Original Pre-Custom Tippmann 98 Variation Explained

[Cunha]

I started buying non custom 98's and noticed a lot of differences in them.

I think it was HPlovecraft or one of our cooler members that mentioned the original 98's could run siphon co2 due to their metal power tube holding up to the cold temps and such.

What I found is a wide variety of different versions in the pre custom 98, here are the beakdowns with the new features from each unit bolded.

1. Original unit features:

Sight rail does not have the small dovetail, only the big dovetail.
Aluminum powertube
Aluminum back cap
Bottomline ASA side tapped
Very early ones have raw aluminum safety's

2. Later units

Sight rail has small dovetail and big dovetail
Plastic Powertube
Plastic back cap
Bottomline ASA side tapped
APP grips not "split grips"

3. Later later units

Sight rail has small dovetail and big dovetail
Plastic Powertube
Plastic back cap
Bottomline ASA side tapped
Tippmann Split Grips

4. Final units

Sight rail has small dovetail and big dovetail
Plastic Powertube
Plastic back cap
Tippmann Split Grips
Bottomline ASA center tapped

[Cunha]

This is just a preliminary post before I get some photos to support all this.

I don't know if 100% correlation between the metal back cap and the metal powertube but so far that has been the case for me
I also don't know if 100% correlation between the single dovetail mount bodies and the aluminum backcap and aluminum powertube. So far that has been the case for me.

I do know that 100% no gun with center output ASA will have a factory aluminum power tube.
I do know 100% that no gun with split grips will have a factory aluminum power tube.

Of course parts get swapped around and this applies to only unmodified guns. Most non rentals are generally in their stock configuration though.

The split grips were a pretty popular upgrade so be wary of trusting that as an indicator for an early metal powertube gun.

Also I would note that the metal powertube is only notably better when it comes to siphon co2 handling, the plastic powertubes I've never seen break personally but I'm sure rental fleet guys will have more to contribute in that department.

Basically all of these are good but I wanted to versions to be noted.

[XEMON]

Its such a good info to keep around.\

Can we sticky this?

[woouulf]

Model 98 is the name of them , The ones with the Shark gills?

Some also have slightly different threading for the barrels.

[XEMON]

Some also have slightly different threading for the barrels.

I e got some 98 barrels that don't quite fit all the way in, and on the last turn or so, they start to go sideways and get stuck ...

I'll post pictures of the 2 side by side.

[woouulf]

LOL I have about 100 of the old threaded 98 barrels made by system X.

[XEMON]

Dam ... Thats a lot ...
Mine are Stiffy ... got 2 or 3 ...

[Cunha]

When did the threading change? May coincide with the sight rail change. Seems like new threaded barrels work in old threaded guns so the issue is mostly moot. Or is that wrong?

I remember seeing the “old 98” advertised barrels for sale alongside the new 98 barrels.

it would be nice to add I will try to see if I can ID a difference in the ones I have.

also I want to mention that I’m not claiming to be any kind of expert on these just want to document my findings and we can all bolster them as most of the forums where this might have been documented are pretty defunct.

[XEMON]

When I get some time, Ill put a caliper on the threads.
Might be nice to be able to identify them without testing on a known body.

[Toestr]

I've heard some of these had windage adjustable rear sights? How do those fit in? Any pictures?

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[Cunha]

I think all of them originally had windage adjustable sights. Usually lost or broken off.

Ill take a picture, but it’s a screw with a plastic Y shape. The screw isn’t threaded into the gun but it is threaded through the Y shaped sight so you screw it in or out and the Y shape moves.

it’s flat on the bottom matching the angle of the channel in the body shells.

I’ll check the guns I have to see that they all have room for this, some are missing for sure I never replace them if they’re missing

[Toestr]

What double triggers were made for the pull trigger return spring? I have one of the double triggers that came with the guard to the bottomline and I don't like the feel of the plastic.

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