Metadyne Thumper/Phoenix Redux

[XEMON]

Thanks for condensing a lot of the info.

I'm also curious about the ones they have for "demo" that works properly.

Working on mine, I've been surprised at the lack of tolerance on a few parts, I got a wall that was so thin it blew out in manufacturing and got annoyed, assembled and shipped without being caught ...

Talking with Scott, and hey seem like they want to dot he right thing, but I'm not sure how they plan on handling the ones that are already out once they figure it out.

[Lt. head-shot]

I did actually ask to buy the one I had used. since I knew it was already at chrono speeds and ready to go.

[RuleOfSines]

Also anyone who buys one of these ones they’re personally handing out, I’d love to see the internals if you’re willing to disassemble.

[RuleOfSines]

Supposedly they did 3000 rounds of testing times 8 markers, which apparently wasn’t enough. Did he sell you the one that he gave you to try or another one off the shelf?

[Lt. head-shot]

Ok, so I just got back from Supergame, which Metadyne attended. I talked to Scott for probably 2 hours over the weekend. I'll try to keep this short...ish

1. Scott has seen the feedback sent to him, and knows he should be on the forums answering questions more, but long story short, family health issues. He plans on reaching out more and trying to respond on here. (I told him to hire an intern for social media postings/pictures).
2. There are only 8 people that work for Metadyne, so it is a small company, and you are likely not going to get the same level of in depth testing/10,000 round time lapse paint dumping that ANS does.
3. Scott and his cousin Brian are the ones behind Metadyne. Brian is the engineer and designer... but knows nothing about paintball. So some of the things are designed the way that an engineer would tackle the problem, not necessarily how a paintball guy would think. For example - having to use allen keys and torx on the same gun. Or how complicated the system is to take apart. Its like automotive engineers not thinking about how the mechanic is going to have to deal with taking it apart later.
4. Metadynes main production/company time is aerospace manufacturing. Paintball is the side business. So when the government wants parts for the F18... paintball stuff gets put lower on the list.
5. The velocity issue has been fixed, they needed to make the reg adjustment longer. It didn't have a problem reaching FPS at thinner altitudes, and they were trying not to have the reg adjustment so far that you could crank it up into the 330+ range.
6. A VSC model is in process. They will not be interchangeable unfortunately.
7. The only 2 parts they don't make in house is the clippard valve and the macroline fittings/line.
8. The new clippard valve is beefier, but the o-rings that come on them don't hold up to Co2.... sometimes. He said his was able to run co2 no problem, but obviously others have had issues. So they don't want to say something can work on Co2 if it is going to be a gamble.
9. The stock class feeds have been milled slightly wider on the inside. I think part of this issue may be that current tubes available are the thicker smoke kind, and they often don't fit in older styles of cram feeds/etc. So that was an oversight, but they are addressing it.
10. The number on the site is supposed to be Scott's direct line. Call him if you have an issue, or shoot him a text/email. He wants to fix any issues that people do have.
11. They are working on a fix/change for the leaking macroline fittings.
12. If you have an OG thumper, email him, he is trying to make things right. While I was there, a guy brought him a literal bag of parts and said he couldn't get it to work. Turns out he was missing the trigger spring, so there was no way to make it work that day. Scott told him to email, he would get him an RMA and get it taken care of one way or another./
13. He said they are going to try and work on some accessories in order to get us a vertical grip.
14. There are some tips/tricks for putting things back together to make sure there are not any issues, Its kind of like the old carter buzzards that if the valve and collar were juuuuuust slightly off, it would autotrigger constantly.

So after talking Scott's ear off on Friday morning, he hands me a marker and said "Go play with it and give me your honest feedback". So... I did.

