Here's a new toy, the prototype (1 of 4) of the new Chipley Machine Convertible pump marker. I received this marker at the SPE from Jon at Nor-Cal, he was nice enough to let me "buy" it from him to evaluate and use for demos. I will do my best with my impressions and observations, since this is a work in progress, please come back and see what I learn throughout its development.

After 6 months of use, and many hours of tuning, tweaking, and machining of some new parts. I feel comfortable in my opinions of this marker now. Note that these likes are for MY prototype and may not be exactly the same as production models. I will note where changes have been made to production models.

Likes.

*weight, this should not be a make or break decision in buying a marker though.

*recessed frame mount screws (I have been doing this for years on my custom guns). Not sure if the current guns are the same

*trigger feel is very crisp, a LONG way from the sliders CCM used, and a world better than the older pivot frames they included on the 03/J2 pumps. Most people using these never used those pieces of crap, I still have one in a parts box.

*Pump stroke, like any other well machined sniper clone (it is still a clone), the pump stroke is nice.

Dislikes

*The problem with the rear grip frame screw from the sniper is carried over. Too easy to strip that screw hole out in the body due to not enough thread engagement. If I designed a part for my company with this little of engagement I would be ridiculed.

*feed neck attachment. I really haven't had a problem yet, but I haven't ever taken out my feed neck. For those that change from hopper to stock feed, I have a bad feeling the feed neck screw holes will get lose and eventually strip if one isn't careful.

* Valve... quite frankly its bad, it has been bad since 9-2004 when they used the same geometry on the series5 and j2, and the lackluster performance was adopted for the SS25.

*Grip frame is TOO THIN, hopefully this will change, since most people don't like this. My simple fix was to make shims that fit under the wrap around grips. it widens the frame enough to make it feel like a marker, and not a children's toy.

Overall....

Ok, so after 6 months and all the work. I like the gun. BUT, it took the work to get to this point. The frame is comfortable on mine now, the new valve i made makes it shoot much better and sound better too. Also, since i don't change feednecks ( I already have a great stock class sniper) I don't feel the feed screws will be a problem. Oh, and the rear grip frame screw. I will take my chances on, but i try not to remove the frame very often, that helps.

Here is a pic of some cool SS25s that Bunkerboyz Paintball had in stock. I think they can still do custom colors like that fade.