases firing rate for the marker. The system uses excess carbon dioxide or compressed air from the firing process to reset the trigger and sear with a pneumatic cylinder. The system can reset the trigger, even with moderate pressure on the trigger. When this happens, the pressure of the finger immediately pulls the trigger back again, to fire again. This all means that when you pull the trigger there is a shot, and when you release the trigger there is another shot. This effectively gives the shooter the ability to fire as rapidly as fully automatic markers, while only fireing semi-automatic. As such, it has been restricted to single-shot at some commercial paintball fields, as well as banned completely at some fields.

The Response Trigger System is available on the 98 Custom, Custom Pro, A-5, and X-7 markers.

[edit] Flatline Barrel System

The Flatline barrel is the first curved paintball barrel. The slight bend or arch, in addition to a roughly honed surface texture in the barrel, creates backspin on the ball which increases its range to upwards of 400+ feet (100ft over a standard barrel) and creates a flat trajectory. The accuracy of this barrel system is dependent on more factors than a standard barrel. With backspin being put on the paintball, inconsistency in the shape of a paintball will create an unusual trajectory. Another disadvantage is its tendency to break thin shelled paintballs more easily. However, this can be remedied by avoiding the use of low-grade paintballs. The Flatline barrel shroud, on the 98 Custom, looks somewhat like that of a rifle and allows one to hold it as such. The 98 Custom Flatline shroud can be removed but is necessary to hide the unusual shape of the barrel. The 98 Custom Flatline must be re-adjusted for accuracy whenever it is removed and reinstalled. Also the flatline barrel curves above the markers normal sight system, which is replaced by the sight system integrated with the barrel shroud. The A-5 Flatline, which resembles a large suppressor (though it does not operate as one), only extends the length of the barrel, so the normal sight rail system is not changed. The A-5 Flatline system can be removed and installed to the same position, making it unnecessary to adjust unlike its predecessor the 98 Custom. Also the barrel system does not have any porting and is therefore louder than a typical paintball barrel.

It is also important to keep the markers feet per second at no more than 300fps, any higher will cause the paintball to curve upward before reaching its maximum distance, which in turns decreases the barrels normally very high effective range. Tilting the barrel to the left or right will also cause the trajectory to be altered in that direction.

===MILSIM=== Tippmanns are among the most popular paintball markers to transform into a "MILSIM" model. MILSIM stands for Military Simulation, an element of realism extremely popular in scenario paintball. Milsim markers generally are upgraded with the purpose of looking like a real gun, to make the battles played in some scenarios seem more war-like. There are a variety of websites specializing in "spec-ops" gear that is used for the MILSIM look.

[edit] A.C.T.

Tippmann recently released a feature known as A.C.T. A.C.T. (Anti-Chop Technology) is a mechanical system integrated into the bolt system to reduce the chance of jams due to burst paintballs in the 98 Custom and Custom Pro paintball marker products. The new system does not affect the velocity of the paintballs. Also, unlike competitive anti-chop systems, no blowback occurs with the Tippmann system.

An alternative to purchasing the Tippmann A.C.T. can be found here. This is a home modification requiring only the purchase of an inexpensive (approximately $5) spring. This mod has been tested many times, yielding good results 90% of the time. This modification, however, will not work with markers with Low Pressure Kits, or ebolts (older style 98 customs are compatible with the discontinued ebolt).

[edit] Current Airsoft Guns

[edit] SP-200 Spring Shotgun

The SP-200 is a spring-loaded, aluminum gun. It must be pumped once before every shot, which can be a great disadvantage by decreaseing the rate of fire. But like almost every disadvantage there is an advantage to cancel it out. This gun shoots 350 feet per second making it worth all the pumping. The SP-200 also features the hop-up system for greater distance and accuracy.

[edit] MG-200 Rifle

Designed like the MP5SD, this gun offers a 125 round magazine capacity with a pump-action shot. All you have to do to get lot of power (300 fps) and fast shooting is hold the trigger and repeatedly pull the pump handle back into place and out again. This gun also gives a lower price and offers fast shooting without CO₂ cartridges and batteries.

[edit] AEG-700 Rifle

The AEG-700 is a full/semi automatic airsoft gun made to replicate the look of the ever-popular AK-47. This gun fires 600-800 rounds per minute with each BB flying at 300 feet per second. This gun is relatively expensive but includes a rechargeable battery as opposed to requiring the owner to continually purchase replacement batteries. This gun also features the hop-up system and a carrying sling.

[edit] AEG-800 Rifle

Resembling the XM8 rifle, this rifle has more or less the same specs as the 700, one difference being it fires at another 50 feet (350 fps with a .12 gram BB) per second. Tippmann prices it at the same value ($150 USD, depending who you buy it from) as the 700 as well, though it is still much less than the high-end competitors such as Classic Army, which cost upwards $300-400 USD.

[edit] References

^ (2007): Special Ops Paintball [1] URL accessed on 5th Jan, 2007

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../t/i/p/Tippmann.html"

Categories: Cleanup from January 2007 | All pages needing cleanup | Paintball