Urban Ops Tactical

Alright, in advance, I'm going to apologize for having no pics or flashy videos to spice this up, but I'd rather get to the meat and potatoes of the review and we all know what the TM7 looks like by now. Just so that you know where I'm coming from, I've shot A LOT of different kinds of markers, from my first A5, to a BT4, Ions, SP8s, 'Cockers (both pump and semi), the Mini, etc. etc. (No, I haven't owned all of them, but have shot ones owned by teammates, friends, etc.). So I've been around the block so to speak and I have a lot of points of reference to compare the TM7 to, as opposed to the guys who have only ever shot one or two different kinds of markers before. I'm also not directly sponsored by any manufacturer, and thus, am able to review honestly without any need to censor myself in order so keep myself in someone's good graces.
So without any further adieu, I offer my take on the BT TM7....


Out of the box:

The TM7 comes well packaged in a nicely decorated box, but it only gets better once you open it. Pulling the marker out of its section of packing foam causes an almost reflexive "Whoa, thats light!", and it also includes a really nice spare parts kit (with an actual case instead of a loosely assembled baggy of parts), all of the allen wrenches you need to work on it, and a small tub of lube. Ironically enough, you'll find an Invert barrel cover The barrel is 9" long, with a 1" OD which tapers to a 7/8" OD at the halfway mark (which works out to just after it emerges from the body of the marker.

Also included in the box is a very detailed manual with pictures, diagrams, along with mode charts and troubleshooting procedures. As far as marker manuals go, this one scores a 10 for the level of detail and thoroughness. Leafing through revealed exactly how much the guys at BT went the extra mile to try and assist scenario/milsim players who are most likely transitioning from more low-tech Tippmanns.

Impressions:

I want to start out by saying that I'm going to take as critical a tone in this review as possible, because its easy to get spellbound when you're offered a marker that looks this good and has an operating system leaps and bounds ahead of the open bolt blowbacks that MILSIM ball has been pretty well confined to. Not to say that there's a lot to criticize; I'm more than happy with my purchase and I easily see the TM7 remaining as my primary for a LOOOOOOOOONG time.

Anywho, as I mentioned previously, the first thing that strikes you when picking up the TM7 is the weight, or lack thereof. With the battery installed (in ridiculously fast fashion through an innovative trap door), its even lighter than my SP1, despite similar size. Upon unbolting the shell halves, the reason behind this is revealed. The grip frame is not individually removeable from the shell, rather, the two halves split right down the middle of the whole thing. The inside of the shell, much to my delight, features a LOT of internal webbing and support structures to provide strength, but the actual breach and operating parts are SIGNIFICANTLY smaller and less bulky the the SP1's breech and firing can. Overall, the disassembly and reassembly of the shell halves is very simple, most Tippmann jocks will find this pretty familiar to doing a full teardown on an A5, minus all the pesky springs. As of right now, I haven't gone into disassembling the operating parts, so once I do I'll add a section on that later.

The fit and finish of the pieces is very impressive, although I find the stock rear sight pretty cheap looking, and pretty much useless anyway, since there's no chance of using it if you have a mask on and the stock extended. But mold "flash" is practically non existent (although there's a teeny bit up top where the two halves of the picatinny rail meet), and the halves are remarkably straight (most likely due to the thorough reinforcement). The folding grip is "ok", but has a little bit of wobble to it, as does the stock when at full extension... I'm being really picky about this, but the little bit of wobble present isn't bad enough for me to deduct serious points, and its not nearly as bad as the Tippmann CAR stock for the X7, and in the case of the TM7, its ONLY present at maximum extension. The stock slides in and out easily enough, no problems or nitpickings on that account. My other beef with the stock, and this won't apply to everyone, is that I tend to shoulder high and sight down the side of the marker... And the shape of the TM7's stock makes it dig into your shoulder if you try to shoulder high. If it were a flat endcap like the real-steel MP7 it would be better for those of us that shoulder high.

One of the things that I love about the TM7 is how they narrowed a portion of the rail to allow the feedneck to be removed without having to slide it all the way to either end of the rail. That always annoyed me about my BT4 because once an M4 style foregrip was added, it was impossible to remove the feedneck without loosening the two front screws and wiggling the foregrip out. This also allows you to remove your hopper in a pinch without having to use an allen key to loosen the clamp. I will say though that I'd much rather have the RipClip on there, and from test-fitting my standard RipClip, I don't see how an "adapter plate" would work, as the part of the shell that covers the stock arms when they're retracted interferes with the bottom of the RC.

Shooting/General Operation:

Alright, so enough of the cosmetic talk. Turning the marker on is the standard "push-and-hold", when the LED turns red you're On and in the Safe position. The marker WILL NOT turn on if the selector switch is out of Safe. The eyes are on by default, if you want them OFF, turn the marker on while holding the trigger in.

