Old Review: The Boston Paintball Supply TWSTR (Prototype #3) & Gale Force Pump Kit
Shown here with aftermarket trigger plate, trigger shoe, pump rod, grip plates, and cocking rod
For the past couple of years, I’ve been speaking with Ttwo, Anthony D’Ambrosio, of Boston Paintball Supply about some of the major projects that they’ve had going on, and where they had plans on going in near future. He originally reached out to me when I bought a Reflex’ed Twister Lite from him, and I ended up speaking with him for over an hour about autocockers, the disappearance of true custom label milling, and the crowd that would love to see this style of marker back on the market. His passion for the old markers, desire to see real, in-depth custom bodies (not just lazering or ‘limited-run color schemes’), and understanding of the target fanbase was obvious. He and the good people over at BPS were able to translate that energy and enthusiasm, along with recent groundswell of support for the Autococker, into a revival of their their top-of-the-line Twister Autocockers into a brand new limited run of markers, the TWSTR.
Boston Paintball offered the new line of markers in several different levels reflective of the strength ratings of tornados, from their basic raw body kit (F1), through the top end F5. As with the original line of Twisters, the new line of Autocockers is fully loaded for those the went for the F5, and those that got in early in the Landfall Edition pre-order also had extra goodies thrown in for good measure. For this review, I’ll be using my personal marker, the TWSTR Prototype #3, which would compare to the F4. It made it’s first public appearance at Paintball Extravaganza 2015, and is pre-production in it’s milling and ano. Please note this, as their were some differences.
Now, in tribute to the man who wrote the best marker reviews ever printed, I’m going to break this down Ravi Chopra-style. That means I’ll be going through this by Trigger, Pump Kit, Internals, Extras, and Cosmetics.
Boston Paintball offered the new line of markers in several different levels reflective of the strength ratings of tornados, from their basic raw body kit (F1), through the top end F5. As with the original line of Twisters, the new line of Autocockers is fully loaded for those the went for the F5, and those that got in early in the Landfall Edition pre-order also had extra goodies thrown in for good measure. For this review, I’ll be using my personal marker, the TWSTR Prototype #3, which would compare to the F4. It made it’s first public appearance at Paintball Extravaganza 2015, and is pre-production in it’s milling and ano. Please note this, as their were some differences.
Now, in tribute to the man who wrote the best marker reviews ever printed, I’m going to break this down Ravi Chopra-style. That means I’ll be going through this by Trigger, Pump Kit, Internals, Extras, and Cosmetics.
Shown here with aftermarket trigger plate, trigger shoe, pump rod, grip plates, and cocking rod.
Trigger
The trigger frame of the TWSTR is the Supercell. It’s built directly off of the ANS Quickfire Frame, with multiple modifications done to it. It is a true, old style 45 frame, and ANS Quickfire frames were one of the nicer frames produced during the autococker’s heyday. What I am saying is that it is a good starting point, with a proven track record behind it. The frame comes loaded with stock ANS plates (pre-98), sear, and springs. It has screws both for the front and back of the trigger plate to slide on, and the production frames also had a trigger stop milled in. It had very little side-to-side play, and felt like it was riding on rails in terms of smoothness. It was finished off with a standard black trigger shoe. Not much to say about the shoe other than it’s exactly as comfy as expected.
The trigger frame of the TWSTR is the Supercell. It’s built directly off of the ANS Quickfire Frame, with multiple modifications done to it. It is a true, old style 45 frame, and ANS Quickfire frames were one of the nicer frames produced during the autococker’s heyday. What I am saying is that it is a good starting point, with a proven track record behind it. The frame comes loaded with stock ANS plates (pre-98), sear, and springs. It has screws both for the front and back of the trigger plate to slide on, and the production frames also had a trigger stop milled in. It had very little side-to-side play, and felt like it was riding on rails in terms of smoothness. It was finished off with a standard black trigger shoe. Not much to say about the shoe other than it’s exactly as comfy as expected.
