First Strike FSC Z-Extension, Part 1: 51 J and 67 J Comparison with a 7-Inch Barrel

This edition preserves the first part of the original two-part adapter video, including its comparisons, installation and second-part preview.

Two adapters for the First Strike FSC

Greetings from the Z-RAM YouTube channel. This is a two-part video in which Z-RAM will show the adapters that allow the Z-Extension to be used on the First Strike FSC. The ASA-to-chamber adapter can also be connected to attach a bottle to the FSC, bypassing the regulator and potentially increasing the power because the internal regulator can reduce PSI. When this is connected, all the energy from this regulator is used without another reduction by the internal regulator.

The Z-Extension, as seen here, makes the chamber larger so it can hold more air for the next shot. The ASA-to-chamber adapter set includes this part and this part. This extra piece can also be obtained, and it can also be found bundled with the chamber.

Here is how the ASA-to-chamber adapter works. First attach the adapter to the chamber. Then there is this end cap, the backstop; just hold it on for now and screw on the ASA-to-chamber adapter. Now there is a complete piece here, super sturdy and entirely made of stainless steel: the chamber is stainless steel, and all these parts are too. This can be fitted right here.

For the Z-Extension, it is fairly similar. Attach this part too; it does not necessarily have to be done beforehand, but that is fine. Then screw on the Z-Extension. The set also includes an end cap to seal the Z-Extension. Again, all these parts are stainless steel: super sturdy, high-quality parts, so there are no worries there. The whole thing can be used like this. These are the two ways to boost performance on the FSC.

The two-part comparison plan

As mentioned, this is a two-part video. In the first part, Z-RAM is testing the FSC without the Z-Extension but with a 20 g capsule in the Z-Mag. So the starting setup is the Z-Mag with a 20 g capsule, a 7-inch barrel and Z-RAM's barrel cover. Z-RAM will fire a few shots without the Z-Extension and then with it, analyzing the results with a chronograph to see the increase in performance.

In the second part, Z-RAM will test the ASA-to-chamber adapter and mount a 16-inch barrel. The Z-Mag will still be used because the tests will continue with Z.68s projectiles. The tank will be attached at the back, using the standard adapter for the FSC. The setup will use a 16-inch barrel and the 1,100 PSI regulator.

The normal ASA adapter from First Strike admits the air at the side here. It then goes through the regulator before entering the chamber. With Z-RAM's system, the air goes straight into the chamber. For a good comparison, Z-RAM will test it with the original adapter and then with the Z-RAM system. As mentioned, this is in the second part, so subscribe to the channel to avoid missing it.

Let's get started. Z-RAM will begin by removing the Z-Extension and then carry out some regular shooting tests. Later, the Z-Extension will be installed together. See you in a bit.

Capsules and loading for the comparison

Z-RAM has prepared two 20 g capsules here. Only threaded capsules were available, and the Z-Mag only fits capsules without threads, so approximately 1 mm of thread was filed down on each capsule. There is no need to remove much: just about 3 or 4 mm up here and a little down there. Do not overdo it, and make sure the thin part is not punctured. File carefully. When there is hardly any thread left in the first 2 or 3 mm, enough has been filed.

Alternatively, capsules without threads can be found online, although they are difficult to find in Europe. Z-RAM has seen them in the USA, and they fit straight away. These non-threaded 16 g capsules work smoothly and provide nearly the same performance as the 20 g ones. However, the 20 g capsules give a few more shots.

For the test, Z-RAM has prepared two capsules: one for use without the Z-Extension and one with it. Let's check them on the chronograph. First, load the Z.68s projectiles into the magazine, always greasing them a little. Apply a little grease and load them in. For more information on using Z.68s projectiles and the magazine, making modifications and so on, Z-RAM has made several videos on the subject and will link one here.

Please bear in mind that only Z.68s projectiles have to be loaded this way. Z68 V2 projectiles can be loaded normally, including in a standard magazine. Now everything is ready. Let's see what the chronograph says.

The baseline result and Z-Extension installation

That was the result without the Z-Extension, and it already looks pretty good. Thanks to Z-RAM's Z-Mag with the 20 g capsules, there is already a performance boost. This means the setup without the Z-Extension, but with the Z-Mag, already gives an increase in performance. The Z-Extension is an extra add-on, an additional boost, so the comparison uses the Z-Mag.

