Metadyne Thumper/Phoenix Redux

[Chuck E Ducky]

Well at 450psi input pressure it shoots nicely. Ran about 100 shots through it so far. Maybe I can get out this Sunday and give it a ride.

I got #2 so that’s pretty cool I like it so far. Seals right up and was GTG out of the box. I’m a lil bummed about no 12g play but it shoots nice and it’s definitely a unique design. Dual detents are great zero roll outs or double feeds. Looking forward to the VASA option. Hopefully I can get out this weekend and stack some bodies with it.

[Hellion360]

LMK if you decide to go out somewhere.

[binson]

I got number 33.

[screwloose45]

Jealous. What carrier were they shipped through?

[RuleOfSines]

FedEx for me.

[screwloose45]

Thanks

[binson]

Dang this thing is loud. Could just be the 6" (hehehe). I did notice that trying to load with 10rd it's not easy to get them to fall into the feed tube (an easy fix).

[Chuck E Ducky]

It’s the unported 6” barrel. Mine isn’t bad with a bore matched ported 13”

[binson]

Ooh. Yeah I had to try one of my other barrels, but then I ran out of air...

[screwloose45]

So far so good, definitely feels like it needs a foregrip, hoping that can be attached as an addon vs new marker.

Trigger seems a little stiff if you pull it from towards the bottom vs the top, but I'm thinking that will break in as it's shot more.

[binson]

What's cool too is that each part is match serialized at least on these components front middle and back. I didn't see serial#s on trigger frame, AsA or grip.

[XEMON]

That may not be such a good sign ... It may indicate that the parts are machined to match each other, making it more complicated to repair or swap parts ...

[RuleOfSines]

[RuleOfSines]

Thanks! Follow up question for you: did or do you already own a Thumper?

[Myrkul]

Yikes....

[nobbie333]

I have not own one before

[Otnasir]

Hey, sorry to be "that guy just dropping by", but is there a dang fore grip/handle yet?

[Jonnydread]

VASA version in the works, not released yet

[Menso]

Did anyone get to hit the field with theirs this past weekend?

[Jonnydread]

Did anyone get to hit the field with theirs this past weekend?

I did. It ran okay, I ran into two main issues:

1 - Paint breakage. I couldn't shoot more than 8-10 shots without one breaking in the barrel.
2 - Velocity. In order to get close to the field velocity cap of 280 FPS I had to CRANK the regulator as high as it would go. At the highest setting using ~.679 paint, a .680 5" insert, and a 450psi output tank I was getting ~270 FPS. I tried a higher output tank and had the same velocity.

1a - It was a cold (low 30s°F) and windy day. The cold could definitely have influenced the breakage I was seeing, but it's worth noting my cocker pump (running a .689 barrel and dummy detents) had no paint breakage issues. Additionally, it's possible the very high regulator input pressure could have contributed to the breakage.
2a - I would imagine that in "normal" playing temperatures (60°F+) velocity wouldn't be as much as an issue, but as a Northeast player who plays all winter this was a stress test and I would say the Phoenix gets a C- grade for performance.

When shots successfully left the marker (without breaking) the gun shot nicely and it was fun to shoot. The only other minor complaint is that when aired up the marker pumping action felt like it was dragging a little bit. This could likely be solved with some sanding/polishing or even just by breaking the gun in more.

In summary, it still has some kinks/quirks, but I think with better paint and warmer temps it'll be a weird and fun little marker.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Mine were a lil loose I had to re tighten them they moved on me and touched at that point and bound a lil.

[RuleOfSines]

I can’t even get a single tube of rounds before it breaks paint, and velocity is garbage. I believe that is from the orings sticking. Running oil through it clears that up, but damages the clippard valve. Same problem as the Thumper.

[dozernaut]

I had the same experience with mine this past weekend. Weather was in the 40s all day. Broke 2-3 balls in Chrono. Maxed out the velocity at 270 fps and good paint bore match. Pinched a ball in my first game and couldn't fix it on field. Switched to my empire sniper and had zero issues for the rest of the day. Same barrel, same tank, same paint.

[Timefreak17]

Is the ball breakage from:

Air pressure from piston to high?

The capturing/loading of the next round?

The double detent being too stiff?

Temp plus back pressure?

Or a mix of a few things?

[RuleOfSines]

Is the ball breakage from:

Air pressure from piston to high?

The capturing/loading of the next round?

The double detent being too stiff?

Temp plus back pressure?

Or a mix of a few things?

I’m away from mine at the moment to test, but I think the sticky piston opening too slowly is forcing me to raise the pressure higher and higher until the shot becomes too violent. My thumpers did this too, completely disassembling the marker and oiling the piston rings helped dramatically. Silicone orings also helped, but they tore too easily with the thumpers operation.

[screwloose45]

Is anyone else's pump stroke really heavy the last 10% or so? Like the cocking action itself.

[Jonnydread]

Yeah that was the drag I was referring to in my post.

[RuleOfSines]

Yep. The return mechanism seems to get kinda crunchy during that last bit of travel. I was considering trying to swap the pump and hammer springs

[XEMON]

I'm sad to see it is looking like a similar situation as the thumper: it's more a prototype than a production marker.
it's a shame as the form factor of the thumper is absolutely amazing

[TF_Aloha]

I'm really confused by the lack of a fore-grip. I mean, how did they test this thing without realizing everyone is constantly trying to find a home for their other hand? It just seems like an easy thing to add in the design phase.

I know everyone keeps on saying that a VASA is coming, but that really doesn't make sense either. How many people really want a VASA on a marker that can't use CO2? Maybe a few people like to do some weirdness with a vertical HPA tank, but for the most part, the VASA seems to only make sense when you can use 12g's.

Fore-grips don't need to be part of the air path to do their job, we just need a good place to put a second hand besides grabbing a narrow barrel and trying not to push forward at all and affect the shot.