Advice on which gun

[CTYankee]

I am new to the sport (and this site as you can see). I'm looking to get a gun very soon and have about $300 to spend. I'm basically looking for reliable, easy to maintain (of course with propper treatment...basically nothing that requires additional attention), accurate and upgradable. I've played with the custom 98 and the spyder TL. Good guns, but is there anything that is better for a bit more? I'm told that with a few upgrades the 98 is a great gun. Anything out there that outperforms the 98 right out of the box for about the same price or less than a upgraded 98?

I've looked around the reviews and saw the Core sharc the JT excellerant (with free 12v feeder it seems). Any feedback on these?

[Killer Kat]

I'm sendin this to general paintball. You'll get more attention and replys too.

[Ett]

I say you go with a 98 custom with double trigger and RT mod. They are real nice and easy to maintain. And get a AA barrel, dye, or JandJ. Your preference there. And also get a motorized hopper.

[VeNoM]

which gun were you more comfortable with, tippman or spyder? if it were me, i would buy a spyder compact and upgrade it with a new barrel, reg, and a small used nitro tank. that would be a nice set up. there are alot of options that you have when getting a new gun and wanting to upgrade it . . . i personally dont like JT markers because i am not found of anything made by BE (brass eagle) or anything sold at Walmart . . . and i also (personal preference) find it very hard and uncomfortable to play with a tippman m98, they are just too long and unbalanced for my liking. good luck, feel free to ask any more questions you may have (you probably will ;) )

[Omega6_Virus]

The tippmann is very reliable. I had one and love it till this day, my friend bought it from me. One thing I don't suggest is getting the flatline. Sure I had it and it works great but I feel you can get other barrels that are just as accurate but don't shoot as far. I would also stay away from the JT Excelerator and Core Sharc. They seem like the Rebel which two other friends have and they suck. here is what I would say you should get.
Tippmann Model 98 Custom, JT Spectra Mask(one thing JT does make well are masks.), a non-motorized hopper unless you get the RT Trigger, RT Trigger later on if you like paintball and a Lapco barrel, which are the best for the price.
A good place to order from is http://www.countypaintball.com . County Paintball by far has the best service of ANY online store. Mike comes on these boards at times too. He is a nice guy and very helpful.

[Mr. Y2K]

I know it's one that you ain't askin about, but it deserves respect. inferno t3's. great, no amazing guns stock, just throw another barrel or barrel system on there and you're set really.

[Omega6_Virus]

A local field uses Infernos as rentals. My friends who have used them have nothing bad to say.

[UTLadiesMan]

Just remember to get a mask and accessories first and foremost. You will need a thermal mask. JT Spectra thermals are the best mask for the money IMO. Sturdy (safety first), very comfortable (second), and they do not fog (always a plus). Also remember to add your hopper, tank, and probably a pouch with tubes as well. Also, any gun you get in that range will need a new barrel. Just be sure to add those costs in before getting the gun, because it would suck to have a great gun but can't stand playing.

For the gun, any Spyder (or good clones) or Tippmann will do you just fine for until you are ready to hit the upper end. Just remember to have fun, be fearless, and kick ***.

Good luck.

[SniperM98]

Hey, let me tell you this, I own a Tippmann Custom98. Great gun reliable, not to many problems like an Autococker. This is THE gun for newbs! I added an JT 2 piece barrel, 12v w/ X-Board, and PB Drop Forward, which for a Tippmann will best the best thing for you. The down falls are that, as someone said, that the Tippmann is long, very long when adding a 14 inch or greater barrel. And the weight! Now, its not that I'm weak, but when adding everything on before the game, things become heavy. So keep in mind, this gun is not really for the front player either!

The Spyder is like an Autococker for the newbs. Most because they have so many damn problems! Well, not always. These guns are great! Small, compact, and very sexy looking. As VeNoM said add, some nice upgrades i.e. Nitro, reg, 12v, Lapco Dye SP, anyone of these barrels, or anything else, just an idea. And also add an drop forward! Makes the gun extremly compact! With enough upgrades and some TLC you could compete with the pros! Well I dont know but.... Though the only downfalls are the problems, I play with my friends pb, and almost ever time they have soemthing wrong with there Spyders. Im serious.

