Paintball

[Z50]

If you are willing to jump right into stock class, a used PGP is the way to go. Otherwise go with a Trracer/Maverick/Hammer. Sheridans are much easier to get parts for because there are/were so many. SL-68s were quite difficult to get parts for when I had mine and with the new Tippmann owners it will only be more difficult. They (SL-68s) are excellent first guns but much more difficult to work with then either Sheridans or a more basic nelson clone. Old Brass Eagle guns can be finicky and difficult to get parts for. Be aware: Talons, blades, and ghetto ducks are for those of us who hate our selves and want a challenge of a project gun; run away from these guns. I'd recommend you stay away from palmer and phantom guns as a first pump, they are some of the best guns you can get performance wise but it makes no sense to pay so much money for a style of play that you may not like anyway. Buy and sell some of the different used pump markers until you find the exact setup you like then go have that gun built for you.

[Wycke]

I'll second the vote for the Trracer/Maverick. My other recommendation would be the Tippmann SL-68 II. All of these have a handy "anti-double-pump" feature that will help immensely until you get used to the one-pump, one-shot concept (I've seen a lot of newbies pump some guns repeatedly, thinking it gives them more "power" or range - it doesn't, but I'm sure you know that). All three of these are a bit tough to find barrels or upgrades for, though. With the SL, you can get a wedgited brass barrel from PPS - the only barrel you'll ever need. Not sure if they can make Trracer/Mav barrels, though. The only other potential downside of all three is the lack of a resale market. Let's say you buy a new Maverick at $80 and decide after a few months that you just don't care for pump play. You'll be lucky to get $50-60 for a used Maverick. Of course, this also means you can probably pick one up that's practically new for much less than the cost of a new one.

If resale value is a concern, you'll have to pony up a bit more for a Phantom or Sniper II. Phantoms are truly great guns...very well-made, efficient, and the stock barrel is about as good a barrel as you can get anywhere for any gun. I've had a VSC for about 8 years and it's one of the few guns I have that I will never sell. There's not much of an upgrade path for Phantoms as far as bolt-ons go, but it really doesn't need any. They shoot awesome out of the box. Period.

Sniper IIs are also nice, and have the added advantage of a nearly limitless upgrade path. The pump stroke is (or, rather, can be) quite a bit lighter & smoother than the Phantom, but they're (generally) not as efficient and are usually heavier.

[Lrrpie-CT]

I'm chiming in for the Phantom. Like everyone has stated, the Phantom is light, reliable, accurate, configurable, and easy to maintain. You can get a nice one here or on eBay for around $120 if you bide your time.

[sparky]

I favor phantoms myself (kinda). Very reliable, lightweight, great company to deal with and you can set them up anyway you want them in a few minutes. Pump stroke is not the greatest, but it does get better with time. Velocity is easy to adjust, unlike some sheridians, Traccers and Mavaricks which might require spring changes.

Phantoms are more on the pricey side then Traccers/some Snipers/sherdians or plastic BE markers, but definally cheaper than a PPS gun. Resale is good for phantoms too.

Second choice: PPS pumps if you know exactly what you want...

[PumpMan]

I'd say SL-68 II. They are cheap, reliable and they can turn into great project markers later on.

[Cunha]

I would go with a direct feed phantom. Get the cheapest one possible with a stock barrel and detent rings and you dont need anything at all.

A phantom with a regular factory CCI bottomline setup and a decently small co2 tank is a really great setup. Playing with a hopper lets you still maintain a bit of focus versus jumping right into a game where you worry bout about pumping, and about how many rounds left in your tube, and with SC how many shots left in your cartridge.

Direct feed is the cheapest and easiest and for me, the funnest way to play pump.

I think your better off getting a phantom initially versus a maveric or traccer. Youl want to upgrade your traccer or maverick or buy parts or just something and youl immediately be looking at a phantom..id jump in with 2 feet and get a better marker.

ALL snipers <pump autocockers> are really great guns and they are a blast. A bit larger than a phantom but still good. With the sniper you arent going to be able to run a stock class setup down the line if you wanted too. Snipers can range from 100 dollars to 400 or more dollars depending on who put it together and whats on it. A cheaper one isnt much worse than a better one.

PPS guns are great sheridan style markers but they are also going to cost a bunch more money than the rest of your choices. For the cost of a pps pumper you could get a complete phantom setup with 3 different bodies and an array of barrels.

Down the line, you may be leaning towards a palmer pumper, they are a great and you should try them once you decide pump is your bag.

Another option is sheridan brass markers.. a piranha long barrel or short barrel is what I would reccomend there. 100-150 bucks or so gets you a great marker..back bottle and good solid piece of brass. Down the line you can send it to PPS and they can do their work on it..making it <in my opinion> better than what PPS makes completely in house. A p68 direct feed is also a good option here.

Overall though, id say start with a phantom, they are user friendly and just great guns, and if you want something else later, its easy to sell and get something else.

Phantoms can be found here and bunkerboyz.com/phog the phantom owners group. whitewolfairsmithing.com sells phantoms the cheapest if you use a money order..theres a decent length waiting period for things not in stock, but he always does come through.

GL

[amcfall]

I'd say get a cheap one to see if you like the style. I bought a Phantom before I realized I don't like Nelsons, I much prefer Sheridans. Nelsons just don't point well for me. Get a cheap Trracer if you want to try Nelson, or a cheap Sniper for Sheridan.

Avery

[sdawg]

Wow.

mcarterbrown.com is the best online paintball forum I've ever seen. It's almost like there are other adults out there who have paintball as a hobby!

thanks for all the great opinions... keep them coming, I am learning a lot.

[DCB]

One thing about a Phantom... resale value! If you wanted to try something else (Sniper or PPS) then you can sale it for what you paid for it or trade.


Something to think about.

Peace

[Target]

My vote is for a Sniper.
I like the solid feel and weight of a Sniper over a Phantom.
I had a VSC a few years back, although a very nice gun, it felt fragile.
I was always leary of damaging it. I'm sure that it would never happen, but it was always at the back of my mind.

I also like the ability to switch between semi and pump without much difficulty.

Pump players are very few at my fields (most fields in general) so it is probably difficult to "try before you buy".

What do you currently use for a semi?