First Marker

[FoShoNewO]

I am seriously considering purchasing a marker for paintballing and it seems that the marker with the best bang for your buck is the Dragun T.E.S. Am I mistaken in thinking this? Also would a electrical hopper be a "nessesity" or can that wait to be upgraded? And what place would be the best for purchacing my equiptment?

P.S. Does any one know any good fields in the New orleans area besides those posted on PBreview?

[The.Wamp]

Don't know anythign about the dragun but i do know that tippmanns are amazing entry level guns, spyders are good too, cockers good markers just wait awhile. Uhhh... i would just go ahead and get an electric hopper get a 12 volt revolution. www.actionvillage.com has some good paintball stuff cheap price thats where i get my stuff from. Do a search for the dragun and read some reviews of it to see if its the marker for you and test one out before you buy it.

[pEnNyWiSdOm225]

Originally posted by The.Wamp
Uhhh... i would just go ahead and get an electric hopper get a 12 volt revolution.

:finger:

NOO get the empire Reloader instead. Better quality shells and you won't get the gaps in feeding that you get with the revvy.

[Lokichi]

Originally posted by FoShoNewO
I am seriously considering purchasing a marker for paintballing and it seems that the marker with the best bang for your buck is the Dragun T.E.S. Am I mistaken in thinking this? Also would a electrical hopper be a "nessesity" or can that wait to be upgraded? And what place would be the best for purchacing my equiptment?

P.S. Does any one know any good fields in the New orleans area besides those posted on PBreview?

Well since the T.E.S. is runing for about $250 brand new...I'd say it appears to be a nice hybrid-blowback with a pds but for that money you could get a really good spyder or tippmann ( I'm talking either 98 custom or spyder xtra ) setup.

Agitated hoppers can wait on your upgrade list...I'd get a HPA tank first. And I second the stay away from the 12v revies get the reloader.

[chibissj]

Originally posted by pEnNyWiSdOm225


:finger:

NOO get the empire Reloader instead. Better quality shells and you won't get the gaps in feeding that you get with the revvy.


they fixed it in all but the black shell for the revy's, but you will still get small gaps.


Yes you could get the dragon t.e.s from what I've seen recently its' a good bang for the buck, electro with an eye for $250. that's just amazing. You could also look into used mags?

[amzng_spyderman]

imo the best bang for your buck marker is the spyder esprit. it's an electro for under $100. can't be beat for the price.

[FoShoNewO]

So, the electronic eye is not worth the 250$? If not I was looking at either the E-force EXT PRO 2003 by PMI or the Dragun Fire LCD 2003 and mabe an Imagine.

[Blacksheep]

Considering that from various people I've heard you can mod your bolt to become and anti-chop bolt...no. I'd invest my time/money in doing that since it will be more reliable and will not chop depending on paint color or broken paint covering the eye (if that is applicable?). It will also help you better understand your marker.

[amzng_spyderman]

for people without the necessary tools making an anti chop bolt isn't as easy as you might think. the best way to do it is on a lathe, but those are several thousand dollars. also, you'll need to find the right spring tension, make sure the bolt is the right length, securing it so it won't spin... i wish somebody still mass produced those bolts :|

[Blacksheep]

Oh...well...we DID have a machine shop (one of the guys I play with regularly is a machiniest...)

[jonbob]

If you want to spend the money for a higher-end blowback then go with the Dragun TES. Get an empire reloader because it has the best feed rate/reliability for the price range. You can also buy a jam-bolt from the same manufacturer that reportedly reduces/eliminates chopping.

You can buy a spyder espirit and upgrade, but it will take time+money and a little technical knowhow to get it to the same level as the Dragun TES (and you still won't have the eye).

[FoShoNewO]

um... didn't Kingman discontinue the Esprit?

[amzng_spyderman]

no. they discontinued all of their markers that had powerfeeds instead of vert feeds (ie, compact, shutter, tl+, etc.).

