Stiffi Barrels and Squeegees?

[RAZRBAKK]

I picked up a couple of Stiffi Switch barrels, and after receiving them I pulled a memory from deep in the archives of my smooth brain.

Is it true that I cannot use conventional barrel swabs with carbon fibre barrels? And if not, any recommendations for squeegee/swab types?

[Ecapnation]

Do not use cloth swabs.....

Fibers will get stuck

[Chuck E Ducky]

Some of the older ones yes would have this issue. It’s a hold over from Sly barrels. When they drilled the holes the inner bores would create areas to catch the ruff unfinished CF fibers and they would pull away damaging the inner bore. Also the older Sly barrels jell coat did not hold up to paint exposure so they didn’t last long. (I got one season out of mine before it was shot out) payed a ton for the thing back in the day too.

The newer CF barrels are made with better more durable jellcoats so they don’t have this issue. Also why you see some manufacturers using ported aluminum tip’s instead of drilling the CF tubing (CCM)

It’s best to check with the manufacturer of the barrel because some can be swabbed others require a squeegee type. I thought Stiffi specifically sold there barrels on the idea they could be swabbed. But I could be thinking of another manufacturer. But that was a big thing back in the early days of CF barrels.

I’m not a big fan of CF barrels myself, mainly due to past experience. But I did purchase a marker with a Freak DW barrel and it seems to shoot nicely. I use whatever Barrel cleaner I have available at the time and so far so good.

[glaman5266]

Is it true that I cannot use conventional barrel swabs with carbon fibre barrels? And if not, any recommendations for squeegee/swab types?

Like Chuck E Ducky said, newer ones don't seem to have the issues the older ones had. But check with the manufacturer anyway.

If you really don't want to take a chance, any sort of straight-shot type of squeegee would do. I like the Exalt Barrel Maid. It has both a straight-shot style end & a fuzzy end. They're a tad more expensive than traditional swabs but are WELL worth it. They're also hand-washable.
https://exaltpaintball.com/cleaning-...l-maid/?page=1

[JeeperCreeper]

I only use a squeegee in mine, and use a little water to rinse it.

[Ecapnation]

Fyi..... Stiffi is long gone guys. But as a former dealer all of the tubes they came in had a warning slip of "do not use swabs"

[The Inflicted]

Some of the older ones yes would have this issue. It’s a hold over from Sly barrels. When they drilled the holes the inner bores would create areas to catch the ruff unfinished CF fibers and they would pull away damaging the inner bore. Also the older Sly barrels jell coat did not hold up to paint exposure so they didn’t last long. (I got one season out of mine before it was shot out) payed a ton for the thing back in the day too.

The newer CF barrels are made with better more durable jellcoats so they don’t have this issue. Also why you see some manufacturers using ported aluminum tip’s instead of drilling the CF tubing (CCM)

It’s best to check with the manufacturer of the barrel because some can be swabbed others require a squeegee type. I thought Stiffi specifically sold there barrels on the idea they could be swabbed. But I could be thinking of another manufacturer. But that was a big thing back in the early days of CF barrels.

I’m not a big fan of CF barrels myself, mainly due to past experience. But I did purchase a marker with a Freak DW barrel and it seems to shoot nicely. I use whatever Barrel cleaner I have available at the time and so far so good.

Didn't Stiffi barrels predate Sly?

[Ecapnation]

Yes, but sly was well... Cutting corners

[Trbo323]

Older stiffi, no swabs

Any newer cf barrel they are fine on.

I use a swab on my dw barrel all the time

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