FSC PowerPin Test: 30.1 FPS More on Average with the 10-Inch Barrel

This article preserves the historical PowerPin comparison, its demonstrations, product announcements and original legal warning.

FSC PowerPin performance: barrel length and initial pressure

Welcome to the Z-RAM YouTube channel. Daniel demonstrates the performance increase to expect with the Z-RAM PowerPin. With the PowerPin, the result essentially depends on barrel length and the initial pressure used, whether the setup uses an HP system or CO₂ capsules like those shown here.

This test uses HP. Daniel is still waiting for his 20 g magazine; the one shown here is a 16 g magazine. A separate video with CO₂ is planned.

There are three barrels for this test: the 16-inch barrel, the FSC's standard barrel and a 10-inch Lapco barrel with its bore size stated as “686”.

The same demonstration also shows that, when used correctly, the Z.68 projectiles work without any problems with all three barrels.

PowerPin and steel chamber: the source's stated functions

The Z-RAM PowerPin is CNC-milled from steel. The original aluminum pin is shown for comparison. The PowerPin is slightly shorter. It ensures that more air can collect in the chamber and that more air therefore flows out.

That is why a longer barrel is also needed, so the additional air can be accommodated and converted into energy. If the barrel is too short, the projectile is already out while the air is still, in the original wording, “FL BL”. The air is then simply wasted, and nothing happens. Effective use of the PowerPin therefore requires a longer barrel.

As viewers have probably already seen, Z-RAM also offers the matching steel chamber. The aluminum chamber is shown here for comparison.

The chamber does not produce more power. However, the PowerPin or other changes that are not standard—such as using 12, 16 or 20 g CO₂ capsules instead of 8 g capsules, or an HP system with an output pressure higher than the stated “800 S”—were not intended by First Strike for this aluminum chamber. In the long run, it will deform at some point.

At first, it may deform only slightly. The resulting performance will be worse.

The PowerPin can be used in the Tiberius FSC, T8.1, T9.1, PepperBall TCP and VKS. The chamber can be used in the Tiberius FSC, T8, T9 and PepperBall TCP.

The original Z.68 loading demonstration

Before the test begins, there is another brief demonstration of correctly loading the Z.68 projectiles. Daniel always supplies a small bag of grease like the one shown here. Customers who have their own grease can, of course, use that too.

In this demonstration, Daniel takes out a little grease and lightly lubricates the entrance and the entire inner area shown at the barrel. The first projectile is then loaded upright, and the following projectiles are also lightly greased.

The remaining projectiles are then loaded normally. They are all lightly greased. The magazine is lightly greased here as well; this area can receive a little grease, and then there should be no problems.

Magazine modification, a steel barrel and the announced projectile change

Z-RAM is still working on MagMode. It ensures that the first projectile does not have to be loaded vertically, allowing all six shots to be used in the normal magazine. It will take a while, but progress is being made.

Z-RAM's own barrel will be available soon. Its size and diameter are not yet decided, but it will definitely be produced. It will also be made of steel and will, of course, work perfectly with the Z.68 projectiles.

There will also be a small change to the Z.68 projectiles: their diameter will be reduced by 0.05, although the unit is unclear in the subtitles. This will simply improve performance with barrels that have a smaller diameter.

Long story short, the purpose here is to test the PowerPin and demonstrate the performance increase possible with different barrel lengths. Daniel puts everything together, and the video moves to the chronograph.

Short FSC barrel: standard pin and PowerPin tests

Everything is prepared. This is the FSC with a 1,300 PSI regulator, the short barrel and a standard pin. All the projectiles are loaded and greased, with the first loaded upright. The barrel is also greased. The test begins, producing 336 FPS, 325 FPS, 322 FPS, 322 FPS and 321 FPS.

The PowerPin is now installed; otherwise, nothing has changed. The pressure is still 1,300 PSI, and the velocity screw is at maximum. The Z projectiles are loaded according to the instructions, with the first upright. The next test shows the difference with the PowerPin and the short barrel.

The readings are 335 FPS, an unclear reading, 325 FPS, 328 FPS and 315 FPS.

