Paintball

[DSA]

Redux Slam Changer Review



Other than the extended barrel option this is probably the most highly anticipated Redux Factory after market item to finally come my way. Once we got settled in for D-Day 2011 mOngo whipped this bad *** slammy and said here you go dude! I had a full five days to put it through every in game situation you can think of and it never failed me. In the coming days I will try to get you guys a full heads up review of it but for now I will let you guys admire it on its new home, Redux SN# DSA!



I will say it does take a bit to get used to it. Steve designed it with a safety so you can't just rocket out the 12gm cartridge dangerously toward an unsuspecting by-standard. Needless to say its fast, super fast and fantastically fun to use....


This Review has been a long time in the making so I apologize for taking so long to post it up. Please forgive the photos I will get some more sometime this week if possible.

REGRETS:

Over the years I have always regretted one thing about my first meeting with Steve, and that regret was I didn't even think to ask to use the Redux Slam Changer. I was in such awe over seeing the Redux Slam I completely forgot to ask if I could play with it. Hell, although we are friends how do you ask a guy to loan you a prototype slam changer for a week knowing you are probably going to beat the hell out of it, scratch it or even possibly destroy it. I'd be jumping and diving through the woods running from tanks and what not, the last thing I wanted to do was send Steve home with a jacked slam.


THE CHALLENGE:

Well fast forward two years, D- Day 2011. This time we came in full force 5 players sporting Redux's or Duck Slides our only goal was to play the entire event on 12gm's and have fun getting a few eliminations. As we were prepping for the weeks festivities at the hotel, what do you know, from his black leather bag mOngo whips out the Redux Slam prototype grip frame and in a very low almost pornographic way says "Here you go dude, wanna give it a try?"

After politely accepting the challenge I contemplated immediately bolting the slam frame to my gun, I sipped my Cognac, I wondered how much tweaking it would take to tune it. I had always heard you have to tune your slam to your gun or at the very least to you 12gm cartridges. I threw caution to the wind and attached it. Being that this was Steve's personal slam I wasn't surprised to find it was already tuned to accept Crossman 12gm's. As expected the Redux Slam is crafted to the same specs as the traditional Redux grip frame so to my delight it was completely plug and play. All I had to do was swap in my trigger assembly, bolt it on and hit the chronograph station.




FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

The trigger frame is the same design as the original grip frame. I chose to leave the supplied Pachmayr style grips in place, although missing the finger grooves I am accustomed to they felt very comfortable, probably something I wouldn't change out day one. For those that have not used a slam changer they are cool, get ready for your butt to pucker up just a wee bit when you decide to load your first 12 gm. At first I was a little reluctant to slam the unit shut so I firmly squeezed it closed with both hands, not the easiest task in world.

Although I am familiar with the operation on the slam changers I had never actually used one nor had I given any thought to the amount of force it takes to pierce your first pin. Luckily for me the 12 gm trap door was already tuned and the cartridge pierced easily. As your seating the 12 gm the trap door makes a faint unnoticeable click when the pierce pin punctures the cartridge and the door locks in place. As a novice I wish the click was a bit louder but I am not sure how that would be accomplished, I just need to learn how to slam it shut.



GAME PLAY:

My first experience with the slam was during the night game. It was pitch black and I was thankful I wouldn't be losing my twist knob in the darkness or stumbling blindly around thinking I had dropped it in the mud. During the action I found the ease of use and ability to adapt to the change in game loading situations came almost naturally. I wont lie my butt hole still puckered a bit when I released my first cartridge but after changing a few we got over it.

What impressed me the most was the speed at which I could change cartridges. After playing exclusively with my twist changer for several years I considered my self quite proficient and relatively quick but that all changed after bolting on the Redux Slam. This thing is really fast and I can see how it could have been a game changer for its day. Its no wonder the quick change arms race was such a success. Never in the history of a sport had modern machine technology whipped up some of the coolest gadgets in a relatively short period of time. To this day some of the most coveted old school items to collect are 12gm Quick Changers, the slam being the most coveted! and in some circles it is considered the Holy Grail of them all. Playing with the slam truly gave me the feeling of experiencing the next step in the evolution of the DD68, albeit more than a quarter of a century after the original made it's debut.

Although I am unfamiliar with any other slam changers, Steve told me he made a step in the door to help prevent accidental discharges of the 12gm. Kids being kids, I decided to give it a try. So before the start of one game I attempted to shoot out a full 12gm just, because. I never told Steve, he wouldn't like that. I hit the latch, the door flew open, it hit the meaty part of the blade of my gloved hand, the gas purged and the 12gm frostily shook in place before it finally discharged onto the ground. Had my hand not been in place I think the door would have opened enough to allow the 12 gm to discharge under full pressure. Did the step do the trick? I'll never know. Would I try it again? Maybe. Would I try it again next to my Samsung 52in LCD 3D, Hell No!

