What constitutes "true" stock class?

[Brokeass_baller]

I have a few questions for the guys and gals that were around back in the first golden era, or close to, when the definitions of stock class, modified stock class, and open class had meaning.

I understand it must be mechanically cocked and recocked by manual actual, i.e. a pump handle, bolt action, or plunger (like the Splatmaster). The paintball must also be propelled by a single 12g CO2 powerlet, with no back check valves or extra gas storage reservoirs installed.

But the feed tube is where I have questions. The feed tube must be parallel to the main body, and must be fed by gravity without assistance from springs or other force-feed devices.

But, is there a limit to the number of paintballs allowed in the feed tube? Is "true" stock class 10 rounds? Do 15 and 20 round tubes count, or should they be considered "modified" stock class?

In regards to mounting the feed tube to the body, between the chamber and the forward-most paintball in the tube, how much of a gap is allowed? Is one full paintball allowed to sit between the bolt and the feed tube? Half a paintball? A quarter? I know you can't have a "stack" of paint between the chamber and tube, but how much space is acceptable? My real contention here is those modern feed neck drop in stock class tubes. Do they count?

And lastly, I know .68cal is the standard, and it's my preferred caliber for play. But I know early on, .62 and .50 were competitors. Is stock class exclusively .68? Or, if somebody wanted to build a .50 (or even .43 for whatever reason) SC pump, would it be "true" or "modified" stock class?

[Brokeass_baller]

I thought of another question: quick changers. Are lever-action or drop-out changers stock class? Or only bucket and internal (like Sheridan's)? I assume things like the 6-Pak are out.

[Jonnydread]

Depends what kind of mood Slim is in.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Insert beating dead horse emoji

[Jonnydread]

[Alexndl]

https://www.stockclasshq.com/stockclass20

The original stock class requirement for 12g was the cartridge needed to be inserted through a threaded hole so any type of drop out where not allowed. But for version 2.0 it's ok to have drop out and lever as long as it's holding only one 12g.

[Nish]

Painthappy we need to find and stick your writeup on this.

[Painthappy]

Hmm... Nish Let me see if I can find it.

[Shane-O]

Horizontal Feed tube affixed directly on top of the gun, no stick feeds
No ported barrels
12 gram power, no lever changers, etc.
No autotrigger

Now those are OLD standards.
Nelsons mostly have auto triggers based on design, not necessarily intentionally. Ported barrels were allowed because it became standard on several guns (Phantom mainly). Inconsistancies in 12 gram manufacturers, cost and quality issues drove people to use 3.5oz tanks, which just kinda became ok for SC. Same with stick feeds, many guns were not easy to get a true SC feed on, so for budgetary reasons, the stick feed started being called "Stock Class".

In the late 90's early 2K, there was only one real New SC gun mass produced and it was a Phantom, so all the changes were mostly because of that. There has not been any true SC games in a long, long time.

"Stock Class" is a misused term these days in my opinon, but what ever you want to call your setup is fine with me, i am not a gatekeeper to terminology.....LOL

[Chuck E Ducky]

Very few markers conform to the original Standards none are manufactured today. Most that still play “stock class” go by Slims 2.0 Rules. But by definition ^this is correct^

[Loophole]

Interesting! I did not know about the unported barrel requirement!

[Slim]

Forget everything you've been told about the original or "true" stock-class rules. The rules that were originally created for the stock-class format by the now defunct SGPA n 1992 were designed for competition play. They included all sorts of ridiculous and arbitrary aspects which inevitably led to the vast majority of players abandoning the format. This is why no one has used them since.

A more complete write up on the history of stock-class can be found here: https://www.stockclasshq.com/about

But I know early on, .62 and .50 were competitors. Is stock class exclusively .68? Or, if somebody wanted to build a .50 (or even .43 for whatever reason) SC pump, would it be "true" or "modified" stock class?

It's important to remember that rules are only rules if they are enforced by someone. That someone is usually an event organizer. If you are playing at an event where stock-class rules are not being enforced, then it simply doesn't matter what anyone considers to be "true" stock-class or not. However, if there is an event organizer who is enforcing rules, and they choose to allow .7695 caliber paint and 250lb air tanks at their "stock-class" event, then that is their prerogative. Everything is dependent upon who is enforcing whatever rules have been established.

The new 2.0 rules set forth in the Stock-Class HQ website are merely suggested guidelines to help event organizers create a tried and true rule set for their events. These rules have been used and refined for two decades by players who have been in the game since the mid-1980s. The goal of anyone who is interested in stock-class play should be to preserve the original spirit of the game - which, in essence is skill, sportsmanship and camaraderie. The new stock-class 2.0 rules were designed to be as inclusive as possible, establish an overall level of fairness in regard to the equipment being used and to preserve that original spirit.

[Walker]

skill, sportsmanship and camaraderie.

You don't see these as often as you used to....

[Chuck E Ducky]

Just not balling with the right people. Check out one of Slims games or one of our North East Pump players get together days.

[Walker]

A little far from the west coast.....

[Chuck E Ducky]

It’s worth the trip if you’re a SC Nerd. I been out to the west coat to play with the SoCal Stock guys and loved it.

[Slim]

You don't see these as often as you used to....

Which is why we need more stock-class events that embrace and promote this philosophy. Come on out to my events. That's all you'll see!

[Slim]

LOL!

[AnarchicArctic]

Careful shooter311 his head’s big enough as it is ha

[Chuck E Ducky]

Makes it an easier target Arctic..lol

[Cunha]

12 grams and horizontal feed is most important, for actual stock class games. Constant air of ablny line is so much better than 12 grams that it defeats the purpose of calling it stock class, you might as well call it stock feed or horizontal feed or something.

[Hellion360]

The true stock class is the friends we made along the way.

[Chuck E Ducky]

❤️XOXO❤️

[Ecapnation]

Iirc wasn't the rule any 12 gram changer that is a minimum of 1.5 turns to disengage the 12 gram?

[Slim]

Sigh. Yeah, that was the rule 31 years ago, but no one has used those rules in thirty years.

[Shane-O]

Yes, I forgot that one, and must pass through a threaded opening also.
To be fair, these were very old Tournament rules. Many fields didnt follow them on a regular basis.

[k_obeastly]

for some reason I remember it being 2 full turns.

[capitalpaintball]

Wasn't there a barrel length limit?. I remember customers from a CT field coming in and saying they were only allowed 8 inch barrels .

[glaman5266]

I seem to remember reading that when you chrono before a game you were required to use a fresh 12 gram. So that one you put in late last game would have to be dumped.

EDIT: Several years ago I came across a scan of some copy of oldschool stock class rules online. I’ll see if I can find it again. I remember A LOT of the rules were really super overkill & overly complicated. Kind of like D&D, lol.