| 32 Degrees Basic Rebel Review |
| (By juxstapo) |
| When I say "Basic Rebel" I mean the plain, humdrum stacked-tube, open bolt blowback semi. The one they were making before they started putting electronic grip frames on 'em. My Rebel was a spur of the moment purchase, I needed a marker right then and I had some money in my pocket. There really isn't anything remarkable about this gun. If you've shot a Spyder, Illustrator, or any other Sheridan based semi, you pretty much know what to expect. On to the specifics: The grip frame is attached "M-16" style with a long hex headed bolt running down to the bottomline mount. Many of the aftermarket Spyder frames will work here, including the .45 grip frame upgrade for the Spyder One. The trigger frame itself it extremely similar to a Spyder, except the top, where it mates to the body of the marker, is flat, hearkening closer to PMI's designs. Field stripping is notoriously simple, just snatch out the quick strip pin and remove the cocking knob and the inner componets fall out in a disorganized little heap. The bolt is lightweight aluminum, the striker is steel, (I suspect), this, the most basic version, is top cocking. One aspect I'm not terribly pleased with is the velocity adjuster. Its a simple thumbscrew behind the bolt, and although simplicity is often a virtue this thumbscrew doesn't hold itself too well. Not only can disreputable players surruptishously jack up their gun mid game with little to no trouble, perfectly innocent players can earn hot gun penalties just from bumping the thumbscrew. A little teflon tape around the threads of this bit wouldn't hurt. |
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| The grip frame and trigger frame are held on with the same size hex headed screw, which you are given a wrench for with the gun. The psuedo-expansion chamber, however, is held in place with a smaller hex screw, a wrench for which is provided in the rebuild kit. The dealer I purchased my Rebel from supplied a rebuild kit with the gun and stated that this was common practice with these markers, I certainly hope so. I've never been fond of power feeds or top cocking guns, frankly, you can't sight down the barrel of this thing if your life depended on it. (Well, maybe if your life depended on it). There is an upgrade kit available that adds a sight rail and rear cocking venturi bolt for about $30 or so, but if your going to go that route you could just go ahead and get the next step up model in |
| the first place. The stock barrel leaves much to be desired,.... and thats basically all we have to say about that. The barrel is inaccurate as all hell, get another one. The trigger was quite light and snappy. I found it still had a bit of travel in either direction, and quickly devised a method to deal with that, see the Modifications Index. This isn't all displeasure and woe, one thing the Rebel certainly is, is comfortable. The gun is very very light, balances perfectly with a verticle bottle setup, and points quite well, despite the fact that there is practically no way to aim it. Final verdict: Its inexpensive, its reliable, its marginally fast, it just isn't accurate. I can't say it isn't a good gun, but I can say it doesn't suit my playing style and I should've thought the purchase through a little more thoroughly. (I do that a lot). |
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