The Idea of The Series 5 Basic:
There seem to be two basic ideas behind the Series 5 Basic that will infect the rest of this review: ‘Keep it Simple’ and ‘Save Money’. There are many small changes to the Series 5 Basic that seeks to simplify the marker and take money off the end price. Many of the logo’s are removed from the parts (the bolt for instance) and many of the little scallops and cosmetic touches are removed (from the grip for instance). This not only fits the motif of a simple marker but it saves on valuable milling time and reduces cost for the end user. What I hope from this review and this marker is that these changes save money without reducing quality. I will keep my eye on this potential trade off.
Price:
$395 shipped from CCM Direct on e-bay. It comes with an Auto Trigger for free until the end of the year but no barrel, rail, or ASA.
The Series 6 is $595 shipped for comparison.
Out of the Box:
October 24th 2007. I received the Series 5 Basic in the mail from Melissa at CCM and opened her up. I received it via UPS Ground on the day Melissa said it would arrive with the tracking number that she provided. I snapped this picture as as I opened the box.
Initial Impressions:
The marker came with a 14″ aluminum barrel, a .690 barrel sizer, a cap head screw feed neck (no lever lock) and a straight rail. A nice touch was including the macro fittings and the macro line in order to make the marker working out of the box.
Like every other CCM marker there was no manual for this marker. This is not a big deal - especially for an experienced sniper user - but a basic marker, that is targeted to a newer user will need a manual. If not a paper manual then at least directions to download a .pdf document.
There was also no parts kit. This addition was included on the S5 but not the S6 or the Series 5 Basic. In my opinion the parts and tools that should be included in this kit should be:
1) Three Allen Keys 3/16th, 1/8th, 5/32 (These would allow the user to set the reg, adjust the IVG, and tighten the low rise collar.)
2) Reg Seat O-ring
3) Marker oil (either Air Tool Oil, KC Concepts, or some equivilant)
4) Cup Seal and pin
Although there are few working parts on a pump marker - but this would fix the vast majority of the problems that one might encounter.
There was also no BBD (Barrel Blocking Device) included on the marker. Although I have a small collection of CCM BBD’s from over the years - this touch would have been nice too.The regulator came set at 325 PSI and the IVG was at two turns in from flush.
Fit and Finish:
The anodizing was deep and the dust finish was even deeper. The different pieces all match (the black is the same shade). The engraving is deep and even. The logo’s fit with the down and dirty style of marker that this is trying to portray.
The regulator fitting fits perfectly under the frame allows for a clean assembly of the markers air supply. This is one thing that I enjoyed about the 5 and I am glad the .45 frame allows for this same set up. The pump stroke was very smooth out of the box (with the barrel removed - more about this below). Nearly as smooth as my Series 5 out of the box but my S6 still stand head and shoulders above the Series 5 Basic. I think, however, this is to be expected with the Basic’s use of the economy pump.
Economy Pump:
The pump kit used by CCM on every marker that they produced was their Deluxe pump handle. This was made single large pump guide rod and a smaller guide rod that came highly polished (and on the S6 lightened) to allow for super smooth pump stroke and no twisting or binding. The economy pump is a single rod version with a guide ring that fits perfectly into the well milled into the body of the marker that allows the pump rod to connect to the back block.
The guide ring is hard anodized to prevent any wear on this fairly thin piece. The guide ring prevents twisting as well as the second guide rod does on the deluxe pump kit and I can feel very little difference in this respect between the two pump kits.
Furthermore, on the Deluxe pump kit the pump was connected to the pump rod via an aluminum plate and three stainless steel screws whereas the basic kit is simply a delrin pump machined to accept the pump rod and bored to accept the single guide rod. This certainly saves on money and the pump kit seems very similar to my S5’s pump kit.
The size of this pump should be seen as akin to the shorty pump recently released by CCM. With the loss of the aluminum plate - this pump is very small. I struggle with the smaller pump from CCM as I cannot seem to find a good rhythm with the auto trigger. CCM does make the larger version of this pump kit so individual preference can be matched. The pump feels almost exactly the same as the S5 and S6 and I should have no problem transitioning from the S5 or the S6.
