Gmek, etc, owners; let's have a chat about the Bang Switch.

[Brokeass_baller]

I called off of work the other day because I was having some contracted housework done. I quickly tired of watching them work, and with the recent air quality issues in Ohio forcing me indoors, I decided to get a little science-y.

I gassed up most of my paintball gun collection and started testing trigger pull weights. I have a proper trigger gauge, so why not? Everybody compares things solely by feel. So I figured I would take 5 pulls, note the weights, and figure out an average; so that we could have a real baseline.

When I got to my Gmek, which has been my go-to for a few years, I already had the Bang Switch installed. DocFire got something like a 25% weight reduction with his in both a Gmek and an Emek. So I never questioned it... Until now...

My Gmek, which has the Stanchy LP mod, has a lighter trigger pull STOCK than with the Bang Switch. Both are nice and crispy trigger pulls, but the numbers don't lie.

Gmek bang switch
1# 9.1oz - 25.1oz
1# 9.2oz - 25.2oz
1# 6.5oz - 22.5oz
1# 4.7oz - 20.7oz
1# 6.2oz - 22.2oz

Avg - 23.14oz or 1# 7.4oz

Gmek Stock
1# 0.4oz - 16.4oz
1# 2.4oz -18.4oz
1# 13.5oz - 29.5oz
1# 3.5oz - 19.5oz
1# 1.5oz - 17.5oz

Ave 20.26oz or 1# 4.6oz

Not a huge difference, but I'm honestly shocked that the Bang ended up being the heavier pull.

Anyone out there with trigger gauges? Want to verify my results? I'm curious if the LP mod could be a factor in this.

[SETHZILLA!]

I haven't heard of the LP mod, but now I'm interested in finding out more

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

[Cdn_Cuda]

Yes, do tell!

[superman]

pretty sure the lp mod was just cutting off 2 of the can tabs on the bolt.

[Jordan]

I haven't heard of the LP mod, but now I'm interested in finding out more

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Two "legs" on the back of the bolt are removed - you'll see where if you pop the bolt out - thereby increasing the can volume and decreasing the OP. It helps with efficiency as well, according to Stanchy.

[Brokeass_baller]

Jordan and superman are correct. You just cut off two of the supports for the dump chamber. According to Stanchy, it's supposed to drop the operating pressure by 15%, and likewise the trigger pull weight by 15%. But, you'd think that would be across the board.

The only thing I can think that would cause an increase in pull weight with the Bang Switch is new o-rings vs broken in o-rings. But, like I said, I've been using it for a few years now. I don't shoot a whole lot, but I probably have 5 or 6 cases on these o-rings. That can't be the issue, I don't think.

I can't think of any other biases that could cause this. I want to believe DocFire in his results because he's a great resource, and I find him to be a relatively honest person. But my findings were opposite.

[Brokeass_baller]

As a side note, normally increasing pressure will decrease dwell time and this increase marker efficiency.

I think the LP mod increases efficiency by allowing the dump chamber to seal off quicker, as it has less pressure to overcome. It's only a theory, but these dwell-insensitive markers do operate distinctly differently than the spoolies that were used to.

[William the Third]

In all fairness, the Bang Switch only promised to lighten the trigger pull on EMEK and MG/EMF100 by using a different trigger spring that didn't work with the M170R or GMEK. Primarily it advertised a shorter trigger pull. I recall that it used slightly different o-rings than stock, which I believe were slightly larger, which could account for the slightly heavier trigger pull all else being the same.

[zinger565]

For the sake of clarity and understanding, we are discussing the slide trigger GMEK, right?

Honestly I put bang switch in right away without playing with the stock. I did notice it had slightly different geometry which in theory could reduce air weight on the switch (via reduced area for pressure to act on).

I will say the trigger pull isn't as light as I expected.

[Brokeass_baller]

Yeah, I'm using it a Gmek. But it's compatible with all of them: Emek, Etha 3M, M170r.

[Jonnydread]

I want to rig up a magnetic return for my gmek. I like a nice snappy pull

[Brokeass_baller]

I don't think that would do very much since the switch pushes the trigger back

[Jonnydread]

Brokeass_baller lol fair point

[wunderbarsafari]

I recall that it used slightly different o-rings than stock, which I believe were slightly larger, which could account for the slightly heavier trigger pull all else being the same.

This. Leaks, farts and the spool sticking seemed like somewhat common occurrences with the white o-rings that liquid used. My Gmek farted occasionally with the bang switch and replacing o-rings with the stock PE rings alleviated it.

[Brokeass_baller]

I might try swapping o-rings then and see if that changes anything. I haven't had any leaks or farts with mine.

[ford]

Blah, some of these gamma core mods hurt my head... The thing is already wonderfully efficient and shoots just fine. chopping off two supports making the thing half as bomb proof for the sake of 10%-15% 'low pressure' modification... Sure Jan.

/gamma_gripe

[Jonnydread]

I'm with you man. As much as I love to see innovation I feel like the gamma core is a perfectly robust and effective system that really doesn't need much else.

[zinger565]

I don't mind experimenting with oring changes since that seems to be the first thing manufacturers cut costs on. However, for the most part modern bolt systems are best left as is.

[Brokeass_baller]

I agree. Mine came like this, and it's obviously a Dremel job. The only benefit I can think of is the lower pressure allows the air to vent quicker, allowing for lower dwell since the spring doesn't need to overcome the higher pressure.

But I have nothing at all to compare it to. Only Stanchy's word. But, I took DocFire's word on the Bang Switch, and placebo kicked in hardcore, and just look where I am now. So who even knows. The Gmek I had before this and sold (and INSTANTLY regretted) shot just fine.