Shown here with aftermarket trigger plate, trigger shoe, pump rod, grip plates, and cocking rod.
Externally, both the front and rear of the frame are milled in what looks like a ‘meat hammer’ pattern, with a BPS logo neatly milled into the back of the frame. The meat hammer patterns look very good, but more importantly serve the proper function of keeping the marker in your freakin’ hand. The milling actually feels like it’s grabbing your hand back, which makes sense as you just added a lot of surface area and friction to your grip. They finished off the marker with a set of rounded rubber grip plates, which fit well in my hands (glove size: Large). If you’re wondering how well the milling/grip plates work, you’re in luck. I happened to be playing with the marker on a warm January in Maryland on a sopping wet field. Off a break, I made a run around a corner, and with all the grace of a drunken hippo, had a foot slide out from me while cornering. Yes, I completely laid out Superman-style with both arms straight out in front of me with a brand new $1000 plus marker in it’s second game. I hit hard, slide a few feet, and may have bounced a little while getting plunked from a couple directions. It wasn’t my proudest moment. Guess what never budged from my right hand? The TWSTR. If it doesn’t move in a surprise fall-on-you-face moment, the grip is probably pretty darn good. I would say mission accomplished here.
Shown here with aftermarket trigger plate, trigger shoe, pump rod, grip plates, and cocking rod.
The frame also has been milled to accept the very popular Eclipse POPS ASA, which Planet Eclipse utilizes in it’s very own high-end markers. Besides being great ASAs to use when taking off your tank, they also have the added benefit of being able to be completely match ano’ed. When you’re paying for a high end marker, it’s nice to have all of your parts match.
Shown here with aftermarket trigger plate, trigger shoe, pump rod, grip plates, and cocking rod.
In terms of performance, the trigger performed well in stock form. It was sprung with moderate weight, enough that the marker wasn’t about to fire unless you meant it but not heavily enough to pull you off target when shooting downfield. In other words, it seemed to be sprung for reliability. This made sense to me, as I’d never spoken with Boston Paintball about my personal preference on trigger springing, and this would be the most likely springing to keep most people happy. The plates were polished/plated, and slid friction-free. Overall, I was very happy with it.
Don't mind the old man
Pump Kit
The pump kit is BPS’s new creation, the Galeforce kit. The kit itself is 2k+ compatible, has a V-shaped body play, Stainless Steel Guide Rod, Stainless Steel pump rod, internal pump spring, Y-shaped pump back plate with built in “finger trigger” or ‘hitman mod,’ and delrin handle milled with both the meat hammer side milling and the radial milling to match that of the production bodies. I’ll start with the handle itself. The milling in the top of the handle does a great job of complementing the milling in the body of the TWSTR, and frankly would look great on a lot of different styles of ‘cocker bodies. If you’re looking for a good looking alternative to the CCM rounded style, in my opinion it’s a very, very nice option to either the Sanchez-block style, the GAT, or the WGP Vendetta kits, which are all around the same price. Beyond the look of the milling, again, the function of the milling shined for me. Let’s go back to my drunken hippo moment again. When I landed, the marker definitely got some thick mud on it, which I just wiped off down the the surface level. One would reasonably expect the pump to get somewhat slippery due to the mud, especially with my now wet and muddy full gloves. That didn’t happen, and a decent amount of that was due to the side meat hammer milling. Again, the form and function of that milling really did shine. The pump handle was also a good size for my hands, being slightly longer than the width of my hand.