Where the Redux Slam excels is in big game situations. If you have ever been to D-Day you know there is never a shortage opponents to shoot or be shot by. Since the markers only real weakness is firepower, mastering quick air changes is critical to survival. The Redux Slam takes what was traditionally a slow air changing gun and hyper drives it. Although this feature alone is what you buy the system for, I found the serenity I usually feel untwisting my traditional grip changer replaced by a fast and furious frenzy to see if I got it right!

Old schoolers who have gone the way of the slam will attest to the following, "Gone was that moment of pleasure that can only be derived by having the satisfaction of knowing that you actually took the time to change your cartridge the old fashioned way." Now I feel like a cheap whore!

SHOT COUNT:

Shot count is what today's crowd is always eager to hear about so I saved it for last. Although not scientific, I didn't really keep an accurate count during the event, I really didn't notice a huge drop in shot count during game play. Of course it doesn't get near what my original grip frame gets, it held its own at about 25 shots. So I'd have to say I got about 1/2 of my usual count. Not wanting to send this review in without actual numbers I decided to head out to the back 40 and see what my actual shot count is back in Texas.

VARIABLES:

Location: Wolfforth TX, time 3:42, temp 75*, sunny and breezy. Equipment: RP Premium Gold 68.2, Freak Insert 68.2, Crossman 12gm cartridges,extended Redux barrel, Redux Slam, Red main, green valve springs,old school heavy bolt and hammer.

1) 299 2) 299 3) 299 4) 299 5) 288 6) 281 7) 280 8) 283 9) 280 10) 275 11) 275 12) 279 13) 282 14) 282 15) 281 16) 283 17) 283 18) 273 19) 271 20) 266 21) 266 22) 267 23) 276 24) 262 25) 271 26) 264 27) 264 28) 221 29) 191 30) 182 31) 150 32) 150 33) Too low to read.


Not bad by any account, heck its better than most stock Redux shot counts. Shot count aside, honestly if your looking to get a slam your not concerned about anything but getting your grubby little paws on one.

In the end if your one of those people looking to tweak every once of c02 out of your system then I am sorry to report the slam isn't for you, it's not that kind of technology. But if your ultimate goal is just plain Bad Assness, then look no further. The Redux Slam takes an already mean looking beast and gives it that edge. What I like most about the set up is, it is now a single unit, with no threaded knob to lose in a hotel room or on the field in a muddy late night paint swapping frenzy. The slam is well though out and adds a damn fine finishing touch to the Redux's already legendary line of paintball guns. In my opinion it really gives it the Redux more of a 1911 Colt 45 look while serving as a very functional grip frame.


HOW DO I GET ONE:

Steve has said he will create a limited run of ten, 6 will be sold to the public, the other 4 have other arrangements. The lucky ten will be required to sign a statement releasing the manufacture of liability. Because you are reading this know nothing is certain in paintball world of manufacturing, Steve may hit the lotto and decide every Redux owner deserves a slam to call their own. So for now, cool your jets because I don't see the slam being produced until sometime in 2013.[/SIZE][/FONT]

[taco]

Which 12 grams are you using with that bad boy eric?

[DSA]

Originally Posted by tacolex

Which 12 grams are you using with that bad boy eric?

Crossman's from Academy Sports.

[chopper duke]

Is it adjustable for various sized 12ies?

[lechooch]

What kind od efficiancy numbers did you get Mr. 47.

[PB Weasel]

Looks damn fine on your gun DSA, but I have a feeling it would look even better on mine Can't wait for the review, hope it is not too far off . . .

[CJOttawa]

JERK!

...



Do want. Have cash in hand.

[DSA]

Originally Posted by chopper duke

Is it adjustable for various sized 12ies?

Yes, just like the original. I actually had to adjust it for the Crossman 12gm.

Originally Posted by lechooch

What kind od efficiancy numbers did you get Mr. 47.

I didn't notice any big difference. However after playing D-Day I really truely believe you guys get too wrapped up about efficientcy. 12gms play to my advantage because I could low ball a player and they would get one step too close only to be eliminated by a fresh 12e.

Originally Posted by cjottawa

JERK!

...



Do want. Have cash in hand.

Yes indeed Cj, it's a very cool piece of equipment. I am torn as a SC purist and it really took me a few 12gms to get the hang if it.

[Mar]

what happened to the Tactical baby Duck pics? D-Day has passed my friend...

[taco]

I've launched a couple twelve grams even Earon launched one fiddling with mine lol. I switched back to the in grip setup as my choice. Definitely there with you as far as efficiency as long as I get around 20 high velocity shots I'm good.

Originally Posted by DSA

Yes, just like the original. I actually had to adjust it for the Crossman 12gm.




I didn't notice any big difference. However after playing D-Day I really truely believe you guys get too wrapped up about efficientcy. 12gms play to my advantage because I could low ball a player and they would get one step too close only to be eliminated by a fresh 12e.




Yes indeed Cj, it's a very cool piece of equipment. I am torn as a SC purist and it really took me a few 12gms to get the hang if it.