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2003 Worr Games Autococker Review Introduction As an avid paintball player of many years, and an Autococker owner of quite a time, I can honestly say that I am addicted to this marker. Maybe its something about the back block, smoothly gliding back and forth, or perhaps the complex design, a wonderland for tech junkies like myself. Or maybe, just maybe, it is the nearly flawless reputation for performance, durability, and quality that WGP has included with this stellar product for so many years. Whatever the case, the 2003 model is quite easily the best Autococker since the original was introduced many years ago. If youve never shot an Autococker and are simply looking into buying used, or if you cant get enough of the Cocker magic, take a look at this review of the 2003 Vertical Feed WGP Autococker for all the information youll need on this marker---one of the most used paint guns in the sport.  Before I begin, however, allow me to disprove a very misleading rumor that has always circulated about the Autococker. Over the years, just about everyone in the sport has heard that closed bolt markers, specifically the Autococker, are more accurate than blow-backs, blow-forwards, and pump markers. Allow me to assure everyone that this is most certainly NOT the case. Closed bolt markers are perceived as more accurate than their counterparts because of one reason: low blowback. Low blowback means low kick, and low kick means you can consistently place shots in and around the area you are aiming for without the marker jarring from your grip every time you pull the trigger. The Autococker is also generally much more consistent out of the box than, say, a Spyder or similar low-end blowback. Consistency ultimately is what determines accuracy, along with a good paint-to-barrel match and a consistent air setup. If you want to get the most consistency and accuracy out of your marker, make sure to use a good nitrogen tank and as good of an inline and pneumatic regulator as you can afford, along with a good paint-to-barrel match and well honed barrel. For an inline regulator, I suggest the AKALMP (www.akalmp.com) Sidewinder. At approximately $85, this product is the best I have seen on the market for what it does, and it is also quite a bit cheaper than other similar regulators. Another good product is the Palmer Stabilizer, made by the famous Palmer Pursuit Shop (www.palmer-pursuit.com).  Whatever you do, pay attention to the match between your paintballs and barrel. To test your match and make sure that you are getting the best accuracy possible out of your barrel, youll need to place the paintball in the barrel and try to blow it out of the other end. If it rolls right out, the ball is too small and youll need to purchase a larger bore size if you want the maximum accuracy possible. If it will not come out easily at all and you turn blue in the face, you need to get smaller paintballs. If it comes out relatively easily, it is a good match. If you dont wish to have to keep buying new paintballs every time you have a bad match, I suggest a barrel system. The Smart Parts Freak System (www.smartparts.com) comes with the barrel and eight inserts so that you can always have a perfect match and dead-on accuracy no matter what the situation. For more general information on "How to find the right barrel" click here.Features The marker I am reviewing is a 2003 Vertical Feed Autococker. Many find that the vertical feed type results in lower blowback, which often can help quell the issues of paint bobbling into the feed tube and being chopped by the bolt. However, it is also slightly more expensive than its counterpart, the right feed design, and this style sometimes can allow for more simple and effective sighting. It really is up to the consumer, however, so try both out if possible and see which you like. There is essentially only one major improvement on the 2003 Autococker in comparison with the 2001 and 2002 models, the WGP Hinge trigger. Finally, a good trigger comes stock on the autococker. Hinge triggers have been a very popular upgrade for many players in the last two years, now the WGP hinge comes stock! That means you wont have to dish out $90 for a new trigger the moment after you buy the gun. Aside from the new trigger, the only major difference in the 2003 is the milling on the guns body. Hey, for about the same price as the 2002 models, the new milling is cool and well worth the extra $15 in my mind. Here is a little breakdown on the upgrades that have been added to the autococker in the last couple of years: - WGP Hinge trigger - Non-slotted trigger plate - Improved airflow capability via larger front airway. - New 4-way - Factory milling (rather nice looking, I must say) If that seems like a small list, theres a reason: WGP did it right the first time. Id be willing to bet that they simply dont want to mess up a good thing.  