Critical Ion / Kingman VS Series Feedneck
This feedneck is currently only available in Ion/Impulse threads. It has the very popular clamp style lock and lever, which makes it very easy to remove and replace hoppers. It is also knurled on the inside of the feedneck for a better grip on the hopper.
- Positive Lock Cam Lever (you can feel when it is locked and it does not open by itself)
- Very Lightweight - 30% lighter than the competition
- Internally Knurled for a better grip on your hopper
- Fits Smart Parts Ion, Epiphany, and Kingman VS Series
Critical Ion Feed Neck review by 68caliber.com
The Critical Paintball ION/Impulse Feedneck
By Dale Ford
Mar 18, 2007, 12:05
Critical Paintball has stepped up their line of products for 2007; adding a feedneck in addition to their already successful line of triggers, drive cones, and rails. Like most of their products, the Critical Feedneck is imbued with Critical Paintball's style and commitment to quality.
The part was installed on a highly upgraded (though stock looking) Smart Parts ION. Installation involved using a strap wrench to un-screw the feedneck that was in the marker, cleaning the threads, and installing the new feedneck. To ensure that the part didn't come unscrewed from the ION's body, we used a small amount of "blue" Loc-tite (242) to seal the threads in place.
Critical Paintball claims their feedneck to be 30% lighter than anyone else's feedneck, and given the aggressive milling on the part to remove excess material, we believe it. The inside of the feedneck is knurled to allow the part to grip more firmly to the loader when it's installed. The Critical Paintball Feedneck uses a 'cam-lock' lever to open and close the feedneck. It's adjustable to accommodate various loaders via a nut on the backside of the cam-lock lever to tighten or loosen the feedneck as needed to allow the hopper to fit properly. Close the cam-lock lever on the feedneck, and your loader is locked in place.
On the field, the feedneck performed perfectly, holding a variety of loaders in place with ease. The loader was tested with a DraxXus Pulse, Empire Reloader B, and VL Vlocity loaders, all of which mated up well with the feedneck. In no case did the loader come out of the feedneck once installed, even during rigorous sessions with the front players on the team.
Priced with an MSRP of $39.95, the Critical Ion/Impulse Feedneck is priced competitively with other brands out there. It's only currently available for the Impulse/ION, and only in gloss black, but we're told that new colors and model availability are coming soon from Critical Paintball.
Critical Ion Feedneck Review by Warpig.com
Critical Locking Feedneck For Ion and Impulse
By Bill Mills
January 2008
Clamping feednecks are usually in the top three common “first upgrades” players put on a marker, forming the upgrade triad with an aftermarket barrel and compressed air system. Because of this, many manufacturers have jumped on the locking feedneck bandwagon with everything from quick-release collets to twist-locks and lever systems.
Critical's feedneck for the Ion and Impulse is a lever locking design that has almost every unnecessary bit of aluminum milled away.
Weighing in at just 0.7 ounces, this low-profile feedneck is 0.4 inches shorter than stock. In testing for review, the stock Ion feedneck was removed. While full disassembly of the Ion in order to heat the body breech and break the grip of the factory applied Red Loctite 271 may sometimes be necessary, a good grip with a strap wrench can do the job with the marker still assembled. The Critical feedneck screwed right in, also secured by Loctite 271.
The clamping band around the side top of the feedneck is symmetrical left to right, and has a cut-out into which the locking lever fits. Opposite the latching lever is an adjustment screw that can be used to set just how tight the feedneck grips when it is latched. The interior faces of the neck are knurled to get a solid grip into a hopper neck, and in testing all major brands of hoppers were able to fit without requiring sanding.
