I have had the priveledge of testing Insane Pain Sports new Nightstriker XL. With the rave of wanting a lighter and efficient marker, this striker takes advantage of the now common material found in most parts made for markers. A type of nylatron or plastic material. Contact Mr. Steve Daliposon for more information.

This striker is not made entirely of this composite. There is a portion of the striker that is metal. This provides the needed weight to hit the valve open at a consistant velocity and propel the paintball. The metal also strengthens the areas that wear and tear would result. But, it is certainly lighter than the stock striker. The Nightstriker is 25g. A stock striker is around 60g. There is another maker of a similar striker by ACP-Products. However, it has yet to be released to the public market. This has not kept them from claiming that their striker is better than any other striker out on the market. Even though this "phantom" has yet to be release for several years dispite the much hype from them.

I was very impressed with the Nightstriker XL when I recieved the package. At a glance, the color of the body resembles black marble. This is simply how the material looks like as both in the raw and finished product. When you pick it up, you do realize that it is not marble or stone.

There are different grades of nylatron, and I will not disclose the exact type used in the Nightstriker. What I can say is that Nylatron is basically an engineered nylon material resulting in a tougher, long lasting material with a superior low friction quality. It should not be mixed up with Nylasteel which is a fusion of nylon and steel. Nylatron has found many applications in bearings and gears. An odd characteristic is that it is resistance to high energy radiation like gamma and x-rays. Like that is something to be concerned with in paintball.

In order to recieve a Nightstriker, one needs to send the exact dimensions of the internal tube where the striker is. Why? Because Mr. Daliposon custom makes each and every part to ensure that it fits just right for your Spyder. Kingman has not been very strict in there tolerances when machining their markers. I have found that there may be as much of a 0.015" fluctuation. This may be a small number to the regular person. But right down to it, it can offer just enough difference in effieciency of about 200 shots per fill of a 68cu 3,000psi tank. Either the striker is too smal, allowing air leaks. Or the striker is too tight and creates friction.

If one doesn't have precise measuring instrument like dial calipers, you can send the body into his shop to get fitted properly. Contact him for shipping information. I also believe he has created a universal striker that will fit in most all Spyders.

Since I had the proper measuring equipment (dial calipers), I was able to relay the exact measurements of what I needed. About 1 week after I ordered the striker, it had arrived at my doorstep. A fast turn around for making a custom part.

Installation of the striker was as simple as removing the rear assembly of the velocity adjustor and removing the bolt the bolt assembly. Remove the existing striker and replacing everything with the new Nightstriker. Because of the measuring and relaying that information to IPS, the product was a very nice fit.

When I tested, I wanted to compare it much like what I did in Project - LP. How I did that was to use a stock Spyder. In this case for the testing, the exact one I used in the article, a Spyder 2-in-1. Have a regulator set at 750psi and set the velocity to 275fps so that it was consistant from shot to shot. I then took 50 shots and averaged them together.

The result was very impressive for a new design. Most of the shots were about equal to the Dark Horizon Titanium striker with the Otter Modification that many have so lovingly called it. A few shots were 5fps over the Titanium. However, the bottom line is that it averaged 283fps. About 2fps below the Titanium. There was a fluctuation by as much as 7 fps +/-. It was not very consistant shot to shot. It did offer less kick. This was something that many have complained about with a stock Spyder.

As a further test beyond the above, I happened to have a LP bolt at the testing area. An AKA Lightening bolt. The results were much better. It was only a 5 fps +/- fluctuation. Much better result than before when using stock parts. This was about 990 shots, the remaining of my half case of paint.

For those wondering about wear, it was minimal. Even after the final phase of testing. One thing that may be an issue is if it is a new Spyder. The sears may have sharp edges. Mine is worn, so gauging was non-existant.

I offered some design changes for consideration that may assist in bringing the consistency down to a more reasonable number. Though one could be happy with the +/- 5fps that I experienced with the addition of the LP bolt. As is, I will have to say that this striker is a very nice design, with room for adjustment if further tooling is done. Not much though. As is, it is a nice upgrade. It could be too that adding other LP items may stablize this with the addition of an LP bolt and LP valve. I also have to say about the tech support is very good. Mr. Daliposon is on top of his emails.

The Nightstriker XL would be a consideration for me to try again in the next LP Spyder that I build. This is certainly now a competitor with the Dark Horizion Titanium Strikers. It is not a striker that you want if you just want a new upgrade. In otherwords, a stand alone upgrade. Consider this as part of your LP conversion. If you wish to learn more about LP and its pros and cons, read my article on the subject.