Paintball

[BEARFACE]

Short version: Great!

Longer version: I could never get the hang of using a Phantom with no type of stock attached, guess I'm too used to guns with bottom lines and tanks. Tried the CCI T-stock and wasn't happy, it didn't feel right and the T-piece came undone by itself at inopportune times. I ended up shelving the Phantom altogether. Seasons passed...

Some weeks ago I learned of this fancy-looking stock where the end would terminate in a round ball instead of the usual angled attachment. The idea seemed to be that the ball would make it feel as if you were shouldering a tank and would allow you to rotate the marker freely to either side. There was also talk of some clamping system that would prevent the stock from falling to pieces randomly in the field. I was sold on the idea and ordered soon afterwards.

Dealing with Flory was easy, and shipping was very reasonable (even to Norway). He offered to sell me one of two already completed units and I chose the one made from brass due to the proven magical properties of the material. I also requested that a specific black polyurethane ball be installed in place of the translucent acrylic ball pictured in his thread in the dealers subforum (see link below).

I was happy to see it arrive:


It is made up of three pieces: a mounting block, a stout tube with a clamp to secure the end piece, and the ball-end itself. The middle tube is threaded into the mounting block and can be unscrewed for easy transportation of the marker. The clamp is very sturdy and once set will not allow any movement of the ball.



I was thrilled until I became aware of the interesting geometry of the Phantom 45 frame. Unlike other paintball specific 45 frames the Phantom pistol grip is angled at the bottom, and thus anything you screw onto it will be angled as well. Might not be a problem for everyone, but for me the marker sat too low and I couldn't comfortably look through the sight. I was looking into making a spacer or some other way of putting it on straight when I found out that the end piece fits right into the CCI T-stock:









Now it's pretty much perfect. In this configuration it balances just in front of the rear thumb screw, and the marker shoulders and points naturally. Unlike the smooth T-stock the ball offers good purchase and doesn't slip. It's been to the field twice now and works just as I had hoped. Unfortunately I am again stuck with the less reliable clamping method of the T-stock, but it hasn't come loose so far.

I won't fault the product for the less than ideal mounting on the Phantom frame, it's not a Phantom specific accessory anyway. Just be aware of it when you order. I hear there's a wedge available from CCI that could be used to straighten out the bottom of the frame, but I probably won't try it because I'm happy with the way it is now.

Recommended!

Dealer thread: FloryPB new year new ideas and the same ole goods

[Phoenix01]

I must have missed FloryPB's thread with the new ball-end stock. That is actually a really good idea especially for guys whom are used to tucking the rounded end of their tanks into their arm pit. I'm glad to hear that you didn't get discouraged when it didn't work exactly how you wanted to begin with and then ultimately combined it with the CCI t-stock.

Now I have never owned a Phantom nor to I have experience with the way that the t-stock locks into place. I can guess that when you tighten the twist knob that it wedges against the shaft to hold it into place. Is your problem that the twist knob (nut) is coming loose or is just the shaft sliding out regardless of if the knob is tightened? If it is just the twist knob coming loose, perhaps some blue loctite would prevent it from backing out.

[Detachment Bravo]

It's a friction collar locking crush washer nylon thingy McDougal. Loctite wouldn't be the best option. I just use the rubber strap from my strap wrench to crank it down. Its not an ideal solution. Probably why a lot of people like the L type fixed stocks.

[Phoenix01]

See the way I figured on what was happening is that the knob was loosening and that it just needed something to keep it from backing off of the threads. It would make sense that the nylon is flexing and letting the stock adjust.

[Detachment Bravo]

The thing that causes the most problem is torque from the t-stock onto the locking mechanism. The stock can actually come unscrewed just from torque applied to the t-stock. When it does, it usually happens to me when I have it against my left shoulder.

[SnowZone]

Good review, thanks.

If you're having problems with the CCI stock coming loose, tighten it as much as you can then grasp the "T"/ball and turn it clockwise another 1/4 turn. Should get it nice and tight.

[Paintballer50505]

FYI another benefit of the 3 piece design is I can make you a mounting piece that will match that of the cci t-stock, if you want to get that angle, because the mounting wedges make the frame bottom flat I believe. Sucks that we didnt discuss the desired angle of the cci stock before it got there, something else to ask the customer in the future

Thanks for taking your time doing this review.

[idkfa]

As a side note, to easily install the CCI T-stock, as you twist the knurled knob one way and the stock itself another. This keeps it very tight; I am on my third year of hard play on my Phantom since tightening the stock and it has never slipped or rotated.

[worrptangl]

When I had my phantom I did that with a racket ball. I cut a hole in it and slide it into it then bolted it on on the opposite side. I'm glad to see someone finally made an aftermarket version. I hated the CCI T stock for all the same reasons as the OP.

[Julien]

I NEED one of these.

I hate the "t" at the end of the stock because it sits to far from the center of my body.