Tippmann X7 Classic

[BIGBOSS_202]

I've been meaning to do a review on this marker for a long time and now I got some time to do it. I wanted to give as much detail from my experience with it.

I was using the A5 when I got my hands on the Tippmann X7. Out of the box it looked and felt like a combat rifle. That was what drew me to it. I knew it was an upgraded A5 but it's ease of modding and ability to be adapted for any tactical style game sold me. From battle rifle, Sub Machinegun, Sniper rifle, this marker seems to have it all. I can say that even though the Phenom is better in some areas, the classic X7 still has that look and feel of real. Plus I'm a big fan of responce triggers that give a bit of that recoil feel.

Looks: I will say the is very realistic. The trigger and safety/ selector look and feel, and charging handle is borrowed from the iconic weapons family of Heckler & Kockh. The magazine and it's release is modeled after the AR15 family.
 
Modding: Changing the markers looks is pretty easy with just 2 push pins to make anything from the G36, MP5, MP5SD, M4, AK. Though their are a myriad of kits and aftermarket goodies as well. Some have even posted online instruction on how to make an extended front shroud with the standard one. The air-thru system is also seemless and makes using a remote line easier.
 
Real world embodiment: The closest real world firearm I can think of the the classic X7 can be compared to is the Remington Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR). Both share a unique modular ability and can be adapted to fit just about any tactical environment.
 
Handling: 4 out of 5
 Modding: 5 out of 5
 Air: 4 out of 5
 Range: 4 out of 5
 Accuracy: 4 out of 5
 
Over all this is a sturdy marker well built to the abuse of the woods. Being able to change from a rifle style to CQB in just seconds. Either way, this marker is a classic for a reason and I think it's disappointing that Tippmann decided to drop it.

[Enhander]

I really only have one disagreement with this, the Air Rating you gave. I would have given it a 3 out of 5. The Phenom would score a 3.5-4/5. Normal blow back Tippmans have horrible air efficiency

[Riddler]

Not a bad little write-up; you've been paying more attention to spelling and grammar.  

After talking mainly about personal preference elements of the marker that you like, I am a bit confused by the scoring system at the end - you didn't even touch on several of those categories during the review.  As for the scoring categories, themselves...

Handling - It's worth noting that this is subjective.  What feels good to you may feel cheap, awkward, long, heavy or uncomfortable to the next guy.

Modding - I suppose mod-ability is a fair, quantifiable value, particularly since you touched on it in the review body.

Air - Tippmanns aren't particularly efficient.  When there are a bevy of markers getting 2000+ shots from a 68/4500, how did this earn 4 out of 5?

Range - Unless you're using a backspin-inducing system (such as a Flatline or Apex) or firing a First Strike round, every marker will shoot a paintball the same exact distance when other factors are the same (velocity, ball size/weight, elevation, etc.).  

Accuracy - Whether you're talking about putting one ball on target or the ability to fire subsequent shots with precision, accuracy is based on consistency: fresh, round, consistent paint; consistent pressure being delivered to the ball; and a consistent barrel fit.  Honestly, the gun's contribution here is minimal.  Unless defective or malfunctioning, all markers are able to deliver a consistent-enough supply of air to the ball to put up consistent numbers over a chrono when using consistent paint and a consistent paint/barrel match.  When comparing markers shooting equally consistently, any perceived difference in accuracy is merely a result of the shooter's personal preference, and should be noted as such.

[Foxxy]

+1 for the both of you, Adam and JJ for the true facts.

[BIGBOSS_202]

Not a bad little write-up; you've been paying more attention to spelling and grammar.  

After talking mainly about personal preference elements of the marker that you like, I am a bit confused by the scoring system at the end - you didn't even touch on several of those categories during the review.  As for the scoring categories, themselves...

Handling - It's worth noting that this is subjective.  What feels good to you may feel cheap, awkward, long, heavy or uncomfortable to the next guy.

Modding - I suppose mod-ability is a fair, quantifiable value, particularly since you touched on it in the review body.

Air - Tippmanns aren't particularly efficient.  When there are a bevy of markers getting 2000+ shots from a 68/4500, how did this earn 4 out of 5?

Range - Unless you're using a backspin-inducing system (such as a Flatline or Apex) or firing a First Strike round, every marker will shoot a paintball the same exact distance when other factors are the same (velocity, ball size/weight, elevation, etc.).  

Accuracy - Whether you're talking about putting one ball on target or the ability to fire subsequent shots with precision, accuracy is based on consistency: fresh, round, consistent paint; consistent pressure being delivered to the ball; and a consistent barrel fit.  Honestly, the gun's contribution here is minimal.  Unless defective or malfunctioning, all markers are able to deliver a consistent-enough supply of air to the ball to put up consistent numbers over a chrono when using consistent paint and a consistent paint/barrel match.  When comparing markers shooting equally consistently, any perceived difference in accuracy is merely a result of the shooter's personal preference, and should be noted as such.

Enhander, I see your point on that. As for what Riddler mentioned, I had this one game were I was just about out of air. I was in a structure with my brother and we were pinned. A 3 man team came in looking for us. I thought I could bluff my way out and popped from cover and just instinctivley pulled the trigger and shot out 2 players before the tank was fully dead.

On the handling issue, I was making reference to how the marker was able to be manuvered around. Such as around cornors.