So If I were to choose one, I would say (drum roll) The Spyder. Start slow and this gun could be someting great. The tippmann is good but, but unless you want to be slowedd down all the time, and have an unbalalnced fell, go right ahead and buy one. Hope this helped.

[Crime Dog]

Unbalanced? Nah. I don't think the M98 is unbalanced. MAYBE a bit heavy...but I'd rather have weight, then have more problems with my marker (like a Spyder.)

Reliability in not breaking down is more important than how "heavy" something is.

[SniperM98]

Well, Ok ya right, but it is very heavy though! But the PB drop f helps out the balance which is a lot better, so I guess you are right.

[Omega6_Virus]

Well, b4 I had a remote the gun sucked to hold with a 20oz tank on the back. Once I got a remote my problems were solved. I never had a drop forward but a lot of people use them and I have never heard anyone complain about a drop forward b4.

[CTYankee]

So here is where I'm at in my process. The Tippmann seems to be the best way to go to get a reliable good performer. Howerever my objections to it are:
-Seems to need upgrades right out of the box. One shop said to not even try the stock barrel its so bad.
-Heavy. I'm into light. However from the mountaint biking background I know that sometimes the extra weight is worth it...but I still don't like it ;)
-Ugly. Geez, could they make then any more blah! looking?
-Long. 90% of my playing will be in the woods (brother in law has 100s of acres up in NY). Will a long gun be more of an issue in this kind of anvironment?

Others that I'm considering:
Core Sharc
-best out of the box gun it would seem (based on reviews here)
-Questionable contruction and reliability. Any objective non-users out there? (people who own something tend to love it no matter how good, and people who own other brands sometimes get a bit too brand loyal and hate all others).
-Very limited distribution. Paintballonline seems to have pulled its auctions...not that I was at all impressed with their feedback. That leads me to thing they are not at all the king of place I want to spend my money.

Spyder
-Shutter seems to have some nice features that most would recommend as upgrades.
-looks nice.
-available at my shop.
-Are these really as troublesome as people say? I won't be using it that often (once a week at the most and not every week).

JT Excellerator 3 (and 4)...or whatever the name is.
-Similar feedback as the Spyder.
-the 4 has the same addons that I'd probably want to upgrade to anyway.


So basically it comes down to this. Buy a $130 gun...er, marker? and get another $150 in upgrades. Or get a $200-250 gun upfront. All I can say is...the 98 sure is UGLY! I'll try to not let that play into it too much. What brands out there rival them in reliability?

[VeNoM]

Originally posted by SniperM98
Hey, let me tell you this, I own a Tippmann Custom98. Great gun reliable, not to many problems like an Autococker. This is THE gun for newbs!


i dont think its fair to say that it is "THE" gun for newbs, it really depends on what they are comfortable with and you cant tell him what is comfortable, if it is comfortable him than its a decent gun.


you mentioned the shutter, that was mine and my dads first guns (he still has his) and i think they are great guns. i put a new barrel on it and with a good paint match they are actually pretty accurate, i use my dads sometimes (and let him use my bushy) and his gun is pretty comfortamble, fast and accurate. it also is one of the best looking blow backs IMO . . . me and my dad both had trouble free fun with them, i would recommend them, i think they are great markers especially to get started with, so out of your guns so far, shutter gets my vote :)

[XeRo]

going back to the top... my 2nd gun was a m98 custom w/ rt, starfire bolt and flatline. The m98 custom is an extremly reliable gun. I never had one problem while playing rec... the only thing you need to know is how the change the velocity. My first ball break was 3 months, 6 games later. The RT with the flatline is a no no. if you go stock with rt be prepared for inaccuracy and extreme spikes in velocity. Overall i would say M98 all the way. then mod it to how ever you please. also depends on what type of pball you'll be playin etc.