[dragunempire]

the t.e.s. is real nice gun and from what i've seen barley ever chops and you could get one from ebay 235 shipped. A electronic hopper is A MUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pEnNyWiSdOm225]

Originally posted by chibissj



they fixed it in all but the black shell for the revy's, but you will still get small gaps.

how could they have fixed it in all but the black shells? that makes no sense. iF they fixed the quality of it it would have been in all the colors.

[Fall_Weiss_1939]

Get the most EXPENSIVE GUN you can, Then buy the most expensive air systemS (plural) and get like 20 hoppers then when you lose to the guy with the spyder and 20 oz and decide paintball sux sell me all your equipment for 100$ :)

[pEnNyWiSdOm225]

Originally posted by Fall_Weiss_1939
Get the most EXPENSIVE GUN you can, Then buy the most expensive air systemS (plural) and get like 20 hoppers then when you lose to the guy with the spyder and 20 oz and decide paintball sux sell me all your equipment for 100$ :)

how about helping him.........:idea:

[Zeek104]

Well what about the spyder imagine. Very cheap elec gun that gives you much bang fer yer buck. It's a good gun.

just my 2 cents

[FoShoNewO]

Get the most EXPENSIVE GUN you can, Then buy the most expensive air systemS (plural) and get like 20 hoppers then when you lose to the guy with the spyder and 20 oz and decide paintball sux sell me all your equipment for 100$

That was not help full at all.

BTW Ive beeten some people with top noch full auto (yes they were using full auto) guns with a rental tippy pro carbine... I was surprized myself.

[adude2112]

it is a good idea to start with something simple like a spyder imagine, xtra or esprit or a tippmann 98. you will learn a lot about maintenance, etc. from them. also, you should get a decent hopper like the reloader or 12v revvy (they're not as bad as everyone makes them out to be unless your feedneck does snap, but i've had no problem with that).

[pEnNyWiSdOm225]

Originally posted by adude2112
it is a good idea to start with something simple like a spyder imagine, xtra or esprit or a tippmann 98. you will learn a lot about maintenance, etc. from them. also, you should get a decent hopper like the reloader or 12v revvy (they're not as bad as everyone makes them out to be unless your feedneck does snap, but i've had no problem with that).

Hes right except for the Revvy part.

If you have never had problems with shells either you have the old stlye shells or you are very lucky. The reloader has better shells and feeding consistency so why settle for something less?

[FoShoNewO]

My budget just expanded. I am now looking at the Dragunfly
LCD with a Egg 2 or Halo B hopper what do you think? I am also looking at a Bushmaster B2k2. Any Input on the guns or input they might need?

[pEnNyWiSdOm225]

Go with the Bushy over the Dragunfly ANYDAY. much better. and backed my a better company.

[FoShoNewO]

:| hmm... but I can get the dragunfly at 280 new. Anyone had problems with the dragunfly?

-Thanks

[jonbob]

As far as I know the dragunfly is a good marker, but make sure the one you get comes with a regulator or you'll be spending more money than you anticipated (that may be one reason the price is low).

I also have to reiterate pennywisdom's recommendation that you get a bushmaster over the dragunfly. The dragunfly will give good performance, but it reportedly has problems accepting after-market cocker parts and uses spyder barrels instead of cocker barrels (some people also say it's heavy).

The bushmaster will also be lighter by far and provide more room for you to upgrade in the long run, but you will probably have to buy compressed air for it.

Have you given thought to an impulse? You can get them for around 425-450. They are also very upgradable, consistent, accurate, are real electros, and can run off anti-siphoned CO2.

[amzng_spyderman]

dragunfly=junk. low quality junk. stick with the basics (ie, blowbacks).

[FoShoNewO]

So, the T.E.S. would be a better buy. I want a gun that I won't have to buy a new one for a while. So, it nees to be good quality, upgradable, and reletivly cheep, i.e. not a $1000 BOB LONG.

-Thanks

[FoShoNewO]

Also what is anti siphoned CO2 I've been hearing about it but don't know what it is. And What bushy would you recomend?

[jonbob]

Antisiphoned CO2 is when you or an airsmith places a curved tube inside the CO2 tank that angles towards the top of the bottle when it is screwed into the gun. Because liquid CO2 will always be at the bottom of the bottle, you only get CO2 in vapor form and not the liquid. In some guns liquid getting in just results in inconsistent velocity, but in others it can do some real damage depending on whether the gun was designed for it or not.

