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A short review and pictures of the "PTX" (Updated 010605)
By Brent Hoefling AKA RamboPreacher PoG#6- "A Player, Not A Pro"
Warning, while I have made attempts to reduce the number of graphics on this page, there are some (mostly thumbnails, that link to their larger counterparts) and the download time may be slower for users dialing into the Internet with a MoDem:
The first thing I get asked almost every time when someone finds out I have 4 is: "What are you going to do with four of them? That is when I talk about the custom Sam Tussing Holsters. Comfortable and usable. Then the next thing is, almost invariably, "can I borrow two so we can have a quick draw contest?" Not that I am against loaning one or more out, but that is not what they are for. I originally bought them for a scenario game, but since the came late, I didn't get to use them for that game.
I will be using them for recreational games and at one time or another one or more will be my primary marker. The following few pictures shows them with holsters and how they look on the player (me).
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My first impression of the marker is that it is pretty well built and I was actually expecting more plastic. I was already aware of the fact that you will need to tweak the 12 gram loader before use. I had an extra used one laying around to use so that I could make the adjustment on a dummy cartridge, then load a new one when I was sure it was correct.
Okay, I have to be honest; when they came in, I was so excited, I didn't read the manual and pulled the gun out of the box and put the ball bag (that's what the manual calls the spring fed tube) on. it was simple and there didn't seem to be a wrong way to do it. I quickly adjusted the 12 gram changer (see above), loaded some of my "test" balls (a bunch of old ones that I keep around so I have something to shoot when I get the urge, loaded a 12 gram and went out the back door. (there is a huge vacant field next door, I do this quite often and the neighbors don't have a problem with it, because I asked them) Quickly shot off all 10 balls. I reloaded, this loading is similar to a PGP, had to remove the cap and unlike a PGP, push and lock the spring down and load more balls. It was then that I discovered that my Chroney needed a new battery. I also discovered that I hadn't fully assembled my marker!
In a zip-loc type bag separately, is the velocity adjustment thumbscrew and allen lock-down (and other spare parts). I quickly installed it and shot off more paint. The next day, I bought a lantern battery for my radar chroney and shot again. Adjusting to 235 (the highest it would go - more on that later), I discovered that I could get 25 or more good shots. Though I have found that in personal use of this type of marker, it is better to coordinate changing 12 grams with loading paint, so you know where you are, without having to count each shot. What I mean is that I change 12 grams after 20 shots weather it is empty or not (and it isn't). Personally, i would rather deal with the cost of dumping a mostly used 12 gram than relying on having co2 at that crucial moment, only to find that the last shot was only enough to get the ball to drop out the end of the barrel! (be careful if you do this that the 12 gram is mostly used, if you try to let the 12 gram out of the PTX and still has a good charge, it will shoot out like a rocket)
The grip frame has standard bottom line holes and in front of the trigger frame is a bolt that when you remove it allows you to install a standard hose to a bottom line fitting if you were so inclined as to want a ASA with a CA co2 tank or even an HPA tank. The arrangement could be made so that a small 3.5 or 4 oz tank would fit on the bottom line and the marker could still be holsterable, but something less than balanced in that configuration.
