[shankmcgank]

Well I've seen dissenting opinions, but no proof. I've heard the Etek 3 AM factory bore size is .693 and other people have told me it's .689. Does anyone have a link that proves the size ?

It's important to me because the Shaft 4 kit I looked at tonight has .693 and .685 backs. It would be a waste of money to buy it if the one back is the same size as my existing barrel.

Does anyone here know the stock bore size on the Etek 3 AM ?

Can you please provide a link with proof ? I've had to made this thread because I've heard different things. If you don't have proof, then I can't really believe what you say because I don't know you and I've already heard different answers.

Thanks.

[JSkew113]

the shaft 4 kit will not work with the stock etek front. you need the shaft 3 backs. shaft 4 backs are dual male threaded, with female threaded fronts. shaft 3 backs are male at the marker and female at the front threading with a male threaded front. the shaft 4 kit has those sizes, as the .689 is already in your bag.

stock barrel size on pre geo2/ego 11 PE markers is .693. proof? the shaft kits are .689 and .684 bored, unless we're taking SL kits; there is no .693 back in the kit because you already have one. also, the stock etek back has the bore size stamped into it.

[shankmcgank]

Well I just took my Etek 3 AM out of it's case. The only stamp on the barrel back says "0903". On my tip, near the threads it says the same thing "0903". Those are the only stamps I see.

Am I missing something ? Or am I stupid...

Would a .689 stamp look like "0809" ?

The Shaft 4 kit I saw tonight had stamps on it. They had the proper size in the proper format...for example ".685" and ".693".

[Uziel Gal]

As JSkew has stated, the Shaft4 barrel backs are not compatible with your Etek3 barrel anyway. The milling is different - simpler milling on the Etek3 version - but the Etek3 barrel is basically the same as a Shaft3 barrel.

As JSkew stated, the Shaft4 barrel backs are male threaded at both ends, while your barrel is male threaded at the breech end and female threaded at the muzzle end. This means that your barrel front is male threaded. With the Shaft4 back being male threaded also, your Etek barrel front simply cannot screw on to the Shaft4 barrel back.

Long story short, you cannot use Shaft4 barrel backs with the Etek Shaft3 front. They simply aren't compatible.

[huckduck]

Quoted from the manual of the current etek 3
===
ecliPse sHaft 3 barrel bacKs
Enhance your Etek3 barrel by upgrading
to different size barrel backs for different
size paint. Available in .685 .689 bore sizes.
Colour and size subject to availability.
===
so that would go to assume that the stock barrel is NOT .689

BUT also from the manual
===
tHe bore size of Your barrel maY VarY accordinG to tHe
model of eteK3 You HaVe
===(sorry about formatting, i just copy pasted from the manual)

from ANSGear and paintballgear.ca - 2-Piece Barrel – 14” 2-piece honed barrel with the distinct Eclipse Reverse Threading using the same interface as the Shaft2, Shaft3 and SL barrels, making the Etek3 barrel upgradeable with the Shaft3 Upgrade pack. 0.693” rear bore is standard.

[tonycon]

stock barrel back is .693

[shankmcgank]

Awesome, thanks for the information. Uzi, you post in just everyone of my threads, and you're always right.

I realize I can't use Shaft 4. However, the stamps on the Shaft 4 kit made sense, whereas the ones on my Etek barrel do not.

Can anyone tell me what the stamps on my barrels mean ?

[Uziel Gal]

Probably a question for Nicky T. If I had to guess, I would say a batch number or code to identify production runs.

Anyway, as everyone has already said, the stock bore for the Etek3 is 0.693, and I don't know why anyone would say it is 0.689. Unfortunately, I have no way of actually proving that for you.

[shankmcgank]

Emailed Nicky T today to find out about my stamps. When he replies, I'll post it here.

Thanks again for the help.

[Uziel Gal]

He can no doubt also provide an official answer to the bore size question.

[shankmcgank]

Well Nicky T got back to me about my barrel stamps:

"Thank you very much for your recent email and enquiry.
There are no bore size markings on any standard Etek3 barrels as they are all sized at 0.689.
The markings that you can see refer to the batch that particular barrel was produced in."

Thanks for your quick reply Nicky T. Now it has been absolutely confirmed from a PE person, what the default bore size is.

Looks like whoever told me it was .689 is right. Now you guys know why I was so confused lol. Looks like whoever was telling people that the default size was .693 was misinformed.
If anyone doesn't believe me for whatever reason, I will happily forward you the email to read for yourself.
Now you guys know why I really wanted a link with proof rather than just speculation.
Thanks for your help everyone.

[Uziel Gal]

Could have sworn they were 0.693 - you live and you learn.

[JSkew113]

Originally Posted by Uziel Gal

Could have sworn they were 0.693 - you live and you learn.

+1. considering they made mention of the bore size change in the geo2 and ego 11 and this is the first i've see of it with the etek 3. that and consiering my effeciency went up a pod or 2 from switching from stock to .688 bore with similar paint, temps, etc.

[shankmcgank]

I'm not sure what to say really. I'm just entering the market to buy a nice barrel kit, currently looking at the Stiffi Switch Kit. Expensive for sure, but I've read a lot of good reviews on it.

If anyone wants to see the email from Nicky T, let me know and I'll forward it to your email.

[tonycon]

i am not trying to create a pissing match here, but this is the text copied from the planet eclipse website...tech specs for the etek 3, page 6

"2-Piece Barrel 14” 2-piece honed barrel with the distinct Eclipse
Reverse Threading using the same interface as the Shaft2, Shaft3 and SL
barrels, making the ETEK3 barrel upgradeable with the Shaft3 Upgrade
pack. 0.693” rear bore is standard"

and this from page 11 "am specifications"

ASA MOUNT T-Slot mounted adjustable rail with OOPS
TRIGGER PIVOT POM Self lubricating bearing surface
BARREL 2-Piece micro honed Etek3 14” 0.693” bore
FEED TUBE Lever operated Clamping Feed
TRIGGER METHODS Micro-switch
TRIGGER MECHANISM Magnetic return

http://files.planeteclipseb2b.com/et...K3-SPEC-EN.pdf

on a personal note, i don't really care, i have a shaft3 kit...but (in a ricky ricardo accent) sombody got sum splainin to do! lol.

[Uziel Gal]

And this is why you are getting such mixed responses - even Planet are supplying different info!

It's possible that the original specification called for a 0.693 barrel - hence the info above - but then 0.689 was put in to production due to requests and the acceptance that paint is getting ever smaller, but that's just my best guess.

[shankmcgank]

I will email Nicky T tonight when I get home from work to ask him about this new information. Thanks for posting what you found tonycon, that's very helpful.

[tonycon]

No prob, I just knew that my stock barrel back was a .693, I bought mine new last October.

[Apostlepyris]

think it's time to bust out the micrometre here, I'll take my barrel into work tomorrow and mic it and see what the verdict is, I'll let you guys know what I find...

[shankmcgank]

Originally Posted by tonycon

No prob, I just knew that my stock barrel back was a .693, I bought mine new last October.

I got mine last May, so it will be older than yours. Hopefully the same size. What does the batch stamp on your barrels say ?

Originally Posted by Apostlepyris

think it's time to bust out the micrometre here, I'll take my barrel into work tomorrow and mic it and see what the verdict is, I'll let you guys know what I find...

When was yours purchased and what does the batch stamp say on yours ?

[tonycon]

Originally Posted by shankmcgank

I got mine last May, so it will be older than yours. Hopefully the same size. What does the batch stamp on your barrels say ?

0903