Paintballing newbie, need help picking out a gun

[soterion]

Ok, I have been looking to get a paintball gun, but nothing too expensive because I dont have a job and doubt i will get into any kind of tournament playing or anything, just want to go and have a good time with my friends. Well anyways, I have been looking at two different guns: the Spyder Xtra and the Spyder TL. I would appreciate any comments or opinions on these guns, or any other gun that you might have in mind. Thanks!

[soterion]

Oh yea, I also wanted to say that I am interested in some upgrades like a scope/laser sight or whatever, maybe a new barrel, etc. The only thing i was wondering about is how would you do that with a vertical feed(when it comes to the Xtra or TL(i think))

[VeNoM]

they are basically the same gun, except that the xtra has a vert feed, nicer grips, and a drop forward. i think you should go for the xtra . . .

[albert]

jt excel 3 or 4

[Paint Bulley]

there are threads like this everywhere. look aroud and you will see.
I would go with a compact.

you want a laser site? why?

here: go to www.paintballonline.com
and look for accesories for the pt extreme.
it puts a laser on the trigger gaurd or something. if you moved it a little to the right so it wouldn't get in the way of you'r bottlom line or whatever it would work.

or you could just not get one. if you really want one, get a adco 2 eye site.

[soterion]

Prices?? Any other opinions comparing those vs the Xtra?

[VeNoM]

i would stay away from JT guns, they are not a gun company, they make masks and appaeral, not guns!! that was most likely BE's idea so im sure they are BE workmanship . . .

and dont waste your money on a laser site, paintball guns are not accurate for them to be effective, and by the time you take your time to aim, you will be gogged!

[soterion]

Aight, so right now I'm leaning towards the Spyder Xtra, but I hear the barrel is the only bad thing about it. What about a not too expensive barrel that is decent?

[soterion]

I also need to get a CO2 tank and a hopper right? Will any kind do?

[VeNoM]

i personally am using a lapco big shot on my gun (listed below) and i think it is the best barrel available on the market, with a good paint match it is VERY accurate, and the best part is . . . its only $50!!

[soterion]

Know of any website w/ info on that barrel?

[VeNoM]

http://www.lapcopaintball.com/ that is the manufacturers web site, i think you can buy them from www.paintballbarrels.com try looking around at other online stores, i think www.pbgear.com has them too . . .

[albert]

Originally posted by VeNoM
i would stay away from JT guns, they are not a gun company, they make masks and appaeral, not guns!! that was most likely BE's idea so im sure they are BE workmanship . . .

First off BE owns JT, but they do not have anything to do with the manufacturing(spelling?) of JT products..... Secondly, the Excellerator was created before JT was bought out by BE.

[albert]

IMO (and many others) The JT 4.0 is much better then the shutter (same price range).

[VeNoM]

still looks pretty shotty to me :rolleyes:

[HondaRacer2120]

DEFINATLY get the X-TRA i have one (it's below my screen name) it is the best gun i ever shot :D

[Hsuve]

Bah! A stock Compact 2000 will shoot just as accurately, maybe a just a lil' less, than the JT Excellerators. Sure, the Excellerator seems to have a "better" barrel, but no matter what stock barrel you got, people always change them... People with Defiants with J&J two piece stock barrels replace them with CP barrels. Add a CP on a Compact 2000, add a CP on an Excellerator, and then see which one's more accurate? Then see which one costs more too... :) Sight's aren't always bad. If you arc your shots a lot, they can be useful, as you know almost where they'll hit at a certain distance. If you're playing close range, it doesn't do anything, as you can site down yourself, but with arcs, a bit of help can help you hit that little part of that guy's pack sticking out... ;) Anyways, if you've got a Spyder, I would say to get the CP barrel. For Spyders and Model 98s (I think...), it's only $35 at http://www.e-paintballoutlet.com

[albert]

Originally posted by Hsuve
Bah! A stock Compact 2000 will shoot just as accurately, maybe a just a lil' less, than the JT Excellerators.

Well a compact can probably shoot as PRECISE as a shutter too!

I still think the excel is a great gun..