The pump kit is BPS’s new creation, the Galeforce kit. The kit itself is 2k+ compatible, has a V-shaped body play, Stainless Steel Guide Rod, Stainless Steel pump rod, internal pump spring, Y-shaped pump back plate with built in “finger trigger” or ‘hitman mod,’ and delrin handle milled with both the meat hammer side milling and the radial milling to match that of the production bodies. I’ll start with the handle itself. The milling in the top of the handle does a great job of complementing the milling in the body of the TWSTR, and frankly would look great on a lot of different styles of ‘cocker bodies. If you’re looking for a good looking alternative to the CCM rounded style, in my opinion it’s a very, very nice option to either the Sanchez-block style, the GAT, or the WGP Vendetta kits, which are all around the same price. Beyond the look of the milling, again, the function of the milling shined for me. Let’s go back to my drunken hippo moment again. When I landed, the marker definitely got some thick mud on it, which I just wiped off down the the surface level. One would reasonably expect the pump to get somewhat slippery due to the mud, especially with my now wet and muddy full gloves. That didn’t happen, and a decent amount of that was due to the side meat hammer milling. Again, the form and function of that milling really did shine. The pump handle was also a good size for my hands, being slightly longer than the width of my hand.
Don’t mind the dust, just a sign of use and sun
The ‘finger trigger’/hitman mod worked very well for me. I’m not usually a pumper, and found it easier to use that feature when using my off hand, while using the pump handle in my right. The drop-down in the finger trigger is also meat hammered milled, which again, was useful for grip and matched the frame and pump handle well. The body plate is shaped like a V, with the upper-left side of the V being drilled out for the pump arm to go through to prevent torque and wobble, with the added benefit of looking good. Both the backplate of the pump handle and the body plate were also milled to mirror, and BPS left extra meat on them both. This was done because BPS knows their audience loves to tinker, with the idea being that you can mill them both if you decide that adding a second rod is in your future. It’s a nice touch to simplify things for those that leave well enough alone. You know who you are.
Driver's side
In terms of performance, I found the pump kit itself to be very nice. The grip on the handle was great, and the ‘finger trigger’ mod was good for both using finger and to catch the back end of my hand while pumping. There was very little wobble or extra play in the pump handle, comparable to the CCM kit that I had on an older Twister. This could be attributed to both the fit of the kit itself, and to the rod guide. I wasn’t thinking about or feeling torque while I was playing. In terms of smoothness, the kit itself performed well. I didn’t feel any friction in the kit, and it had the had the riding-on-rails feel that I go for in my pumps. The pump return spring was very light, and responded well, not needing a hand to get the pump back into the start position.
My pump stroke out-of-the-box was a little on the heavy side, requiring a man-sized pump to recock the marker. Again, I think that BPS was going for a heavier, conservative pump stroke when springing it (the main spring, NOT the pump return spring, which was very, very light), and that came into play while I was playing. Now, keep in mind I normally play with very lightly sprung snipers/pump ‘cockers using SLPS kits, and the other person I loaned the marker to during this review shoots a pump mag, which recocks anytime you look at it funny. That springing difference did lead to some user error and double feeds while using some absolutely terrible old paint on a rainy day. I really chalk that up more to personal preferences than to anything mechanical.
My pump stroke out-of-the-box was a little on the heavy side, requiring a man-sized pump to recock the marker. Again, I think that BPS was going for a heavier, conservative pump stroke when springing it (the main spring, NOT the pump return spring, which was very, very light), and that came into play while I was playing. Now, keep in mind I normally play with very lightly sprung snipers/pump ‘cockers using SLPS kits, and the other person I loaned the marker to during this review shoots a pump mag, which recocks anytime you look at it funny. That springing difference did lead to some user error and double feeds while using some absolutely terrible old paint on a rainy day. I really chalk that up more to personal preferences than to anything mechanical.
No need to blend in
Internals
The internals on this marker are top-of-the-line, as were all the F4’s and F5’s. BPS partnered with AKA/Destructive Customs, and the TWSTRs are all better for it. This marker packs full AKA Tornado valve (really makes sense in a TWSTR), hammer, and lightning bolt, along with a non-threaded IVG. AKA internals have been the gold standard for the past two decades, and nothing here has changed. The marker was consistent while firing, and was efficient. It was sprung heavier than I am used to, but in terms of the internals themselves, there’s not a thing here to complain about or that would warrant changing unless you have a big personal preference on something. The parts work exactly as well as you’d hope, and better than most things that you could put their place.
