Poseidon precision barrels test
The aim of this article is to test a new item - Poseidon’s precision barrels. We will try to review how they are made, check how (and if) in practice the innovative HU bucking works and compare the performance and grouping against stock and Laylax Prometheus barrels.
Pic.01. Poseidon Logo
In the news from 02.06.2017 we informed about new precision barrels by Poseidon. It is worth mentioning here that it is the second manufacturer named after an ancient deity – not so long ago a brand of precision barrels “Perun” (lightning in some Slavic languages). We may as well wait for such brands as Zeus, Svetovid or Innos. Coming back to the subject, Poseidon’s catalogue offers GBB replicas, both classic and more elaborate, similar to what is offered by Surgeon, dedicated for i.e. fans of IPSC AA:
Pic.02. Poseidon GBB replicas
Pic.03. Poseidon GBB replica dedicated for IPSC AA
Poseidon also makes multiple upgrade parts and custom slides for GBB replicas, accessories, oils and greases used for maintenance of replicas and also a line of BBs:
Pic.04. Poseidon: oils and greases used for maintenance of replicas
Pic.05. Poseidon: 6mm BBs offer
But the flag product of this company, and what is our main point of interest, are the precision barrels for AEG and GBB replicas, equipped in the Air Cushion system.
Pic.06. Poseidon: precision barrels offer
Poseidon does not have an official WWW site and has only a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/poseidonairsoftgun
Gunfire lend us two Poseidon precision barrels measuring 455mm and 590mm, dedicated for AEGs.
Pic.07. Poseidon barrels supplied for testing
It is worth mentioning that in Asia those barrels have been available for over two years. The delay in launching this product on our market can be attributed to the fact that the company has no representative in Europe and that retailers do not want to import generally unknown barrels which are to compete against such makes as EgGi, LayLax or PDi.
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKMANSHIP
The barrels are pack similarly to LayLax, in a plastic bubble container with cardboard cap. Besides the barrel the packing contains a dedicated Hop-Up bucking, an orange, classic spacer and a small patch with the company’s logo.
Pic.08. Set contents: patch, spacer, bucking and barrel
According to the manufacturer, the inner barrels are made using CNC technology from an copper and magnesium alloy coated in nickel. The barrels’ inner diameter is 6.05mm and it is recommended to used BBs weighing a minimum of 0.25g and have a 5.93-5.96mm in diameter.
Pic.09. Poseidon: tech specs on the barrels packing
The barrels have a truly high quality finish – both at the end of the barrel and at the hole where the bucking is pressing the BB. Two sets of vertical groves, as in the old SRC barrels, make them quite universal and they can be clipped in place in most AEG replicas.
Pic.10. Poseidon barrel - view of the HU port, groves and guides
Pic.11. Poseidon barrel - the HU port
The bits of dust and fabric seen on the photos are the original, company dust and fabric– the packing does not protect the barrels well. The additional horizontal groves are for the Hop-Up bucking guides – Poseidon bucking has three guides and classic buckings have only one.
Pic.12. Posiedon HU bucking - view on the additional guides
Everything is very precisely cut and polished and we could not find any shortcomings. The shape of the crown is different than in PDi barrels and is closer to LayLax and Prometheus barrels. Unfortunately, at the very end of the barrel we could see some uneven spats on the surface and also uneven coating with nickel.
Pic.13. Poseidon barrel - barrel end, crown
Let us proceed to the aspect the sets those barrels aside from the competition – the Air Cushion system. According to the concept the special design of the barrel and the Hop-Up bucking creates an air cushion under the BB being shoot which minimizes its contact with the sides of the barrel allowing, at least in theory, to improve the range and the stability of the BB’s trajectory.
