Are pistols needed?

[56kSomeGuy]

I am thinking about getting a pistol since I like to play scenario games alot. But I wanted to know what is a good pistol to get? I have two pistols in mind right now the two are a pt extream or an PGP pistol. The ups of an PT is that it is semi auto the down side of it is that it is big and only gets about 15 shots per co2 cartrige. The ups of an PGP is that it is small, very reliable, gets about 30-40 shots per co2 cartrige It's down side is that it is a pump. My mag and tippy haven't failed me yet but just to be sure I will have some kind of sidearm to back me up.

[magsRus]

One of the worst investments you can make in paintball. My friend had one it was inaccurate and it doesnt achieve good distant..and you can just forget about consistent velocity..save your money buy paint

[darklord]

I've used a PT extreme, trust me, a sidearm is so not worth it! Not only are they horribly inaccurate but their distance is horrible... you're better off spending the $ on paint or upgrades or something.

[yeahthatsme]

if you absolutly have to have one than get the pgp becuase its cheaper, more efficient(sp?), and its cheaper(thats worth mentioning twice ) and anyways if you have to pull your sidearm than your probably already screwed.

[IAMJaws]

My question is, is paintball needed? Not really. But we do it because it's fun. Same applies to pistols. And God know when I play with my phantom, I'd like a little semi-automatic friend when I have a close encounter of the bunkering kind.

[Mantis]

I'd check out the Sidekick semi at paintballstuff.com before you make a decision. These look pretty neat to me, and are the pistol I would have bought if I wasn't turning my spare classic into a pistol.

[Dern]

you could always try using a Mag without a barrel for a nifty sidearm (for close encounters)

[Snooky]

Well i own 2 PTextremes and all they are really good for is to have fun with them by just taking them out on a field. Other than that they have poor consistency, are air hogs, hold limited amount of paint. But they do turn heads and thats all i care about.

[dave_p]

id say pgp
you can seriously customize them(if thats your thing), they will not break, and they are just fun. dont bother taking one onto a semi game, the real fun is stalking a similarly equipped buddy. its cheap, can be done anyplace that poses no safety threat to the general public and is a hell of a lot of fun. me and a friend play 20 round limit games and its a hoot, sharpens snap shooting skills and makes you think(how many does he have left).
plus you can walk into a stock game cuz its stock legal.

[Flip]

Sidearms in Scenario

The PGP is great, very durable and compact. Only downside is as you said, pump.

I've heard good things about the PT's, might pick one up myself.

I own 2 Sidekicks and I like them alot. They are very light but still durable. Only problem I've had is getting them up to velocity, but I normally barrel tag with them anyway. I have gotten eliminations with them, but it was up close and personal-

Reasons to have a sidearm in Scenario:

It CAN function as a back-up. When your insertion point is "miles" away and you don't feel like taking the walk when your primary goes down, you are still an active player. Take point and be a target if nothing else. I've run out of air and/or close to running out of paint and switched to my sidearm.

Demolitions experts- If your humping a LAW and satchel(s), a nice sidearm is a option to carrying a marker too. Esp on specific missions when you know you will probably have to blow yourself up to complete it.

Pilot- Same as demo, option to carrying a gun when you are doing troop insertions or recon. Frees you up to be able to make ground quickly.

Medic- To be a good medic, you really don't need to carry a weapon. You should be running out and healing your buddies and not worry about eliminating others. A sidearm can keep you in the game, great option when the "defication does hit the rotary ocillator".

Role players- Always an good option, the opposition doesn't take you as a threat when you aren't "carrying" a marker. Going for that GK, if you give the "door Nazis" your primary and just happen to have a sidearm tucked, you might get a chance at a barrel tag on the General. Of course the base security will have to be caught napping.


Night/black-ops: Great for Barrel tagging, again when you seem to be un-armed you can get quite close to the opposition. BT the base security and go for the "all-dead" in the CP. If you are like me and can't see squat at night, I carry the Q-beam. Since this makes me a huge target, I sometimes just carry my sidearm instead of a primary.

[potti]

people have done pgp semi-auto conversions. it would be a little costly, but it seems very cool. in my opinion, i would get the sidekick semi.

[athomas]

Having a pistol is more of a novelty than anything. They are fun to go out with friends and play a stock game though.

I have a PGP that I love. I almost never use it anymore, but it is very accurate and fun to use.

[aaron_mag]

Get two PT Extremes and then you can go John Woo style and forget about your primary marker....

That is a joke by the way. Two of my friends bought them and used to wear them in the holster "just in case". Funny thing......they don't wear them anymore. Just warning you that you probably won't continue using it in the long run. They are fun, however, just to plink targets with at the range.

[Trunnion]

i have a friend who carries a sidearm as a backup for his phantom, for close encounters. he's had some problems with it, but it has saved his butt. i don't think they're a bad idea, especially if you're using a large prop or a pump gun. some of you say that they have a limited ammo cap. or they're gas hogs, but they're backups. the way i see it, you shouldn't need it unless it's an emergency