N-Mag Grip Frame [ZDSPB Custom]

Custom work - N-Mag Grip Frame

This is one of my largest custom projects for a marker grip frame upgrade. There have been many aftermarket frames available for Automags over the years, and this one may appear very similar when viewed from the outside. However, this frame uses drastically-redesigned internals that have not yet graced the Automag community.

Slight enlarged frame hump.
Enlarged trigger guard? This restricts compatibility, but it would be nice to offer.
T-rail bottomline mount, and the frame must also be compatible with #10-32 bolt-on ASAs. The dovetail mounting system is inferior compared to the T-rail (also, there is no published spec for the dovetail, so compatibility is a nightmare).
Internally-ported air connection that allows an airline fitting to be installed at the top of the frame. This is a controversional change, so it's intended to be optional. If the marker is to be set up for internal porting, a new on/off ASA must be utilized to seal directly with the frame.
Internal LPR and trigger valve. Again this feature is optional, but it can be used with the internal porting system and will add no additional hoses to the finished marker.
Partially-concealed rear thumbscrew.

N-Mag grip frame preliminary CAD design

Seen above is the prototype design combined with a ULE body and Nummech gas-thru foregrip. Note that the design has some outdated features that underwent changes.

The frame's ergonomics are very similar to an AGD Intelliframe. The Intelliframe is an extremely well-designed grip and has proven very popular over the years. The N-Mag frame uses the exact same grip angle but with a very slight palm hump on the back. The distance between trigger and thumb-webbing area is also identical. Typically I prefer to shorten this distance if possible, but the space was required in order to contain the frame's internal air porting system. Ultimately, if you're a fan of the Intelliframe, you will be a fan of this frame too.

It was not possible to make the marker completely hoseless. The valve design requires using the side input port; there is simply no solution without using a redesigned valve. In the interests of compatibility, I ended up making the frame "pseudo-hoseless" by relocating the airline up to the top of the grip area. This is not a perfect solution, but realistically this is the closest thing to a hoseless Automag that we will get without completely redesigning the entire marker.

The bottomline mounting system was a tricky area to design correctly. For compatibility, I wanted to allow use of a bolt-on ASA as well as the superior T-rail mounting system pioneered by Eclipse. The T-rail system is preferable compared to the ASA dovetail system, which can vary between manufacturers. The problem with dovetail ASAs is that there is no standard for the dovetail size, so compatibility between manufacturers is impossible to guarantee. In addition to the bolt-on and T-rail mounts, I also added additional screw holes to allow the internally-ported ASA, which is based on the T-slot mounting system. However, the ported ASA is unique because no other T-rail mount marker uses a gas-thru air port up through its frame.

Bottomline mounting design

Ported ASA mounting method

Please note the above images were taken from prototype components, which have been updated with design changes.

The most complicated aspect of the N-Mag frame is the proposed internal trigger valve and LPR. This is an optional feature that I have yet to finalize, but the frame has been designed with internal porting and mounting surfaces which will be compatible with the new internals once they are ready for implimentation. My design process involved laying out the new internal components, then creating support material to surround and contain those internals. The resulting grip geometry is like no other paintball marker grip frame ever manufactured. However, my manufacturing process is highly refined so even these bizarre shapes require very little additional manufacturing time, so building this internal option into every frame is easy. If the player wishes, the frame can be used as a simple mech-only Automag grip. However, if you want to utilize the new pneu-mag upgrade, it can be quickly and easily "dropped in" without any permanent modifications. You don't even need to alter the marker's air lines!

Frame and ASA Prototyping:
Once the preliminary design was finished and ready to be made, I was able to produce a small number of test frames then take them to the field. Overall reception was positive; some features of the frame are preference-based which aren't definitive upgrades but rather exist as alternatives. It seemed the community at large was receptive to a newcomer to the Automag market, and enjoyed the refreshing new take on grip frame design. Recall that my modus-operandi is to avoid making accessories that are available elsewhere, since replicating an existing part is a waste of time. The only parts I want to make are unique accessories that cannot be purchased elsewhere. They may not be for everybody, but this is normal.

Partially-machined N-Mag grip frame

Prototype N-Mag frame installed on RT Pro ULE

Seen below are the pictures taken at the field. These were the grip frame's first public promo pictures. Some of the below pictures show the "straight" airline configuration, while different pictures show a U-shaped airline whip. The U-shaped airline makes the marker easier to disassemble, but the hose doesn't look as nice. Players who prefer stainless braided hoses may end up with a U-shaped hose unless you choose to run steel hardline.

Prototype N-Mag grip frame test with RT Pro ULE

Minor changes to the internal grip pocket, to eliminate gaps that may be present with some grip panels/wraps.
Redesigned ASA knob which would be easier to turn by hand. I added some straight knurling which doesn't appear as nice compared to the prototypes, but the knurling is much easier to grasp with a bare hand.
Changes will be made to the trigger guard. The prospect of making a removeable trigger guard was suggested by a few players. This is a good option, so long as I can come up with an easy way to attach the guard without adding time to the production process. The benefit of removeable trigger guards is they would allow for relatively easy alterations including single triggers, larger or smaller guards (depending on foregrip positions), or even homemade 3D-printed guards.
Small adjustments to the frame's spine hump and thumbscrew area.

The above changes don't need to be tested out because they represent only small changes rather than large design adjustments. The only exception is that I prototyped the new ASA housing and knob, because they would be easier to use on the field. The other changes can be rolled directly into production of the first grip frame batch.

Production:
Coming soon!