The old 2001 and 2002 stock trigger frame was absolutely horrid. It used to be a carbon fiber composite material, and when it wasnt cracking or breaking in other ways, it was just plain ugly. I used to suggest, after a new barrel of course, purchasing an aftermarket trigger frame. Now, with the hinge trigger stock there is no rush to upgrade. In fact, there really is no reason to upgrade the trigger.The particularly disturbing feature of the stock Cocker is the barrel it comes from the factory with. While it may work fine for you if you happen to play recreation paintball or enjoy playing in the front, it really isnt that great and I suggest replacing it immediately. The stock regulator isnt that bad, but it isnt too grand either. Simply by replacing the inline and pneumatic regulators, your markers consistency will shoot up, and remember: consistency = accuracy. Again, I suggest the AKALMP (www.akalmp.com) Sidewinder. The rest of the features are mostly cosmetic in function. Be advised: the stock pneumatics are two-thirds ugly brass, and dont perform that well. This should also be one of your first upgrades to think about. You can buy complete front block kits, or you can mix and match parts. Most players enjoy the "mix and match" method. Appearance For most, this is a love/hate relationship. While custom Autocockers tend to tickle anyones fancy, the stock design isnt exactly the pinnacle of good looks. The 2003 milling and WGP Hinge really do add much more appeal to the Cocker. Thankfully, it looks relatively rounded-off and smooth in transition from part to part; however, the pneumatics, regulator, and barrel all could use a makeover. However, thats up to the consumer: tis the reason upgrades are available to all. In a poll of ten people taken at the field, seven out of ten really liked the stock 2003 Autocockers looks, while two out of the ten particularly detested the WGP aesthetics. The remaining person, obviously overwhelmed by the 2003s stunning looks, responded with "shove it" and proceeded to punch me in my stomach. Balance Cockers, thankfully, keep the foregrip VERY close to the grip frame, and this does wonders for balance. With a drop forward or cradle of even an inch or two, this marker can be comfortable with a midsize (45, 48, or 68ci) HPA tank. Many people dont particularly like drops or cradles because they feel it makes the marker too tall, but I happen to enthusiastically recommend them, and will for some time. With this type of product, you can really steady your aim and take advantage of your markers accuracy (remember, not because its a Cocker, but because you did all you could to get it consistent by following the steps near the beginning of this review). Performance  For the review, I used a Centerflag Dynaflow HPA tank and an Odyssey Paintball H.A.L.O. B hopper because both have high flow/feed rates and are some of the best products on the market today for their respective uses. The marker shot at anywhere from 8-10 BPS on a consistent basis using a modified WGP Hinge trigger frame (sub-3mm pull). The vertical feed helped ease blowback problems and in nearly a case of paintballs, only one chop was encountered because of a jam in the hopper. Obviously, this isnt the markers fault, so the statistics may show that the WGP Autococker, in my test, did not chop a single time in nearly two thousand paintballs. Even after a rather embarrassing run-in with a bunker (a bad slide, so sue me), the pneumatics kept themselves in tip-top shape and never once resulted in a miscock or skip in shots. However, one could certainly benefit from purchasing a new set of front pneumatics. I recommend all Palmer Pursuit pneumatics, and also love the Belsales Hollowpoint three-way (www.belsales.co.uk). Overall, this marker really had it where it counted---It was refreshing to see how well the stock 2003 cocker performed with the new Hinge trigger addition. Seriously the older model autocockers plastic triggers pull was rougher than Russell Crowe after a few pints of Irish whiskey. I really was impressed with 2003 on the field.Accuracy Out on the field and in the shooting range, the stock marker did remarkably well. While bench mounted, I encountered very little spread. However, off the mount and in my hands and the hands of human error, it did get a bit squirrelly. This is obviously to be expected, as you cant keep a perfect angle with your bare hands. For the most part, the tests showed that the stock Autococker is relatively accurate out of the box using a medium bore paintball in seventy-five degree weather. Keep in mind that the shot spread refers to the distance from the center of the target to where the paintball hit, and "NE", "NW", etc., are referring to the direction in relation to the center of the target to where the paintball hit. "NE", for example, means "Northeast." The following tests were conducted using a 45ci 4500psi Centerflag Dynaflow HPA tank: 20
Feet
40
Feet
As you can probably deduce from these readings, the Autococker is a remarkably accurate paint gun out of the box. With a few of the right upgrades, you can increase that accuracy to your liking. Further information on the consistency aspect of accuracy can be found below. Consistency The results of the FPS (feet per second) readings after ten shots using a 45ci 4500psi Centerflag Dynaflow HPA tank are shown below.
