Hop up upgrade question

[bbct91]

Looking over different upgrades, I can see how the Hop-up nub and bucking directly contribute to BB performance. However, how much does the Hop-up unit itself contribute? If, the hop-up unit is hard to dial in or moves during game play that would be worth fixing. Now, I assume, you can replace the nub in the stock hop-up without needing to replace the whole unit, is that wrong?

So, why do people replace the whole unit, what are the less obvious reasons?

[Jester316]

Consistency- a metal hop up won't flex during the firing sequence. It will also keep the hop up unit where you want it. It will also help with the compression in the system.

[league 4]

I highly, highly doubt the chamber would flex if it wasn't made out of metal. Unless it's proven, I wouldn't give that theory any credit... My VFC hopup chamber worked perfectly. The only thing I look for in a chamber is if the dials are held in place well. O rings on the end towards the gearbox and magwell are nice but I'm not too sure they really do anything as all of the air should be coming out of the end of the nozzle so it shouldn't really matter. My G&P chambers don't have any O rings but my Lonex does, and I get the same results since they both hold their setting perfectly (I had to file down the peg on the G&P a little bit).

[Mr. Technicality]

Replacing a stock nub with an SCS nub can offer a particularly large boost in performance.

[Vamp]

No you do not need to change the entire hop up unit. If you are looking to upgrade the unit just buy a new nub (X, H, or W) and a new hop up bucking. I personally only do this when I am already putting in a 6.01 tightbore. my suggestion no matter the gun would be a 6.01 tightbore barrel by Masamune coupled with a Fishbone bucking and X nub combo (sorry cant remember the brand but they are sold together on ASGI) hope this helps

[bbct91]

As far as I can tell any nub and bucking will fit any hop-up and barel. Is that correct?

[RiotingCows]

As far as I can tell any nub and bucking will fit any hop-up and barel. Is that correct?

As long as there AEG barrel and hop up. Bolt ones differ. Some buckings are to long for the hop up chamber and I find i'm cutting off quarter of an inch to get it to fit properly. As far as the nub goes, it should fit in any hop up

[league 4]

As far as I can tell any nub and bucking will fit any hop-up and barel. Is that correct?

For the most part, yes.

[Vamp]

As far as I can tell any nub and bucking will fit any hop-up and barel. Is that correct?

As long as there AEG barrel and hop up. Bolt ones differ. Some buckings are to long for the hop up chamber and I find i'm cutting off quarter of an inch to get it to fit properly. As far as the nub goes, it should fit in any hop up

I find with my set up I do also have to chop a 1/4 inch or so off.

[Nec]

However, how much does the Hop-up unit itself contribute?

The Hop-up unit plays a big role in the air seal from the nozzle thru the bucking out the barrel and if it is not a snug fit, there goes all you FPS.
Depending on the type of Hop up unit, it may affect accuracy too; take for instance this picture Jawz of 1st-sword took of a Hop up unit out of a SRC Gen 3 G36.





Notice the gap next to the hop up lever in the first picture? Looking at the second picture you can clearly see that this will cause tilting of the nub and therefore, shooting inaccuracies.



Some believe switching from plastic to metal is better. I did a comparison report between the G36 and AK 5ku metal Hop up units and stock plastic hop up units about a year ago. With my comparison I saw an average increase of ~5 FPS from switching from a plastic hop up unit to a metal hop up unit. If you think about it, 5 FPS is nil as fluctuations in air density and atmospheric pressure may have a greater effect than that.


I believe what makes one hop up unit better than another other is the inner diameter of the hop up unit compared to the outer diameter of the barrel with the hop up bucking, you want it to be a pretty tight fit.

If, the hop-up unit is hard to dial in or moves during game play that would be worth fixing.

Loosening the screw on the dial slightly may make turning the wheel easier.

Now, I assume, you can replace the nub in the stock hop-up without needing to replace the whole unit, is that wrong?

Yes! Of course, although depending on what type of gun you have you may have to dissemble the hop up unit or some (such as M4s and AKs) you simply take the C clip out and slide the barrel out, but be sure to have the hop up upside down (feed tube facing up) so the nub doesn’t roll out.

So, why do people replace the whole unit, what are the less obvious reasons?

So what’s the point of getting an aftermarket or “upgraded” Hop up unit? In my opinion buying a $60 “ultra upgraded hop up unit” is pointless if unit itself is a loose fit on the barrel with bucking because if it’s not, there goes your FPS. Again you don’t want it tight enough where you can’t put the barrel in with the bucking; it should be a snug fit.

So when should you replace your hop up unit? After you have worked out any compression leaks in your cylinder, piston and air nozzle then you should look into upgrading your hop up. I would start with the main stream AEG brands such as JG, CA, G&G, G&P; usually you can get them second hand for under $20. Keep in mind name brand high end hop up units aren’t always the best, you are looking for one that works the best in your gun and give the best FPS readings. In some instances I’ve seen JG hop up units work better in CA guns, so try even the cheap brands. If you have a chronograph like me , it’s easy to find the best one.

[Vamp]

Awsome post nec