All of this started out as a 'Build Your Own Sniper' article. I was going to build a Sniper 2 completely out of aftermarket accessories and then write an article on how to do it. In my research I realized that building a W'Orr Games Products Sniper 2 from scratch was going to be costly. Twice as much as an 'out-of-the-box' Sniper.
While I was searching for aftermarket bodies and I stumbled across Spanky's/Ontario Paintball's webpage. Ontario Paintball (coincidentally located in Ontario, California) is the home to the custom shop known as Spanky's Paintball. Some of you may already have seen their aftermarket supercharged bodies at your local paintball retailer. In any event, after a few e-mails and 'phone calls work began on my Sniper 2. Richard Smith, the owner of Spanky's/Ontario Paintball kind of taken aback when I told him I would be running the marker on CO2. The Spanky aftermarket bodies are designed to be used with high pressure systems and that's not an expense I want to take on right now. After a few seconds of thought Richard told me they'd just have to put a different valving system in it and work out the problem with the spring arrangements at the testing bench.
After some time passed (you have to expect that with a totally custom marker) Richard called and told me that I would be receiving my Sniper shortly and I wouldn't be disappointed. Well, Richard, you were right. (Please note that the photos in the article are the Sniper the way I configured it. What I got from Spanky's was the marker and a Palmer's regulator.)
The photos really don't do the marker justice. The anodizing has almost infinite detail and is very intricate. The matt finish was chosen because I intended on using the marker for sniping purposes. (Highly polished finishes are available.) The pattern is a black and green marble finish that Richard's anodizer has applied a patent for.
The anodizing job is SWEEEEEEET!
The first thing you notice is that most of the body has been machined away. The bolt channel and the valve channel have been replaced by anodizable aluminum tubing and the valve has much more space in it's chamber. Apparently I have received the first Cobra-style supercharged body. Frankly, I wouldn't care if it was the last. This marker is simply beautiful.
However, beauty is only skin deep. I wanted to see how my new toy performed.
The bolt, bolt pin, Q-block and stainless cocking rod.
Close up of the Q-Block. The smallest back block on the market.
Firstly I took it out onto the range to see how accurate the Spanky Sniper was. Having used out-of-the-box and unmodified WGP Snipers in the past, it was easy to compare. There was very little difference in accuracy, as the Spanky Sniper obviously inherited the WGP Sniper's famous accuracy. (Sniper: Now there's a marker that lives up to it's name.) What I did notice is the overall feel and operational differences. The Spanky Sniper is lighter and the cocking and trigger pull were smoother and easier.
I added a reversed KAPP Drop Zone 2 and Universal Bottle Adapter; a micro-gauge; an expansion chamber and in-line filter; and, of course the power source. (Please note that none of the stuff I put on it was to make the Sniper perform any better. The first three times I played with it was just the marker and a bottle in the ASA.)
My set-up with the Spanky barrel.
My set-up with a 16 inch DYE Boomstick barrel.
Eventyally this was all replaced with a normal drop forward and an old Airgun Designs Six Pack Plus. I'm a slave to 12-grams, I guess.
I played with this marker several times before starting this article. Unlike most reviews you read, this reviewer OWNED the marker in question and didn't have to send it back to the factory after testing it for an afternoon. One of the things you always want out of a marker is reliability. I can't honestly report on a marker's reliability if I only use it for a couple of games.
You're more likely to have less mechanical problems with a pump marker, but I've had pump markers that needed more attention than a new born infant. Due to the fact that it's based on an already reliable design, I didn't expect the Sniper to fail this part of the test, it didn't. I've been playing with this marker for a few months now and I've had no problems. Frankly, the way this marker is performing, I don't expect any problems.
