Does pump really make a difference?

[Scope]

I just went paintballing a few days ago at SC Village ((boy was it fun)) and since I didn't have a gun I rented one. Much to my initial disapointment they only had semi-autos and no pumps ((because sniping is my bag, baby)). Anyway, by the time i got a feel for the game I noticed that even though my gun was a semi it had great accuracy and range. It was a tipman something, the guns were well worn and the labels fading. Still, it shot where I aimed it, with maybe one out of every five shots heading abit off. But that was probably to my hand shaking because of all the adrenaline rushing through me.

What my question is, is there really a reason to get a pump when a semi auto shoots just fine and with good range and accuracy, and has a higher rate of fire?

Another thing i noticed is that when my marker shot the paintball curved up abit upon exiting the barrel. Do all paintball guns do this or did the rentals have a fabled Flatline barrel? O.o

[snipinhick]

Originally posted by Scope
and has a higher rate of fire?O.o

right there is the reason i pick pump over semi. Its too easy to let a few balls fly in a mans direction. But its not that easy to make sure that your one ball hits a man. The disadvantage that a pump player has in ROF he has an advantage in reliability. He has to rely on his ability and tactics and his common sense. makes the game alot more fun.

[MikeTippyMan]

My first marker was a SL 68 pump. I am very glad that was my first gun. 4 of my friends got me into paintball about a yr ago, all four of them had mid range to high end guns. I didnt have much money so I bought the SL 68. At first I felt outgunned and angry because in the time it took me to shoot 1 ball they had about 5-6 of them flying right back at me. The only thing I could do if I wanted to get a kill or two was to learn how to aim and be very fast about it. So gradually I started to get a few kills now and then. In about 3 months I was considered a threat instead of the guy with the pump (sorta speak). Most of our play time was woods ball so I also learned how to be stealthy, I had to be if I didnt want to get wasted. I finally bought a semi about a month ago Custom 98 with a Smart Parts All American 14". Instead of spray and prey I aim with it, and I get my share of multi goggle hits.

[HawaiianPenguin]

dude scope, if you had a m98 rental...that mean it was stock...and stock...m98 suck!!!! If you had had a phantom in your hands and you thoguht and m98 was that good, then your gonna have a heart attack when you see the accuracy in a phantom. Through the roof and the tippmann was dirt.

sorry for the bluntness and if I offended any tippmann fans.I owned a tippmann m98 once....lol... :laugh:

[MikeTippyMan]

I agree with the Penguin, M98's have the worst stock barrel ever. I do like 98's tho, just not there stock barrels. As for a rental using a flatline, I find that unlikely. Even if it was the Flatline, they cant match a good pumps accuracy. Want pump have you used Scope? A Talon?

Guns dont kill people, Cops kill people

[Scope]

I've never fired a pump to be truthful. I've only gone paintballing once, and they only had semi-autos for rent. I was just curious to see if a pump really makes that much of a difference in accuracy. If i do get really into paintballing, i'll probably get a pump because of accuracy and price issues...

[MikeTippyMan]

Ooops, I spelled what as want. What pump have you used is what I meant to say.

[LordChaos]

Pump playing style is different then semi playing style.

I started off with a pump (Sterling STP... still have it, still use it) (ok, actualy I bought my Air America Tsunami first, but only by a mater of 2 days). Spend 6 months with a pump going against semis, and you ether become good, or you stop playing. :)

As for accuracy... yes, and no. If you don't learn to aim it, no paintball gun is accurate (each requires it's own aiming pattern it seems). However, since you are relying on a much lower ROF from a pump, you end up learning aiming it better (normaly), and hence being more accurate with it.

[AK47]

With a pump, if you see some one and they don't see you, you get instinct on when is the best time to fire. With a semi, you just charge them while wasting 50 rounds. Pumps rely more on skill. If you are good with a pump you'll even better with a semi. Its a good learning tool.