So in the comment section of my last entry “Holding Back 50
Caliber Evolution” - http://reiner-schafer.blogspot.ca/2013/02/holding-back-50-caliber-evolution.html#comment-form
) , I hinted that there was something coming down the pike that might be
noteworthy; a marker providing the reliability of something like a Tippmann 98
for the 50 caliber market. Something
currently not available, but being sought by many field owners.
Well, I’ve been given permission to provide a little more
info, although at this point the manufacturer has asked to remain anonymous
until the official launch hopefully happening in a few short weeks. Being released shortly will be a 50 caliber modification
for 68 caliber markers including the Tippmann’s 98,the FT12 and I believe some
other markers as well (the Tippmann’s are the only ones I have 100%
confirmation for at this point).
It is not a typical conversion kit that requires a breach
adaptor, bolt and barrel to work, rather 1 piece that adapts the gun to 50 cal. It apparently does not even need a separate
50 caliber barrel, the stock barrel can be screwed back on after the conversion
is done. The conversion can also be
reversed. In the case of the FT12, to
convert from 68 to 50 caliber, or from 50 back to 68 caliber can be done in
less than a minute. The 98 takes longer
due to having to separate the clamshell body halves to get at the internals. The price has not been confirmed, but is
indicated to be much less than a separate new rental marker like the Spyder
Opus. If the modification does not
affect the reliability of the Tippmann marker, we may have a winner on our
hands.
The obvious advantage
from a field owner’s perspective (especially a relatively small operation field
owner) is that he/she does not need to have two complete sets of guns to be
able to cater to both the 50 caliber and 68 caliber market. For someone like myself, that is still in the
“trial” stages of offering 50 caliber games, I don’t have to invest nearly as
much as I thought I would have to invest to give it a try, and hopefully I will
have something that is more reliable than the Spyder.
I am hoping to get a prototype in my hands sometime in the
next week or two and then will hopefully have a little more info.