I also let as many players who wanted to try it out on the range. Our paintball club, the Canadian Contingent, has fifty card-carrying members so there were many, many folks who tried this marker out. Most of the players who tried it and liked it were veteran pump players, so they know what they liked and wanted in a pump marker. While many didn't like the way I configured it, everyone agreed that it was one of the best pumps they've used. The machined body is half the weight of a normal Budd Orr body. Players who used out-of-the-box Snipers noticed an appreciable difference in the weight.
Most players only had to shoot a few shots before they really appreciated the Spanky Sniper's balance, smoothness of the action and the short, silky trigger pull. After a couple of a shots they'd look at me and say, 'This is sweet' and proceed to empty my feeder into the targets on the range.
It takes me twice as long to chrono the marker than any other marker I've owned. This isn't a mechanical failing in the marker, it's because I can't seem to get off the range as everyone wants to fire a 'few shots' out of this marker.
Velocity adjusting is like any other Sniper/Autococker.
On the first of October our paintball club held our first annual Pump and Stock Fun Day at EMR Paintball Park (New Milford, PA; home of Castle Conquest). The Spanky Sniper was quite the hit (if you'll allow me a bad pun). Most players were seasoned pump players and were VERY impressed when they tried the marker on the range.
This marker, being a pump, is very easy to maintain. Yes, it requires a special tool to pull the valve, but valve maintenance isn't required in day-to-day cleaning. The only complaint I have (and it was foreseen) is that the intricate machining is hard to clean if you take a hit in the marker. A toothbrush and some q-tips are required for a thorough cleaning — a simple wipe down isn't going to cut it. However, being infantry trained, I don't mind cleaning equipment — it's a matter of personal pride.
The marker is also very tough. One tries to be careful with a new marker, especially with one that has such a sweet anodizing job. However, I'm pretty ham-fisted sometimes and the marker has been knocked around in the month's I've owned it. I've dropped it off my work bench twice (at home) and it's been knocked off a picnic table (at the field) into the mud. It has taken it's fair shared of hits, too. It doesn't seem any worse for wear.
Spanky's guarantees their work unconditionally. Just so long as you haven't used the thing for an axe, they'll fix what's wrong with it. I have a feeling I'll never have to find out. Their work is far superior to many custom shops out there.
As for price, that depends on what you want on the outside and on the inside. This is a custom marker and the price is going to be custom, as well. With any custom marker, you should expect a higher price. As far as I am concerned, it was worth every penny of my hard-earned money. Besides, this marker is so accurate, I'm actually using less paint, so in the long run, it'll pay for itself.
The Spanky barrel
The muzzle of the Spanky barrel.
A special note: this isn't the type of pump to be relegated to back-up status or to be purchased by somebody who wants to play pump, now and then. This is a marker for the SERIOUS pump player. You'd have to be out of your mind to get a custom pump from ANYBODY and just have it sitting around until your 'Wizzbang' 2000 Limited Edition Electro-Whoozzit semi isn't working. This ain't no out-of-the-box beginner's marker.
Incidentally, the Spanky Sniper now has a sister to talk to. I only just received the prototype for the stock class version of the Spanky Sniper. More on that one, next time. (Sorry.)
Spanky/Ontario paintball can be contacted at: www.spankypaintball.com. For those of you still in the dark ages: 505 West Holt Blvd, Ontario, CA, 91762. (909) 391-8866. Don't forget to tell them Durty Dan sent you!
All of the articles in the website Durty Dan's Paintball Information Services are free to use for webpages, school projects, reference and to promote paintball to players and the non-playing public. Credit for the source of the information should be included in the bibliography or references page.
SPANKY'S PAINTBALL COBRA-BODY SNIPER 2
MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS
THE TEST
MY SET-UP
PLAYING WITH THE SPANKY SNIPER
OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS
MAINTENANCE AND DURABILITY
CONCLUSION
© Durty Dan Enterprises 2000. All rights reserved. All works contained herein are under copyright of the author Durty Dan. While the Terms of Use are broad they do not include the right to republish this work in any publication (hardcopy or electronic) for the purposes of personal financial gain.