Pic.14. Poseidon barrel - Air Cushion concept visible in the packing
There are indentions visible at both ends of the barrel:
Pic.15. Poseidon barrel - barrel end, groves for HU bucking's additonal guides HU and the special indention
Pic.16. Poseidon barrel - barrel end, crown and the special indention
The Hop-Up bucking is quite hard, comparable to stock bucking of CYMA or JG, much harder than Systema or green G&G buckings, which does not bold well for winter use. Additionally, the bucking has a double nub which is best shown on the cut-out by the manufacturer:
Pic.17. Poseidon Hop-Up bucking - cutout, view of the BB pressuring nubs
Another producer’s diagram compares the workings of the Air Cushion system with the classic Hop-Up system. According to the diagram, the solution proposed by Poseidon is designed to direct the air only under the barrel (whereas in the standard solution the air surrounds the barrel) giving the BB an additional spin and velocity, increasing range and accuracy.
Pic.18. Poseidon - schematic of the working of classic hop-Up vs Air Cushion system
How does this system work in practice and does it give measurable advantages promised by the manufacturer? We will try to find out.
THE TEST
The test consists of three parts:
- Checking what BBs can go through the tested barrels – we will try with several on the most popular BBs in Poland.
- Checking grouping at the range of 15m – as we did earlier with EdGi barrels. The test was developed by our colleague Stop.
- Comparing the range and grouping on Poseidon barrels and its competitors.
BARRELS DIAMETER AND BB ACCEPTANCE
There was not much to test here. The diameter of 6.05mm should let through all 6mm BBs, even low grade and slightly puffed ones. Both barrels were tested using 0.25g G&G, 0.28 Rockets Platinum, 0.36g Guarder, 0.43g ShootOne and 0.45 Specna Arms – none of these BBs blocked the barrels.
GROUPING TEST – TARGET AT 15M
Our colleague Stop developed a simple but effective test to evaluate grouping that excludes such factors as wind, FPS value, Hop-Up setting and BB quality. A replica, immobilized in a bench vise or set on a stable bipod, is fired 10 – 15 times at a piece of paper of a target. Then, as on a classical practice range, the average distance of the hit marks from the aim point of measured as well as the largest distance between hits.
The replicas we conducted test on were Boyi RK-02 with 430 FPS, after a slight “zeniting” and A&K SVD powered by Mancraft’s PDiK conversion kit.
Pic.19. Test replicas: A&K SWD and Boyi RK-02
The main part in the test was played, as usual, by a special vise. Its self made, built especially for this test. It may not be pretty but is serves it purpose. The base has two holes which allows it to be fixed to the ground with tent pegs. If needed, i.e. while testing GBB replicas, the vise could be additionally load down with bricks or weights. The replicas were set 15m away from the targets, and the target itself was centred along the magazine well. Shots were fired in series of 10.
Pic.20. Test replica in the vise
The test was performed using G&G BBs which are considered to be probably the best on the market: 0.2g to FPS measurement and 0.28g Hop-Up turned off. Using this occasion I took FPS measurements with a Virtec v3 chrono to check how does a different barrel influence the BBs velocity. The main group of hit marks was marked with a circle, then I measured its diameter. The furthest spread was connected with a straight line and then I measured its length.
Each replica was fitted with three barrels:
⦁ Stock - about 6.10mm,
⦁ LayLax Prometheus - 6.03mm,
⦁ Poseidon - 6.05mm.
The Boyi was fitted with 455mm barrels and the SVD with 590mm barrels. Here are the results:
455mm stock barrel (green G&G bucking), 421 FPS.
Pic.21. Grouping of shots fired from Boyi Rk-02 replica with a stock 455mm barrel at 15m using G&G 0.28g BBs
As for a stock barrel, the grouping was quite good. Most hit marks were grouped within a circle 95mm in diameter, the distance between the furthest hit marks was 115mm.
455mm LayLax Prometheus barrel (green G&G bucking), 435 FPS.
Pic.22. Grouping of shots fired from Boyi Rk-02 replica with a LayLax Prometheus 455mm barrel at 15m using G&G 0.28g BBs
The grouping was very good as is mostly the case with Prometheus. Most hit marks were grouped within a circle 45mm in diameter, the distance between the furthest hit marks was 55mm.
455mm Poseidon 6.05mm barrel (bucking from the set), 428 FPS.