[Foxxy]

Well if it were maneuvering around corners and stuff I still wouldn't give it a 4 or 5 because there are more guns that are smaller and easier to control around. The x7 is still larger and heftier than a lot of guns out there. So what would you consider to be a 5 on your scale? Would it be a Invert Mini, Tac8, or an Automag or something of that sort? Something easier to tuck in and make a smaller target?

[Riddler]

As cool as it is that the marker saved your butt when your tank was almost empty, you might've had half a tank left if it were a more efficient gun.  Not that inefficient markers are BAD... There are some that I really enjoy... They just don't earn 4 out of 5 in the Air category in my book.

And I take handling to mean how the marker feels in the hands... How comfortable, balanced, easy to point, etc., it may be... Which is just subjective.  An example here is that I don't personally care for the grip.  CCM's 86° frame is probably the only thing I care to shoot without Hogues on it... But that's just me.

As for corners, I guess it depends on whether gun hits count...

[Foxxy]

agreed.

[BIGBOSS_202]

Well if it were maneuvering around corners and stuff I still wouldn't give it a 4 or 5 because there are more guns that are smaller and easier to control around. The x7 is still larger and heftier than a lot of guns out there. So what would you consider to be a 5 on your scale? Would it be a Invert Mini, Tac8, or an Automag or something of that sort? Something easier to tuck in and make a smaller target?

I think of it more around how you size classify a weapon by size. Because the TM7 is small in relation to something like the X7, it can be considered an SMG (Sub Machine Gun) or a PDW (Personal Defence Weapon) Because I mentioned at least in my experience, the Classic X7's size meats the standard size for an assault rifle or carbine hence I gave it that particular rating as if it were like an M16 or M4. I know blowbacks arn't that good on the air but for that instance I think I was lucky just to get off that one shot. I will say however that I am a big Tippmann fan and my ratings were based too around my experience with Tippmann markers generally. Those are the only markers that me and my FOXHOUND team use.

[Enhander]

You need to break out of the Tippmann bubble, as I did

Not knocking Tippmanns though, keep in mind I still own 3 of them

They are great all purpose markers. To me I would rate any of them (aside from the Phenom) with even stats. Steady 3.5 across the board. You have to keep in mind, the Range stat is irrelevant. In exception for putting an Apex or Flatline which in turn negates the accuracy by a lot. I say its irrelevant because all paintball markers, minus a few variables, maintain the same shooting distance. Maximum 150ft, and thats arching your marker.

When you throw a Flatline on, your accuracy drops at expense for distance. Its more-so with the Apex. However the Apex is more accurate than the Flatline at the same maximum distance that the Flatline shoots, and then you can still add another 50-75 feet to the shot. At the cost of accuracy of course.

Hope that made sense.

[BIGBOSS_202]

You need to break out of the Tippmann bubble, as I did

Not knocking Tippmanns though, keep in mind I still own 3 of them

They are great all purpose markers. To me I would rate any of them (aside from the Phenom) with even stats. Steady 3.5 across the board. You have to keep in mind, the Range stat is irrelevant. In exception for putting an Apex or Flatline which in turn negates the accuracy by a lot. I say its irrelevant because all paintball markers, minus a few variables, maintain the same shooting distance. Maximum 150ft, and thats arching your marker.

When you throw a Flatline on, your accuracy drops at expense for distance. Its more-so with the Apex. However the Apex is more accurate than the Flatline at the same maximum distance that the Flatline shoots, and then you can still add another 50-75 feet to the shot. At the cost of accuracy of course.

Hope that made sense.

JJ, I see your point on that one. I will say that I'm pridful with my markers because of that art concept I see them as. I'll also be experimenting with a bore sizing kit at some point because of the feedback I got from a friend on them. I can also say that their is the operator factor in it because one guy may employ their marker much differently from another lol

[Enhander]

Id highly suggest a bore kit. If you want to maintain a milsim look, Get a kit from Flasc. The barrels are excellent! They also offer many customization option (different muzzle breaks, lengths..etc)

[Riddler]

Barrel kits are an absolute must, IMHO.  Paint varies entirely too much from batch to batch, and has been trending way small lately.  TRP's brown box stuff with the nasty fill is the only thing I've shot above .680" in recent years (and that came in at .682ish).

As for backspin systems, I've never found them to increase effective range.  Yes, the ball has potential to fly a bit further, but the shot's kinetic energy is so limited at extended range that it vastly reduces the chance to break on target - especially with the field paint those systems require...  You don't want to put a fragile-shelled Gold or Ultra Evil through a Flatline or Apex.

[BIGBOSS_202]

Barrel kits are an absolute must, IMHO.  Paint varies entirely too much from batch to batch, and has been trending way small lately.  TRP's brown box stuff with the nasty fill is the only thing I've shot above .680" in recent years (and that came in at .682ish).

As for backspin systems, I've never found them to increase effective range.  Yes, the ball has potential to fly a bit further, but the shot's kinetic energy is so limited at extended range that it vastly reduces the chance to break on target - especially with the field paint those systems require...  You don't want to put a fragile-shelled Gold or Ultra Evil through a Flatline or Apex.

That's why I went with a Stiffi barrel. To be honest, I see it as a three factor thing. Paint, Marker and Barell. If all three are good then you can't really go wrong. Bore kits will just make it better in terms of acuracy and consistency because they allow less air to escape when shooting because you have to match it to that particular paint.

[Enhander]

I will never touch another Stiffi Barrel again. Or any other Carbon Fiber barrel for that matter. Everyone Ive shot has had sub-par performance, even with matching the paint. They're aren't worth the money in my opinion.