Review: Tacamo/Rap4 Type 68 AK47

Period of Product Use: 1 week



Strengths: Out of the box It is a highly attractive and intimidating marker. Also made to work out of the box as a plug and play with no complicated tuning.

Weaknesses: Lack of Upgrades,


These Markers are known under many names and suppliers (FX, Tacamo, Rap4, and a few others I believe). However all are manufactured on the same line in china that is a registered weapons factory. This line also assembles Real Type 56 assault rifles (Ak47 knockoffs). For this reason they are able to use real production parts for the cosmetics of this marker. It even came with an authentic service sling.

Video:



Pictures:



LOOKS & COSMETICS



No one can argue that this marker is sweet sweet eye candy. On bringing it on an Xball field I was getting envious looks and complements from everyone who saw it. It simply cant be said that this marker does not look cherry out of the box boasting a real wood stock (if you got the version with a wooden stock) and real wood handgaurd. The magazine could also be removed and used for storage of small items like cleaning kits or squeegee’s.

+1


You can get a number of versions (Krinkov compact style, Full AK, And RPK are the most common). I got the Smallest in the line, the Krinkov. It came with a folding metal stock and shorter magazine. The magazine I assume is a real ak mag without the guts. The body is even crafted specifically to look like an ak, unlike tippmann variants that have been converted to AKs but still sport a tippmann shaped body.

+1

2/2


FEATURES / SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

The internals of this marker is a Spyder clone (stack tubed blowback) as many people know. The detent is the older rubber nipple style rather than the ball bearing. Velocity is adjusted via an RVA you can access on removing the stock.
Unfortunately, there seems to be a quality control issue, as out of the box my handgrip was wobbly, and the front sight was badly dented inward (it is solid steel so it must have taken a tremendous blow). After disassembling the barrel kit and tightening it as best I could I could not 100% eliminate the wiggle of the handgaurd. On further inspection I found a warped steel bracket was the cause. Because it was steel I could not easily correct it.
The condition I got mine in made me raise an eyebrow as to if it was already used for training purposes and sold surplus. A quick look at the bolt and interior of the body showed no normal wear from firing.
-1


Aside from looking gorgeous this marker is remarkably unremarkable as far as special features go, it is as standard in operation as any spyder clone. The safety selector switch could be used as a physical safety stopping the bolt from moving forward. The stock could be removed and swapped for either a wooden or metal one. The stock was secured by two metal stripper pins. Unfortunately for me they sent mine with 1 stripper pin not long enough to clear the body on the other side leaving me with only 1 pin to hold the stock on.


-1

0/2


SHOOTING AND RELATED

The Version I selected with the metal stock was low profile enough so that I could use the iron sight with my mask on. This was very cool for lining up longer range precision shots and gave me allot of nostalgia to COD4 (I’m sure most of you know what I’m talking about even if you are too afraid to admit it :p ). The trigger pull is short (for a spyder) and feels authentic. It is easy to tell when you are about to trip the sear for a proper rifle style trigger pull.
+1



The barrel itself was actually very descent for accuracy as far as stock barrels go. The Thread on tip was compatible with rap4 muzzle breaks. Also the stock barrel is LOUD. I personally think this is awesome. I didn’t buy a marker modeled after an AK47 to make little hush puppy whispers. This marker makes a distinguishable report from other markers on the field.
When I tested this marker I was on a reball field. I used it for about 5 rounds and never experienced one marker jam. A jam with a reball more or less amounts to a chop with a paintball, so I assume it is far from prone to chopping paint.

+1


2/2


AIR AND OTHER

The stock asa is Big, heavy, ugly, but does its job. I would recommend upgrading to one with an On/off but if you are on a budget it works. It had fair consistency for a blowback and I could get it operating as low as 500 psi with a regulator. I had my tank filled in the 1500 psi area and was able to play 2-3 games before getting it filled again.
+1


The ball stopper at the other end of the feedneck was made of such low grade rubber it could be scratched with my fingernails. It felt like it was made of the same material as erasers.