Since you haven't said exactly how much you can spend, I would say get a Bushmaster BKO for around 270 because it is still a real electropneumatic paintballgun, Then buy a fast loader like an egg 2 and a nitro tank (you can get cheap ones for like 80 or 90 I think). You can do alot of great upgrades on the BKO and it will serve you well, but again if you can spend more then just go for a B2k3.

[FoShoNewO]

Thanks for the info my budget is 500 dollars. What exactly makes the Dragunfly bad?

-Thanks

[amzng_spyderman]

Originally posted by FoShoNewO
Thanks for the info my budget is 500 dollars. What exactly makes the Dragunfly bad?

-Thanks
lack of quality/quality parts. go with a real cocker (ie, wgp or madcocker.com's darkside cockers).

[FoShoNewO]

How is the Bushmaster 2k3 for four hundred no hopper, tank, regulator, or mask. What would I need to be ready for play.(I know mask, hopper, and tank)

-thanks.

[jonbob]

Originally posted by FoShoNewO
How is the Bushmaster 2k3 for four hundred no hopper, tank, regulator, or mask. What would I need to be ready for play.(I know mask, hopper, and tank)


That's a good price for a new bushmaster. The only problem is getting all the stuff you need to play would run you a bit over budget since you would need to have:

low end preset nitro tank $70
Decent goggle system with thermal lens $35-40
Motorized loader $40-70 bucks
Standard duckbill ASA and macroline with fittings $20

As long as you get free shipping I would spend the extra 50 or so dollars and get the 2k3. I got all the prices from pbgear.com. You should be good to play other than that, but you'll probably want to invest in a battery recharge system and a decent harness since you'll really be able to throw paint with that setup.

For 500 bucks you can also get a BKO with a really nice setup as well (nicer tank, accessories, loader, upgrades). The 2k3 is the better long term investment though.

[FoShoNewO]

I may be able to get some of those things for Chanukka. (yes I am Jewish you have a problem with that?) I might even be able to get a decet Nitro and a halo B:eek: Thanks for the help guys I really apreaciate it.

[Durandal]

Originally posted by FoShoNewO
I may be able to get some of those things for Chanukka. (yes I am Jewish you have a problem with that?) I might even be able to get a decet Nitro and a halo B:eek: Thanks for the help guys I really apreaciate it.

Holy s**t. What kind of budget are you on?!

Friggin bushy and halob and nitro first marker set up? Wow.

I case your wondering your nitro tank will probably be about the cost of my first set up.

[pEnNyWiSdOm225]

Originally posted by FoShoNewO
I may be able to get some of those things for Chanukka. (yes I am Jewish you have a problem with that?) I might even be able to get a decet Nitro and a halo B:eek: Thanks for the help guys I really apreaciate it.

you are Jewish, yet still can't spell Hanukkah?:eyes:

[PbSkater490]

Yea, the Dragon TES is a really good gun for it's price. My local field bought six of them and I got a chance to shoot one and they were very nice for the money.

[FoShoNewO]

you are Jewish, yet still can't spell Hanukkah?

Actually there are more than one way to transleterate Hebrew beceause it does not use latin characters.

Back on topic I really need to know if I should get the bushmaster Bk23 because I have a deal going with a B2k3, a Mask, a 9 oz. can of CO2, and some gloves. what do you all think? The gun is slightly used and does not come with a stock regulator but he will include a regulator from a JT exelorator.

-Thanks

[jonbob]

Originally posted by FoShoNewO

Back on topic I really need to know if I should get the bushmaster Bk23 because I have a deal going with a B2k3, a Mask, a 9 oz. can of CO2, and some gloves. what do you all think? The gun is slightly used and does not come with a stock regulator but he will include a regulator from a JT exelorator.


