Empire Axe's Unusable Stock Barrel & The "Upgrade" Mentality

[LIDieselGuy22]

The only thing that makes a barrel "more accurate" than another is the bore size compared to the bore paint you are using. Too big OR small of a bore will throw all accuracy out the window. The aftermarket barrels were definitely more efficient than the stock barrel, but the accuracy is based on YOUR PAINT.

Nice vid, I enjoyed it.

[24GrizzlyBear]

I own an axe and the stock barrel is fine more people wrry bout upgrades get out there and play your gonna only helps you so much

[trnetnrente]

i would have shit my pants if he ended up chopping on the first shot.

[sticktodrum]

@trnetnrente You'd never have seen it. I control the video, remember? :-D

[paintballrules1]

@extrafresh401 ok look, im no tippmann fanboy, but the model 98 barrel shoots pretty fucking straight, just because its tippmann doet mean you have to bash it.

[ilovepb15]

LOVE YOUR VIDS!!! I only used a different barrel cause I like the length to push bunkers, and sound signature is really important to me... My Critical is just much quieter, so I put it on. Also, I bought it, so I might as well use it.

P.S. The Critical Barrel is the most accurate barrel there is.... baiting cooky to come to youtube too :p

(techpb inside joke) HAHAHA

[MITSPaintball]

WHY ARE THESE GUNS SHOOTING SO INCONSISTENTLY?????

[MockingDaBird]

@MITSPaintball It's most likely the paint. My Axe with the stock barrel is also a bit inconsistent. I'm hoping the Eigenbarrel will fix that.

[ABCDEFG57020]

axe stock barrel= PROFESHENL!!!!!!!

[extrafresh401]

@RyanSchuppert come on dude really? the barrel has nothing to do with accuracy? i have all diff types of barrels, and some are much more accurate than others. dont be foolish...

[sticktodrum]

@extrafresh401 No, they aren't.

[martnz87]

i own a 08 proto slg and still use it till this day. i never seen the reason to buy a 500+ dollar gun when my works just as good. only had 1 problem and sent it to dye free of charge. fresh batteries, proper lube and clean barrel seems to do the trick.

[MvGogh]

My highest chrono speed was 399 fps on 3 seperate consecutive shots. This was done at CPX in IL when Forest Brown still owned it and the park was still new. The marker used was an 2000 Angle LCD, black gloss.

[sticktodrum]

@MvGogh Wow. That's ridiculous.

[asthmaticrhino]

There is a large section of people out there, players of all types, that want to "upgrade" their axe barrel because they find a 14 inch barrel much easier to point down field. Its personal preference.

[Tanktmoler]

If I bought the axe the only thing I would upgrade would be the board. Virtues algorithm and settings capabilities combine for a smooth crisp shot which increases accuracy, consistency and reliability. Barrel doesn't really matter. More of a preference.

[sticktodrum]

@Tanktmoler Um...what?

[willclifford2007]

@Tanktmoler barrel is the ONLY thing I would change...

[BUTCHBaller68]

What barrel should I get for the G4 the stock IS usable but just want to upgrade

[sticktodrum]

@BUTCHBaller68 "Upgrade?" What do you mean by "upgrade?"

[BUTCHBaller68]

@sticktodrum use a different barrel

[sticktodrum]

@BUTCHBaller68 Get whatever makes you happy. It's not going to make a difference, so just choose what you feel like wasting money on.

[rampagedpaintballer]

From my personal expierience, barrels do all the same shit. You thread it on your gun, walk on the field, shoot people, and go home. So whats the point of paying $50 plus on a barrel/barrel kit if its going to do the same thing as the stock barrel? Its like buying high performance tires and expecting to get better gas milage..........

[Icelandicishnese]

I <3 you stick

[Ichikisu]

I find this video quite educational. I use my stock barrel on my AXE and people saying unusable? I wonder what they're smokin' because I found it shoots just as good as my Hammerhead barrels I regularly use. Only difference is, I use my iFit during warm weather while cold weather, overbore helps a lot, especially with barrel breaks.

Good video mate!

[extrafresh401]

@sticktodrum haha oh so your pritty much just showing that paintballs do come out of the proper end of the barrel. gotcha. people are dumb to think any stock barrel is "unuseable" except maybe for a model98.... that stock barrel is pritty useless.. but it still works.

[Protoplayer9217]

A barrel is a barrel. A 12" is just as accurate as a 14" and a 14" is just as accurate as a 16". I have multiple 12" barrels and they work fine...

[physallis]

honestly the bottom line is that there is no such thing as an "unusable" barrel unless paint wont come out the other end.

[MurphMurphree]

edit: i normally like .685 to .689. 

[MurphMurphree]

not useless by any stretch of the word, i still use a mini/axe barrel wen i feel the need for it, but a tighter bore wuld allow for more efficiency, and i generally like sighting down a longer barrel. but not useless

[U7VK7VOVV7V]

Moral of the story, buy better paint!

