Tippmann X7 Phenom
Released in 2009 the Tippmann X7 Phenom was quite a departure from Tippmann’s usual blow back designs. Gone was Tippmann’s signature double sided poppet valve assembly and in its place was what looked like a cross between an AutoMag and a modern spool valve.
Called the FlexValve this new design operated at only 300psi and was claimed by Tippmann to be much more air efficient and softer on paint. The main body of the Phenom is a light weight die cast clamshell just like Tippmann’s previous models. For routine maintenance the valve train could be removed from the rear of the clamshell simply by removing a few push pins. This was certainly a big improvement over previous designs where you had to split the clamshell.
Another innovative feature of the Phenom was the Cyclone feed system. This is a force feed hopper that uses air to rotate a paddle to feed paintballs into the breech. A hand wound version of the Cyclone first appeared on the Tippmann Factory FA in 1995. Whereas the current version was originally fitted to the Tippmann A5 in 2002 and subsequently the X7 and now the X7 Phenom.
The Phenom has both mechanical and electronic trigger modes so you can keep playing even with a flat battery. The electronic trigger features a wealth of firing options including Semi-automatic, Full-auto, Auto-Response, 3 Shot Burst and Turbo Modes where legal.
Like the Tippmann A5 and X7 the X7 Phenom is a Milsim marker and there are a host of factory and aftermarket accessories available for it. These range from barrels, barrel shrouds, vertical grips and folding stocks to complete body kits.
Now you can’t help noticing that the Phenom is fitted with a magazine well. But this is purely cosmetic and the Phenom is not a magazine feed marker. Whilst US models came with a fake magazine for the full military look, our imports had the magazine well blanked off to satisfy local firearm regulations. Fortunately that situation has now changed.
The Tippmann X7 Phenom shown is fitted with a couple of factory options including a stock, barrel and barrel shroud.