First Strike FSC / PepperBall TCP PowerPin: 14 J Gain, Over 70 J Total and Steel Chamber Installation

This article preserves the original Z-RAM video's installation account, earlier test results, product announcements, January preorder offer and legal warning in their historical context. These are the video's statements, not a new test, a current delivery promise or current legal advice.

FSC/TCP PowerPin: 14 J more than the standard pin

Welcome to the Z-RAM YouTube channel. Z-RAM demonstrates how to install the PowerPin for the First Strike FSC or PepperBall TCP, in other words, its new export valve.

Previous videos showed the results Z-RAM achieved with the PowerPin: 14 J more than with the standard pin, and even more than 70 J in total.

Steel chamber preorder and forthcoming products

Before the installation begins, there is Z-RAM's steel chamber, already available in the shop, currently even with a decent discount because it is available only for preorder. Delivery is planned for early to mid-January. It can be ordered now; it can be ordered now with a discount. For anyone working, or wanting to work, with higher pressures, a steel chamber is recommended.

Among other things, Z-RAM will soon also offer a 1,500 PSI regulator. To use it, a steel chamber should definitely be used. Harder bolts, harder springs and Z-RAM's own steel Z-Barrel will also be offered soon: a barrel perfectly adapted to Z68 projectiles.

In any case, Z-RAM also supplies a steel chamber with a steel plug, meaning the lid at the back. The kit does not include the rubber O-rings, but the old ones can be used.

FSC/TCP installation example and tools

Now comes the short tutorial on installing the PowerPin. This is the standard FSC. It works similarly with the TCP, T8 and T9, but the example here uses the FSC.

The Allen keys supplied with the FSC are needed, along with a normal screwdriver. It does not have to be as large as this one; a normal one is fine. A finer screwdriver is needed if the O-ring is to be changed. Z-RAM uses the drill bit shown here as a support, which will be demonstrated later. Threadlocker is also needed. If necessary, superglue or something similar can of course be used, but threadlocker would be better. Grease is still needed as well.

Z-RAM also likes to use silicone spray because it is a little handier. The grease used with the PowerPin can also be used quite well for this.

Removing the assembly and exposing the chamber

First remove the magazine, then the barrel here, and then the screws shown here with the smaller Allen key. Next, use the slightly larger Allen key to remove this screw and this screw here.

The spring is still in it here, and the part is then in hand. The intervening action at 03:42–03:49 is unclear in the saved captions. With the larger key, the regulator can now be removed; just pull it off.

Use the thick Allen key to open the closure at the back, revealing the air chamber here. It can now be pushed out and held in the hand. This is the bolt, and this is the air chamber.

The O-ring demonstration and chamber material

Replacing the O-ring here with a Heat Core O-ring is recommended. Z-RAM gives a very brief demonstration. Open the back here, then use something with a diameter of about the same size. It only serves as a support so the old O-ring can be worked out. Try to damage the chamber as little as possible, or preferably not at all, because it is only made of aluminum.

Once the old O-ring is out, something like this can be inserted as a support. Then slide the new O-ring in like this and grease it a little. The drill bit serves only to prevent the O-ring from continually slipping through and to provide a little counterpressure here.

This is definitely recommended at higher pressure, as is using the steel chamber in the future.

PowerPin, retaining screw and lubrication

Here is the bolt and the firing pin. It is already inside Z-RAM's bolt, but the principle is the same for this demonstration. It can simply be unscrewed with the slotted screwdriver. The small screw either comes out with the pin or stays in the bolt. That is not important; it stays where it was glued more firmly.

Then put a little threadlocker on the bolt, preferably from both sides, and try to work it back in.

Then put a little silicone spray or grease on it, and some here as well. Then test whether it moves freely.

Now set it on lightly, but leave it open. The exact part and placement meant at 08:05–08:11 are unclear in the saved captions.

Returning the chamber, bolt and regulator

Now take the housing and put the chamber and bolt back in here. Make sure the hole in the chamber is above the hole in the housing. A slight offset is not a bad thing, but Z-RAM tries anyway. Basically, it does not even have to be that way, but Z-RAM always tries to position it here like this.

This can then be seen here. It has to be opened a little, and the bolt must then be pushed forward before the whole thing is installed, before the regulator is installed. That is very important.

Now screw the regulator back on with this screw. Do not tighten it too hard; do not break the screws. The handle can now be mounted again, followed by the small screws and the cap at the end.

The bolt can then be pushed back again. Next come the spring and the barrel, and the PowerPin is installed and ready for use.

Steel chamber recommendation and the next presentation

That completes the PowerPin installation instructions. The same instructions also show how the steel chamber is installed, of course. As already noted, the steel chamber is recommended because the standard chamber is only made of aluminum and deforms or scratches very quickly when used with higher pressure.

Z-RAM will go into more detail about the steel chamber in another video, but will wait until it also offers the 1,500 PSI regulator so they can be introduced together.

Shop link, original warning and farewell

The link to the Z-RAM shop is in the video description below. One more note: this is not an original First Strike part. Please bear in mind that only 7.5 J are allowed in Germany, and do not exceed 7.5 J with the ammunition and PowerPin used. There is a very high risk of injury.

Z-RAM hopes everyone enjoyed the video. Leave a thumbs-up and subscribe. Until next time, greetings from 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 Power-Pin &steel Screw (+14 Joule) TCP FSC T8.1 T9.1 VKS

This current Power-Pin offer contains one CNC-machined steel pin and a hardened steel screw for the models named on the product page. It is an individual component, not a complete marker or a guarantee of the historical video’s total output.

View the current offer

Z-RAM Steel Air Chamber for FSC TCP T.8.1 T.9.1

The current Steel Air Chamber kit for FSC, TCP, T8.1 and T9.1 includes the steel chamber, plug, Heat Core valve-stem O-ring and outer/cap O-rings. The PowerPin is a separate offer; choose only the components actually needed.

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.