DM5 inline Regulator Suggestion

[TurmoilB1899]

Hello All!

New here, but have been in and out of the sport since 2002. I just recently caught the 'itch' as it's been since 08' since i last played competitively. Anyways, upon opening my gear bag, I pulled out two relics. One with a MacDev Gladiator inline regulator from many moons ago on the Dm3. I also have a AKA Sidewinder on the Dm5.

Now, my question is, which would be best to run on the 5? Reason I ask is both regs were added right before i stopped playing. I currently have no tank or access to air, so running a test would not be possible at the moment. Just looking for some OG advice.


Thanks in advance!

[Spec]

Sidewinder would command a higher resale value. Gladiators can occasionally have troublesome reg seats that can breakdown over time. But what doesn't eventually? Otherwise they both were high quality regs.

[minimag03]

Did ya happen to see Pumptril's post below? Docfire came up with a great fix for the Glad regs. Just wanted to make sure you saw it in case you had one that was suffering. I know they are superb when they're working right

[TurmoilB1899]

Ahh, much appreciated on the input! At this point I'm trying to piece together this Dm5 so I can hit the field again then think about another marker. Again, thank you!

[Pumpytrilly1]

Leave the regs on each gun. Docfire paintball started making new reg seats for the gladiator if it creeps.

Sidewinder is a good reg and I would leave it on the 5.



Nice hybrid frame on the 3. Dig the short bus and trauma stickers!

[TurmoilB1899]

Well that's definitely good information and feedback! Again, thanks both for the words.

Ah, the stickers. Yes, in my years playing while on the east coast and playing CFOA while in the beginning years, Trauma was the team I loved to follow. Much appreciated!

EDIT: The Dm3 was actually my brother's. He gave it to me a few years back while clearing his stuff. He sold his SL8R and threw me this for free. I believe it has some tadao board/chip, unsure which. And of course the hybrid frame. Might have different internals, will have to do a deep clean. Hardly ever been used to be quite honest.

[Hobbes]

Both of those look great and are still solid options to run today. I also think the Sidewinder is a great reg. The only reason to change IMO is if you wanted to go with the stock Hyper 2 reg.

[latches109]

I would put the sidewinder on the dm3 to match the aka LPR, and find a dye hyper 2 to match the DM5. sell the gladiator.

[TurmoilB1899]

Thanks for the additional feedback! My current tank needs rehydro, so I got to knock that out. Once that's taken care of, I'll be able to test the Dm5 out. Going to do a complete o-ring overhaul on that thing. Been way too long. Heck for both honestly.

[Hobbes]

Make sure that your tank isn't too old. If it's from that era it probably can't be hydro tested again.

[TurmoilB1899]

Ahh, didn't know that to be truthful. I believe it went out of hydro in 09'. Would that be too old at this point?

[TurmoilB1899]

Disregard, a quick search showed 15 yr life span. This one is just about toast. Thanks for that info as now I will need a new tank!

[TurmoilB1899]

Yea, both are actually in immaculate condition. The Dm5 has few bumps and bruises but nothing that would ever be noticeable even a close up. Both very well taken care of. Always been partial to the Matrix family

[minimag03]

First of all, welcome back! 🤟

You'll be fine with either of those regs on your guns. But def check out docfire's new reg seal design if you use the Gladiator.

The DM5's stock Hyper 2 is still one of my favorite HPRs. I'm constantly on the looks out for them to this day. Maybe I'm still in 2004 but I remember the DM4/5 being ridiculously consistent. It was one of the attributes that set me on the path of owning a Viking as my first real space gun.

[TurmoilB1899]

Thank you! The wife is the one that's nudging me to do it, so I'll take it! And thanks for the information on the reg parts if needed. I had a buddy back home in VA that was huge on the Viking marker. He loved it to death. Looks wise reminded me of the old school impulses, but performance wise, top notch for sure.

[Tracker]

sidewinder all day, those Gen1 gladiators had a bad habit of creeping.. if you want to use it on anything i would definitely recommend that part from docfire before you blow a solenoid

[Jordan]

They both have LPRs... is that still a concern if the HPR spikes? Asking because I have a Matrix with a Trinity LPR and I thought I was "safe", really don't want to pop a 'noid if I can help it.

[TurmoilB1899]

Much appreciated!

[Tracker]

yes, in theory the LPR should be able to stop it, but 850 is a lot to ask of an LPR sometimes