-1



1/2

DURABILITY AND MANTINENCE

Aside from the ball stopper this marker is TOUGH. It feels like a real fire arm and the internals are protected by a thick metal body. You could run this marker over with a bus and I doubt it would break any of the internal components or warp the body. You can tell this gun was built to last. I believe it was originally fabricated for training purposes in the Chinese military. Most of the outer parts are real fire arm parts, and I don’t think I need to debate the proven durability of AK style weapons.

+1

This was designed to be a low maintenance marker. The most important part of upkeep is keeping it oiled as it is a spyder inside. Take care of it and it should take care of you. I have heard the Stock Orings and seals are not Mach grade but I have not had one single problem with leaks or blown orings yet.
The only component you will have to replace on a regular bases is probably the Detent once or twice a year depending how much you use it. As long as you oil the Orings before it goes into storage I can’t see leaking being an issue under normal circumstances.

+1


2/2

Conclusion:
This is a mean little rifle. AS far as looks go you cant beat it for the Ak look in the .68 cal department. As a marker it should stand up to the challenge of being a recreational or scenario players old reliable.
They are intimidating and solid. I’ve seen the price comes down as low as 200 CDN on these things so they are affordable, and are a great bang for your buck. For anyone looking for a semi auto blowback this is defiantly a contender to the Alpha black and other cheap Tippmanns.
These will accept 90% of spyder Egrips if greater rates of fire is your thing. I only sampled this marker in semi auto with the stock grip so I cannot comment on its performance in the high BPS.

I give it an earned 7/10 based on my categories. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns with my review email me at Travis@hitmanpaintball.ca


Rating:
7 out of 10

Review: Rap4 RAM Walther P99

Period of
Product Use: 2 years

Similar
Products Used: Other umarex .43 cal

Strengths: Realistic
Weaknesses: Smaller caliber ball.
Review: **Disclaimer**(serious part, but please read)

DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT take this marker out anywhere other than at a legal paintball field, shooting range, or proshop. Transport it in a carrying case or gear bag.
USE COMMON SENSE
*****

This is actually the Second P99 Ive had in my possession. I used to own one a few years back but sold it before I could really use it much. This time however I will take the time to get to know the marker a bit better before I oust it.

Video Section




LOOKS & COSMETICS


The P99 like all Umarex handguns is phenomenal cosmetically. I’ve had some problems with the rear sight falling out so I got 2 this time. Curiously one falls out easily and one doesn’t.

The 12 gram goes in just a bit further than on other RAM’s , adding to realism

The Walther logo appears 4 times on this marker. Twice on the slide and twice on the handgrip. I LOVE IT.


The only real blemish on this marker is the added push safety on the trigger; Umarex also added this to newer P226’s. its ugly, gets pushed in easily rendering you temporarily useless on occasion when retrieving it from a holster in a game, and if you take it out your trigger is left with a big eyesore of a hole.





FEATURES / SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

The biggest selling point for the p99 is ergonomics. It is built for comfortable shooting and is 100% Ambidextrous, so far it is the only RAM that is left handed shooter friendly.

Out of the box it comes with two sizes of palm inserts to cater to people with different sized hands. These inserts can be swapped on the fly by just removing a pin and pulling them out.

The magazines have a very distinct base and makes it almost impossible to insert them backwards like with other handguns.

Just like on a real P99, when cocked a red indicator at the back of the slide in a peep hole will appear to tell you the hammer is cocked. This is a great feature since the P99 uses an internal hammer.

On top of the slide is a De-cock button, a great safety feature which makes the stupid push button safety they tacked on for whatever reason obsolete.

Slide and mag release are on both sides as mentioned, and the de-cock can be reached from both sides with your thumb

There is also a bottom rail for mounting flashlights. It is not a true weaver rail but works.




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The P99 is SUPER short and compact. Because of the handgrips shape (with the correct insert for your hand, trigger placement, and clear iron sights it is just pleasant to shoot. It feels like it was made with your (the shooter’s) comfort in mind. Which it was

When I first put a 12 gram into it the velocities were spiking and fluctuating for the first 5 or so shots. I attribute this to the fact my 12 grams had been sitting in the sun. After said shots it stabilized SIGNIFICANTLY.

On the Chrono (after stabilizing out) it read:
251, 255, 254, 251, 251,

My old p99 was NOWHERE near this consistent. Also the hiss heard when airing it up was gone. I assume the P99 has some form of updated internals. At this point I was enthusiastically itching to try an efficiency test.