Extras
This marker came with several extras. The smaller things that you’ll notice are the hybrid style bolt pin and the matching Check-It ball detents. Both of these are smaller, functional things that are nice touches and good choices for the marker. The bolt pin is small and easy to grip, and the Check-It ball detents can be ano’ed to match the marker or the complementary color. The cocking rod is a nice, knurled grip, which fits in well with the theme of milled-for-grip features in the marker. The feedneck is an Eclipse clamping feedneck, and it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Going up the ladder, the regulator that comes with the marker is the AKA Sidewinder with the new TWSTR logo lazered into it. Beyond being a great touch visually and stylistically, the regulator itself is one of the best on the market. Again, you can change it out, but very few parts that you might swap it with would actually be any kind of upgrade. It’s a great reg on any marker, and the personalized touch with the logo really shows the thought put into all of the marker themes, and attention to detail.
The internals on this marker are top-of-the-line, as were all the F4’s and F5’s. BPS partnered with AKA/Destructive Customs, and the TWSTRs are all better for it. This marker packs full AKA Tornado valve (really makes sense in a TWSTR), hammer, and lightning bolt, along with a non-threaded IVG. AKA internals have been the gold standard for the past two decades, and nothing here has changed. The marker was consistent while firing, and was efficient. It was sprung heavier than I am used to, but in terms of the internals themselves, there’s not a thing here to complain about or that would warrant changing unless you have a big personal preference on something. The parts work exactly as well as you’d hope, and better than most things that you could put their place.
Extras
This marker came with several extras. The smaller things that you’ll notice are the hybrid style bolt pin and the matching Check-It ball detents. Both of these are smaller, functional things that are nice touches and good choices for the marker. The bolt pin is small and easy to grip, and the Check-It ball detents can be ano’ed to match the marker or the complementary color. The cocking rod is a nice, knurled grip, which fits in well with the theme of milled-for-grip features in the marker. The feedneck is an Eclipse clamping feedneck, and it does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Going up the ladder, the regulator that comes with the marker is the AKA Sidewinder with the new TWSTR logo lazered into it. Beyond being a great touch visually and stylistically, the regulator itself is one of the best on the market. Again, you can change it out, but very few parts that you might swap it with would actually be any kind of upgrade. It’s a great reg on any marker, and the personalized touch with the logo really shows the thought put into all of the marker themes, and attention to detail.
Strong attention to detail
They also included a nice Empire barrel for the marker, which I did not use because I had already picked up a FREAK compatible barrel in matching ano. I used that barrel in its place, as I’m a big stickler on bore sizing, especially on a pump. Beyond the barrel, Anthony and BPS tossed in a blueprint, which is signed, numbered, and sealed in each TWSTR, as well as a BPS Boston Red Sox style bag, and a nice foam padded box with security taping. Also inside the box was a set of dog tags, and a small plastic moo cow. If you’ve seen the movie Twister, you know why. Again, this all highlights the thought put into the marker, it’s presentation, and the attention to detail that was put into the package you get.
Cosmetics
If you’d made it this far, thanks for bearing with me. That said, you also most likely already have your own opinion here. People generally either really love or really don’t love TWSTR milling. It is, in my opinion, the most extreme milling done to any marker by any private label, period. It lightens the marker considerably, looks great, and is well executed. It’s one of, if not the most, recognizable milling styles, and is iconic in the cocker community, along with the Westwoods by BBT, Evolutions from Belsales, and DC2s from Planet Eclipse. You can’t mistake it for anything else.
This particular marker was preproduction, and has some areas that are significantly different from the production models. This was due to BPS listening to it’s customers and taking suggestions to heart, based on customer feedback, then implementing those changes into the production model. This prototype has a different VASA, back block, wings under the barrel milled off, and body milling that takes the 45 milling, clamshell milling, and LV1 milling, and throws them in a blender. I actually like it quite a bit, but know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s okay. Again, the milling comes down to personal taste, and I happen to love this style.