I love the ingenuity of this pump and I think it is far superior to most others basic pump kits. I think that this pump kit allows for a low budget great alternative to those attempting to ‘pump’ their ‘cockers. For me it is worth the extra money to have the deluxe version of the CCM pump - just to have the smoothness but I am a full time competitive pump player. For a user who plays pump less competitively the S5 Basic’s pump stroke will be more than sufficient. I will need to evaluate this pump kit as I play with it though to give a full impression. I look forward to the pump breaking in. My experience with my old S5 was that it simply got better with age. I hope the S5 Basic is the same.
A Problem:
The barrel provided with the S5 Basic rubbed on the pump out of the box a little. Given the deep bead blasting on the barrel, the pump would eventually ‘break in’ - however I think CCM should pay attention to the milling on this pump to ensure their barrel and others would not rub like this. To solve this problem I gave the barrel a slight touch with a fine grit barrel sander on the rib closest to the body and the furthest back portion of the pump. The pump stroke smoothed right out.
Note the rub on the barrel here - nothing permanent.
CCM’s Response:
Bill, the owner of CCM, dropped me a line with the following information:
The Trigger:
The trigger is a roller bearing type, hinge function, made of delrin, and is, to me, oddly attached to the marker frame. It used a shoulder bolt (Allen screw) to affix it to the frame - but instead of using the shoulder bolt in a countersunk frame to sandwich the trigger into the frame - the trigger frame is drilled completely out and the bolt itself becomes the portion that rides on side of the trigger - and holds it in place. What this was designed to prevent (I think) was the frame getting tweaked by the bolt and pinching the trigger frame together - potentially damaging it.
However, what you must be careful of is not over tightening this bolt because it pinches the trigger to the frame at makes for a sticky trigger (or worse - could potentially not allow the marker to re cock). All that is needed is a drop of Loctite on this bolt and careful instillation and this is not really a problem. The trigger is SUPER light and snappy and fully adjustable as far as it’s forward travel. It is a FAR superior trigger to the Series 5 slide trigger. The trigger frame comes with a set screw - set at the factory to limit forward travel (under travel) of the trigger. However, do not adjust this trigger too much - you can easily cause the AT to bind on the trigger if you are not careful.
The tech at CCM said that they set it at the factory properly - if it does not move on its own - it should be good to go. You must, however, set this screw so that the Auto Trigger Arm and Cam does not slide inside the frame when the marker is leaned left. Look at the picture above, there is a lot of room between the Auto Trigger arm and the top portion of the Auto Trigger Retaining Screw. This is a different screw than what was used on my S6 and the tolerances are much greater. When you set the under travel screw, this prevents the Auto Trigger arm from sliding out to the furthest portion of the Auto Trigger Retaining screw. There is a fine line between setting the under travel screw too short and causing bind, and setting it too long and allowing the Auto Trigger Arm and Cam to slide.
Another nit pick is that CCM would have placed some green Loc-tite on this screw to make it adjustable but still sticky after it has been set to the users liking. Again, nit picking - but a detail I would have liked to see.
Trigger Frame:
Based on the .45 frame now available for the S6 by CCM - however slightly heavier due to less milling. The two scallops are missing from the snatch grip portion of the grip that is present on the S6. There are also no CCM jewels inset in the frame that the S5 had (although I think these would not fit this marker). The frame matches the body perfectly.
Two other small changes are that the S5 Basic uses button head screws instead of submerged cap head screws as well as simply drilling sandwiching the sear pin between the grip panels instead of retaining it with a stainless steel grub screw like the S6 does. Again, these changes little to nothing in terms of operation of the frame, it simply saves on milling. I have a complete breakdown of the .45 grip here.
Chassis:
The chassis is the same chassis that adorned the S5 with one small difference - the sight rail is missing. This means the body is back to the old school ’round top’ bodies that CCM started with. I have never seen an S5 with a sight on it and I think leaving it off saves steps in the milling process, saves weight, and saves money. No loss here. I have a complete breakdown of the chassis here.
The Vertical Regulator Adaptor (VRA) and the Regulator:
The VRA is turned down slightly to match the new milling on the regulator. CCM changes the milling every so often on the Chipley markers but I have yet to see them change the internals of the reg. The Regulator is adjustable from 0 - 450 PSI. I have a breakdown of the regulator with instructions on how to inspect and clean it here.
Detent:
The VRA is turned down slightly to match the new milling on the regulator. CCM changes the milling every so often on the Chipley markers but I have yet to see them change the internals of the reg. The Regulator is adjustable from 0 - 450 PSI. I have a breakdown of the regulator with instructions on how to inspect and clean it .
