I have left a few disappointed reviews on FPS tappet plates on their V2's, and now this V3 tappet.
In every single instance, across multiple brands of gearbox shells and attempts to use where any other tappet plate works, FPS has failed to feed entirely, even with their own brand sector chips. But, there is potential that this tappet plate could have worked if I did something differently, hence, at least 2* instead of one.
I built an E&L AKM yesterday. Fed fine, and I tested the spring between multiple replicas before I tested further. A consistent 1.6j across all platforms. I could trust the FPS output from the spring is good and fair. But, I had a reason to open the gearbox up again due to a fps loss on auto - likely a weakened tappet spring I though.
No worries, I'll put in a new tappet spring. But, while I was at it, I figured I would try the V3 tappet... I had it, and had troubles with my FPS V2's but maybe the 3 would be different?
No. This tappet did not feed at all. 100% feed to 0% feed on both fire modes, even with a reduced voltage.
I thought maybe the stiffer spring, the softest FLT spring in the kit, is causing the tappet flex. I switch my old tappet plate back in; a decade old King Arms red tappet and the AKM worked fine again, even on auto so at least my spring was worth changing.
This tappet alone is the reason my AKM did not feed in THIS configuration.
So why do they get some benefit of the doubt, where the V2's do not? Because my hop up is a Begadi NEBO specific to E&L, and Begadi recommends a 20-20.7mm nozzle.
In my experience, AK nozzles are 21mm, and my AKM is no exception; it has a 21mm exactly SHS nozzle. I didn't bother reading the fine print when I purchased my Begadi because my own arrogance tells me I know better... to be fair, my AKM has always worked in this configuration so I never looked into it until the other day when I wanted to buy a new one.
That 300-1000 micron difference will ABSOLUTELY keep the AK from feeding... So, I could at least take some responsibility for the reason this tappet plate didn't feed.
But I will still remain mostly critical. Because while my gearbox was apart I wanted to verify the timing manually by turning the gears with no spring tension. The dwell time on the tappet plate is pretty good in my opinion. My SHS 18:1's with the high speed delayer opened pulled the nozzle back pretty early and released it well before the piston was released; love it.
But what this tappet plate did not do, even with their own brand high RPS sector chip is it actually failed to pull the nozzle all the way back to the cylinder head. I probably had an entire millimeter to spare, maybe more. I was pretty sure this tappet plate would not feed when I reassembled and I was correct...
So, if my nozzle was much shorter, probably 20.7mm rather than 21mm, I suspect this tappet plate would have actually worked. From what I am seeing in the airsoft industry, I feel like nozzles are also getting shorter? All of my AR platform nozzles are 21.4mm long, and all of my AK's nozzles are 21mm long, which is how they have been since the early 2010's. I've been watching build videos to try and catch up on new tech from YT channels like Wyshtech ( give him a watch, I think his content is great ) and I have been seeing varying nozzle lengths because standards are for nerds.. But they are consistently shorter than I'd expect. Ergo, 21.2mm or shorter for AR platforms which is surprising to me.
That being said, with cylinder heads like the EPeS coming out specifically to enhance tappet travel distances so nozzles can more or less seat against the chamber itself by using much longer nozzles ( like 22mm for AR platforms ), you would think using a elongated nozzle is preferred anyway.
So, with that rambling out of the way, perhaps I can take some blame for why this tappet does not feed. Maybe my choice of nozzle is inappropriate for this build, and my nozzle is too long. But, even if your nozzle was sized correctly for your gearbox and hop up, the retraction problem is still there. Switching your tappet plate out for this one still may cause feeding issues...
I want to be fair to FPS, and I want them to succeed. More premium manufacturers is more better.
But I am also super tired of wasting my money on trash components with zero compatibility with any of my replicas. I think I've spent $36 on these tappets overall already and that money is just wasted now, which is very frustrating.
As I have mentioned before, the retraction distance was inadequate by quite the margin. If you had a sector chip that increases retraction ( which typically wears out plates from over retracting ) it may also work... But, my King Arms tappet plate did not have a problem with pulling the tappet plate back the correct amount to begin with ( no flex from being stressed ). This is not my fault, it is FPS's.
As always, your mileage may vary. Buy at your ...
