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SP-8
By Bill Mills - Photos by Dawn Mills - Apr 2006

Testing

Overview - How It Works - Disassembly - Testing - Raw Test Data

During testing, numerous players commented on the accuracy of the SP-8.  While some of this may be due to true accuracy (shot to shot consistency,) a portion may also simply be attributed to its size and shape.  While so many paintgun designs have trended towards smaller, lighter, more pistol like shapes, the larger frame of the SP-8, combined with minimal recoil, made it easy to hold stable while rapid firing.  This meant tight shot groupings in the field.

In addition to hand shooting SP-8 was put through its paces with objective testing, comparing accuracy with the stock barrel to accuracy with a bore matched Freak barrel, checking for velocity consistency at varying rates of fire, and measuring sound output levels.

All testing was performed with DraXxus Hellfire paint, and measured testing used microprocessor control, to provide even shot timing, allowing equal recharge times between shots.  The SP-8 was mounted on the WARPIG Ballistic Labs test stand, with its magazine removed, for a better fit with the stand.  After each change of test set-up (barrel changes, etc.) the velocity was adjusted to fire at approximately 285 feet per second. 

Firing 30 shots at 1 shot per second yielded an average velocity of 286.8 feet per second, with a high of 301.2 and a low of 271.4.  The standard deviation was 8.  Further analysis indicated a 95% +/- value of 3 (95% of the shots fired would be within 3 fps of the average.)

Cranking up the rate of fire to 12 shots per second, a string of 30 the average velocity shifted to 263.4 feet per second with a high of 293 and a low of 229.2.  The standard deviation was 19.8 with a 95% +/- of 8. 

A trend not apparent in the summary data showed significantly when charting the velocities of the two shot strings.  While the velocity was less stable initially at 12 balls per second than at one, it became more consistent as the shooting progressed, becoming comparable for the last third of the string.

The stock barrel was compared to a standard Freak barrel with All American tip and 0.687" paint matched insert, for accuracy, shooting 20 shot groupings from 75 feet, at a rate of one ball per second.

To get a quantifiable measure of how loud it is, the SP-8 was hand fired for 10 shots on the test stand, and sound level measurements were taken from a distance of 10 feet from the muzzle, at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the line of fire.  The peak sound level measured was consistent, averaging 54.8dB.

The SP-8 represents a new direction for its manufacturer, Smart Parts.  While the technology driving it matches their other products like the Ion, its look takes a different course, to appeal to the player who takes their game into the woods.  For the scenario paintball market, it represents a change as the electropneumatic technology driving paintguns focused on tournament play becomes available with a Milsim look and feel.
 

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