Looking for new gun - $200 - $250

[GhostWalker]

I am currently saving up for a new gun, and I am looking for some opinions.


I only play woodsball. I am looking for something that is reliable, high bps, quiet, electronic and light weight.

At first I thought Ion, but then I read what people are saying on this forum about the SLG and I looked at that. It looks good. I also noticed that the Proto Rail is selling for the same price. I guess it's an older gun?? The rail used to be priced at $400, so maybe it's being discounted?

I also thought about getting a Spyder MR2.

Thoughts???

[YoBoneDaddy]

The proto rail is a higher end gun compared to the SLG, right now Proto has dropped the price on them to about 10 bucks different than the SLG so between the two I'd probably recommend the PMR. Then again the PMR is a high end gun and if you're playing rough and tumble in the woods you could look at getting something a little more tough. All the same performance wise you won't really find anything in the price range to out-perform the PMR. The MR-2 is just a milsim spyder so unless you're paying ~130 and pocketing the rest I wouldn't recommend it. Once again though, if you don't think you can tech a high-end gun you might be better off with an electronic blowback, but if you're going with that I'd choose a VS2 over any of the other spyders.

[pacman552SD]

pmr is a great gun but also you might want to consider the epiphany its basicly smart parts next step up from the ion and it only cost 200 on actionvill it is basicly a ion that comes with: a on/off blade style trigger, freak jr.2 pice barrel, firebolt, same board but higher presser noid, changeable fier chamber size and a beter feed neck and looks koolerish

[iliveforthis99]

I'd get the rail se, but keep in mind you're going to need HPA and a good loader as well. If you want to go mil-sim then i'd look into either the sp-1 or sp-8.

[xXBloodLustACXx]

Look into used guns, as you can find cheap mid-ends for under $200. Plenty of used Ions as low as $100, and Rails around $200, plus older guns like 2k2 Timmys and such.

If you're buying new, the best gun would be the Rail, but you do need to have the money for a good HPA tank and a decent hopper to go with it.

[wabango$]

pmr is a great gun but also you might want to consider the epiphany its basicly smart parts next step up from the ion and it only cost 200 on actionvill it is basicly a ion that comes with: a on/off blade style trigger, freak jr.2 pice barrel, firebolt, same board but higher presser noid, changeable fier chamber size and a beter feed neck and looks koolerish

imo the Epiphany would be your best choice. the trigger is an epic win, anyone can roll that sucker. with the Freak i shot several hundreds and it hits perfectly on the target. some people say the Epiphany kicks which is complete B/S.

the second is the SLG which is pure greatness, id get it rather then the PMR. also the SP-1 and 8 is a great gun for woodsball.

[Rockin the Tape]

SLG would be a good choice, IMO. Although its the same price as the Rail, its not EP.

[GhostWalker]

Once again though, if you don't think you can tech a high-end gun

YoBoneDaddy - I'm not sure what you mean by "tech a high-end gun" Could you explain? Is the Rail harder to maintain?

[iliveforthis99]

I wouldn't say they're hard to maintain but when you enter the realm of high-ends there's more maintenance involved and more things that can go wrong.

[GhostWalker]

SLG would be a good choice, IMO. Although its the same price as the Rail, its not EP.

What does "EP stand for?

[GhostWalker]

Does anyone know why Proto dropped the price on the Rail from $400 to $249? Is it an old model and they are discontinuing it?

By the way, Thanks to all who responded!!!

[Coenen]

Probably to better compete with the new line of markers that Smart Parts brought this year. Also to keep it a viable option considering that Proto themselves introduced the SLG which would draw a lot of potential buyers away from the Rail.

The Rail itself has only existed for a year or two so getting an 'old model' is pretty much impossible. If you get a gun that has any bugs I'm sure that Proto will fix them for free. I'd be surprised if they discontinued it as well considering it's apparent popularity and the strength of after market support for it. Cheaper guns like the SLG, Rail, and Ion are huge cash cows not only for the manufacturer but also the after market. People buy these guns and then feel the need to make them better, at least some of them will buy their after market stuff from the manufacturer, others will support other companies. I'd guess that to make after market stuff you are also paying the manufacturer for the right to tinker with their patented property. So to just such a successful money making design go just like that seems like a stretch.

[luke5001]

EP-electro pneumatic:)

[GhostWalker]

EP-electro pneumatic:)

So the SLG is not a electro pneumatic?

[Coenen]

The SLG most certainly is Electro Pneumatic.

[Xanatos903]

The SLG most certainly is Electro Pneumatic.

I thought the SLG was spool valve. that's not the same thing, is it? :confused:

[Coenen]

Spool Valve is a method of operation, just like "Ram/Poppet" or "blow forward" etc.