Pic.23. Grouping of shots fired from Boyi Rk-02 replica with a Poseidon 455mm barrel at 15m using G&G 0.28g BBs
The grouping was closer to the stock barrel. Most hit marks were grouped within a circle 73mm in diameter, the distance between the furthest hit marks was 120mm.
590mm stock barrel (green G&G bucking), 620 FPS.
Pic.24. Grouping of shots fired from A&K SWD replica with a stock 590mm barrel at 15m using G&G 0.28g BBs
As for a stock barrel, the grouping was quite good. Most hit marks were grouped within a circle 61mm in diameter, the distance between the furthest hit marks was 80mm.
590mm LayLax Prometheus barrel (purple Prometheus bucking), 640 FPS.
Pic.25. Grouping of shots fired from A&K SWD replica with a LayLax Prometheus 590mm barrel at 15m using G&G 0.28g BBs
The grouping was very good as is mostly the case with Prometheus. Most hit marks were grouped within a circle 40mm in diameter, the distance between the furthest hit marks was 65mm.
590mm Poseidon 6.05mm barrel (bucking from the set), 600 FPS.
Pic.26. Grouping of shots fired from A&K SWD replica with a Poseidon 590mm barrel at 15m using G&G 0.28g BBs
The grouping was closer to the stock barrel. Most hit marks were grouped within a circle 53mm in diameter, the distance between the furthest hit marks was 85mm.
SHOOTING AT TARGETS 40M AND 70M AWAY
As airsoft game rarely deal with shooting at targets, the last part of the test was practical shooting under the conditions simulating a typical game. The air temperature was 27oC, humidity was low and there was a light wind from the left. The area chosen was a road between two warehouses.
The test was conducted using the same replicas as described above. The Boyi replica was shot at a target 50x60cm placed 40m away. I was using 0.28g G&G BBs and the replica was placed in a vice. After each barrel fit I did an FPS measurement to check is there was any difference. The hit marks, for better visibility, were marked with red dots.
455mm stock barrel.
Pic.27. Grouping of shots fired from Boyi Rk-02 replica with a stock 455mm barrel at 40m using G&G 0.28g BBs
Hitting the target at this range was not a problem. Shots could be made without turning the Hop-Up at all. The grouping was quite wide spread but it was still good as for a stock barrel.
455mm LayLax Prometheus 6.03mm barrel.
Pic.28. Grouping of shots fired from Boyi Rk-02 replica with a LayLax Prometheus 455mm barrel at 40m using G&G 0.28g BBs
Very good grouping. This is the reason LayLax Prometheus barrels are renowned among airsofters.
455mm Poseidon 6.05mm barrel.
Pic.29. Grouping of shots fired from Boyi Rk-02 replica with a Poseidon 455mm barrel at 40m using G&G 0.28g BBs
Grouping was good, much better than on a stock barrel, comparable with Prometheus. At a distance of 40m the grouping of Poseidon barrels of above the stock barrels and just below the Prometheus.
For shooting at a target 50x60cm placed 70m away I used the SVD replica powered by a Mancraft conversion kit and 0.45g Specna Arms BBs. The FPS set on a stock barrel was 425 FPS (620 FPS froo 0.2g BBs). The replica was placed in a vise. Hit marks were highlighted in red.
On a stock barrel I hit the head four times out of 10 and mainly in the outline therefore I wasn’t worth making a photo of it. On the other hand, while using Prometheus and Poseidon barrels I scored 10 out of 10 hits. Grouping is presented on the photos below.
590mm LayLax Prometheus 6.03mm barrel, 450 FPS using 0.45g BBs.
Pic.30. Grouping of shots fired from A&K SVD replica with a LayLax Prometheus 590mm barrel at 70m using G&G 0.45g BBs
Lufa 590 mm Poseidon 6,05 mm, 441 fps na wylocie kulek 0,45 g
Pic.31. Grouping of shots fired from A&K SVD replica with a LayLax Prometheus 590mm barrel at 70m using G&G 0.45g BBs
At 70m the 590mm Posiedon barrel provides much batter grouping than a stock barrel and only slightly worse then on the LayLax Prometheus barrel. It turns out that the internal diameter does really matter.