[Ak74fr3ak]

Ok now you've got a point stick people stress ocer upgrades to thier axes a little too much buti think terren ment that its not that great of a barrel. That being said the barrel is fine but it lacks the length and "consistency" most players look for. But yeah your right you don't really need a new barrel but its nice to have a better barrel.

[xxXEvilJesterXxx]

People want to upgrade the barrel on the Axe because it's the only weak link on the gun. A few bucks to make your Axe quieter, more consistant, more efficent, able to push into bunkers, and look better is a pretty solid investment imo. Even in the video the aftermarket barrels were much quieter, had higher fps with less air was being wasted, and more consistant over the chrono with a better paint to barrel match even with that paint. Axe barrel may be "usable," but it's not recommended by many.

[sticktodrum]

@xxXEvilJesterXxx The "many" usually don't know what they're talking about. Also, matching paint to the barrel is silly, and will only negatively affect the consistency over the chronograph. The overbore of the stock barrel will serve to improve consistency, so you're incorrect there. The shorter barrel, at 12", decreases whatever drag there may be as opposed to a longer length. Either way, there are only improvements of 7-10% in efficiency with an underbore. Sound and looks, I agree with you.

[xxXEvilJesterXxx]

@sticktodrum My Ego was +/-3 over our field chrono with my .681 underbore and +/-8 with the stock .693 barrel so underbore seems to be a lot more consistant. Also, as for drag on the ball... that is why the 2 piece barrels have a control bore and the rest of the length does not create more drag because only the control bore is underbore. Anyways, sound and looks alone move me to buy an aftermarket barrel and since most markers are cocker threaded, you can reuse on most markers or sell it later.

[IowaArcher360]

Get called out kid!!!

[aadrossart]

301.... sort of

[Pistol4Panda]

i think the gun is fine the way it is

:) goooo empire

[bolorealin]

It's quite clear to me that you simply proved all those other barrels to be un-usable. :p

[ParkesAndrewGunnell]

Please do a accuracy test on basically on the same barrels again cause we all know now it allows paint to go thru the barrel but once it leaves the barrel do they all preform the same??? If you can can you try like a whole rage of barrels from like stock to apex to like the freak to get a general review on them please on the Axe

[sticktodrum]

@ParkesAndrewGunnell Go find the research that Punkworks did on almost every kind of barrel that is available. The data is extensive, and the results are clear. More accuracy tests aren't necessary. Go to punkworks(dot)com and find them, you'll be glad you did.

[ParkesAndrewGunnell]

@sticktodrum thanks

[TechpbDrew]

Lol puttin terren on blast, but i like 14's to 15's just to push up on bunkers easier.

[Tanktmoler]

The gripe with the barrel is the length, NOT the consistency or sound signature. Empire made an error by putting a shorter Barrel on their gun than is expected from today's consumers. Paintball is preference, and if the barrel isn't the right length it's not usable for the users preferences.

[ubustang]

I agree that upgrades are not needed but a smaller bore size on the barrel is indeed needed. Now I realize most people will upgrade to the same bore size. The techt I fit is by far the best solution if you need a smaller bore.

[MADJIHAD1942]

As long as the inside of the barrel is shiny its as good as any other barrel.

[MrSlimCheesey]

okay well you idiot a 12 inch barrel is unusable because when you have a 14 inch you can press it agianst the bunkers when you play, cant do that with a 12 inch FUCKING IDIOT stop doggin on people when you dont know shit.

[pruffer9]

@MrSlimCheesey your the fucking idiot if you cant put a 12 inch barrel up to a bunker...i use the stock barrel fine, in fact it has allowed be to get closer to the bunker while pressing against the bunker and thus allowing me to stay alive longer...dumbass

[sticktodrum]

@MrSlimCheesey Do you have any idea whatsoever, how stupid you look right now? Really, you're a moron.

[CPHannigan]

@MrSlimCheesey So you're getting on Sticktodrum for dogging people? I looked at all of your most recent comments, and let me tell you, YOU are the one who dogs people. By the way, I've played a lot of open class pump with a 10 inch barrel and have found it to be much less restrictive, since I play front. Grow the fuck up...

[xballer191]

@MrSlimCheesey your telling me that with a 12 inch barrel i cant press into my bunker like i do with a 14 inch on my ego? sounds like ur the idiot

[AAVince2513]

@MrSlimCheesey dude you have no idea who sticktodrum is i dare you to tell gordon cockerpunk or at techpb tell cookybiscuit

[aamassy]

One of my favorite backyards in BROOKLYN!!!!

[misterill]

stick is rapidly becoming my favorite video poster. so many people looking to upgrade an already really nice marker right off the bat! save some cash, buy some paint and just go play!

[MrMayonnaise999]

Why do you think the Axe is $460 instead of $500?

[terrencomp]

*I (not a ) below

[terrencomp]

Why do they give a 12" barrel and charge 60$ more for the Axe? A enjoy the more realistic 14" barrel for my specific style of speedball play. It allows me to point down the barrel easier and press up against air inflated bunkers much easier.

[huffnpuffpaintball]

When I used the Axe, my problem was a shorter barrel on a compact gun. It shot fine, but the gun as a whole doesn't match what I like to shoot.