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The PTX is a JABB (Just Another Blow Back), and seems to be based on the Rebel (which is basically a Spyder clone). With that said, I don't want to really give you the wrong idea about this marker. It is well built and seems to be able to take some rough handling, though would not withstand allot of abuse or even a drop to the concrete. (duh)
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Though I have a couple silver and a couple green ones, I am only showing a green one because they are essentially the same, just different anodizing on the main body (besides the silver ones didn't like the flash on my el-cheeepo digital camera). This picture of a mostly disassembled one, shows the bolt, hammer and other parts. These show pretty much that it is a JABB. You get some spare o-rings (in a new purchase), a spare bolt retaining pin, a spare nubbin/ball detent and an allen wrench. |
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The Manual is a tri-fold, printed on both sides. |
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Several things stand out about this marker in comparison to others semi-auto side arms that I have owned and used. The "ball bag" (as is referred to in the documentation) is the spring fed tube and is easily removed from the main gun. I am told that you can buy these as an accessory, but I have yet to find out where or how much. They stay on pretty nicely, but is probably one of the weakest points (physically) on the marker. I am not saying that it is a bad design, on the contrary, it looks like there has been much engineering done to get this right. What I am saying is that if the gun did take a "tumble"; the ball bag would be the first thing to pop off. it has a spring-loaded catch and so probably would do just that - pop off, rather than break off. |
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Compared to the convert feed on a convert Typhoon, this is much easier to handle and could actually be used on the field to quick-change. With the powerfeed type plug, you could twist it to keep balls from falling out, and keep one or more extra's in a pocket or vest strap. The tubes used on the AFT were pretty heavy duty as far as wear goes, but the special little plastic cover pieces usually didn't last a month or more of playing. The engineering of these feed tubes/ball bags, make for a simple design and a hardy wear. |
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The 12 gram quick change device is strangely similar to the PPS Quicksilver changer. The Quicksilver is more spring-loaded, however and I feel that it allows for more variable in the 12 gram cartridges. Though this system is very nice, you will need to adjust the push-set cap, it is pretty simple, but possibly too simple. It simply screws out and in to adjust the length that it pushes to snap the 12 gram into place. |
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Shown here with out a 12 gram, you can see that the adjustment can be made with your fingers. The allen bolt on the bottom here, holds the assembly in place, not a lock-down for the length adjustment. The adjustment doesn't seem to slip, it takes a bit to turn it, but I think that after some use, it might get loose. I'll have to report more on that as time goes on. |
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Shown here is the ball detent. It is simply a rubber piece that sticks out at the correct location keeping the marker from double feeding. It is quite effective, though when I tried to shoot some really old marballizers, they were pretty small and would roll past the detent. This shouldn't be a problem since they were extremely small and that would be an exception if something that small ever was something that I would actually use on the field. |
I have made some comparisons to other markers in this review, and will draw some personal conclusions: The PTX is a great Semi-auto Side arm and is a much better "investment" (cost/performance) over some other semi-auto's that are all plastic and cost the same or similar. I think you get something more than you pay for with the PTX. I feel that the street price of $120 is well worth it. It does have some failings or fall-backs however, especially compared to other side arms. The Squall or convert typhoon are much, MUCH more expensive, but are typhoon based and are therefore has a much greater EAER (effective accuracy and effective range). The PTX is great to about 75 feet or so. Not that it is bad after that, but it is a pistol style marker, and with a short barrel, you can only get so much accuracy. That is where the Squall/Convert are so much better, that extra 2-4 inches on the barrel make allot of difference.
The PTX, is much lighter than a PPS marker, and thus can be more maneuverable, but it depends on your play style and comfort level with the marker. Because the PTX is a JABB, it has a kick that the Squall does not have with it's fully pneumatic automation system. That kick along with the lightweight body of the PTX can make it hard to keep on a target, especially without practice (or especially if you are used to using only fully pneumatic guns like the PPS series).
As far as reloading paintballs, it is going to be a matter of practice, I like the design so that you can have extra ball bags, but if you have to use just the one that came with the marker, you will need to practice holding the plug, pushing the spring, holding the marker and loading a 10 ball tube, all with only two hands. This is the same challenge with the squall, but I felt that the squall was a bit easier to maneuver to load another 10 balls, especially with the knurled feed tube plug.
The biggest problem: Velocity. Not velocity adjustment - that is simple with the nice thumbscrew and allen lock. The challenge is getting this thing up to speed. This is one reason NOT to get a PTX (unless there is a fix that I am not aware of). with the Squall, for example, you could adjust the velocity to a full 300FPS if you wanted to (285 is best, though). With the PTX, I could only get about 225 without changing anything. I was able to get it up to 255, by adding a full 1/4 piece of brass between the adjust screw and the spring. Of course this made it kick a whole lot harder and still I was not able to get anywhere near a 280 or 285 (where I would like to see it). So the bottom line here is - you are going to only be able to use it and be effectively accurate up to 50 or maybe 75 feet.
conclusion: The PTX has it's place. If you have the luxury of having the budget to afford a squall, then that is the better marker, by far, as far as performance is concerned, especially if you want to use one of these for your primary marker, and not a backup (and considering the velocity challenge of the PTX). If you already have a great Palmer pneumatic main marker (typhoon or Blazer, for example), and want something for a backup in rec games, then the PTX is the way to go. I wouldn't suggest that you use this as your primary marker, but would work as one if you were so inclined. (I'm just not that good, but don't tell anyone - if they want to think I am, then I won't tell them otherwise - heheehehehee - HOWEVER, i would consider using it as a primary if I could get it to shoot 285)