Paintball x3

The X7

Manufactured by Tippmann

After years of watching owners and retailers extensively modify, upgrade and add to their 98 Custom and A5 paintball guns to make scenario and tactical superguns, Tippmann decided to make one of their own and released their new flagship marker, the X7. Based on the best facets of the A5 but with an assault-rifle look and the ability to upgrade and accessorize practically every part, the X7 offers its owner a solid, robust and reliable semiautomatic paintball gun out of the box and the option to drastically alter its look and capabilities with upgrades manufactured by Tippmann itself.

The Tippmann X7 was clearly designed and built with serious scenario and tactical paintball in mind as it features Picatinny sight rails along the top, bottom and left and right sides of its receiver for the mounting of scopes and sights. A plastic M-16-style magazine that splits open to hold tools sits in a well just in front of the grip frame and the blackened, stainless steel air hose enters the receiver through the magazine well. Much akin to the A5, the X7 features push-pin take-down for simple cleaning and maintenance and the Cyclone Feed system which slings paintballs into the breech for firing powered by an air piston is standard as well, upgraded with a lower profile hopper. The magnesium construction of the receiver reduces weight and improves durability. A sling swivel sits at the rear of the gun and the rear sight is adjustable. While the stock barrel isn’t much to write home about and fails to deliver effective accuracy at anything more than close range, aftermarket barrels are already available, as it accepts barrels threaded for the A5.

Upgrades already available for the Tippmann X7 include kits to build the gun to resemble a number of modern military weapons like the Russian AK47, American M16, German MP5, G36 or UMP and include everything from faux magazines and fore-grips to shoulder stocks and sight rails, and all can be added before the gun ships from the factory!  Double triggers, reactive trigger kits and electronic grip frames can be added as well, drastically increasing the possible rate of fire of the X7, allowing it to keep up with guns costing two and three times its amount, and the legendary Tippmann Flatline Barrel system is also available for the X7, enabling it to shoot over 100 feet further than any other paintgun.

On the field, the X7 handles and shoots like a Tippmann; durably and reliably. While the stock barrel delivers paint onto target acceptably at close range, at longer ranges shot groups open up greatly and a barrel upgrade is high advisable for anyone looking to do much other than shoot at opponents nearby. The Cyclone Feed operates well and the hopper holds plenty of paintballs, allowing users to carry more paint in their gun ready to fire and less on their backs. The bottom line air adapter, while basic, accepts compressed air bottles or CO2 tanks easily and angles them downwards and into the shoulder comfortably. Even with a stock, single trigger, the rate of fire is good as the trigger pull is light and crisp. Taking the X7 apart requires only the removal of a few pins, thus making care and maintenance extremely simple.

Tippmann’s new flagship marker is an excellent gun, perfect for the serious scenario, tactical or recreational player who wants Tippmann reliability and function in a package easy to upgrade to look like something much more dangerous.