The BFM300*

*Yes, the name is a ripoff from the DOOM videogame.  My version stands for Big Flippin' Marker with 300 round loader.

I blame Brihard for this idea.  I was reading a mil-sim related thread where he was counseling another member who had whined something along the lines of, "that looks way to heavy, I could never carry that, who would want to use that."  Actually several people were couseling this member, but I remember Brihard made some comparison to real weapons and I pointed out that the M60 I used to carry (years ago) weighed in excess of 23 lbs. unloaded.  (I sympathize with today's troops that are getting the new M240, while it is more reliable than the 60, I understand that it also 7-8 lbs heavier.)

Anyway this thread got me to thinking and I realized that while I initially preferred my 98 with Flatline for working the thick brush (because of the advantage provided by the trajectory) I had been using it more lately for providing long range fire support for team mates and using other, more compact, markers in the "bush".

With this in mind I decided to build up a 98 specifically for the "fire support role".  My goals/solutions were as follows:

• Ability to place fire at longer ranges.
• Decided to keep the Flatline barrel for this reason.
• Large ammo capacity
• Went with the VL Tripod 300 (which actually holds 330 rounds of my favorite paint).
• It helps that our field doesn't count marker hits.
• Ability to easily place sustained fire on area targets.
• Moved a response trigger from another marker onto this one.
• Currently set for a fairly slow rate of fire to allow for extended bursts during searching/traversing fire.
• Ability to carry enough gas for a lot of shots with no fear of running out.
• Air tanks weren't an option.
• A tank big enough for my needs would be more than I wanted to spend.  (Essentially I was doing this by parting out my existing marker setups and going through my spare parts bin.)
• Even if I did buy an air tank, I don't use backpacks and I don't like the way the tanks feel when they're hung off of the pod belt I wear at hip level.
• So I went with a CO2 tank; several in fact.
• The main tank is currently a 12 oz and I carry a reserve 12 oz in a pod holder (with the buttplate in place). 
• I am considering using the 14 oz shown in the picture as the primary tank, but I'm not sure about that.
• Not having both the primary tanks the same size would bug me.  (I'm kind of obsessive compulsive about stuff like that.)
• The reserve tank is a 6 oz and the "plumbing" is set up so that I can fire off of the reserve while changing the primary.
• I've used the verticle tank adapter and intruder foregrip x-chamber with an r/t in other applications so I expect no problem with gas delivery.  (At least not during the weather I normally play in.)
• I put a BSA Red Dot on it so that my first shots will at least be close to my targets at the ranges I intend to engage at. 
• For those that are wondering, I don't expect to get a lot of eliminations with this.
• I do expect, from previous experience with my F/L barrel, to be able to harrass/annoy my opponents while controlling (through fire) a fair amount of real estate.  I also expect to enjoy shooting a lot more paint than I usually go through.

This marker is for those days when I feel like just moseying along behind our main offensive line until someone asks for cover/suppressive fire.  It's also for the defensive games where I dig in, pick a wide open approach, and make sure no one crosses it, which hopefully will free up other defenders to reinforce weak spots or launch counterattacks.  In other words it's for when I don't feel like running (not that I ever), crouching, crawling, etc.

For those who think it looks heavy here are some stats:

• Weight:
• Unloaded-9.5 lbs.
• Fully loaded-13 lbs.
• Basic load-825 paintballs

Note 1: The bipod isn't part of the setup, it's just a souvenier I had which was handy for holding the marker.

Note 2:  I've got a Maddmann spring kit on hand to assist the RVA if I still end up not getting enough gas between the F/L and the R/T.

Note 3: My wish list for this contains one item I didn't have on hand; the aluminum F/L shroud. 



Yay, I got it (the pictures) to work.  Here's the rest.








Edited by Mack

I tried image shack, once I registered I could never open it again.

I see one picture and one X.

Does your gun have two tanks attached?

There, all three pictures are up, it's retitled, and I added the text.  Hopefully that should explain the reason I created this monstrosity.  By the way Snake, thanks for the attempted help with the images.  I'm not real computer literate and all assistance is appreciated.

Yes on the two tanks. I hate running out of air, and I hate leaving the field to get more when I haven't been eliminated during marathon games.


Edited by Mack

Nice hopper.....

Why dont you just get a 20oz tank?  Insted of the 6 , 12 oz primary and 12oz backup..  A 20oz would be more than enough for the 800 some shots you say you hold.  But its your gun.  Looks pretty nice.

Never seen someone with a Tripod.

I can see that with that sight on there that you get a pretty good view of your enemies.

Actually nevermind.

lol pretty different

I've actually been considering a similar set-up myself for the same sort of role. However, mine will almost certainly have my 68ci air tank attached, and possibly a super RT and a dirrerent type of hopper(QEV cyclone of HALO), maybe even a SAW stock.

I for one don't mind a heavy marker if it has firepower to make up for it.