Now remove the cap at the back here. Z-RAM has this one here because the original could not be found at the moment, but apart from the hole, they are identical. This cap can be removed and this one screwed on. An O-ring is also included. Attach it here and tighten it like this.

Then take the Z-Extension with the included O-ring and tighten it here. Z-RAM would recommend applying threadlocker to the Z-Extension's threads too, just to make sure it is securely fastened and will not come loose because of vibrations or anything similar.

Now there is this cap that comes with the set. Screw it onto the Z-Extension, and the chamber is now enlarged. It can be inserted here, along with this part that comes in the set. The chamber volume has now been increased. Z-RAM will load the magazine with the 20 g capsule and Z.68s projectiles. Everything else is the same, and then it will be checked on the chronograph.

342 FPS without the extension and 389 FPS with it

That was the last test for today. Z-RAM thinks some excellent results have been achieved here. Without the Z-Extension, the result was 342 FPS, or 51 J. With Z-RAM's Z-Extension and the Z-Extension-to-chamber adapter, it even reached 389 FPS, or 67 J, almost 70 J, and that with only a short 7-inch barrel and CO2.

The installed parts and the short setup

To recap quickly, these are the parts installed in this setup: the Z-Magazine, which allows these sharper Z.68s projectiles to be used; the Z-Extension, which increases the chamber volume; and Z-RAM's adapter kit for using the Z-Extension. This kit consists of these two parts and this cap at the back.

Z-RAM's steel chamber is installed; it is made of stainless steel. The original is made of aluminum. This is the original, and this is Z-RAM's. Brand new is the stainless steel bolt, of the same quality as the steel chamber. The steel PowerPin has been mounted in the bolt with Z-RAM's stainless steel screws. There is a 7-inch barrel and Z-RAM's cover for the 7-inch barrel.

Z-RAM believes this is now a truly awesome short setup with powerful ammunition. Z-RAM thinks this is what many of you have been wishing for: short but strong, with good projectiles. Look at these projectiles. These beasts come shooting out of the barrel at almost 400 FPS, almost 70 J. This is not a ball; it is more like an arrowhead.

Z-RAM thinks this setup is now pretty much complete here. All the optimizations for this short setup have been finished. In the next video, Z-RAM will show the ASA-to-chamber adapter, which allows the tank to be connected directly here. That will use a 16-inch barrel and be compared with the standard FSC adapter. Z-RAM will then also present it on the chronograph.

The Z-RAM shop and signoff

All these parts can be found on Z-RAM's website, z-ram.net. There are also many parts for most Umarex markers. Z-RAM wishes you lots of fun. Please hit the thumbs-up button and consider subscribing. See you next time. Yours, Z-RAM.

Related reading: First Strike FSC / PepperBall TCP: ASA and Z-Extension Chamber Kits Compared.

Current products — separate from the historical presentation

Z-RAM Z-Extension + Adapter Kit for FSC TCP T8.1 T9.1 | Massive Chamber Upgrade | Max Performance Setup +15-25j.

This current FSC/TCP adapter-and-Z-Extension kit is a separate accessory offer, not a complete marker. The page lists its supplied extension, adapter and sealing parts. It is an alternative to purchasing those included components separately, not an additional set required alongside them.

View the current offer

Z-RAM Z-MAG 8 Shots Magazin for TCP/FSC (Fits: 8, 12, 16 & 20g co2 & Z.68s Bullets)

The current Z-MAG offer includes the two-piece frame, cover, three spacers, small screw and MagMode. It accepts unthreaded 8 g, 12 g, 16 g and 20 g capsules. The donor magazine supplies its valve, spring and other screws; the marker and capsules are not included.

View the current offer

Watch the complete original presentation

The complete original video accompanies the text above.

▶ Play on YouTube

😈POWER TUNING for your short FSC / TCP Setup ! First Strike Pepperball T8.1 T9.1 HDR68 HDR50 HDS68😎

Channel: Z-RAM

Related Z-RAM presentation

The longer FSC/TCP setup is a separate historical presentation with different source conditions and its own results.

▶ Play on YouTube

😈POWER TUNING 90 Joule FSC / TCP Setup ! First Strike Pepperball T8.1 T9.1 HDR68 HDR50 HDS68😎

Channel: Z-RAM