| I'd say use whatever you are most comfortable with. There is no "Best" gun of those you mentioned. All are quality and dependable products. I have a Phantom, 2 Snipers, a Sterling, and several other pumps in the gearbag, and they all shoot well for me. I use what feels good that day -usually decided by which one chronos in the easiest at the start of the day.
That said, I know at this point how I like my set-ups. All my guns have 45 grips with bottomlines and are RF. I also try to balance the guns so the center of gravity is at the trigger with a hopper but no tank. I like longer (14-16") barrels. That's what works for me, and my muscle memory can pull any of my guns up quickly and put a ball on target virtually with my eyes closed.
Nothing will interfere with learning a good snapshot faster than alternating between multiple grip and feed configurations every time you play. Learn your basics on one set-up first. Drill the feel of your gun into your muscles so that every time you shoulder it it points to the same place, and that place is where you are looking. I still watch TV sometimes holding a new gun. I'll randomly pick out things on the screen and snap the gun up as if I was going to shoot it. Within several dozen repetitions, I know that when I pull the gun up the barrel will be where I want it.
If I consistently see that the barrel isn't where I want it to be, I can be pretty sure that come game time the same thing will happen when I need to make a quick shot. For me, I found the any gun with an M-16 grip always ended up pointing high and left for me when I shouldered it quickly, and that was supported by my results using them in a game. I could make aimed shots, but anything quick (snap-shots, an unexpected runner appears, etc.) sailed high and left.
For me, the 45 grip was key to the barrel ending up pointing where I wanted it to when shouldering quickly. For others, an M-16 grip points more naturally. That's what it comes down to, too, feel. If it sits well in your hand, and you can look at something, point the gun at it, and the barrel is dead on, then you're on to something. If it feels akward, no amount of wishing it would get better will change that. I know there are amazing center-feed guns out there that are ball-on-ball accurate, but I'll never be able to shoot them well because they just don't sit or sight naturally for me. Some people love thick grips, others thin. Some love a drop forward and tiny package, others want a more rifle-like feel.
I'd say start with whatever gun "feels" the best to you and spend some quality time just holding it and practicing acquiring a sight picture with it. Snap around corners in your house using a mirror and aiming at yourself (bathroom mirrors are great for this), watch TV and practice aiming at moving objects, just get comfortable with the feel and look of your gun. Then, the next time you go play, spend some time at the range before your first game and just get to know how your gun is shooting that day.
I used to just go to the field and play with whatever new gun I had that day. The results were less than impressive, and I was getting frustrated. Then I started taking 20 shots at the range before I played my first game each day. I'd pick which gun I was using, chrono it in, and then spend those 20 shots just getting comfortable with the gun. I'd start by taking 5 aimed shots at close targets, and then 5 aimed shots at further targets. Then I'd put the gun down and bring it up quickly and shoot 1 ball as quickly as possible at those close targets 5 times. If I hit all 5, I'd do the same with the far targets. If not, I'd repeat the drill with the closer targets. I always aimed to end with a hit -even if I had to had a shot #21 or 22. Just that added 5 minutes made a dramatic difference in how well I played. I started making those tough shots rather than "almost" making them. I also had alot more confidence in my gun and myself since I knew what I was dealing with.
If you are trying to learn how to play at a disadvantage, the last thing you need to be doing is worrying about your equipment too. Go with what you know will work, and what you know feels good to you.
Good luck,
SSniper13 |