What is a good paintball gun?

Static911

Diamond Member
Nov 24, 2000
4,338
1
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I'm on a budget for around $500. What is a good complete set for a "newbie"? I'm not an avid paintball'er; however, on July 14th, we have a technicians vs. owners paintball event.

Thanks for all your help,

Ethan
 

helpme

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2000
3,090
0
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For 500$, that's actually alot I guess.

You could always get a stock 02' autococker + hinge trigger... but then you would still have to buy a barrel and air.

Spyders/Piranahs/Griphons are all cheap (less than 100$) and are pretty good for entry level guns... Add in a barrel, Revolution, co2 and you're outta there for less than 200-300$

Alittle more expensive are the Black Dragon, JT 5.0/6.0 and Spyders with electronic frames. They are about on the same level as the mechanical spyders, but have electronic triggers (but are still blow back, rather than being controlled by a ram) making the pull very light, and easier to reach higher rates of fire. They are 300$ and less.

Used guns are always possible... But if you don't want to jack around with gear, one of those three entry level guns will suit you fine once you put on a barrel and revo.

Most of the other electros (besides the JT 5.0/6.0, black dragon and spyder electro) are over 500$, and you'd still need to buy a N2 tank, revo, barrel....
 

CrackRabbit

Lifer
Mar 30, 2001
16,642
62
91
You should probably start off with a simpler gun like a PMI Piranha, or an ACI Griffon or F4 Illustrator. All are Excelent beginer level guns, and are easy to upgrade if you decide to get more involved in the sport. Paintball Review is an excelent place to gather opinions on equipment. Only other advice i can offer is stay away from anything Brass Eagle!

Good luck,

CrackRabbit
 

MrBond

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
9,911
0
76
Do not get an autococker. Do not get an autococker. Do not get an autococker.

They take more TLC then the new paintball player will want to give them. They're excellent guns, but it's very easy to get discouraged when something goes wrong and you can't fix it yourself. There's a lot of upgrades you can get, but if you're new to the sport, it's overwhelming.

I'd suggest a Tippman Model 98 ( Link) with a 20oz CO2 tank (Link) as an air source, a loader (Here's a non-motorized one, Here's a motorized one, also make sure that the model 98 doesn't already come with one, they always used to), and a good set of goggles (There's lots available, I like JT goggles myself).

That'll get you started for well under $500. Tippmann guns are very nice, there's not much on them you'll need to upgrade other then the barrel, beyond that is just overkill. If you want to buy a barrel now, I'd suggest either a CP barrel (link) or if you want to spend a little more, a DYE alminum (link).

The entry level guns have pretty poor resale value (In my experience, the tippmanns are pretty good though), so I'd suggest if you outgrow it, just keep it as a loaner/backup gun. It's nice to have a gun to loan new guys so they can get a taste for the game.
 

MrBond

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
9,911
0
76
Originally posted by: datalink7
Don't get a paintball gun. Get Airsoft!
Bah, airsoft is for little girls who think a 68 caliber paintball hitting you at 280 FPS hurts :D.
 

datalink7

Lifer
Jan 23, 2001
16,765
6
81
Originally posted by: MrBond
Originally posted by: datalink7
Don't get a paintball gun. Get Airsoft!
Bah, airsoft is for little girls who think a 68 caliber paintball hitting you at 280 FPS hurts :D.

And a BB hitting you at 350 FPS doesn't?

How about a Mac 11 fiering 1100 BB's/ minute? :D

I have had the skin ripped from my body by Airsoft guns. Big ol' gashes. Part of the fun :)

Get one of these baby's :)
 

SWirth86

Golden Member
Aug 31, 2001
1,939
0
0
A great gun is the ACI F4 Illustrator. I think I have the DX? version, and its got an sub-zero expansion chamber and a zero-gravity barrel. It shoots great, looks nice, and it has no external opennings(when you cock it and shoot it repeatedly nothing on the outside moves) I got mine used for 140, so its probably about 200 new. I like it because it's reliable, not too expensive, and its not complicated enough that you can't fix it on your own(My friend has a autococker that broke and he's afraid to take it apart himself, so he has to pay high prices at the paintball shop) Use the extra 300 for tanks and a whole bunch of paintballs. You don't need a 500$ gun (or full setup)
 

jcovercash

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
9,064
0
0
Originally posted by: MrBond
Do not get an autococker. Do not get an autococker. Do not get an autococker.

