Here's my predicament:

I had an Agent with a 3" pin drilled 3 3/8 x 3 3/8 (pin even with ring) with a very large X-hole located on my PAP.  It was one heck of a ball with at least medium oil upfront with dry backends.  The only gripe I had about the ball was that if there was any significant amount of carrydown or a long pattern, the ball would skid too long before hitting the break.  Well, the Agent cracked and Storm is replacing it.

Now, I recently purchased a Shift with a 3" pin because the price was right and I'm always a sucker for trying new bowling equipment.  I was just wondering how well the same drilling would work on the Shift?  I am looking for basically the same reaction shape (very strong snap and recovery on the backend).  I am hoping that the Shift can handle carrydown a bit better than the Agent though.  If the Shift can fill the shoes that my late Agent left, then I may drill my replacement Agent for more length (say 4.5 x 3.5 or something like that).

Anyone have any input?
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My 06-07 Arsenal:

• FURY (1500 polished, 4 x 4)


• Cobalt BOMB Solid (box finish, 4 x 3.5)


• DOOM (box finish, label lev)


• Power Groove Dry/R (box finish, 5 x 4.5)


• Red XXXL (box finish, label lev)


• *Coming Soon* Agent (Replacement from Storm)


• *Coming Soon* Shift

For Sale/Trade:

• *NIB* 15# Brunswick Inferno (3" Pin, 3.9oz Top)


• *Like New (Only 1 Game)* 15# Vendetta Maxx (box finish, label lev)

Edited on 3/7/2007 8:42 PM

I own the following balls for comparison -

Shift (drilled 4 x 4)
Agent ( drilled 4 1/2 x 3)

I agree that the Shift needs a bit more dry than the Agent - but not that much more.  When it finds the dry it reacts more violently than the Agent but it also seems to go at least 2 feet longer than the Agent.  Bottom line for me is that the Shift and the Agent seem to cover almost exactly the same amount of boards but the Shift is longer and more angular than the Agent.

I don't think this is really a coverstock discussion, rather the Shift is a very different core than anything Storm has ever made so it's lane read should be different.  It is an asymentric ball where the mass bias is created by shape - not weight distribution.  I'd pay very close attention to the Storm drilling instructions in order to get what you want out of it.

To the original question as a carrydown replacement for an Agent.  As a pearl particle it 'should' do what you are looking for but I'd argue as others have  that a Pyro would be a better bet.  IMO a Shift will give you a different angle look than an Agent but it really won't be the carrydown solution.  Especially since the core will drive you to more angle and opening you up to carrydown being more of a concern.  

For longer patterns get a Double Agent - it's like bowling with snow tires that are always grabbing the surface.  For shorter patterns the Pyro seems to be the best Storm carrydown ball.





Edited on 3/8/2007 12:29 PM