Before I start, let me clarify that this is nothing more than a hypothesis, and one that I am unable to test with a degree of objectiveness which I would be satisfied with.

First, let us examine the workings of a Flatline barrel. It works by accelerating the shot up a ramp, thus causing it to drag along the upper surface of the barrel and pick up a backward spin, giving it lift. We're all fine with this, yes?

Now then, let's look closely at one particular aspect of that. Acceleration. The ball itself gains speed as it moves through the barrel. And that causes it to pick up the spin.

Let us consider now the Apex. A ball is fired through a straight barrel at the end of which it contacts a rubber ramp. The ramp slows the ball at its point of contact and imparts a spin.

However, linking back with the Flatline theory, the ball is not accelerating - that is to say, not gaining speed - at the point of contact. In fact, since the vast majority of barrels are ported, the ball may in fact be decelerating, or losing speed, even before it strikes the ramp.

Here, then, is the heart of the matter. I would be interested to see comparisons between the firing performance of a non-ported Apex-tipped barrel, and a ported Apex-tipped barrel. It's not something I have the ability to do myself, and unfortunately I'm not inclined to trust results from my 12" J&J barrel with the ports taped shut.

However, if any of my fine fellow Operators are able to perform this test (someone here has got to own two Brass barrels) I would be most interested to see results.

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Why would a Flatline accelerate a ball? The friction of the Flatline and moving the ball in different directions would give negative acceleration; not positive. There are no other forces acting on the ball in the direction of fire to increase the acceleration.

The only thing the Flatline accelerates, I think, is the spin of the ball.

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Well isn't the ball still accelerating in the flatline when it is given it's backspin?

I have the apex and I'll do some performance tests with it's stock barrel next chance I get. I don't think i'll be able to compare exit velocities though because I won't have access to a chronograph for a while.

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The flatline is unported. For all of its length, the ball is gaining speed due to the propellant.

Although the stock barrel does have a ring of porting in the middle. Perhaps taping them up would provide a basic indicator of results...

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Only up to a certain point and then the friction takes over and slows it down before it exits the barrel.

What exactly are you trying to test between the two? What do you mean by "firing performance"? That could mean anything.

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Quite honestly, I don't know. Could it be better range, accuracy, I've no idea. It's a theory that I don't happen to be able to test, so I'm just throwing it out there for a better-equipped person's consideration.

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So you just want to see if a ported barrel will be more or less detrimental than a non-ported barrel, correct? This could be broken down into multiple tests, including accuracy, exit velocity (aka gas efficiency), and range. Of course, bore size, paint type, Apex setting, and marker consistency would have to be taken into consideration.

I would offer to take it up but I don't have a non ported barrel.

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One thing the apex does do is reduce velocety the higher you set it, as a result we chrono with it in the off position, the only difference i can see between the 2 systems is gas usage prehaps? the flatline has more drag in the barrel but the apex slows it at the end one might be more gas efficent but i wouldn't think there is much in it?

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I have used the flatline on an A5, and Apex modded to a J&J, and I use an Apex on my Automag.

I have noticed almost no difference in flatline vs Apex outside of what I consider "normal deviance" associated with use of CO2 (neither marker had a stabilizer).

The ball begins decelerating the moment it leaves the bolt, not the barrel. nothing accelerates the ball down the barrel. Only way to do this would be to increase the pressure of air behind the ball to compensate for the volume expansion in the breech resulting from the balls travel forward. (HS physics, pressure drops as volume increases. the volume between the ball and the bolt approaches infinity after you pull the trigger).

I don't think he is talking about flatline vs. apex. There is going to be a difference between those two. I think what he is talking about is the difference between the air pushing the ball all the way to the apex tip vs allowing the air to vent instead. My original assumption, completely opinion and not scientific, would be it is not enough difference to be noticeable. The ball is going to reach its maximum speed before it leaves the barrel. So, at some point in the barrel the ball is traveling as fast as it can go. After this point it does not really matter what happens to the air. So all the smart engineers that work for companies that make barrels get out the calculators and decide where in the barrel the ball is traveling the fastest. After this point they drill holes in the barrel to help dissipate some of the air and sound. So, you may ask yourself, why not just cut the barrel there. Because you still want accuracy. You still need barrel length to guide the ball in a straight line. So, whoopty do what does it mean? The ball leaving a ported vs unported barrel is probably going to have the same velocity but, a little quieter. That being said two balls that hit the apex tip the same speed are going to have similar speeds and trajectories for both.

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