Tippmann A5 won’t recock

I have an 8 month old stock Tippmann A5 that has been used in several games without trouble.  No modifications whatsoever.

I recently took it completely apart, including the trigger assembly.  I carefully re-assembled the marker but am having problems.

I can cock the marker once, squeeze the trigger, and fire one ball and that's it.  It will not re-cock.  My HPA tank shows 2000+ psi.  When it fires it makes a pop followed by a short rattling sound (probably from the front/rear bolts bouncing around?)

I have tried generously lubing the marker with Hoppe's #9 but it does not seem to make a difference.

Is there a way to rule out problems with the trigger assembly?  I figure if the gun can be cocked and can then be fired, the trigger is fine.  I'm hesitant to take it apart again because of how many springs and small pieces it has.

I also appear to be missing the front bolt O-ring (part SL2-4).  It does not seem likely, but I have to wonder: would this cause the problem I am experiencing?  I have a replacement on the way but I'd like to continue diagnosing the issue in the meantime.

Thank you for your consideration.

I was hoping my description of the problem could help narrow down what might not be in the right place.  I've taken it apart a few times now but don't seem to be having any luck.

It's not in backwards.  I have the A5 schematic printed out to 8.5x11, laminated and placed underneath the gun as a guide while I assemble it. ;)

More diagnostics.

I unscrewed the cyclone cylinder hose from the right side of the receiver, placed my finger over the banjo fitting socket (on the receiver), and fired a few test shots.  There's definitely some air coming through the receiver.  It's hard to believe that I can manually cycle the cyclone feed, but air won't cycle it.

Are you using a stabilizer or regulator?

It doesnt sound like you are getting enough pressure. Check the connection like Judge mentioned and also check the lines to make sure something isn't obstructing them. Another thing you mentioned is air coming out of the receiver halves. The receiver halves arent airtight. You really only need to tighten the reciever bolts to just snug. Overtightening can actually cause things to bind sometimes. Try loosening things up a bit if you have Gorilla cranked them. When you say it "double or triple fired", do you mean you were able to shoot off 2 or 3 individual shots or the gun fired multiple shots with one trigger pull? If this is the case, you may want to check the sear and rear bolt for wear. Perhaps they are not catching. Do you have a chrono? What is the FPS you are shooting at?

Edited by oldpbnoob - 05 January 2009 at 12:43pm

I sanity checked the trigger assembly.  The rear bolt has a nice crisp edge, the sear has a nice crisp edge.  Blue spring under the sear, red spring to reset the trigger.  Put everything back together and test: still sucks.

I also tried changing the banjo fitting the cyclone feed connected to (how come the marker has two?)  No change.

I have to be overlooking something stupid obvious.  What could it be?


Edited by mbac - 05 January 2009 at 8:38pm

After a thorough re-re-re-re-inspection, I noticed I'm missing the tiny o-ring that goes between the banjo fitting and the receiver.

I drenched the fitting with gun oil, connected the air, and fired.  Sure enough, oil splattered all over the place.  It's such a small little gap, it must be a millimeter.  Is this tiny little space really the cause of such a huge problem? 

When you reasembled the marker you may have mistakenly switched the two larger springs in the marker.

What other markers have you used this tank on?  I only ask on the off-chance that it might have a low-pressure regulator.