When that spool valve is controlled via a circuit board and an electronic solenoid and circuit board then it becomes electro-pneumatic.

[GhostWalker]

So, of the following: Rail, SLG, Epiphany,

Which is most reliable?
Easy to maintain?

The Epiphany is less expensive, but everyone seems to recommend upgrading the feed neck.

Thanks for th help. Everyone's opinions are greatly appreciated!

[luke5001]

Out of those personally id take the pmr.If you go with a pmr get the se version it comes with some upgrades for only 25 more.

[iliveforthis99]

Yeah Rail SE.

[GhostWalker]

Update on the Proto SLG - I just checked a number of stores and I see that the Proto SLG has dropped in price from $249 - $199.

So maybe, for the money, the SLG would be the better deal now?

[iliveforthis99]

Wow that's nice. Must resist the urge to order one must resist. Even though i prefer the slg over the rail, most everybody doesn't so i'd still say the rail is the better deal.

[GhostWalker]

Yeah, the price drop is great. So I am leaning towards the SLG

I found on http://www.paintball-online.com/paintball/ The gun for $199, and I found a eVlution 3 loader and 48ci 3000psi HPA tank for $99

Are the eVlution loaders any good?

How many shots should I expect out of a tank like that?

[YoBoneDaddy]

Evolutions are good speed-wise. Durability is a little more debatable, it seems a lot of people snap off the battery doors. Still it's a good hopper, I'd look at a package with a Halo/Reloader B and a 48ci/3000 if you can find it

Well the SLG is kind of a spool valve gun so I wouldn't expect much more than 400 shots off a 48Ci tank. But I haven't experienced how the SLG operates compare to a true spool valve gun (the SLG is still sear tripped unlike other spoolers)

[iliveforthis99]

The egg3 is an ok loader but it's a little on the cheaply made side. I've only used mine once when my reloader b was low on batteries and i could easily tell the speed difference between it and a force loader. Still though it'll be fast enough to keep up the SLG. Tank is very small in the fill size and pretty big and heavy in size. I'd really recommend maybe picking up a used or new halo b and then a carbon fiber tank of your choice, much better buys.

[Algernon]

the SLG is not electropneumatic. it's electromechanical.

it's a modification of the unblanced spoolvalve ala PMR. a sear controlles the HP air entering the dumpchamber rather than a solenoid, making it, with the addition of a sear tripping pankake solenoid, an electromecahnical marker. naturally, it's much more compact than a PMR having gotten rid of all the electropneumatic lines and componets in the electromechanical conversion. the PMR is a little more high-end. they shoot the same and the SLG is noticable more compact, but that clacking solenoid and ultralight weight means that it's just a cuthair less smooth as a PMR.

crazy, eh? i had to get one.

[GhostWalker]

Instead of a 48ci tank, would a 72ci tank be better? They only cost about $10 more. How many shots should I expect from a 72ci tank?

Why is there such a big jump in price from the 3000 PSI tanks to the 4500 PSI? How many shots would I get out of a 68ci 4500 tank?



Is the Halo B that much better? Price is about $40 - 50 more

[iliveforthis99]

Getting a carbon fiber tank will be good since it'll be lighter and since they're bigger size tanks you'll get more shots per fill. The halo will be better if you're looking for all out speed. If you want something that'll just keep up then the egg3 will do that.

[GhostWalker]

What about buying used tanks off eBay? Is that good or bad?

[iliveforthis99]

While some may say it's a good idea i personally wouldn't do it unless they had very good feedback and good description and pics of the tank.

[Graybass_20x6]

I use an MR2, and couldn't be happier with it. The one drawback to this gun is that it is HEAVY when fully loaded (unless you go remote, then it isn't AS heavy). I'm the kind that isn't bothered by weight, but it's all preference.

I'd go with the VS2 if you're looking for a lighter gun, though the MR2 is definitely hardier in my book.

[GhostWalker]

While some may say it's a good idea i personally wouldn't do it unless they had very good feedback and good description and pics of the tank.

I have had pretty good luck with eBay. Last year I bought 4 Tippmann 98's on eBay (My kids and I play mostly, but sometimes even my wife will play). They all work fine (even when it's 32 degree's out, like last weekend).

So where is the best place to buy a carbon fiber tank? Somewhere, someone mentioned that they cost around $125, but the best I have seen is $149.00

Who makes a decent (but not expensive) tank? Are Pure Energy good? They seem less expensive. What about Cross Fire?

By the way, A big Thank You to everyone that has responded to my original posting. It's people like you that make this sport great!

[iliveforthis99]

I know 68/45 crossfire tanks are $160 off action village. PE tanks are ok but they're a little less quality then other tanks. Crossfire makes some of the best fixed pressure tanks on the market.