You probably just ended up with a lemon. If you're still interested in an A-5, building it up to your own specifications will be both fun and rewarding

I also had problems with my Stealth. As it turns out (after replacing the spring 2x) it was the adjustable stock. Tippmann put too deep a hole in it (where the spring & pin go in), so Flatline users like you and me, get low FPS rates (the Flatline eats FPS as it is). Putting a BB or 2 (or in my case, a pellet) in that hole in the stock, will decrease the depth of this hole and fix the problem. Another solution is to get a spring kit with stiffer velocity spring(s) like the Madman or Trinity (I bought the Trinity because it comes with 4 different spring rates making it easy to custom tune my A-5) and/or to use a different stock or even the stock end-cap. All of these solutions will fix your FPS issue.

Anyway, the A5 is a great marker for beginning players to advanced players. It’s HIGHLY modifiable and are nearly indestructible. It sounds like you got a lemon, but that by NO MEANS is the norm for the A-5.

If you are up to it, I suggest buying a basic A-5 (with either the RT or E-Grip if you want a faster rate of fire) then add your own mods.

It sounds like you want something that is rock-solid and drop in plug & play. SO minimal fuss seems to be necessary. If that’s the case, an A-5 with E-Grip, Palmer Brass Barrel, and HPA is the way to go. Any additional mods would be your call, and would be "just because" The previously stated mods would "fix" any & all performance issues.

HPA tanks are preset so you don’t have to tinker with Stabilizer settings and HPA will offer the best consistency, no shoot down, and won’t freeze the gun up if you go full auto fire.

The E-Grip needs to be "programmed" once with your preferences, but after that is pretty maintenance free. You don’t need to worry about "tuning" it like with the RT, plus it is less temperamental to changes. So that’s the way to go.

And last, the Palmer Brass barrel offers the BEST accuracy out of ANY barrel, and will shoot basically ANY paint with ease. No needing to paint match balls, add barrel backs or inserts or any need to completely change the barrel. Plus you don’t need to have a set FPS like with the Flatline in order for it to work it's magic.

So, as you can see this would be a winning combination.

The A-5 it self is pretty rock-solid. No need to worry about hitting it against rocks or dropping it in water. Plus you NEVER have to worry about chopping a ball with the Cyclone loader! Talk about no mess or fuss!

The barrel ill shoot anything at any FPS w/o a need to mess with it.

The E-Grip will allow you to shoot as fast as the pricy space guns, while offering a no fuss control (only need to change its batteries once in a while).

And of course the HPA will give you the consistency, freedom, lack of hassle that you require.

Plus an A5 with the Palmer barrel and HPA tank will be deadly accurate!

I hope you decide to give the A-5 another try. Just get a basic package (with or w/o the e-grip or Rt. Whatever you prefer). And mod it up with quality parts.

BTW, I know that the stock spring can be a bit of a let down in some A-5s. That’s the ONLY consistent "problem" for a few models of A-5. So to avoid any potential issues with that, just pick up a Madman spring kit or Trinity Spring Kit for 8 bucks. Problem solved for good.

__________________
'07 Proto Matrix Rail (all composite changed to aluminum)
Dye Ultra-Lite frame
Dye Throttle 70/45 HPA tank
Deadlywind Carbon-Fiber barrel w/ SS Freak insert kit
Halo-B V35 board, Rip-Drive, & Bone boost battery pack

yep,I agree totally.you gotta do 1 upgrade at a time otherwise when you DO get weird performance issues you won't be able to pinpoint the troublemaker.

When I had that Cheap Tapco stock ( before it broke during a game ) I cut a 4 penny nail just long enough to let the pin / spring to seat in place. I had a profound increase in the velocity ( still w/in the safety limit of course )

__________________


Strike Force Creed:
Whether helping my team take a hill, a new player with equipment failure, or helping you to the dead zone, I hear the call to service and I answer.
I am an Operator.

I have question on this issue of the fps guys if I can. I have the FL on the a5 and can not get it to go above the 250 mark ? I know that it is good but I am curious on how to get it above the 250 ? If I place a bb in the marker does it go in the stock or in the power tube to let the drive pin hit to allow more push on the ball ? Or place the bb in the stock and get the mad man spring kit ?

Appreciate any assitance here guys.........a loyal a5 owner

You put the BB in before you put the drive spring pin in. That would be toward the rear of your marker in your stock.

__________________

thanks rifle for the quick reply

Mine was so deep that I had to use that nail I had mentioned

__________________


Strike Force Creed:
Whether helping my team take a hill, a new player with equipment failure, or helping you to the dead zone, I hear the call to service and I answer.
I am an Operator.

Another easy way to get FPS is to polish your internals. This usually raises your velocity by about 10 FPS. Try it, its cheap and easy. Monitor's post describes the whole process in detail.

__________________

Well if my marker ever screws up i jus take off the parts i dont need put on stock parts untill it works correctly basicly go by the keep it simple stoopid concept and you cant go wrong.