Alright I have posted this on pbreview, but thought I would get some second opinions.

Recently I have purchased a Flatline Barrel for my 98 Custom. Soon after purchasing the barrel I noticed how many balls it was breaking. Don't start flaming yet let me explain the problem.

From my understanding RPS Premium paint was supposed to do well in the Flatline barrel. Since I thought this I have used RPS Premium paint as my main paint.

If anyone has suggestions or any more questions to my problem please help. I am out of ideas.

Change in paint?
Gun upgrade?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I have shot it on a variety of different occasions.

Last weekend when I was at the field shooting Tork, in the morning it was a mild 60 degrees F, and by the mid afternoon it was about 70 degrees F, and by the end of the day it was back down to about 60 degrees F.

Inbetween every game the refs had us re-chrono, and every time I adjusted it to 265 fps. I dont know if this has any realviancy but each game is about 20-25 mins long.

Iv never heard of this problem before with all the variables set at what yours are. The only thing I can think of is improper installation, which you mentioned was checked. Well make sure the barrel is completly in the adapter, and tightened enough. Also, clean your barrel out with hot water. And also try other, better kinds of paint. I have heard that Big Ball and Tork are good, but not the best. Perhaps the paint has been sitting around in the warehouse a while. Try marbalizers if you can.

And to add to that, you can make your paint old or new stronger and like new again here- http://www.automags.org/resource/tech/tomstech/04_paint_testing.shtml - http://www.automags.org/resource/tech/tomstech/04_paint_test ing.shtml

Yeah someone on pbreview had told me to do that. All of the paint I have put through this gun is in the 4-6 range. Mabye I'll try some Nelsons as the author of that said. They sell them on anythingxtreme.com.

I dont mean to insult Tippmann in anyway but is it possible there was some sort of factory defect? Mabye in the sandblasting, where there is a knick or some sort of bump?

Same thing happended to my freind, turns out there was a big piece of sand or whatever that grip is and we assume that the sand gathered and created such a big but not noticable bumb that he just sent it in or redid the job himself. So try sending it in tippmann support is awesome

Alright I talked to Tippmann on the phone earlier on the phone today. The phone tech said he has heard of this problem once before, and as far as he knew re-sandblasting it would solve the problem.

I mailed it out this evening to get it re-sandblasted. Does anyone know how long this usually takes to get the barrel back?

Well if it takes that long I might as well just forget this stuff. Has anyone had a more reasonable response on their barrels?

I sent my A-5 in for warranty repair once and they got it back 4 days later.  I've shot thousands of rounds through my Flatline(I installed it the day I got the gun) over the past year and a half with not one break.  I've used every type of paint available with no mishaps.  Although, medium grade paint seems to push the Flatline effect to the max(thicker shell better spin I think).  I was shooting Bonus Balls yesterday to some amazing effects!  They shot just as well as, if not better than, Marbles whilst being $14 bucks cheaper!

loren1711 wrote: I mailed it out this evening to get it re-sandblasted. Does anyone know how long this usually takes to get the barrel back?

Turn around time on mine was less than two weeks from the time I put it in the postman's hand until he put it back in mine.

Just to followup on my previous post...I sent my a-5 and flatline to tippmann for inspection.. they re-sanded my flatline as well as replaced old worn out o-rings on the bolt. They tested it and said it was fine. Turn-around time for me was one week. The technician also said to only use hoppes 9 oil. Great service from the techies at tippmann!

I think that this is a rare case, unfortunate for you.  The volumes of customers using vs. the volume of customers complaining is probably very low.  I hope they take care of your issue since I have used the flatline for some time and never had a ball break yet *Pounds on wood* in all the games I played.  I have accidentally discharged a round into my condom...that made for some lude conversation.

Let us know how it turns out. I for one use Marbalizers only, but I don't think that makes that much of a difference. (hard for me to say since I have only used one type of paint...and I only use it because I love the way it looks. lol)

I for one love the flatline barrel and think it helps my game.  I use an E-Trigger and "Auto Response" setting...this is nearly full auto when I get to dancing my finger on the trigger.