The Gun Gallery
2004 AKA Viking
Dust Blue with WAS board and Eyes 
Initial write up 5-17-06
 I
bought this gun on ebay used in January of 2005. the seller
was excellent and the gun was as described in near perfect
condition.  I
have always wanted an AKALMP product to play with. Aaron K
Alexander was one of the founding members of the Purdue Paintball
Club with me and several others - well we didn't start it,
but we were the driving force in the first few years. AKA
built some unique guns, and I think I have the honor of selling
him his first Autococker, which he immediately started modifying.
Back to the gun, this guns remains my all time favorite.
I keep trying other guns and always come back to this one.
My only Tournament action in 2005 I used this gun and was
very happy with it. The Fire rate is low, as compared to the
DM series, but fast enough for my needs.
The design of the gun makes it high/tall and awkward for
many users, but I like it.I even bumped up the height a bit
by adding the drop and using a taller loader. I now tend to
stick with a Halo on this gun, just out of preference. (but
not always - As seen in the pictures with anything but a halo
loader on it).
The stock barrel is very nice. It is accurate, but loud.
I now am using my Dye Ultralite or Freak barrel system on
it, which again I use just out of preference. Several months
ago I purchased an Apex Barrel. This barrel is similar to
the flatline system by Tippmann, but uses a different ramp
at the barrel tip. I have used the barrel on several guns,
but it seems to match the Viking the best - getting the best
range and accuracy from the combo.
The air efficiency on this gun is amazing. I can normally
plan on shooting all the paint I can haul. At the GI Joe event
in VA, I walked onto the final game with about 2000 rounds
on me. My belt pack kept me from running anywhere, but I shot
at everything I could. I ended up running out of time before
I could shoot it all. I also would like to point out, this
gun functions great in intense rain. I had no problems at
that event, even thought my gear was constantly wet. I had
to use a solid (non-ported) barrel, but otherwise the viking
functioned great.
 To
date I have broken two balls, so I think the eyes on this
gun are awesome.The Bolt is easy to pop out and clean with
the offset firing pin. I have never taken this gun apart and
do not own the tools to do it. AKA makes the valves a little
difficult to get at, but hey the gun works great, so why do
I need to mess with it?
I occasionally will drop some oil into the gun, but that
is about is for maintenance. Otherwise at the end of the day
I unscrew the air, the put a cloth or squeegee in front of
the bolt and fire away. It usually has enough air for about
10-15 shots after the air is removed, so I use this to clean
the gun. Strange, but it works.
I think this has some of the most accurate and consistent
shooting out of all the modern guns. Too bad AKA stopped making
them. I hope to someday pick up a spare as the prices drop
over time.
1/1/08 additions....
I still always carry this gun with me, as a back up and end
up using it quite often. It ALWAYS works. I have nevr had
a leak or a problem. It just keeps going. I loaned it to a
friend for use in the 24 hour game at Waynes World 2007 and
he used it teh whole weekend, day and night without a problem.
The only issues I hate about this gun is that after 30 minutes
of non-use the board shuts off - dangerous for night play
AND AKA stopped making them. I still think about where AKALMP
would be today if they continued making guns. Damn you Aaron
for being a quitter.
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