Micro CA-2 Reliability/Long-term use question

[RAZRBAKK]

Hey guys,

I have been in the market for a lever stock for a bit, ideally searching for a recent ICD one. But at the moment a Micro CA-2 has come up that I am considering. I am planning on running this setup for a tournament, and as often as I can when the weather is warm enough to use 12ies here.

When it comes to the CA-2, does anyone have experience using one frequently? How hard are the seals to find? I guess before I commit to one, I just want to make sure it will hold up.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I know a bunch of people use the Micro CA all the time regularly. Capital Dave has one custom anodized to match his main SC shooter. Slim runs one on his main setup as well. Those would be the guys to talk to about long term use of them. I remember there being an “update” on them at one point. Slim will know the difference. They have been using there’s longer then the ICD changer has been available. I imagine they know what wears out on them.

I think the ICD Is a better design with the floating piercing pin and face seal design. Only downside to the ICD (simple fix) is the dual tiny grub screw that hold the threaded adjustable bonnet to the changer body. I would have went with 4 of them Vs the 2 that was used. They could easily be added and I have not had an issue but I can see them striping out easily and 4 would give it a better purchase on the bonnet. I have put a ton of 12g threw mine with little to no issues. I have had the bonnet loosen up on me but I chalk that up to user error as it was after I switched it to another marker that orientation was different and I adjusted it not tightening it enough because I’m afraid to strip the two grub screws out I pointed out earlier. The thing I like about the ICD is you can take the stock off easily. I prefer it without the stock on my Phantoms off the Vert ASA and with the stock for my CCM. The ICD stock feels to long off a back bottle setup on a phantom for me. I think it’s better and perfect length off a bottom line kit tho. It can also be switched to drop out right or left. Depending on your personal preference. I’m not sure you can do that with the Micro CA I have only ever seen them setup to drop out left.

Also I got at least two bulk boxes of 12g orders threw my ICD (1200 ish) 12g so far with no issues.

Long story short I don’t think you could go wrong with one Vs the other. Both will do what you need them to do and are worth the price of admission. They sell pretty easily so you could pick up the Micro CA and look for an ICD when one pops up. Probably be happy with both of them honestly.

[Grendel]

I have owned and been using Micro CA II stocks since AGD came out with them. I have never had a problem with mine other then seals eventually wearing out due to age. There have been some users that suffered from a fatigue failure in the stock itself but I have never experience this or any issue other then regular maintenance. You might message Slim on the fatigue issue, he had some replacement parts made to beef this up a while back and he is more familiar with the issue.

I would not hesitate to get another Micro CA II for the right price.

I do also own an ICD Lever Changer, not the stock, and so far have not had any issues with it either but it is on my Duck Slide and has not gotten a huge amount of use to date; maybe 20+ co2 cartridge changes on the field a few more in the shop.

Mag valve seals work for the pierce seal or you can just cut some out of urethane gasket material and use a spent cartridge to pressure form the seal.

[Chuck E Ducky]

That’s right it may not have been an “update” more of a mod then.

[RAZRBAKK]

Chuck E Ducky Grendel I'll ask you both since you responded, is the length of the Micro CA2 adjustable, and if not can you ball park it compared to a 68/45? Also would you consider $150 a good price for one NIB?

[Chuck E Ducky]

$150 for a new Micro CA II yes that’s very reasonable. I would still check the seals but they are easily found / made. Both of the stocks are non adjustable. They are both similar to the length of a standard 68ci tank. I don’t have mine with me to give you an exact length. Micro CA might be a wee bit shorter. Nothing noticeable tho. Both shoulder nicely and don’t feel excessively long.

[RAZRBAKK]

No sweat, I just ask because I find my 17ci is too short compared to a 68 on my setup. Hoping to get closer to the 68.

[Meleager7]

where the heck did you score a new old stock micro CAII !????

[BLachance75]

Chuck E Ducky Grendel I'll ask you both since you responded, is the length of the Micro CA2 adjustable, and if not can you ball park it compared to a 68/45? Also would you consider $150 a good price for one NIB?

If it comes with the extra collars then you can adjust the length. The collars go between the back of the stock and the butt plate.

Here is a micro ca2 next to my 68/4500 HK tank with Ninja reg



The micro ca2 is about 1/4” shorter. It is 10 1/4” overall from the back of the foam to the the end of the brass threads.

Here is a picture of the stress fracture



The design of the stock makes it very thin there and prone to cracking. I’ve put at least 100 12gr through this one with the crack and it doesn’t effect it at all. [mention]Slim [/mention] designed a replacement and had some made but I don’t think he has any left. You’d have to ask him though.

This is the second micro ca2 I’ve owned and I like them. I also have a ICD changer and I prefer the micro ca2 over it. What I prefer is the micro ca2 doesn’t let you dump a 12gr if it is full. With the ICD I’ve caught the lever on things and it will release.

Other than tank orings I’ve never replaced a seal in the 100s of 12 gr that I’ve put through mine. I think I put close to 500 12 gr through my previous micro ca2.

[BLachance75]

As a note, I don't have any collars on this stock. I didn't get any when I bought it.

[Grendel]

The extension collars are just aluminum tube stock cut to length easily enough to make with typical DIY tools. Like Blachance75 shows very close to a typical 68cuin bottle. I find they shoulder just fine and if anything I would be tempted to shorten slightly but I like everything to be tight (I use 45/45 bottles typically).

[RAZRBAKK]

Perfect. Thanks so much.