Here are some pictures of the Phenom out of the package and then ready to shoot… I didn't use the cyclone while testing (since I have been using a cyclone for the last 3 years I figured I knew how it worked).
I put about 6-10 mag/reloads through the marker and didn't have any chops. I did have a few no feeds especially in the first couple reloads. After the first 3-4 times compressing the spring and such in the mag, it seemed to work better. I can see some possible issues with the paint we may use from time to time, too big or too small to fit or possibly fall out if the mag is upside down.
I had the mag attached and took off the side breach cover to load the First Strike rounds manually (since the First Strike mags/kits are not out yet). Once I figured out that I had to tip the marker down to allow the heavy front of the FS round fall into the barrel, loading went a lot smoother. Probably about 2-3 times longer per reload than using a stock class pump (around 2-4 seconds) but the accuracy should make up for the extra time. I didn't try using the mag without the breach cover on but I think it would not work too well (the paint would probably roll out the side opening). Also keep in mind that I did not have the detent in the marker to keep the balls from rolling down the barrel, so it allowed the FS rounds to actually enter the barrel, whereas I am pretty sure that the detent would have kept the FS round from entering the barrel and making Loading them much more difficult. I still need to get an extra Detent to try this out for sure… but this is my initial findings. I shout about 25-30 FS rounds.
I did have some minor fit issues on the kit mainly the push pins alignment and being very tight but it was all able to be overcome with a little pressure (and the handle of my screw driver). I would say that the only major flaw in their overall design is the fact that any front shrouds currently made will not fit with the mag kit on. The mag and mag well actually extend much further forward than the original mag causing you to need to chop off the bottom rail of your shrouds to allow them to fit. The stock front shroud for the Phenom and the regular X7s only require a quick cut off of the lower rail but I am not sure how it would affect the AK or other "stylish" shrouds.
I believe that the first potential fail point for the kit will be that way the mag well attaches to the marker. There is not a lot of material on the mag well around the pin holes (and it is the plastic material at that) where the front and rear pins attach the mag well. If you are running and fall with the mag hitting the ground hard I would be concerned that it may break the mag well right off the marker. BUT time will tell.
Overall I think it is a great first attempt at bringing the limited ammo/mag feed marker upgrades (to existing markers). I look forward to see how the First Strike mags work in this… when they are released! I am planning to attend the next game at Battlefront on Aug 20. I am not going to be playing but I will be there for moral support, Blackhawk promotion, raffle prize delivery, and possibly helping reff. I will bring the marker with me if anyone is going to be there to want to look at it. I will also bring it to our Blackhawk game on Sep 10th.
Peace. Out!
Sloppy Joe Foltz
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