1. Ok the front pumping definitely takes some getting used to, but the thumb paddles make it so much easier.
2. I had zero chopping issues. When Scott and I were talking, he pointed out that if you don't let the pump stroke come back 100% of the way, there is a small gap that occurs, which can blow air up and crack balls in the feed tube.
3. Velocity was fine, cranked it up to 280 exactly and was +- about 2 FPS over the chrono with a slight underbore to compensate for the paint inconsistency.
4. Don't run a really heavy/long barrel - ok this one is on me, I put an Apex tip on the front in order to try and compete against everyone with FSR rounds. The heavy tip weight levers against the breech and makes to pump with the thumb paddles. As soon as I took off the tip I had zero issues with pumping.
5. The grip adjustment setup is cool, but it did come loose on me at one point. Just need to make sure it is tightened down and maybe a bit of locktite, once you dial it in to your liking.
6. When the ASA did change angles, I did get some leaking from the macro fittings. Moving it back stopped the leak.
7. I really love the 1/4 ASA. Makes it quick and easy, and the knob on it is nice and large so you don't have an issue if your hands are covered in paint.
8. Had no issues with slamming in the smoke colored 10 round tubes.
9. I love the tight frame/positioning on the marker. I was able to tuck super tight into bunkers.
10. Would like to see either a thumbscrew or lever lock feedneck, just to make it an up to date marker.
11. I would kill to be able to reverse/hawaiian style the asa. I'm going to see if it is possible.
12. The trigger is super nice, love the clean break and minimal take up.

So long story short... I bought one. He let some others go and test them out too, so I am hoping they can report feedback to him as well.

[FredMnkyDad10]

Wow. I just read all 8 pages. I sooooooo was hoping and looking forward to this turning out awesome. Not only on the new build for new customers but also for the original thumper buyers.

So this turned out into a crap show that they wont work right out of the box. And not only they need what sounds like a lit of work to get them running, but they are a pain to take apart. Even experience ballers might have issues putting it together.

Did I get those points right? If so, wow.

[maninblack2k]

Nope. Waiting on my barrel and the replacement stock class feed tube. Tracking says it's supposed to be to me by tomorrow, but I doubt it's accurate. Probably Monday.

The replacement stock class feed and the barrel kit did come in. The only issue is that they are black and not silver. I e-mailed Scott regarding that. otherwise at least I received something that looks usable.

[maninblack2k]

Still no barrels anyone?

Nope. Waiting on my barrel and the replacement stock class feed tube. Tracking says it's supposed to be to me by tomorrow, but I doubt it's accurate. Probably Monday.

[RuleOfSines]

Still no barrels anyone?

[XEMON]

For #4 out of the 3 frame screw, 1 is shorter as to not protrude into the velocity adjustment hole.
For #5, I had pretty bad spring crunch, and found a defect in the back block of the body that was catching on the spring and pushing it to the side, after cleaning the back block it got much smoother.

Thanks for sharing your experience 👍

[Timefreak17]

So, tested the phoenix out with 40 rounds.
stock class silver phoenix, w/ silenco barrel and pwr inserts .687 and .683
input psi- 500psi
Fps- 254 avg. Tuned from lowest to high and backed off till started dropping again.
No side paddles installed
With slight alterations to the trigger catch and rear trigger spring holder.

observations:

1) this thing will not go above 256 fps when turned all the way up, probably too much space around ball, barrel, and breech.

2) only one break 7 shots in, then ok after that.

3) the pwr inserts, even at .687 size stick into the breach with a lip. So my theory is that either the detents are to stiff and sharp that the ball gets cut by them, or ramps them up into the lip of barrel. Or a combination of detents and the lip from breech to barrel becoming smaller smacks the round into the lip and breaking paint.

4) one screw on the trigger assembly runs right into the velocity adjustment hole. So I had to back it out in order to adjust velocity. Good thing this marker is so easy to take apart...lol. sigh

5) very light crunching when pumping. Really didn't feel it was a problem.

6) feeding paint still sucks, need to trim the ball catch a tad more.

7) no problem with feeding from feed to breech. (No double feeds)

8) i like the on/off for the air

9) felt fine pumping from rear or barrel. I have bigger hands so a little easier for me to thumb pump the rear.

10) the breech and barrel movement has a small click when seated all the way flush. I feel it could use a little more room so the barrel doesn't need a slight hand seating flush to the back of the breech.

11) shot pretty accurately and liked the adjustable grip. Needs some room with the macro line for more play and adjustment.

12) it is still shooting, so yay!

13) why is it two toned in color? Two different grey/silvers on the anodizing.

14) looking forward to trying it out in a game to see how it really holds up. Fingers crossed.

[XEMON]

I dont have an XL insert on hand, but i dont think the length will match up.
Right now i have a spacer in front of the insert. Long term i will either get a set of XL and trim them to length or make a barrel that is bored at teh right depth for the insert. There is always the option of getting custom barrels made ...

[superman]

were you able to use a normal back with an xl insert or did you have to make a custom tip to too?

[XEMON]

No detent yet, but i have a few ideas I need to try.
I do have a way to retain the insert so it doesn't flop around when pumping.

[Arthur]

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