[Ricochet]

Wow, thats bad luck. The rack gear in the black cylinder shredding can be caused by two things. Either running a Systema 12v battery with it, or stripping down your cylinder for cleaning/rebuild, and not lock tightening the screw back in. If not that then you've had some bad luck. My team has been running PTWs for seven years, and we have collectively around twelve to fifteen of them; including a TW5.

I personally have never seen a "board issue". I've seen boards wear out due to age, or people fry them by not taking care them (me); i.e. Using heat to dry them, not drying them after playing in the rain, leaving your battery plugged in for a couple months, using the wrong type of battery, experimenting on them, you name it. I clean my boards with an air duster can after playing in wet or moist conditions, I disconnect the battery immediately if I think they've gotten wet, and I wear latex gloves when handling them. All the boards I've had or seen lasted at least a few years before they wore out, or someone fried them. I have however heard of a fette going, but rarely.

First gen is usually gross with anything. It sounds like you've been tainted by the originals. Unfortunately the newer ones still have the damn motor issue. And out of the four we purchased; two of them had motor issues within the first couple of months. We've since had them all properly wound, and so far so good. I've heard from more than one person that the new motors get very hot. I haven't heard that they've been too hot to hold though.

We beat our guns up pretty good, and I'm impressed. The only issue I have is the strength of the receiver behind the grip. I've seen two break there, and two crack there. A friend of mine bought a steel body for his, and I'd suggest that to anyone; but once again there is a significant cost. I'm very impressed with the new cylinders, hop-ups and inner barrels. They really improved the performance from great to greater.

You aren't the only one that's had issues though, so don't feel bad. I can attest that I've had exponentially more issues with AEGs; they're just cheap to fix.