The S5 Basic has a single wire detent. I shot a LOT of paint in the three years that I owned my previous S5 and never replaced the wire detent. Although I like the coolness of the double ball detent on the S6 - I see no advantage to having them. Simple is fine in this case as well.
Grips:
The marker came stock with the CCM Wrap around ‘Hogue’ style grips in black. They look fine and function well. They also fit any after market .45 grip if you want to replace them.
Barrel:
The barrel, when I first attached it, seemed to have a gap between it and the body (where the body at the barrel meet - just behind the barrel threads). At first I thought this was poor construction - but after tossing on an o-ring to prevent barrel rattle I think I see why this was done. Use a 1/2 - 1/16 black Buna o-ring and you will be fine. I personally would just like the barrel to fit flush to the body.
Bolt:
Made of Delrin and two pieces a black back portion and a white breach portion. It is ungodly light and although I am not sure why it is two colors - it is VERY smooth. The logo has been left off the back of the bolt. No loss is performance and saving money for the end user. There is also a milled portion for the detent. This is a cool touch and an addition to the Basic over the S5 - it should allow the detent to last even longer.
Overall Feel in the Hand:
The marker feels like a shovel - and I mean this in the best possible way. The feel just seems to say, ‘abuse me - I can take it’. It feels very positive and for those that do not like markers that are too small or too light - this is the marker for your hands. There are no frills to get in the way, no cosmetics to confuse you, no parts and pieces that don’t need to be there - just the basics to kill your opponents. Let me add one caveat - I played with my Series 5 for so long that it felt like and extension of my body. The Series 5 feels a little like going home.
Weight Comparisons:
Series 5:
Series 6:
Series 5 Basic:
The Series 5 Basic weighs in at three ounces lighter than the Series 5 and five ounces heavier than the Series 6.
Day One - Over the Chronograph and At the Range:
Barrel Used: 14″ Aluminum CCM Barrel with .690 sizer (shown above).
Paint Used: A combination of ProBall Platinum and Chronic 420 sized to the barrel. The paint was okay - but not great.
Weather: 65 and Sunny.
Field: Tanks Katy Paintball
Air Source: Crossfire Low Pressure 45/4500 and Crossfire High Pressure 45/4500.
Hopper: Sportshot.
Out of the box the marker was chrono’d at 285. I like when a marker comes from the factory ready to be played with.
Setting up the Marker:
The marker sounded a little chuffy to me (the valve seemed like it was staying open a little too long) so I decided to sweet spot the regulator and set the IVG. The method I used can be seen here. The regulator was a little too high and when I backed out the regulator screw the marker rose in F.P.S.. This means the valve was being slightly over pressurized. I sweet spotted the regulator and found I could back out the IVG a little. After doing this the marker sounded right and seemed efficient.
Consistency:
The marker was + / - 3 F.P.S. over the chrono when using hand selected paint. This is very good for a new regulator in my opinion.
Accuracy:
The marker was very accurate at 15 feet or so. As accurate as any other high end marker I have owned. I was very happy, although not surprised, by the accuracy of this marker. I expected it to shoot as well as my old Series 5 and it did.
I exchanged the stock barrel for my Deadly Wind 14″ Carbon Fibre barrel with stainless steel inserts and I could see no real difference in terms of accuracy from this top end barrel.
Pump Speed:
I am very surprised to say that I could see no difference over the B.P.S. meter (standard on all Paintball Radar Chronographs) from my Series 6 to the Series 5 Basic. It is just as fast. This is not to say the S6 isn’t smoother - it certainly is - but it makes little difference in terms of speed. I want to see if it makes any difference on the field in terms of ’spread’ on the field. I wonder if the smoother pump stroke on the Series 6 will make for a tighter pattern in Auto Trigger.
Fun?:
I shot perhaps a quarter of a case at the range on day one and found myself having a blast shooting this marker. It was a workhorse, I didn’t experience a single problem, and it shot paint nicely. I wish I had some better paint (next week promised good tournament grade paint for the first case test) but all in all I was very pleased with the performance of the Series 5 Basic.
Overall Thoughts After Day One:
I am left wondering if CCM will see a dip in their S6 sales from this marker. For the $200 difference in price tag you get five ounces off the marker, some sweet milling, and a slightly better performing marker - but is that worth two bills? I personally think it is - but again I use a pump every weekend in tournament style settings. At this point I would certainly recommend a Series 5 Basic to anyone who plays some pump and wants a nice marker but does not want to spend the money on a top end open class pump. I think this a great addition to the CCM line.