Umm... I would be worried if the guy is selling a 9 oz with the 2k3 then the gun may have had CO2 run through it, and isn't good for it unless its been antisiphoned properly. I would also much rather have the stock 2k3 reg than a JT excellerator reg, so I would ask if you could get the reg that came with the gun. I also don't think the JT reg would even work on a B2k3 because it needs to be fully adjustable between 150 and 300 psi and the excellerator wasn't designed to operate at those pressures. The 9 oz shouldn't be used on that gun because it can't be antisiphoned very well (usually you antisiphon like a 20 or 16 oz tank), and you should shy away from using CO2 on a bushmaster anyway. Check to see what kind of mask it is as well, you might not be getting a good one.

So basically what I'm saying is, that's a bad deal unless you're getting it for much cheaper than MSRP. If I were buying used I would ask what air source has been used on the gun and how much paint has been put through it. CO2 places more wear on the solenoid than Compressed Air does. You may actually end up not using most of the things that come with that deal because the only thing high quality is the bushmaster itself (and you already will have to buy a new regulator).

Again I would buy a new gun, and if you can't afford the 2k3 then get the BKO with upgrades. You might want to check the ICD forums to confirm this, but most of the upgrades that you can put on a BKO you can put on a 2k3 so getting the BKO isn't that bad. By all accounts the BKO is still tourney ready anyway.

[FoShoNewO]

As far as I know the tank had not been used with the marker because it was not originally offered with the gun. He can also just sell the gun for 400 no reg. the original reg. was sold so obviously I can't ask for it. The gun has also only been used a few times to test it (he buys a gun tweaks and tests it and then sells it). I believe He said the mask is JT. HPA may be a possible holiday gift though. If I don't get the regulator what reg. would you guys recommend.

[jonbob]

If he is only offering the gun without the reg for 400 then get him to come down on the price. You can buy a new gun for only 40 bucks more that comes with a reg already (find a good website that has free shipping). If I was gonna get an aftermarket reg for this gun (for cheap) I would get the Air America Vigilante because it only costs like 50 bucks online. Make sure you get the low pressure version. This reg also doesn't like CO2 very much if I remember correctly but works well with CA.

Point out to him that you will need to spend more than the cost of a new gun to make it playable and if he still won't come down on price, look somewhere else. Also, make sure the JT mask uses a spectra lens and is thermal. If not you're better off buying one online.

To give you a comparison:
New B2k3 at pbgear.com $439
JT proshield spectra thermal $35
That's with free shipping and a good reg with the gun. He should beat that deal.

[FoShoNewO]

The Gun also has the chaos chip installed. I'm begining to see your drift though. I'll see if he can lower the prices. Btw It seems that the Empire Reloader is the best hopper for the price any oppinions?

-Thanks

[FoShoNewO]

Again the gun he is offering also has the PDS which retails for around 500 not 400.

[jonbob]

That does change things, both are very nice upgrades to have on the bushy. I thought he was offering you a stock bushmaster. With both those upgrades on a relatively new gun I would consider that a reasonable deal. Keep in mind you'll have to eat the price for the regulator though and that the one he is offering probably won't operate at the PSI that gun needs (it operates at around 200 psi).

The reloader is indeed the best for the price. Topchoicepaintball.com has them for cheap right now. I also use and really like the ricochet AK which you can get for 55. Check out the hopper sticky (http://www.pbreview.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=173064) to see which you like.

[ShotALot]

Well i dont know much about guns since I'm aa total noob at this, but i do know about the fields a bit. The best one you can go to around New Orleans is Paintball Command in Mandeville. Its listed on the site but it is the best one. I think the Attack shack is around there but im not to sure where it is exactly. hope i helped at least a littkle

[FoShoNewO]

This is the marker with the JT exelerator regulator. He said he tested it with the "new" reg, and never used CO2 with the gun. BTW whats a cheep effective HPA tank that will work with this gun?

[jonbob]

Looks nice, I would get it and make the reg one of your early upgrades. As far a low-end nitro systems go crossfire and centerflag make reliable systems for about 75 bucks. Since these are preset 47ci 3000 psi aluminum tanks you'll only get 450 shots or so off them. Crossfire also makes a 68ci steel tank for about 115 that will give you more shots per fill (about 650 to 700 I think). I would stick to these manufacturers for low-end systems because they have good reputations.