Conclusions
If you couldn’t tell at the beginning, I love the marker. I’m am very partial. BPS and BBT are the two shops that I collect cockers from, and consider them the pinnacle of autococker shops. Is one like it for you? I don’t know. In terms of cost, it’s not cheap. That said, the Landfall Twisters and even the body kits that are still available are actually some of the better values that you’ll see on the market. The milling cost for these isn’t cheap, and the Landfall F5 coming with full front block kits, custom ano, Galeforce kits, and barrel kits were an unreal deal, as were the F4s. The twister milling style is one of my favorites, along with the Westwood. They look great, are instantly recognizable, and are technically interesting. Again, among autococker collectors, they are icons. The Supercell frame and Galeforce pump kit that BPS came up with are great updates to the Twister marker, showing thought for both style and function.
Some people aren’t going to like this marker or the TWSTR. I have a teammate who only plays with electros, will freely admit he’s useless with a pump, and doesn’t own anything more than a couple of years old. Some people love Priuses and can’t wait for Apple to start selling cars, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The TWSTR was not made for that type of guy. This marker is for the guy who grew up loving autocockers but was in high school and couldn’t afford a high end then, who loves the feeling of shooting a slider, or the guy who got into them by digging into paintball’s history and was mesmerized by the back block flying back and forth. This is for the classic car guy. This marker is made by autocockers guy for autococker guys.
Cosmetics
If you’d made it this far, thanks for bearing with me. That said, you also most likely already have your own opinion here. People generally either really love or really don’t love TWSTR milling. It is, in my opinion, the most extreme milling done to any marker by any private label, period. It lightens the marker considerably, looks great, and is well executed. It’s one of, if not the most, recognizable milling styles, and is iconic in the cocker community, along with the Westwoods by BBT, Evolutions from Belsales, and DC2s from Planet Eclipse. You can’t mistake it for anything else.
This particular marker was preproduction, and has some areas that are significantly different from the production models. This was due to BPS listening to it’s customers and taking suggestions to heart, based on customer feedback, then implementing those changes into the production model. This prototype has a different VASA, back block, wings under the barrel milled off, and body milling that takes the 45 milling, clamshell milling, and LV1 milling, and throws them in a blender. I actually like it quite a bit, but know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s okay. Again, the milling comes down to personal taste, and I happen to love this style.
Conclusions
If you couldn’t tell at the beginning, I love the marker. I’m am very partial. BPS and BBT are the two shops that I collect cockers from, and consider them the pinnacle of autococker shops. Is one like it for you? I don’t know. In terms of cost, it’s not cheap. That said, the Landfall Twisters and even the body kits that are still available are actually some of the better values that you’ll see on the market. The milling cost for these isn’t cheap, and the Landfall F5 coming with full front block kits, custom ano, Galeforce kits, and barrel kits were an unreal deal, as were the F4s. The twister milling style is one of my favorites, along with the Westwood. They look great, are instantly recognizable, and are technically interesting. Again, among autococker collectors, they are icons. The Supercell frame and Galeforce pump kit that BPS came up with are great updates to the Twister marker, showing thought for both style and function.
Some people aren’t going to like this marker or the TWSTR. I have a teammate who only plays with electros, will freely admit he’s useless with a pump, and doesn’t own anything more than a couple of years old. Some people love Priuses and can’t wait for Apple to start selling cars, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The TWSTR was not made for that type of guy. This marker is for the guy who grew up loving autocockers but was in high school and couldn’t afford a high end then, who loves the feeling of shooting a slider, or the guy who got into them by digging into paintball’s history and was mesmerized by the back block flying back and forth. This is for the classic car guy. This marker is made by autocockers guy for autococker guys.