The First Weekend and Real Field Test:
The Series 5 Basic saw its first case today (roughly) at Tanks Katy Paintball. The weather was in the low 80’s with low humidity. We shot a combination of GAP, Chronic 420, Bonzai - Black Lotus (a new paint by Archon that has shot GREAT for us in the last few months that we have field testing it for Tank). The latter is what the marker liked the best. It was +/- 2 over the Chrono and never had a barrel break or problem all day.
I gave the marker to a relative newcomer to Paintball (Diego), a seasoned player who does not shoot pump very often (Don of Stanky Paintball) and some of the Pumpenstein Crew (JKW, Beaux, and myself) to get a wide variety of feedback from the marker.
Diego, the relative newcomer to the sport and to pump play took to the Series 5 Basic like a duck to water. He had no problem ripping off long streams if paint with the Auto Trigger and shooting a lot of people during the pump day Pumpenstein held at TKP. Frankly I was shocked at how fast Diego picked up pump play. He said the marker was very easy to use and very accurate. He had a lot of fun shooting the marker and playing pump. The only thing that concerned his was that when the marker was tipped to left (as if you are coming out the right side of your bunker) the AT cam and rod would sometimes bind on the trigger. A small adjustment of the undertavel screw fixed this problem.
Don (the marker above is resting in one of Don’s Cribs) had trouble at first getting used to pump play in general. But after a few games he settled down. He was trying to simply auto trigger everyone off the field. Once he slowed down and aimed - he started shooting people. He said ‘the only problems I encountered with [the Series 5 Basic] were from the grip frame back (implying user error). He said he had a blast playing pump, found the Series 5 Basic very easy to use and definitely would not mind owning one.
Javier, a Pumpenstein member, got a chance to shoot it as well and found very little difference between his S5 and the Series 5 Basic. The economy pump felt great to him and he thought it was the same marker that he already owned (a polished S5 with 86 degree slider and a Deadly Wind Barrel Kit).
JKW was happy with the marker as well. A long time S5 user (now using an S6) he handed the marker back to me after shooting it a bit and said ‘Oh yeah - there is very little different between my S5 and [the Series 5 Basic]. I will be anxious to see what this feels like when it is broken in and polished like my S5 is.’
I managed to wrestle the Series 5 Basic out of everyones hands and got about 5 games in with it. It seems not as light, as smooth, or as quick as my S6 - but all of these things are just barely. If my polished, broken in, and well played with S6 is a 10 on the scale, the Series 5 Basic is a 9.2.
I had no problem hitting what I was aiming for, I still laned guys out on the break using the AT, and it shot generally great for me. There is very little for me to report beyond this; you point - it puts paint where you want it. Seems like end of story for me. I am also very happy with this marker considering its price point. I would not hesitate recommending this to a player just breaking into pump play or even the serious minded pump player.
Day Two:
In response to the rubbing issue I have been having with the original pump kit - Bill (the owner of CCM) sent me a modified pump kit. The rub issue was completely taken care of with this kit and he assured me on the phone that the new kits will not have this issue. You have to love that sport of customer support and listening to issues.
Fuzzy, a player for Pumpenstein (and a player who played for Organized Chaos), played all day with the marker on day two. When asked what he thought of it he said ‘It was fine.’ You would have to know Fuzzy to know that is a ringing endorsement. If he tells you to get the stupid thing out of his hands - then it is not a marker he agrees with. Fuzzy is a man of few words and what he did not say speaks more than what he did. I will try and fill int he gaps.
I would say that he shot over 1/2 a case today and had no major issues. He was shooting some pretty bad paint and was having some feeing issue but attributed it to the paint. After I cleaned the marker and put some better paint over the chrono I found it to be +/- 3 BPS and shooting lazer beams. The trigger was sticky after a day of play - but after disassembling it, cleaning it, and putting it back together - it shot great.
The pump stroke seems to be breaking in - and I think I will polish the pump rod, or at least the portion that goes through the guide rod of the economy kit and report if there was any change in the smoothness of the pump stroke.
Stay Tuned for the Longevity Review:
I will finish this review with a 3 month wear and tear review of this marker.
Suggestions:
If there is anything you would like to see me review or take pictures of - please drop me a note at jmoulenbelt@hotmail.com and I will do my best to accommodate you.
TF