[FoShoNewO]

Sounds good to me. Thanks jonbob for all your help and any one else who helped. I was thinking of the Bob Long torpedo for the new reg its about fifty bucks and has some good reviews.

-Thanks..... Again

[Jakovasaur]

Since its your first gun why dont you just get an Imagine setup. Instead of dropping 700 dollars on your first gun; seems like your rushing things a little.

[jonbob]

I can't argue that a B2k3 is a really nice gun for a first time user, but I don't see a problem with him buying it if he can afford it. I would also say that if he wants to get on a team and play tourneys then he should get a bushmaster to be more competitive. If he really is serious about the sport (like not afraid to walk back on the field after taking some good hits), then the 2k3 will serve him well.

I will say that he may want to save some money to spend on paint, but he really wanted to get the 2k3.

[FoShoNewO]

(like not afraid to walk back on the field after taking some good hits),

Of course I'm not afraid to get back on the field after taking a hit. Hits don't hurt to bad (unless they are useing el cheepo frozen paint from wall-mart) they just make you look pritty.(welts) After like five minutes you can't feel the hit at all. Even hits from under 15 feet ar not that bad. (got hit from about ten feet first time playing.

Back on topic I can see where you guys are comming from and I might just buy a used gun off ebay like a used cocker with nitro, with new barrel, with a new bolt, with new grips, and with other upgrades that I cant remember right now. for 500 even. This is the gun (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3642634564&category=47251)

So we will see.

-Thanks for the help and opinions

[jonbob]

Very nice. Even with the hydro date on the bottle that sounds like quite a deal. I'm actually looking into buying a bushy myself because they're so damn light and I really want an electo trigger. Get what you think you'll like best, but realize that the two will behave entirely different (the cocker is gonna require some mechanical understanding on your part).

[ZZYZX]

How often do you play, and how much experience do you have?

I would say there's no reason to spend more than 150 bucks on a first time marker. There are plenty of good markers in that price bracket now (Kingman Spyder, 32 Deg Rebel, PMI Piranha, Sheridan BlackMaxx (?), etc).

As a matter of fact, I don't think there's ever any reason to spend more than a few hundred bucks on a marker. It seems that BPS is quickly becoming a substitute for skill. But hey, I've only been playing for 10 years. What the hell do I know. ;)

[SnowBoardKid233]

Originally posted by FoShoNewO
Thanks for the info my budget is 500 dollars. What exactly makes the Dragunfly bad?

-Thanks

Wow, that was exactly my budget about 2 months ago. I got a great package off ebay. As you can see in my sig. Have you already played alot of paintball? If you haven't then I wouldn't suggest getting an impulse or any of the other high-end markers they are talking about. If you have though then a high-end and good quality marker would be a good choice.

In the case that you have played alot and you have the money. I would say get an impulse. Just do alot of research on them. You will learn what you need to.


What exactly makes the Dragunfly bad? - Well I dont know much about cockers really, only Electro markers and blowbacks. From what I do know though, it is just a poor quality gun. Don't get it.

In the end I would just get a imp package off ebay with HPA.

[SnowBoardKid233]

Originally posted by ZZYZX
How often do you play, and how much experience do you have?

I would say there's no reason to spend more than 150 bucks on a first time marker. There are plenty of good markers in that price bracket now (Kingman Spyder, 32 Deg Rebel, PMI Piranha, Sheridan BlackMaxx (?), etc).

As a matter of fact, I don't think there's ever any reason to spend more than a few hundred bucks on a marker. It seems that BPS is quickly becoming a substitute for skill. But hey, I've only been playing for 10 years. What the hell do I know. ;)

Oops That is exactly what I was going to say ^. Just get a low-end starting marker until you know if you really like the sport.

I explained though that if you know that you already like the sport and you are investing in it, then get the impulse.

[jonbob]

You're right, bps should not be a substitute for skill. However if he wants to play in a tournament, he needs the higher rate of fire. It all depends on what he intends to do with his marker.