So where is this whole revolutionary Air Cushion technology you might ask? It there and its working although in a specific way. Only after using slightly heavier, 0.3g BBs on the 455mm barrel in Boyi’s AK74 the magic happens and the range increases significantly. As for as the Prometheus barrel goes, the maximum range to a crouching target is 65m, the Poseidon set allows hits at 74m. At thevery end of the flight path the BB slows down considerably yet its spin is almost ideal and does not show any random deviations. I suspect that using a flat spacer with increased surface even better result could be achieved – something akin to r-hop and g-hop solutions.
In case of the SVD the effect is not that spectacular. Comparing ranges on 0.43g BBs and the Prometheus barrel, the 0.45g BB shot from the Poseidon barrel travel slightly further but in a more stable manner. But at a distance above 80m both the Prometheus’ and Poseidon’s grouping ir relatively bad and falls short from result achieved on PDi 6.01mm or EdGi 6.00mm barrels.
SUMMARY
For the last several years the situation on the airsoft market in the area of precision barrels is has been clear. PDi, EdGi or LayLax Prometheus are considered as proven and simply the best. Their quality surpasses other makes. New products find it hard to make their mark and get to the top. Therefore new manufacturers use all sorts of patents, revolutionary designs and other marketing tricks. Rifled barrels, ports, non-standard Hop-Up buckings are only some of the solutions that can become development dead ends. Users’ opinions about such product very greatly, usually to the extreme. Either someone bough it and is in love with it (usually because he bought something exotic) or someone bought it and does not see any difference compared to how his replica performed before. Sometimes the buyer is really dissatisfied with his purchase. But this is the thing about new products.
So, how does it translate to the Poseidon barrels? Are the testes barrels worth buying and will they be able to join the top precision barrels manufacturers?
There is not straight answer to this question. On one hand, we receive a very interesting product with an innovative Hop-Up bucking which, combined with the barrel’s design, increases the maximum range without the need to open the gearbox on top of improving the shots grouping. This will important for airsofters who do not want to or cannot upgrade their replicas because np. play game in countries which imposed restriction on the maximum energy of airsoft replicas.
Despite the innovative system Poseidon barrels are compatible with most HU chambers of AEGs and versions for GBBs are also offered. The inner diameter of the barrel being 6.05mm does not offer as tight a grouping as a 6.03mm barrel but allows for using unsorted or lover quality BBs (but it’s a slight inconsistency to buy an expensive barrel and use cheap BBs, but such things happen, for example in support weapon replicas).
Moreover, the revolutionary technology of directing the air under and not around the BB is not all that revolutionary. There were various test conducted in this matter by airsofters for the lest couple of years. But for the system to work properly the groove directing the air should be made along the whole length of the barrel and not just its ends.
Non the less Poseidon barrels are made from nickel coated copper alloy (a note, until 2016 Poseidon barrel were not coated with nickel) and the competition uses plain tool grade steel or copper alloy without any coating. Yet in Posiedon barrels, as was the case with SRC or CA barrels, in certain situation the coating can be damaged. There is also the question of the Hop-Up bucking which is non-standard and rather hard - the compound it is made of can harden in winter (or it may not, we will tell during winter) as stock and black Guarder ones do. Additional guides at the end of the barrel make it harder for a standard bucking to achieve a good seal (but it will not be impossible as the guides can be filled in or filed down).
In my opinion Poseidon barrels is a product for those airsofters who want to increase the performance of their replicas without the need to open up the gearbox. The barrels improver grouping and allows for more precise shots compared to stock barrels and other pseudo precise inventions. Better grouping can be achieved only by using the top brand barrels. As this is a novelty on our market we cannot say anything about the longevity of the bucking or the barrel. Presonaly I hope that the coating will last more that several tens of thousands shots and the bucking, if not so robust, will be available as a separate buy. Time will tell.
Thanks for reading
Mendi
Special thanks to Gunfire for supplying the Poseidon barrels for testing.