For a stock marker and a relatively unsatisfactory inline regulator, those are incredibly good readings. Please note that it was approximately seventy-five degrees during the tests and that these readings were taken after allowing the freshly filled tank to rest for approximately twenty minutes. Well timed, upgraded autocockers have been shown to report amazing consistencies varying by only a couple fps with each shot. Upgrades Please understand that these are my personal opinions, and that I gathered this information through years of experience, NOT Internet hearsay and the like: Well, first of all: youll need to buy a barrel. A great low-cost option is any Lapco or Custom Products barrel. However, if you want the best from the start, try a barrel system like the Freak by Smart Parts, or the other various less-prominent kits by CP, J&J, Warped Sportz, etc. Nitrogen/High Pressure Air (Nitro/HPA). Buy it now; don't use Co2 unless you absolutely HAVE TO (and if you do, use an anti-siphon tube and check o-rings regularly). 9v or higher agitated hopper. Also a must, as this marker has so little kick that anything less just won't work, and you'll chop like a madman. If you want to go all out, I recommend you buy the Odyssey Halo B. Inline Regulator. You won't BELIEVE how much your consistency will go up by simply replacing the reg. I suggest the AKA Sidewinder, but the MacDev Gladiator, Smart Parts Max-Flo, and Palmer Stabilizer are all great choices. Pneumatics. New front-end pneumatics will make your marker shoot faster, smoother, and straighter---not to mention itll make it look a heck of a lot cooler too! Valves, Spring Kits, Hammers, and more. I really like the Shocktech Rat II valve, Madman spring kit, and Shocktech Phat hammer, but dont rush into buying these upgrades until you have everything else from the list. Beyond that, it is mostly personal preference and aesthetics. Try as many upgrades as possible out and decide what you want through your experiences, not through what others say. Conclusion Ive been using the autococker for years and I will for years to come: the WGP Autococker is a winner in my book in nearly every respect. If you keep it clean, keep it oiled, and dont tinker too much with it, your baby will serve you for years with only minor regular maintenance. Dont purchase this marker if you dont plan on upgrading and babying it. Keep in mind, that autocockers need to be timed occasionally. I recommend that new players have their autocockers timed by a professional at a local paintball shop. ______Pros » Extremely upgradeable. » One of the most consistent out-of-box markers around. » Flexible---one can use HPA or Co2, and, with the proper precautions, experience no detrimental effects to the life of the marker. » Remarkably accurate, even while bone-stock. » With the proper loader, one will experience little or no chopping. As stated before in my tests, I experienced NO marker-related chops in nearly an entire case (two-thousand) of paintballs. » Very well balanced, partly because it is not too light, but not too heavy either, and the inline regulator is very close to the trigger frame---even closer with a Hinge trigger. Some think this is a bit uncomfortable, but most, including myself, happen to love it. » Extremely nice aesthetics appeal, with the Hinge and milling straight from the factory adding to it greatly. » No. Kick. At. All. This is my FAVORITE aspect of the Autococker, because you can consistently place shots in the area you aim for without the marker jerking from your grip with each shot. » Regardless of what many people say, WGP has impeccable customer service. ______Cons » Timing The autococker needs to be cared for and the owner needs to have an understanding for how to time the autococker. » The stock barrel and regulator could really use some work. Both are pushing it to be even mediocre. » Most hoppers will not fit securely in the feed tube. Why WGP has not corrected this I shall never know. » This marker really needs quite a bit of upgrades to perform as well as the general public expects it to. However, that is also a good thing, as most people who can afford it really enjoy upgrading and personalizing a marker to their liking. I think that there is only one thing left to say at this point:WGP, you have outdone yourself once again. Reviewed by, Mike Whitmer |