Eyeballing a new style Sterling - What should I know?

[Cdn_Cuda]

A Sterling has popped up local to me and very tempted to pick it up. It's the latest style, freak bored and has been professional set with springs etc. What are things to watch for or know about a Sterling?

[JeepDVLZ45]

Paging Hellion360

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Once they are set up with good seals. They are good for years. I loved my old proline sterling.

[Riot]

I’ve always really loved the look of BLachance75’s to the point that I often consider picking one up, but haven’t yet…

[Cdn_Cuda]

They've been on my list to grab one if I ever got a chance. Being it's local I think I'll jump on it.

[flyweightnate]

The one thing I don't like is that the ball sits behind the barrel, like in a Phantom. I think the oldest models, with the really long barrel threads that let the bolt put the ball right into the barrel, were a better design.

The little stainless banjos ("q-nectors") have a reputation for being fragile, too. Mine uses braided hose, so no problem there.

Balance, weight, pump stroke, finish... all excellent. Really nice guns in that respect. Blow most Snipers out of the water. But, the pump handle has lots of play around the barrel, even if it is fully guided by the lower tube.

Not really an LP platform if that matters. They need 450+ psi. They can be a little loud with typical pressures (800) and an unported barrel.

I think they're well worth market prices.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Damn you guys are too good at convincing me to spend my money....

[Chuck E Ducky]

STP SC is the way to go. ($849 AUD)

https://paintballshop.com/stock-class/

I payed like $539 USD +$20 freak bore I think it cost about $25 to ship one to the US all said and done.

Looks to be about $768 CAD before shipping for a new one to Canada.

[Cdn_Cuda]

It is well under that price, thankfully. And Gold!

[Chuck E Ducky]

You can order the feeds and parts from that link as well. I love mine though. It’s a great shooter. I definitely prefer the Spyder threaded body’s it gives you better barrel options. I
went with an AA freak back that firsts the handle perfectly with zero slop. It’s smooth as butter. I might try it this spring with the vert ASA and a 9ci on the front like I run my Phantom sometimes.

[Hellion360]

PM me a pic of the marker. I suspect I know the one you are looking at and it is not the newest style. I could be mistaken of course.
That doesn't mean it isn't good.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Thanks, I'll get a picture and send it over when I get a chance. I honestly wouldn't know the difference between styles of Sterlings. I've just seen old beat up ones and newer ones.

[Hellion360]

If it is the gold one in the facebook group it is a good deal, but not the current version.
Which has some advantages with the freak insert placement.

I actually owned that gun before it got anodized and it was a good shooter. It has some milling done to it that isn't stock.

The frame is a composite version. Or was anyway.

[Cdn_Cuda]

I did find out it's not actually local to me, and is over on Vancouver Island, which complicated things slight.

[BLachance75]

I’m guessing it is the gold one that was on Facebook. Seems like a decent deal.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Yes, saw it in the Western Canadian Paintball group, not sure if it was advertised anywhere else. Don't have access to Facebook at work to grab the photo.

[Cdn_Cuda]

This one. Does look like a composite frame.

[Walker]

I can't speak to the new ones, as I haven't had the opportunity to pick one up. But I do like the old ones:

[Cdn_Cuda]

How is then composite frame? Coming from cockers they’re not my favorite. I’m going to do a little more research before deciding to pull the trigger