Promaster vs Ion, or any gun in that price range.

[�.C.]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking about getting into paintball after being out for so long. I'm thinking of getting something that is a bang for the buck and very reliable. I already have a mag, but I'm looking into all of these new guns that have come out. So here's what I'm looking for:

- Cheap (no more than $200)
- Reliable
- Good performance at stock level
- Electronic, because if I go mech I will go mag

So far I have heard Ions and Promaster fit this description.

Or do you think it's cheap just to convert my mag to a pneumag? It would need the works, xvalve, lvl X, double trigger frame of some sort.

I don't know, times sure have changed so please let me know.

Thanks guys,
Benny

[garbageman705]

I would stay away from the Ion, pain in the butt to clean, made by SP. I have owned a few Promasters, I would stay away from them as well. Again, pain in the butt to clean and ICD closed their doors so parts and service will be scarce.

If you want a gun that rips without upgrades get an 06/05 Quest. If properly maintained and not abused these are amazing guns. Also you can't go wrong with a Viking, if you get a Viking make sure you get the special tools you need to work on it with the Viking. Also the 03 model is more reliable than the 04 model. Both of these guns can be had from 250 to 400 depending on condition.

[Hilltop Customs]

ions arnt too bad(except being smart parts) You can make them easy to field strip for free too, you just have to do a couple mods to the body, frame and rear banjo bolt. Now all I have to do is losen 2 screws in the back of my gripframe and I can get my bolt out.

Ive never used a promaster, but I just picked up a B2K4....and other than it being a little large, I really like it. For $90 its hard to beat lol.

For 200 you could mod your mag into a pnue and pick up a cheap electro if you look around enough. Should be able to mod your mag for less that 50(if you already have a trigger frame)....that leaves you with another $150 for an electro.

[azza]

I cant vouch for these yet, as I have only read about them, but I would recommend a Mokal Aura. While yes, *its only a stacked tube blow back" its got alot of features as well as being made by a quality company.
Im too lazy to list them all but LP, cocker barrel threading and break beam eyes to name a few. I am probably going to buy one shortly after I get my finances sorted.

But meh, just my 10cents.

Cheers
Aaron

[Ninjeff]

Check out the new Proto SLG, and the new WGP Synergy.

Both are new so i dont have any first hand experience with them, but they fit your price range.

[Toll]

Dm3.
You can get them dirt cheap
They are fast
They are reliable
They are the scariest things, next to cockers, to "tech" so thats a down side

[blizpaintball42]

I have owned a few Promasters, I would stay away from them as well. Again, pain in the butt to clean and ICD closed their doors so parts and service will be scarce.

I called ICD last week, checking availability for BKO parts. They picked up on the second ring, I got someone from service without having to wait forever, and the parts I needed were in stock and cheap. Also, just a question... what's so hard about cleaning a Promaster? Take pull pin out, remove bolt, pull squigee.

I've owned a few Bushmasters, and yes, they are pretty inexpensive, and nice reliable markers that rip. Very simple, and easy to maintain.

Dm3.
You can get them dirt cheap
They are fast
They are reliable
They are the scariest things, next to cockers, to "tech" so thats a down side

I agree, I have a Toxic Matrix (older GenE/DM3 style) and I love it. There's like 8 pieces and 14 o-rings in the bolt kit though... And if I don't keep the bolt lubed nice nice, it leaks like crazy. I've seen them on PBN for around 100 bucks too.

[NeedForSpeed]

If you could get a little more I could get you a beautiful like new in box gold Quest. Pm me if your interested. Fully upgraded and the least maintenance out of any high-end marker
You can find a PMR for about $200. I'm not much of a fan of ICD markers after previous experiences with their marker so, I would have to say either PMR or Quest. Quest if you have the money but a PMR will be sufficient.

[Zone Drifter]

I own a promaster, actually it's the only electro i own, also the only other marker i have that isnt a mag. If you get one, just get the regular promaster, don't bother with the lasoya version. I love mine actually, I'm glad that i bought an ICD gun as an electro. Rather simple, and they work great. I can shoot smooth ropes with it, but i prefer to conserve my ammo, kinda used to the mech way of shooting.

You can't go wrong if you want a decent electro gun, they do the job very well.

[IcantBelieveit]

Also look at Dangerous Power. Fusion LE or Just the Fusion. They are great guns. easy to maintain. and straight rips.!!!.....I own one. b/c mags are just too expensive....

[garbageman705]

I called ICD last week, checking availability for BKO parts. They picked up on the second ring, I got someone from service without having to wait forever, and the parts I needed were in stock and cheap. Also, just a question... what's so hard about cleaning a Promaster? Take pull pin out, remove bolt, pull squigee.

I've owned a few Bushmasters, and yes, they are pretty inexpensive, and nice reliable markers that rip. Very simple, and easy to maintain.



I agree, I have a Toxic Matrix (older GenE/DM3 style) and I love it. There's like 8 pieces and 14 o-rings in the bolt kit though... And if I don't keep the bolt lubed nice nice, it leaks like crazy. I've seen them on PBN for around 100 bucks too.

They have parts now, but hey are not making any more as far as my knowledge. The promaster is easy to field clean, but if you want to really clean it and lube the ram you have to take the body completely off. It is time consuming, I also did not care for the spring assisted ram and internal hosing. The marker performs well but when it's time to lube the damn thing properly it is a pain in the rear. The internal hosing gives the marker a cheap feeling to me, the ion has internal hosing as well and the noid connected to the board, barfo.

[trevorjk]

Invert Mini, can be picked up $325 retail. or around 200-250 used. amazing guns, really, your not going to find anything better in that price range

[blizpaintball42]

They have parts now, but hey are not making any more as far as my knowledge. The promaster is easy to field clean, but if you want to really clean it and lube the ram you have to take the body completely off. It is time consuming, I also did not care for the spring assisted ram and internal hosing. The marker performs well but when it's time to lube the damn thing properly it is a pain in the rear. The internal hosing gives the marker a cheap feeling to me, the ion has internal hosing as well and the noid connected to the board, barfo.

I by no means am trying to get into a pissing contest, but honestly, how often does it come down where you absolutely have to clean and lube the ram? Once a month... once every other month? The average shoot around once and a while player isn't going to put the marker to use enough to have to do it more often than that as far as I'm concerned. Do you take your markers down every single time you use them, piece by piece and clean and lube everything? I know I don't. The only marker I own that gets ripped down after I use it is my Toxic, because like I said when it isn't constantly maintained, it leaks. When I had my store, you wouldn't believe how many markers would come in from the kids "cleaning and lubing the whole gun because I shot 500 paintballs through it today", that needed to be put back together/fixed/pieces replaced.

I do agree though, the noids connected right to the boards on any ICD gun is a pain, I would have done it differently, but 2 bucks and a soldering iron fixes that.

Directly from ICD:
Recent Headlines
After 21 years in the paintball industry, ICD has made the decision to no longer produce paintball guns. This is due to ICD's growth in other industries and product lines and the lack of growth in the paintball industry. However, we will continue our commitment to our existing customers by offering warranty service, parts, and accessories for our markers. We are a strong, thriving company and this move reflects our continued quest for innovation and exploring new opportunities.

[warbeak2099]

Proto SLG, no contest. Ions and Promasters are swell guns for the price, but SLG's are just so much better quality.

[Gabriel]

Proto SLG, no contest. Ions and Promasters are swell guns for the price, but SLG's are just so much better quality.

i second that. matter of fact, I'm trying to trade my DM3 in for an slg, if that tells you anything.