If the desert eagle blew me away with its efficiency, the P99 picked me back up, slapped me in the face, and dropped me on my ass again.
Doing the same experiment as with the desert eagle in room temperature, I took 1 shot every 5 seconds in volleys of 5 and then gave it a 20 second rest in between.

92 shots before the slide stopped going back!
On shot 90 I was skeptical, and chronoed shot 91 and got 212 FPS. Shot 92 was 207 and decocked. I was still able to empty my magazine by cocking before each shot.

After opening it up, I think the internals are the same as the upgraded Deagle ones, I think the reason it gets more shots per 12 gram is the slide is lighter and the barrel is shorter. Expect to get at least 4-5 mags when shooting quickly.



Accuracy


For my accuracy test I used a 1.5 by 2 foot plywood square as a target and marked off various increments of distance to shoot from. 1 magazine was used for each distance


Sunny conditions (minimal wind) Video recorded here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cy9a2yuWV8

Range / Shots on Target
30 feet: 9/9
40 feet: 9/9
50 feet: 9/9
60 feet: 6/9
70 feet: 3/9 (2 bounced)
100 feet: 3/9 (1 bounced)


When comparing the p99 to my desert eagle, the p99 was noticeably less accurate when shooting them side by side, but because of how comfortable it was to shoot, it was easier to hit targets and actually out-scored the desert eagle which was bulky and awkward to shoot and had much higher recoil.

Also on shooting the p99, the slide would not always lock back, and I would have to take 1-3 dry shots to get it to lock back. Not a big issue.

One thing I DID have an issue was the magazines spring. Out of the box the tension is far too high, every minute you have the tension on the balls in the mag is another minute they warp. My desert eagle did not have this problem, as it only has 8 per magazine, AND a lighter spring. I will be doing some experiments later to reduce the tension. Out of the box if you have your p99 holstered for any time over 20 min, don’t expect to hit anything less than 30 feet away without emptying your mag.


DURABILITY AND MAINTENANCE

The P99 unfortunately cannot be field stripped tool free. A punch and screw driver are required to remove the slide to get at the internals.

The upper components and Trigger are metal, but the grip frame is plastic, but it is not a cheap or weak plastic. It feels sturdy in your hands and could probably withstand being dropped even in cold weather. I can’t say I’ve ever heard of someone breaking one.

General upkeep is pretty standard, a drop of oil on the asa oring with every new 12 gram and it should never dry out. Greasing the core once a year couldn’t hurt (it comes greased out of the box, but if you disassemble it you will void your 1 year warranty, after that its your call).



Conclusion:


The P99 is a small, light, comfortable, high performance handgun. I can see why it is by far the most popular in the RAM line. It has a few minor issues to fix (magazine spring, safety button, rear sight) but none that majorly take away from the overall experience.

Personally I like my Desert Eagle more. With single controlled shots the Desert Eagle IS more accurate, but because the P99 is so much more comfortable to shoot you will likely get better accuracy in the heat of combat. Plus it holds one more round than the Deagle does.
The Desert Eagle is a manlier more intimidating gun to shoot, the p99 more practical.





Summary:

Accuracy: 3/5 (Relative to handguns)
Efficiency: 5/5 (above and beyond average)
Consistency: 5/5 (+ - 4 )
Durability: 4/5 ( has a good mix of metal/plastic to balance off the weight)
Reliability: 4/5 ( The one I owned prior to this had leaking problems, and many other people I know with P99 had similar leaks)
Ease of maintenance: 3/10 (No Tool field Stripping)
Value: 4/5 (As much as .43 cal is not for everyone, I believe ANYONE could appreciate this gun from any walk of paintball)
Lasting Appeal: 5/5 (The Highest in demand .43 cal gun out there at this time.)
Special Category - Maneuverability: 5/5 (Engineered with the shooters comfort in mind)


Over all = 4/5

PBR = 8.5/10

Review: Rap4 Tippmann X7 Flexi Air system

First off I would like to state, this Stock was sent to me by rap4 for review purposes. I do not work for rap4, and I am not sponsored by rap4. I am 100% Independent and I will review this product with NO bias.