[davkad]

defenately go kingman.
go for the xtra, over the tl, because the xtra is vert feed, and has a regulator.
but i don't suggest either, i say go for a compact 2000, because no matter what stock gun you buy, you will be replacing the barrel, even on the xtra.

go for the following.

compact 2000 (85-100)
ex-chamber or regulator around 40 after hose)
co2 (30)
vl200 (5, 7 after elbow)
good aftermarket barrel. (35-80) , go lower end, but this doesn't really mean bad performance. go for a custom products or lapco... both great barrels, for lower prices

will end up being more than the tl or xtra, but all the parts are specialazied, so you get better performance.

[soterion]

Would someone mind explaining what an expansion chamber and regulator is and which is better?

[BlindSeaman]

Expansion Chamber: Does a decent job of preventing liquid C02 from entering your marker. Liquid C02 is a bad thing, and can freeze o-rings and such. However, expansion chambers are useless with HPA, and I still wouldn't use one even if I was using C02.


Reg: probably your best bet, many of them work well with c02 and HPA (WGP and Stabalizer) they tend to do a better job of keeping liquid c02 out than an expansion chamber. And make your shots more consistent which leads to better accuracy. They are also required to go lp. I would defiantly recommend a used WGP reg.

If you get an xtra, I would say to get a barrel and revolution hopper first. Then a reg. However, if you don't need vert feed I would go for a compact and buy a reg also.

Besides, spyders I would recommend a Piranah, or tippman. I've never shot an excelerator, but seriously the grip frame looks like it came off of a squirt gun.:) A big part is feel so try to test out a gun before you decide to get it. (especially a m98)

[Ice]

kingman compact 2k $79 www.paintballpx.com or java c2k
32 degree Terminator barrel $36 www.888paintball.com
pshyco ballistics x-core x-chamber $15 www.countypaintball.com
pshyco ballistics drop foward $29 www.countypaintball.com
macro line kit with 2 swivl 90 degree elbows $15 countypaintball.com
1 90 degree conneter elbow $2(steel braidit hose) countypaintball.com
dye stiky grips basic $15 countypaintball.com
hopper $5
elbow with screws $5
16 oz. crome molly $20 countypaintball.com
the x-core might be cheap but it's just as good read the reviews (at countypaintball.com)

What kind of mask you got?

prices arn't exact

[Hsuve]

Actually, Spyder Xtras don't have regulators. They do have a drop forward though... Here's what I would do:
1. Compact 2000 - $90
2. 12" CP - $35
3. AKALMP Compact Mitey-Max - $47.50
4. Any turbo valve, not Tornado though - $25
5. PMI Perfect or TKO drop forward - $30
6. Macroline kit - $10
7. Maddmann spring kit - $10
8. TLplus84's or my trigger job - $0
9. Palmer Stabalizer - $90
10. Drill and tap your own inline bottemline holes - $5 for a drill bit and tap
11. Bottemline converter - $6
_____________________________________
TOTAL: $307.50, under the price of a 'Cocker... :)

[soterion]

Ok Hsuve, that sounds good, but that's a bit expensive. Which of those are optional and not extremely important, because I dont know if i plan on spending that much money on one. If I had the money, I would, but I have to save up little by little at a time, so what should i start with, and then upgrade from then on?

Also, where can I get all these specific products?

[Hsuve]

I'd say the Stabalizer isn't all that necessary. You can always get a really cheap, and used WGP reg. :) How much are you willing to spend? If you give me a budget, I can find you a pretty good setup.

[soterion]

Pardon my ignorance, but whats all this WGP HPA stuff?

[Paint Bulley]

hpa = high pressure air

wgp = regulator that comes on a wgp cocker.

[soterion]

Whats a vl200?
A CP?

[BlindSeaman]

CP=CustomProducts, a popular barrel manufacturer. They make good barrels for a decent price.

VL200= is the View Loader 200 a non-motorized hopper. It costs like $4.

[DefiantMan3901]

Compact 2000- 80
12 Terminator Barrel- 35
20 oz tank- 20(?)
Modify Bolt (take out the venturi star)- 0.00
Trigger Job Listed at the top of this forum
Drill out Vertical Adaptor
Adjustible Reg for Tank- 35-40
12 Volt Revy- 50

Total Around 230