Airing up is simple, screw in your tank or add your remote adapter of choice. The TM7 is pre-adjusted to 200psi inlet pressure, which you shouldn't exceed, and is easily adjusted via an allen screw in the front of the reg. Personally, I don't plan on messing with this or the dwell setting unless I install an aftermarket bolt... Which isn't likely, because after shooting about 730 rounds through it, it left nothing to be desired. Shoots quick, straight, and I got all 730 rounds out of 1000 psi in my 88/4500 Pure Energy tank. I don't know if the math works out in a linear fashion when it comes to shots-per-tank, but if it does that would work out to 3000ish rounds out of that particular tank... That seems kind of high, so I have my doubts on that number, but I wouldn't be surprised to get 2500 or so out of it.

Mode switching with the selector lever is effortless, as is tourney lock engagement, which is done through a small pushbutton located in a hole in front of the trigger. Tuning is done by pushing and holding the power button, and cycling the selector from Safe, through all positions down to FA, and back to Safe again. Note that you must start moving the selector BEFORE the LED goes Red indicating that the gun has turned on. So when you hit the power button, move the lever while the LED is still Green. After that, tuning modes and firing rates is done in fairly similar fashion to any high end marker, through a combination of hitting the power button, moving the selector, and pulling the trigger. Once you get the hang of it, its very simple, and you don't need to pull the grips off to do it like you do in most mid-to-high-end markers.


Lastly, once you're done and taking the air off the marker, the regulator DOES NOT hold air in, but vents it out a port in the bottom, so you don't have to take a few shots with the eyes off in order to clear the last bit of air stored in the firing chamber. This is something that I always felt was a bit of a pain the butt on my SP markers, and it really impressed me and goes to show the overall attention to detail that was paid to building this marker.

The board is where the TM7 shines, and earns its $400+ MSRP. With a max ROF of 20 bps and several different firing groups, there's really no legitimate reason to ever add an upgrade board. Its already ridiculously efficient, has a stock built in, and comes looking like a really cool PDW right off the bat. If you really think about it, you're getting a lot for your money.

Overall, I'm going to rate the TM7 at a 9.2 out of 10. Its not "perfect", but its a GREAT leap towards it from previous attempts at off-the-shelf scenario/milsim markers. I'd recommend it to any more experienced player, but due to the expense and the requirement for nitro instead of CO2, not to mention the slight complication of tuning firing rates/dwell/etc. I don't recommend it as a beginner marker. Keep in mind, a 9.2 from me is pretty good... Comparatively speaking, my highly upped Ion that I love and would never part with except in death, I still only score about a 9. So yes, thus far, the TM7 is on track to be my favorite all time marker....

Hope that helps those of you who had questions or were interested in an decent objective review.

Here I am waiting to get a refund check, get my mind all set on the Dangerous Power Fusion F8 in Dragon Black, but then you had to bring this to my attention. By the way--excellent review, very informative and well written.
I have a of question for you since the gun is really to new to get a lot of non-biased information on the TM7.
How light would you say it is?
My current set up with my X-7 I guess runs about 10-12 lbs with all the little do-dads installed. I don't use a remote line simply because here in Florida when you hit the woods you are in thick, thick vegetation and I got tired of snagging every limb on a course. Since I do more 24 hr games than day trip scenarios I am trying to lighten the load so to speak. I'm just trying to see if this may be another option worth looking into instead of the Fusion F8.

Well, its been measured at 2.5 lbs, so I don't have to guess at the weight. In all honesty though I'd say it feels lighter than that, probably due to how well balanced it is. I can almost balance it by putting my finger through the trigger guard and holding it that way, just a slight rearward lean. even with the bulkiest electro-loader you can buy, it will still be lighter than your X7 was stock. Even with a 230 round Fasta with batteries installed, I feel like I could easily tote one of these in each hand all day long and then some.

The Fusions are great markers (as Small Block can attest to), very fast, efficient and quiet, it would really be hard for me to recommend one over the other, but since I'm not into the "spacegun" style, the TM7 is my choice... I almost went and bought a DP G3 so I was in the same boat you are. I don't regret going with the TM7 though.

I appreciate the info--tried to make my choice easier, but the wife said I can't buy 2 markers. So I have so thinking and more research to do.

Research into a new wife.

(No offense - I'm sure she's a lovely woman.)

Hahahahahahahahaha, those tend to be MUCH more expensive though....

yea, but if you play your cards right, it can be in your favor.

and by cards, I mean set her up with another man....

Careful when dealing with the opposite sex!

Here's a hazmat sign on them. Study carefully.

hahaha its great!

Jay, you got one of those already?

You're not really too surprised are ya Oak!? Jay's gun whoring continues............

Hey, I'm down to 3 guns if you don't count pistols or the ones that are in pieces!

She is ---only on days that don't end in "Y"

Sure----but what did that guy do to you????

Rogue--I will check back with you before I buy, Just in case something develops with the TM7,again appreciate the help.

I was doing some research on my TM-7 and I haven't had any problems yet but apparently there are LP and HP N2 tanks? I have been using mine, I thought it was a HP N2 tank, but it works fine with the TM-7 which is an LP marker, any input/idea on this Rogue?