10-inch Lapco barrel: standard pin and PowerPin tests

This is now the 10-inch barrel, whose exact bore dimension is unclear in the subtitles, still using the standard pin. The first projectile is loaded upright, and everything is greased. The test begins with 350 FPS, 334 FPS, an unclear reading and 333 FPS. Okay, that was too fast.

The 10-inch barrel, with the bore size given as “686”, now has the PowerPin; everything else is the same. As stated before, the first projectile is loaded upright, everything is well greased, and the barrel is also greased. Then it runs like clockwork: 376 FPS, 369 FPS, 371 FPS and 362 FPS.

16-inch barrel: standard pin and PowerPin tests

This is now the long 16-inch barrel, whose exact bore dimension is unclear in the subtitles, with the standard pin and the projectiles loaded. The first is loaded upright. The readings are 360 FPS, 350 FPS, 384 FPS and 374 FPS.

The 16-inch barrel now has the PowerPin. Everything is well greased, and the first projectile is loaded upright. The readings are 398 FPS, 390 FPS, an unclear reading, 359 FPS and 390 FPS.

Average FPS gains and the conditions affecting the results

The results have now been compiled on the PC. The setup used is shown above, including the chronograph and the lighting. Different lighting and different chronographs can lead to different results; more generally, different setups can produce different results.

The test covered the 4.25-inch barrel, the 10-inch barrel and a 16-inch barrel. The results are shown without a PowerPin and with a PowerPin. Below them are the average results and the average increase in FPS.

With the 4.25-inch barrel, there was almost no increase. The best increase in this video came with the 10-inch barrel: that would be an average of 30.1 FPS more due to the PowerPin.

With the 16-inch barrel, the average increase in this test was only 16.4 FPS. This was not Daniel's best result, either.

In the other video indicated here, Daniel reached 70 joules. The results there were always over 400 FPS, including 417 FPS, an unclear intervening reading and 414 FPS, and so on, using the PowerPin and 16-inch barrels—basically the same setup. Unfortunately, his best-ever result was not filmed. It was 427 FPS, or feet per second.

Daniel hopes the table is clear and understandable enough. Questions are welcome in the comments. He hopes the demonstration showed the results the PowerPin can achieve with the viewer's barrel. He also hopes it showed that correct use of the Z.68 projectiles will cause no problems.

The stainless-steel screw, New Year greeting and original warning

One detail was forgotten earlier: the shop now also has a hardened stainless-steel screw. This is the screw that attaches the pin to the bolt. Z-RAM has now made it in stainless steel and thinks it will last longer than the normal standard screw.

Daniel hopes viewers enjoyed the video and wishes everyone a Happy New Year. Daniel from Z-RAM signs off.

One more note at this point: this is not an original First Strike part. The video's original warning states that only 7.5 joules are allowed in Germany and asks users to ensure that the ammunition used and the PowerPin do not exceed 7.5 joules. There is a very high risk of injury.

Related product background: the original Z.68v2 8.5 g presentation.

Current products — separate from the historical presentation

Z-RAM Power-Pin &steel Screw (+14 Joule) TCP FSC T8.1 T9.1 VKS

The current Power-Pin offer includes one CNC-machined steel export valve and one hardened steel screw. It is an accessory, not a complete First Strike FSC or PepperBall TCP; the historical video result is not a guaranteed gain for this individual part.

View the current offer

6x Z.68v2 8.5g Z-RAM Steel Bullets cal 0.68 FSC HDS68 HDR68 VKS TR68 TC68 Intrubuster Gen2

The current Z.68v2 offer contains six 8.5 g CNC-machined steel projectiles. It is a separate weight option; the current offer and its model requirements remain distinct from the historical presentation.

View the current offer

Important Legal Notice

Laws and regulations governing the purchase, possession, installation, modification, and use of the products described on this page vary by country, state, and local jurisdiction and may change. Before purchasing, installing, modifying, or using any product, you are responsible for confirming that it is permitted in your location and for your intended purpose. Product availability or delivery does not mean that purchase, possession, installation, modification, or use is lawful in your jurisdiction. Z-RAM does not provide legal advice, and the information on this page must not be treated as legal advice. If you are unsure, contact the competent local authority or a qualified legal professional.