[terrencomp]

@huffnpuffpaintball I agree, all that I meant is for many people they do not like the barrel because it is too short.

[ANoobsGuide]

A tube is a tube. 

[dmen108]

i dont get why people need to upgrade stock barrels all the time. now a days most markers ship with at least decent barrels, the only reason i can see is bore size. Almost all barrels are honed reliantly the same in today's market

[ManiacalPB]

Nope its not a high end barrel. therefore unusable... lol

[RyanSchuppert]

I have been preaching about so called "upgrades" for years. Im glad somebody agrees with me.

[extrafresh401]

but your not testing the accuracy? who cares about chrono numbers? i dont think the barrel has much to do with that unless you are using a freak... its mostly the paint or bad reg with chrono numbers jumping around no?

[RyanSchuppert]

@extrafresh401 You have it backwards there boss. The barrel has nothing to do with accuracy only the paint and the cleanness of your gun do. The barrel bore size affects your chrono numbers which will give you efficiency if you underbore.

[cookybiscuit]

@RyanSchuppert Kill them all :)

[sticktodrum]

@extrafresh401 I wasn't really testing anything. The chrono was there because I was doing a review on the Virtue Clock (forthcoming). The point of the video was to show that the stock barrel works fine. It's louder, but it works. The groupings were all over the place because the paint was craptastic Polar Ice, and was dimpled to high hell.

[TooTallNiCo]

I like how this was brought up after a nice discussion on upgrading the axe on techPB :)

[supakamario]

12 inches is a lil short for airball bunker minipulation. hoever that along does not render a barrel "unuseable"

[terrencomp]

@supakamario Yeah I just made a quick video and said what ever was on my mind (thats why the video is titled initial thoughts)

[sopp44]

You should really put your put your aperture up.(f/-value down)

Just looks like any other camcoder with the aperture at f9.

[sticktodrum]

@sopp44 I understand how to step up the aperture. I set my exposure manually. I chose the smaller aperture to get a greater depth of field, since both Manny and I were using the camera hand-held, and neither of us wanted to deal with pulling constant focus. Also, I don't have an ND filter, and opening up the aperture would have required a shutter speed that I didn't want to use in order to properly expose the image. The shallow DOF and DSLR "look" isn't necessary for a video like this.

[sopp44]

@sticktodrum

Just a suggestion.

Turning your ISO down to a 100 would allow you to open the aperture without getting a different shutter speed.

Something around f/6 for example would be a better choice in my opinion. And that shouldn't really make you focus much more because of how stationary both the camera and subject in it is. But it would look more "DSLR".

Again, only a suggestion.

[sticktodrum]

@sopp44 I see your point. However lately I've been toying with great DOF, as some sketches I have scripted are shot on a Glidecam, and pulling focus on a Glidecam while running isn't going to work so well. So, I'm still toying with exposure in order to get a balance. Thank you though, I actually do appreciate the suggestions. :-)

[3zek1ll]

ETHA is fuckin BOSS!!!

[doktoroverdose]

THATS FUCKING BIAS!!!11!11!!!ONEOENOENEON!!!­!

[MrPbcable]

has no one seen punkworks...work? Paint to bore match gives consistency. accuracy comes from how round the paint flies and the quality of the seem. You are not shooting bullets...

[Ithurtstothink]

You know you have a well used tank when there is more brass showing than black

[stallohas]

you see how the fps is jumping with that stock empire barrel.. its not good enuogh.. a dye ul is more acurate

[sticktodrum]

@stallohas I hope that's trolling. Notice the velocity jumping with every barrel. It's the paint. Stop being foolish.

[stallohas]

@sticktodrum trolling me?? what?? i wout never

the crono looks awsome.

[sticktodrum]

@stallohas Ooooooooh you!

[dumbcow1]

its not if it works or not. It is accuracy. Stock barrels are usualy a high bore so it can fit all paint. People do not realize that in order to get that ball-on-ball accuracy, you do need that after-market insert/backing barrel systems. It's not that the stock barrel is "un-usable" , it's just a high bore! In some cases, that bore perhaps is the perfect size, and will produce that ball-on-ball effect.

that was my mini rant =P

~Cow

[sticktodrum]

@dumbcow1 I see your username does you justice.

[dumbcow1]

@sticktodrum Stick, don't troll a reversetroll on a troll video XD

You know damn well what I mean =)

and side note : youre atleast the 3,000th person to use the username comment. There IS a reason why that user name has been mine for years. =) quite delightful

[masterobiwonkenobi]

i want a sticktodrum sticker

[tim22100]

sticktoRANT

[Warbeast911]

wonder if that chrono will pick up arrow speed

[jagserdig123]

@Warbeast911 It will pick up the speed of an arrow

[sticktodrum]

@jagserdig123 Until it takes one in the knee.

[Warbeast911]

@jagserdig123 tested it?

[jagserdig123]

@Warbeast911 Not on arrows but i have thrown rocks past it and it picks upp the speed.

[Warbeast911]

@jagserdig123 stones a pretty big. hm, need to know if it picks up arrows