Secondly I would like to state I owned the previous generation of Flexi air stock (this one being the newest version as of 2009), and was not at all impressed by the first ones performance. That being said through the course of this review I will point out to improvements/fails this time around and do allot of comparing between the two generations of stocks.

My main objective is to give the reader the best understanding of this product when considering purchasing this upgrade for their marker.


Video Section




Pictures







LOOKS & COSMETICS


Does the Flexi air stock look pretty?
The previous generation, albeit all of its flaws, had a smaller more cosmetic adapter, that could be flipped upside down to lower the stock on the marker. This generation does not have that ability, and the rear adapter is overly bulky, but it now has a port to accept airtank-in-stock mounting brackets for people using one of the wide variety of compact cylinders out there. And though the bulk is not pretty, it also puts the fill nipple on the remote line adapter a few inches further back raking it out of your wrist (this bugged me allot on the previous flexi air stock) should you chose to run a remote line on it.


To counter its bulk it features NO external hoses, which in my opinion is a fair trade off cosmetically.

The stock comes standard with the M4 style carbine stock. This stock is so common it sickens me, so I attempted to put my knockoff HK 416 stock on it. Unfortunately the flexi air adaptor tube is not standard stock tube size, and cracked my cheap (but pretty) airsoft stock. After a bit of sanding and wedging I was able to attach the stock to my marker, but a standard size adapter would have been great.


FEATURES / SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

As I said, the new flexi air stock has ditched the external macro line, and has replaced it with an inner copper tubing. This ability to accept internal air lines is one of the key differences between the A5 and X7, and rap4 takes full advantage of this feature.

The copper line plugs into orings at each end of the adapter to reduce the chance of a leak, and extra orings are included with the stock should they ever dry out or crack. Out of the box mine had a small leak, after applying a small amount of marker oil the leak stopped.

The only thing i would have added to the housing itself would be a gauge port. The horizontal Style ASA does give you the option of using the Rap4 AG1 regulator, which is equipped with a gauge and still lets you use a tank. Though, I find it does not handle high rates of fire (15 bps) well.



SHOOTING AND AIR

The flexi air stock has a double function as both an expansion chamber and volumizer. If you use co2, liquid co2 will have a greater chance of warming and becoming a gas giving you better efficiency and consistency. When using air at high rates of fire, say with an Egrip, the same chamber makes it almost impossible to starve the marker of air.

The stock itself made shooting my large rifle style X7 much more comfortable to shoot, and allot lighter without a tank. This resulted in comfortable, accurate shooting as seen in the video section.
Remote lines are not for everyone, but if you are a believer in remote lines this is defiantly a stylish alternative to a macro line and asa setup.

DURABILITY AND MAINTENANCE

Unlike the first run of flexi air stocks, this one does not rely on 4 set screws to keep it stable. It goes on the gun with no modification and is solid and does not wiggle in the x7’s frame.

Everything is solid, and the quality has risen quite a bit since the recall of the first runs. people should not let this recall denture them from this product.


Conclusion:

In closing this is a very sturdy, versatile stock system. If I would chose to use an air through stock this would likely be my choice. Having the ability to keep an air tank in your stock is great for military simulation/training. Biggest turn off is that it cannot easily accept other stock options because the tube is not standard sized.


Durability: 4/5 The air tubeing is copper, so it is much more durable than macroline, and everything is metal except the stock housing.
Reliability: 5/5 No leaks, Stock housing intended for use with it moves back and farward easily, and does not collapse against your weight.
Ease of maintenance: 3/10 (If it wasn’t for the two main springs this would be much higher)
Upgradeability: 4/5 Not standard tube size, however the ability to use tank-in-stock, remote line, and horizontal tanks counters this.
Value: 3/5 at $98 American it is reasonable value (compared to some other air though stocks) with the features it has.
Lasting Appeal: 2/5 not standard tube size so it can’t fit a variety of air soft/real stocks


Over all = 4/5

PBR rating 7/10

If you have any questions / Comments / Concerns about my review, or if you are a dealer / manufacturer of a paintball related good and like to see it get a fair, unbiased independent review like the one you have seen here, please email me at:
Stan_the_hit_man@hotmail.com


Thanks for reading

- Stan


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