Age; A Factor?

Hello,

I have a few Tippman A5's on hand and a thought did occur to me. In short, I have never replaced my internals, and I wonder if my marker is lacking efficiency because of it.

I have had the markers for a very long time. My primary marker, which has a serial number beginning with '2' has been great to me over the years - in fact, they all have, which is something that a Tippmann owner comes to expect with it's great durability. After every time I've taken my markers out, weather it was a short day of paintball or a grueling day, I've made a habit of tearing down every marker and cleaning it thoroughly. I clean all dirt, paint, etc. from the internals and externals including the disassembling of every rail. I also check and lube every o-ring. It may be a little excessive, but I believe in taking care of markers as the only proper practice if you expect your marker to hold up.

So, as mentioned in the opening statement, I have never replaced my internals (besides o-rings), and I'm wondering if my marker would fire better if I did? I feel that it doesn't shoot as consistently accurate as it once did.

The one fault that only my primary and secondary markers have, is that the Drive Spring Guide Pin (part no. CA-15) that fits into the Drive Spring is bent on both markers. I think, though I'm not certain, that this is due to the faulty manufacturing of my stock made by Rap 4. It is the standard six position stock, and I wonder if the hold where the spring and pin fit into may not be bored deep enough. Any thoughts on that? And, would this bent pint disturb the efficiency of my marker?

So, upgrades? Replacing parts? I need guidance from the best. So I'm here.

Thanks guys and gals.

Thanks Tallen, you're always a great help with your insight. I have a replacement spring set already, but will be ordering a couple guide pins soon. I fear that it will just continue to happen, but that remains to be seen. I was incorrect about the stock, I have a Tapco stock on this marker. I have an image uploaded (albeit a low quality one) of the bent guide pin. Has anyone ever seen this?

http://imageshack.us/a/img802/2572/a5guidepin.jpg

Also, I tried what you recommended and the ball simply falls through the barrel. I have a few boxes of Spectrum Rec paint with no caliber size. I use a Lapco 10inch Big Shot barrel, and having searched through the forum I see that Lapco, J&J, and some two-piece Evil barrels are pretty popular amongst the guru's. Does anyone have a preferred paintball for their Big Shots? Resources are somewhat limited around here, so my next paintball purchase will likely be over the internet - so advice would be greatly appreciated if anyone has had good results with a particular paint using this barrel type.

I will replace the springs and guide pin in the coming week or so, and post the results. Thanks again

Tallen702 is correct on all accounts.   

Kendall, have you polished the insides of the shells yet??

kendall wrote: No, I haven't, but I plan to with a handpeice dremel tool and cloth wheel. I suppose that should suffice? Funny thing is that they both still look nearly new after all this time.

Try these videos.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=polishing+tippmann+a5+internals&oq=polishing+tippmann+a5+internals&gs_l=youtube.3...50.10547.0.11046.26.24.0.2.2.0.321.1844.22j1j0j1.24.0...0.0...1ac.1.dYjCLgidWtc

I used a very fine sand paper with some tooth paste and water.  After woods  used the polishing wheel of my dremel with the polishing compound to make it shine.