How to make a Model 98 not shoot like a Model 98?

[netsurferdude2]

I built a STEN gun last year for magfed and figured I needed a backup magfed gun. So ebay came through with $50 Model 98 with magazine adapter and the gun got it setup the way I liked it.

Well when then gun was put to the test, it sucked. No accuracy to speak of, the round were lobbed all over the place.

I haven't shot a Tippmann as my main gun since '99 so I'm out of the loop on blowbacks. It has a 14" JJ ceramic on it now from my first Model 98

What can be done to make it shoot with a little more accuracy and consistency? A freak barrels worth a damn on open bolt blow backs?

[Cdn_Cuda]

Guys like to polish the internals so it's a little smoother. I suppose a reg would make it more consistent as well.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Swap the guts out for DM… seen it done so it’s possible and it was amazing.

[devilzcall]

DM as in dye matrix? i need to know more

[Chuck E Ducky]

Yes Dye Matrix internals stuffed in the 98 shell. I know it was an older DM so a bit of a gas hog. But it ripped and shot all the modes. I wish I could get ahold of him to see if he still had it because he use to play all the time at this local outlaw spot all the kids in town would play at. It’s since got developed and with that most of the guys disappeared and moved on from paintball.

[lhamilton1807]

I need to see this. I happen to have a bunch of M98s at the house and have a spare DM bolt from a parts box I bought some time ago. Hmmm…….

[Jonnydread]

freak barrels worth a damn on open bolt blow backs?

Not at all. The stock 98 barrels are pretty awful, but a Freak wouldn't improve performance over almost any aftermarket barrel. Unfortunately a lot of the drawbacks of a 98 are the platform, so even if you do mods they're not going to shoot like a more refined gun. Reliability at the sacrifice of finesse.

[bobthebot]

Your valve is likely full of crud from the previous owner(s). You will probably want to take the valve apart and get the junk out and new seals in.

[Cunha]

Tippmann 98s are super consistent for an unregulated blow back.

take it apart and clean it up. For a blowback they should be on par with anything else outside like a montneel.

[JonM]

What was the paint like when you tested it?

[netsurferdude2]

It was shooting fine outta my bushmaster and sheridan so I was almost happy with the paint that day.

[Toestr]

Paint quality will account for the vast majority of how it flies. The rest is a number of factors such as how steady you are, aim and overall gun functionality.

I've never seen any real difference with polishing. Some swear by it while others say it can lead to excessive wear and you'll lose oil more quickly. The movement of the hammer will smooth out the body over time anyway.

A freak kit is unnecessary on this and can hinder the bolt's movement. Just get whatever large bore (.685 or above) barrel you like and that'll do ya.

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[flyweightnate]

Wonky detent? Burr in your barrel?

[Myrkul]

Just because a 98 will shoot for 20 years with zero maintenance or upkeep doesn't mean it will shoot well... Give it a good though internal cleaning and it should be going much better.

[Fubarius]

Local field paint here tends toward tiny, with a very thick fill. So small and dense. Now on two of my Tippmanns (in this case a 68 Carbine and a mag fed converted A5, so not exactly Model98's but in the same ball park) I had widely different accuracy the last time I was out. The Carbine has an old J&J Stainless, so super slick but a bit big on the bore. The balls would pick up a forward spin from the detent in the bottom of the breach and end up erratically nose diving. Nearly unusable. The A5 had a proper direct from SP A5 threaded Freak, using a much tighter insert. I estimate about one size up from the old blowgun test (that insert was in my pump). Shot much more consistently. Not exactly "good", really you can only expect so much from crappy paint, but leaps and bounds better than the Carbine was shooting. My hypothesis is that the minor drag from the tighter bore was eliminating the unwanted erratic spin.

[BrickHaus]

I built a 98c up a few years back thinking Id have the nostalgia fun, and I found a similar expierence. I couldn't hit the broad side of a shipping container on an urban course. I think the above suggestions are all valid.

Another thing is, what valve does it have in it? I recall a newer valve with more milling at some point in the 2000s. If you are running hpa, you may need a new valve to maximize shot quality.


Run it on co2. The denser gas kernel will likely help it propel the balls a bit better.

[Jordan]

I ebolted mine and it shoots great... time for a project?

[COB]

shot quality really drops when you are running and laughing

[netsurferdude2]

shot quality really drops when you are running and laughing

I am shit outta luck then.