Trrials and Trribulations

[RAZRBAKK]

A thread documenting my custom Trracer project.

Current photo:



But first, a review.

Some of you will recall a few years back when these centerfeed Trracer bodies were posted on the last MCB by Imberiman. If not, it's an AC threaded, centerfeed, Phantom feed compatible body for the old style Trracers. I managed to get my hands on one last year from moving_target.



These are pretty well made, and have some great solutions for the usual old gun/new paint problems. On top of the AC threads and Phantom feed option, they have a hole for Spyder detents.

However, before you go and buy one of these, there were a few issues I wish I knew about:

AC threads may not have been the best idea.

The stock Trracer body has an OD of 1", but this one tapers up to 1.08" for the AC threads. Not huge, but enough to limit your pump handle options to pretty much custom only.

That taper for the AC barrel threads edges into where a phantom feedblock would normally sit. My phantom feedblock never felt solid. It was always wiggling or coming loose.



On top of the body needing to widen for the AC threads, the feed tube screw actually goes right into where the body and barrel meet. Some people notch the screw, I opted to put an o-ring on the barrel and give it a little space.

Unfortunately, that also means the threads only go all the way down on half of the hole.



Both of these factors lead to an unfortunate mishap where the top threads stripped completely, and my feedblock went flying while I was running. You may have noticed the missing threads already.



The Spyder detent could use a little help as well.

I've chopped the top off a couple of these detents because there is nowhere for the detent to lay down when the bolt is forward. Sitting for a long time compressed like that can't be good for them, and a quick pump stroke on a cool day is all it takes to cut it completely.

While I think all of these were great ideas to solve the issues you face when trying to shoot a 30 year old gun, they feel like they didn't get the necessary testing to work out the bugs.

I'd love to see a V2 addressing these issues, but getting the V1s was hard enough.

Other than that, these bodies are pretty well made. I thought I remembered them being made of Stainless or Titanium, but I'm pretty confident this is just raw aluminum.

Overall, I would recommend a Phantom over building something out like this. My swear jar is overflowing from the journey.

[RAZRBAKK]

Post 2:

The build, so far.

I had been saving a clear acrylic Phantom feedblock specifically for whatever my next stock class build would be. I slapped it on, and as mentioned above, was not completely satisfied.

I needed a grip, and while I pondered about a nice 45 or a lonestar, I ended up trying out a 90 degree frame I found on Thingiverse. It printed decently, and I find it really comfortable.

I've been holding onto this Doc Tanto barrel, but never really found a gun I liked having it on. It was perfect for a stock class pistol, though, and that's where it will remain.

The pump handle was the biggest obstacle. Initially I thought about an ASP PR6, but figured it was going to make this too similar to my already modified Empire Trracer(more on that later).

I started designing, and trialed a few different types before landing on this:



I played with it, but found that it was difficult to point. I'm so used to really looking down the barrel, and the pump handle obstructs that completely. I couldn't hit many shots with it however it may have been the paint, as it was cold that day:



I've always really liked the Duckslide, and I set out to design a Duckslide inspired pump handle. I already had measurements I knew worked from the first pump handle, and this is where we landed:



It hadn't been aired up since the fall, and I wanted to play last weekend. I decided to rev up the ol' girl to make sure it was ready.

PSSSSHHHHH

That dropout valve body just absolutely gave in. Leaks out of the front, seems irreparable.

Fortunately I still have the stock valve body, and a Sconi quick changer(these are pretty nice, btw. if you ever need an alternative to the phantom changers.).

As mentioned above, when I took it out this weekend the thread stripped out of the feedblock hole and it doesn't look too pretty in there. I designed my own feed yesterday, and will be trialing that when I play next. I have a feeling I'm going to need to either helicoil or drill and re-tap for a larger screw.

That brings us up to date.

[Cal440]

Really like the look of this feed much better, and appreciate the detailed write up and pictures!

[Cdn_Cuda]

Great write up!

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Great job. Love me a good pistol. .

[Jonnydread]

Very cool man, love what people do with this simple Nelson style setup.

[Jordan]

If you decide to repair the threads, use these:

https://airsoldier.com/product/cci-stainless-thread-inserts/

The special 1/4"-36 tap is available on Amazon - worst case scenario I have it as well.

[RAZRBAKK]

Funny that you mention them, I just ordered some from CCI with some other parts I needed.

I lack all confidence in myself to replace it, though, and overcoming that "step" in the barrel is gonna be interesting.

[RAZRBAKK]

The Empire Trracer

I have had this Empire Trracer for around 14 years. Crazy to think it's been that long. I know this, because it was the very first thing I bought on my first credit card when I turned 18. Responsible as always.

Thing is, I never really liked the Empire Trracer in it's stock form. A BBA Nelson in the Two-thousand and Tenth year of our lord and savior was an unusual choice for Empire to make.

Interestingly, Empire solved all the other old gun issues. In fact, I'd argue that the Empire Trracer is the reason I wanted the Imberiman Trracer body so badly. AC threads, a detent to prevent double feeds. It's really so simple these days. Had they made this centerfeed, it would be perfect. But obviously that wasn't the market they were pursuing.

I ended up having a friend mill a hole in the body for centerfeed around 6 or 7 years ago, and I drilled it in reverse for an Apocalypse Paintball Springpheed. I liked the reverse setup because it still had that Phantom look, and I'm a rock forward kinda guy.



Unfortunately I didn't exactly nail the feedblock hole, and it's a little offset to the left. I'm left handed, so it closes up that window down the barrel more than the right side.

I lived with it, it's been fine. Honestly, I find myself picking this thing up more than a lot of my other guns, just because it has NEVER gone down. On the days I play with the Empire Trracer, outside of one catastrophic break in the breech last summer, I can't think of a time where I missed a round because of a gun issue.

The slight offset of the feed block has been bothering me more and more, and I decided to try and find a solution. Over the winter I checked if my drill-press skills had improved. They hadn't. I absolutely massacred the front-rail-screw-hole trying to widen it. This guy has lived basically as a single shot since then, which has been really fun but not what I wanted.


The stick.

Since I have this design for a Phantom feed on the go already, I have modified it to accept mounting screws where the original Empire Trracer rail screws go.


(the print quality isn't there just yet, but I'll give this another run)


I have also been experimenting with getting a millenium frame on there, but I need to cut a metal trigger because the 3D printed ones just aren't strong enough. That will be the next thing I do to this guy.

Til next time!