tblack
03-14-2009, 04:33 PM
As most of you already know I am a huge fan of the Freak barrels. Lately there has been a lot of variations released for the Freak. I have owned or own almost all of them. I recently decided to compare all the variations in my possession using the same paint, insert, weather conditions and distances. Here was my result of 5 variations.
Keep in mind that all ratings are in relevance to each other as almost all Freak barrels shoot awesome. I will assess them on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being the worse and in 4 categories. Accuracy, weight, how quiet it is, and ability to self clean.
__________
Stock Freak kit-
Accuracy 3/5, weight 3/5, quiet 3/5, and self cleaning 3/5.
This is a good base line from which to evaluate all other Freak variations.
__________
Freak back w/ All American tip-
Accuracy 3/5, weight 3/5, quiet 4/5, and self cleaning 4/5.
A good barrel but a marginal upgrade from stock.
__________
Freak back w/ Apex tip (Apex off)-
Accuracy 3/5, weight 2/5, quiet, 2/5 and self cleaning 2/5.
This is the worse performing barrel of the bunch. However it is still hand over fist better than a one piece barrel. And it has a nasty bonus. That is the Apex's legendary distance and ability to adjust its curve. But If you get a barrel break the Apex doesn't do a great job of self cleaning.
__________
Freak back w/ Stiffi CF (carbon fiber) front-
Accuracy 5/5, weight 4/5, quiet 4/5 and self cleaning 5/5.
This is an awesome Freak barrel variation. The only problem I have with this is that it can not be cleaned with a battle swab. The fibers in the swab will snag on the Carbon fiber in the Stiffi tip. And at $60 dollars for the tip alone it might not be the best option.
__________
Deadly Winds CF 14" w/ freak insert-
Accuracy 5/5, weight 5/5, quiet 5/5, and self cleaning 5/5.
This is by far the best performing of all the freak variations. But at $90 for the barrel alone you get what you pay for. It delivers.
__________
White Wolf Airsmithing WWA 1.5 front-
Accuracy 1/5, weight 4/5, quiet 1/5, and self cleaning 4/5
This is by far the worst performing of the freak tips. Its length makes it very loud and not as accurate as its counterparts. But it is by far the shortest of the freak variations and is a good choice for CQB play.
__________
Freak back w/ Hammerhead Sharks Tooth barrel and adapter-
Accuracy 5/5, weight 1/5, quiet 2/5, and self cleaning *4/5.
It's weight is its achilles heel. Its equal to weight with most one pc. barrels. It is loud for a freak barrel as it has no porting. *Its average as far as self cleaning. But its upside is awesome. *It shoots through breaks very well as it puts a flat spin on the ball allowing it to be unaffected despite some paint in the inside rifling. The same spin helps it hold course in harder winds. Undecided weather the spin adds any distance to your shot however. But it is as accurate as any I have shot. On par with the Deadly Winds CF barrel or maybe a little better given its ability to slice through wind. And has a hard edgy milsim look.
__________
Note, I had to simulate a barrel breaks in all the above mentioned barrels as I could not get any of them to break paint.
(Ratings may change as new Freak variations come out. As all above ratings are relevant to each other as well as any new releases for Freak barrels.)
Keep in mind that all ratings are in relevance to each other as almost all Freak barrels shoot awesome. I will assess them on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being the worse and in 4 categories. Accuracy, weight, how quiet it is, and ability to self clean.
__________
Stock Freak kit-
Accuracy 3/5, weight 3/5, quiet 3/5, and self cleaning 3/5.
This is a good base line from which to evaluate all other Freak variations.
__________
Freak back w/ All American tip-
Accuracy 3/5, weight 3/5, quiet 4/5, and self cleaning 4/5.
A good barrel but a marginal upgrade from stock.
__________
Freak back w/ Apex tip (Apex off)-
Accuracy 3/5, weight 2/5, quiet, 2/5 and self cleaning 2/5.
This is the worse performing barrel of the bunch. However it is still hand over fist better than a one piece barrel. And it has a nasty bonus. That is the Apex's legendary distance and ability to adjust its curve. But If you get a barrel break the Apex doesn't do a great job of self cleaning.
__________
Freak back w/ Stiffi CF (carbon fiber) front-
Accuracy 5/5, weight 4/5, quiet 4/5 and self cleaning 5/5.
This is an awesome Freak barrel variation. The only problem I have with this is that it can not be cleaned with a battle swab. The fibers in the swab will snag on the Carbon fiber in the Stiffi tip. And at $60 dollars for the tip alone it might not be the best option.
__________
Deadly Winds CF 14" w/ freak insert-
Accuracy 5/5, weight 5/5, quiet 5/5, and self cleaning 5/5.
This is by far the best performing of all the freak variations. But at $90 for the barrel alone you get what you pay for. It delivers.
__________
White Wolf Airsmithing WWA 1.5 front-
Accuracy 1/5, weight 4/5, quiet 1/5, and self cleaning 4/5
This is by far the worst performing of the freak tips. Its length makes it very loud and not as accurate as its counterparts. But it is by far the shortest of the freak variations and is a good choice for CQB play.
__________
Freak back w/ Hammerhead Sharks Tooth barrel and adapter-
Accuracy 5/5, weight 1/5, quiet 2/5, and self cleaning *4/5.
It's weight is its achilles heel. Its equal to weight with most one pc. barrels. It is loud for a freak barrel as it has no porting. *Its average as far as self cleaning. But its upside is awesome. *It shoots through breaks very well as it puts a flat spin on the ball allowing it to be unaffected despite some paint in the inside rifling. The same spin helps it hold course in harder winds. Undecided weather the spin adds any distance to your shot however. But it is as accurate as any I have shot. On par with the Deadly Winds CF barrel or maybe a little better given its ability to slice through wind. And has a hard edgy milsim look.
__________
Note, I had to simulate a barrel breaks in all the above mentioned barrels as I could not get any of them to break paint.
(Ratings may change as new Freak variations come out. As all above ratings are relevant to each other as well as any new releases for Freak barrels.)