They take more TLC then the new paintball player will want to give them. They're excellent guns, but it's very easy to get discouraged when something goes wrong and you can't fix it yourself. There's a lot of upgrades you can get, but if you're new to the sport, it's overwhelming.

I'd suggest a Tippman Model 98 ( Link) with a 20oz CO2 tank (Link) as an air source, a loader (Here's a non-motorized one, Here's a motorized one, also make sure that the model 98 doesn't already come with one, they always used to), and a good set of goggles (There's lots available, I like JT goggles myself).

That'll get you started for well under $500. Tippmann guns are very nice, there's not much on them you'll need to upgrade other then the barrel, beyond that is just overkill. If you want to buy a barrel now, I'd suggest either a CP barrel (link) or if you want to spend a little more, a DYE alminum (link).

The entry level guns have pretty poor resale value (In my experience, the tippmanns are pretty good though), so I'd suggest if you outgrow it, just keep it as a loaner/backup gun. It's nice to have a gun to loan new guys so they can get a taste for the game.


I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS MAN!!! TIPPMAN ALL THE WAY

Josh
 

LordMaul

Lifer
Nov 16, 2000
15,168
1
0
MrBond: Nice gun you got there. I'd like to have one...but I can't justify spending over a grand for one gun, plus upgrades and expensive paint and gas, and lacking any sort of realistic look to it.

Data: Yeah, I love my KSC M11. Sprays those fsckers so fast... :D Unfortunately, I ordered mine JUST before they released the V2.0 with the upgrades bolt. :|:|
 

LordMaul

Lifer
Nov 16, 2000
15,168
1
0
BTW Static: Get a Impulse. They're not that expensive, and very good guns. Don't go for Tippman...nice, but not incredibe
 

MrBond

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2000
9,911
0
76
MrBond: Nice gun you got there. I'd like to have one...but I can't justify spending over a grand for one gun, plus upgrades and expensive paint and gas, and lacking any sort of realistic look to it.
The angel LED's are actually quite affordable now, and for not much more you can get an LCD. Head over to pbnation.com or paintballcity.com and hit the forums, someone is always dumping nice electros for a good price. I just turned down a BM2k for $250 because I'm too damn poor to buy it right now. You can even run those on (cheap) co2, but with the regulators and such you need to do it right, you're just as well off buying an HPA system.

Yes, paintball is expensive. But it's good excerise and tons of fun. I don't have any cheap hobbies :)
 

microAmp

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2000
5,988
110
106
Originally posted by: MrBond
Do not get an autococker. Do not get an autococker. Do not get an autococker.

Listen to MrBond advice on the Autococker, not a good gun for a newbie. I love mine =) too bad it's out dated for what's out there. Mine was the one where it doesn't come with the ball detent, etc., unlike the newer cockers. Too bad it's collecting dust now with the Mag and F2.

I miss that sport.
 

Static911

Diamond Member
Nov 24, 2000
4,338
1
0
Sorry for not responding earlier since I was watching the Lakers vs Net game.

Thanks everyone for the input.

On another note, is it better to have compressed air than CO2? Gonna buy everything tonight if possible.

Ethan
 

helpme

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2000
3,090
0
0
Originally posted by: Static911
Sorry for not responding earlier since I was watching the Lakers vs Net game.

Thanks everyone for the input.

On another note, is it better to have compressed air than CO2? Gonna buy everything tonight if possible.

Ethan

For entry level guns, co2 is the way to go.