“How do I install a stock on my Tippmann 98 Custom?” is one of the most common questions we get. While putting a shoulder stock on a 98 Custom is not particularly difficult, there are a few tricks to make it easier. Read on to learn more, as these instructions will also cover the general procedure for disassembling your 98 Custom as well.

Before you EVER do any maintenance on any paintball marker, always unload any paintballs, remove the loader and disconnect/ unscrew any air sources! Always dry fire the marker with a barrel cover on the barrel to ensure there is no air pressure left in the valve or regulators. Never proceed until you are certain that the entire marker is unloaded and degassed!

Lay down a large towel onto your work surface. Not only will this protect the table from any oil stains but it will also keep small parts from rolling away. It’s always best to have all tools, oil, parts and other necessities in place before you start working. The less you have to keep getting up, the less likely you may bump the table and jostle parts loose. Make sure you have plenty of lighting to see your work, and safety glasses are recommended in case of any small springs and parts under pressure flying out.

In the photos and video we will install the Tippmann Folding/ Collapsing Stock. This uses a base adapter to fit on 98s, US Army and A5 markers. Standard 98 stocks will simply fit straight into the body. For a 98 Custom Platinum model, go ahead and take off the feed neck. With the bolt side facing up, completely loosen the 5 body screws holding the left side body plate. Slowly and gently lift up the body plate from the rest of the marker. Take your time and lift as straight upwards as possible, so you don't jostle the loose internal parts.

While you’re at this stage, take a moment to view the proper location for all the internal parts. The sear, the lever under the striker/ rear bolt, has two silver pins to guide the front (circled in green), and a black pin to hold it in place (circled in blue). The black pin is hardened steel to withstand the pressure exerted upon it, so be sure it is in its proper place. If you put a silver one in there by accident then it will eventually bend or break. Note how the sear spring under the sear sits in place (circled in red), and the location of all the trigger pins and safety. This being an ACT (Anti Chop Technology) model, it has the upper spring in the rear plug, and a linkage rod going between two pins (circled in yellow) near the top of the body. Taking a picture with your phone for reference later is a good backup in case you jostle parts loose.

Now, gently lift up the rear plug, sliding the springs out. Take your stock and gently put the springs into each hole in the base. Be sure that the striker/ rear bolt spring guide (the part that looks like a nail) is inside the spring when you insert it, otherwise the spring will crimp and bend when firing. The striker bumper, a thick black ring, needs to be in place to buffer the action of the striker/ rear bolt. It is supposed to fit loose, so the way it seems to be flopped into place is correct. The grooves in the stock fit into the grooves in the body. Note how there is a tab in between the grooves of the stock. This tab fits into the corresponding hollow in the marker body, keeping the stock from rotating.

Once the stock is set in the grooves, and you are sure all the pins, sear spring, and trigger components are properly in place, then it is time to replace the body plate. Slowly and gently lower it into place, making sure the safety goes through the corresponding hole and settles into the stock grooves. Press it into place evenly; if it seems to take undue force then stop and check for obstruction. When it is settled into place, replace all the body screws, seating them snug. The first time you put a new stock in place it can be a rather tight fit, making it hard to seat the body screw over the stock. This will break in on later disassembly.