Nova Phantom Duckslide kits

[Timefreak17]

So my flush threaded freak set for phantom that works fine, should be protruding into the breech because that's the only way.
I get it, which is why I sent parts to them so they can address any other issues.
30 years experience yep, but now new technology and a player base that demands plant eclipse perfection out the door... Even CCI found issues and fixed them just like nova

[Ecapnation]

New technology? Cnc's have been around since the 60's

[Chuck E Ducky]

For a $200 piece of machined aluminum I'm happy with mine I did not want to use the one piece CCI feed and they addressed the slop / play in the slide to barrel fitment on stock CCI barrels are what I wanted to use anyway.

[flyweightnate]

So my flush threaded freak set for phantom that works fine, should be protruding into the breech because that's the only way.
I get it, which is why I sent parts to them so they can address any other issues.
30 years experience yep, but now new technology and a player base that demands plant eclipse perfection out the door... Even CCI found issues and fixed them just like nova

I think "perfection" isn't what anyone is asking. They just want "typical".

J&J made Phantom barrels with a v-form thread. It was wrong, but it worked.
Tech-T and Deadlywind made Phantom barrels with inserts that were correct.
Lapco makes Phantom barrels that are correct.
Dye made Phantom barrels that were correct.

Nova somehow incorrectly copied a bored Phantom barrel, even though it hasn't changed in a decade, and the breech hasn't changed in 30+ years. That's pretty sloppy.

The ability to accept feedback is crucial for progress. We're not trying to be mean; we're pointing out what needs to change. But conventional wisdom is that you'll spend 10x-100x on marketing to get a new sale vs a repeat sale; not doing a basic function test on a new product as simple as a barrel is a quick way to ruin your market.

I want to see small paintball companies succeed. To succeed, Nova needs to slow down just enough to contain problems instead of releasing them to paying, inevitably disappointed customers. I hope they do.

[Jsc5150]

Well said and spot on from the right guy.

The Phrame is well thought out and took in tons of info/feedback/advice from customers, a process I would highly recommend Nova adopt.

[Timefreak17]

I agree that slower steps and feed back are key to releasing a quality product. Which is why these forums exist as well.
Again that feed back and adjust product due to issues is why I sent what issues I have found to Nova. And sent some of my gear to hopefully help with fitting all types of phantom bodies.

Well said and I like the way you put it.
On a side note when I did have my duck slide.
It was on an 80s body and had some real twisting play and a bugger to get dialed in and set. I equate that to user error a bit and my general lack of knowledge of phantom nuisance. This was when I just got on mcb and back into paintball in early 2000s

[BLachance75]

I'm sad I traded it, but glad Nova came out with a recreation of that original one with a few refinements.

I’d like to hear what you think are the refinements. I have an original Duckslide and from everything I’ve seen in this thread the Nova version looks akin to a Mexican storage unit plastic surgery job.

[Timefreak17]

I can only speak to v2 and my original slide which I have to go 20 years back almost.
As posted above on another comment, I had issues with the original and the Nova slide as chuck e ducky puts it, is the upgrade I felt was added. In my opinion.

[Moodog]

An upgrade how? If you don’t elaborate it’s just a useless anecdote.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Because it’s pre cut so the feed mounts direct, and the slid rides on a delrin sleeve vs aluminum on aluminum. Duck slides that the feed mounts to the slide and not the body fed like crap and chop very easily. The Nova just don’t work with the lone piece feeds because they have a wider base that wraps around the body farther then most all other feeds. Again with a hand file you could easily get it to work just by removing some material that would then be hidden under the feed anyway. It’s definitely an upgrade from the standard Duck slide. Even my Carter had feed issues till I added a fat bolt tip oring so it pushes the 2nd ball in the stack up vs clipping it between the body and feed.

[HanhSolo]

I got mine and tried it out. The portion of the slide binds against the frame and the inside front near the barrel is threaded onto is out of spec, making pumping almost impossible. Going to have to get it milled to correct it these issues identified so far.

[Chuck E Ducky]

That blows you going open class with yours? Is it hitting on that sight rail by chance?

[HanhSolo]

It was open class, but it will be changed back to stock class. The slide is no where near the sigh rails.

[Kit]

HanhSolo

[stockclass48]

Wow... sweet cram and jam!!! Any chance you making these available for sale?

[sonixr7]

Kit did you make that Cram N Jam?

[sonixr7]

Will you have more available for purchase?

[BubbleHead87]

Also interested in the cram and jam

[Chuck E Ducky]

Nice cram and Jam!

[Kit]

[Super Nova]

That looks great

[F1FX]

Back to the nova barrel, anyone else getting the run around from nova? I was sent a barrel that does thread into any of my phantoms (over a dozen) and was told cci changed specs over the years 😂 (I call BS) when I told them of my issues. TJ told me they are working on a new barrel. So ok I figure I would give them a chance to make right. I reached out to them the other day to follow up and was told they have two versions of barrels and I have the 2nd version so mine should be fine…. So it must be all of my bodies are out of specs and its odd that all of my other phantom barrels fit every body I have.

[BubbleHead87]

I had imperfections in all the inserts I received. Took them 3 weeks to reply. I wanted a refund. So they told me to send it back and they will refund me. Instead of refunding me, they sent me another set. Emailed them and let them know I wanted a refund not a new set. They ghosted me. Over 30 days now so too late to return.

[Jsc5150]

Yeah they told me there would be a second version then ghosted.

Funny enough I got 5.5” freak and 8.5” freak xl barrels from the polar bear, and they fit perfectly without any drama or version revisions

[Jsc5150]

Did anyone get an updated barrel?

orders@novapb.com stopped replying to me

[Chuck E Ducky]

Well that sucks… I thought they were pretty good dealing with issues.

[Jsc5150]

I guess the phantom customers got fired

[iamthelazerviking]

I gave up supporting them after receiving more than one 670 insert with wear marks and bent out of shape. After returning one for an exchange as well.

[$L!mBo]

guess theyre just sitting on these now still
in stock and lowered price

[Chuck E Ducky]

The one I got in today is the same thing as my other v2 just has a light scratch on the side finger nail don’t even catch it. It’s worth the fun in aluminum for $75

[ThatBobbyjoe]

Couldn’t resist. Might have to mill and drill it for RF.

[Mud]

I don't wanna give them any more money, but like... damnit I might have to pick up a second one to bring down the average cost of having two.

[ThatBobbyjoe]

Got mine in, no issues with fit. Thinking I’m gona need one of those snazzy cram n jam feeds before I send it out for ano Kit

[Drcemento]

My son has about five days on his now and he loves that thing. Getting really good with it to. The V2 was much improved and has good pump stroke. Once I get a little more confident with ano we’ll get it looking pretty. Might get another at that price, which feels more right for what it is. They are likely loosing their ass at that price though.

[Chuck E Ducky]

That’s probably cost. They outsourced the work an bought a large quantity.

[1shot_Dave]

Bought one for kicks. Shipped with the barrel in the slide, unpadded, so it rattled around in shipping. Some light scratches but nothing major. No delrin sleeve included though. Reached out to Nova about that, we'll see what happens.

[1shot_Dave]

Will do, thanks Chuck.

[1shot_Dave]

Nova shipped me a sleeve! How do you keep this thing in the slide? O-ring?

[Chuck E Ducky]

I clips and holds it’s self in the slide.

[ramagupa]

Mine came in, worked as it should

[FredMnkyDad10]

Current ones for sale are the new version with issues fixed?

[ramagupa]

Mine was fine yes, just ordered last week. The 75$ deal they have going