Smart Parts Q-Lock

The FAQ was born: February 9, 2001.

Last Updated: March 23, 2005

Smart Parts Q-Lock

From the Web site:

The best feed neck to come out to date. The Q-lock feedneck has an easy to latch and adjust lever that let's you take your hopper off in seconds. No more allen wrenches, or hard to turn spinning feednecks! Look no farther because you have found the best feedneck on the market!

This is the first official Ion upgrade review. The beautiful thing about the Q-Lock from Smart Parts is that it will fit any of the current line of Smart Parts markers including the Nerve, SFT Shocker, Impulse and Ion.

The Q-lock was released initially as the stock feed tube for the Nerve. Shortly after the release, people wanted to get a Q-lock as an upgrade for their other Smart Parts markers.

What's so special about the Q-Lock?

The stock Ion feed tube is just under 2 inches tall. The Q-lock is about 1.25 inches tall. This is the shortest feed tube I have tested.

The design of the Q-Lock is similar to some of the other aftermarket clamping style feed tubes. Inside the q-lock is a gnarled surface which provides grip. This inside service is also cut so that when pressure is applied to the outside the q-lock can lock down. This is where the similarities end and the differences begin.

The locking mechanism on the Q-Lock is very similar to that of a quick release bicycle tire. First, with the lever open, you hand tighten the screw. Once it is hand tight, you then close the lever and lock in your loader. You can also use a 1/8 inch allen key to tighten or loosed the screw. This allows you to really lock down just about any loader.

One thing I did find is that when I installed my HALO, when the halo was all the way inside the Q-Lock, there was a 1/4" gap from the top of the Q-Lock to the top of the HALO feed neck. This is due to the inner depth of the Q-lock. Other aftermarket feed tubes are deeper, which generally allow the HALO to fit completely within the feed tube. This is not an issue, but does show that the shorter feed tube does not necessarily provide you the smallest profile.

Close of up the gap with the Q-Lock and a HALO

Pictured below is my Red Ion with a Black Smart Parts Q-Lock

Q-Lock installed on my Ion

Installation:

Installation is simple, but if done incorrectly can cause some expensive problems.

Depending on if you want to keep your current feed tube or not, either carefully or not so carefully remove the existing feed tube. The careful way is to take your time, the not so careful way usually involves a pair of pliers and a very short amount of time. I have had great success in wrapping the stock feedtube in duct tape and clamping it in a vice. The duct tape MUST be wrapped around the feettube several times (10 or more) for this to work.
Once your old feedtube is out, clean up any old loc-tite.
Apply red or blue loc-tite to the threads of the Q-Lock.
Carefully (no choices here) thread the Smart Parts feed tube into your marker body. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN or you will cause yourself some expensive problems.
Do yourself a favor, let your marker sit for several hours so the loc-tite can cure and get nice and hard.
The End!

Overall Opinion

The Q-lock is great if you want a feed tube that does not require tools to adjust. It is the shortest feed tube out there, but due to lack of inside depth, your loader does not sit as low in a Q-Lock as it does in some of the other aftermarket feed tubes.

The Details

Installation: Installation is easy.
MSRP: $35.95
Options: Currently available in Red, Blue, Silver and Black.
Pro's: Fits perfect on any Smart Parts marker, no tools required to remove your hopper on the field.
Cons: Not as deep as other feed tubes so the overall height of your loader is not as low.