Friend Looking For A First Gun

[Augiedoggy18]

I have a good friend who has only played paintball four times (each time he was playing with me). After he came up from Atlanta last weekend, and we played, he decided that he had to have his own gun. I let him shoot my Xmag for the two days, so I am afraid I spoiled him. After we talked, here is his list of requirements for a new gun: First, it has to be capable of 15 bps. Second, it has to be relatively chop-free. This doesn't mean that it won't chop, but chops should be minimized. Third, it has to be fairly easy to learn the gun and maintain it. Fourth, the gun must be under $500 not including a tank, loader, or barrel kit. This may put him in the category of looking at used guns, but that is OK. He would love something with a built in anti-chop system like ACE or Level 10. He thinks he would prefer an electronic gun because he really liked the light electronic pull on my Xmag.

So, what do you guys recommend? So far, I have looked at used Impulses, new and used Bushmasters, and the Evil Omen. I am not sure what more to look at. Just looking for a little help here because I think I may have created a monster. Oh well, its always good to have another responsible adult playing paintball. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

[Athius]

A bushmaster with pds.

[puckmaster]

impulse with vision or bushey with pds. there are also matrixes that go for 515 ish stock. no eye tho

[Timmee]

I'd also like to recommend the Bushy. It's light, fast, and inexpensive. The only thing I don't like about them is the stock wiring harness, but it's relatively easy to get a vapor harness (thicker wires, high intensity LED, and lighter microswitch).

[Joni]

And I guess you have told him about ULE RTP? Oh well, if he's absolutely sure he wants electronic theres nothing to do

[Creative Mayhem]

I would say keep an eye on the used forum, you could prolly find a nice emag that will work great and just like an xmag. He can then upgrade, if he so desires... As for ACE the emag doesn't have it, but with LVL10 you don't really need it(I don't use mine on my xmag) Or like Joni said, he could probably get the RT ULE custom deal and get what he wants and add the Ultra Ligt Trigger for a nice light mech mag. Then again, im a little biased.. Hope it helps.

Get your buddy to check out AO, he can ask all the questions he needs to..

[ghideon]

Used EMag all the way. I picked up mine for a little over $600, with LVL10 and a barrel, and that was two years ago. He should be able to find something similar nowadays.

Plus, it will be basically the same for him as your XMag (just not as pretty or as light). And he'll be able to ask you a lot of questions (tuning, maintenance, upgrades, etc).

Used Mags are almost always an excellent buy, since they are very easy to take care of (and fix). Plus, if you do have to send it in, AGD has great customer service.

[Pballwizz]

Why not a Dragun TES. There fast, have an eye, and all that good stuff...

[punkncat]

Is this $500 budget for ALL his equipment or merely a marker?
I mean it should not be any problem finding a great marker for 500 , but if he has no tank,mask,hopper,etc it won't do him any good.

I would suggest the TES also.I always enjoyed my bushy and they are available cheap used.
Lvl 10 is kind of a pain to get broken in properly at probably not something that a complete newb would like to have to deal with.
Buying a mag wouldn't be a bad plan , and then installing the Lvl 10 later as he became more familiar with the mechanics.
The only oproblem I can see with a newb and that fast a marker is that they will learn spray and pray techniques rather than reliable shots.

[Phil]

Angel LCD. No antichop features but antichop features are obsolete with the current fast loaders available. A buddy of mine just got a used LCD then sent it in to TAG for an overhaul and it shoots very nice. Can't beat the reliability of an angel.


Phil

[DK1]

I'd say definately a 2k3 or 2k4 bushmaster with PDS. I'd try to find one that takes cocker threaded barrels, they are just easier to find. You'll probably be able to find one with some upgrades in that price range...

DK1

[tyrion2323]

Here are my suggestions:

Evil Omen:
I recommend this because I love mine. It's reliable, easy to tech, and very impressive! I've gotten quite a few compliments from former "naysayers," and it's always fun to watch the disbelief on people's faces when they shoot it for the first time.
Upgrades are inexpensive (PDP chip, clamping feedneck, ULE milling)

OGI TES:
I recommend this based on my teammate's experience with his. This thing flat out rips, especially for a sub-$250 gun. It's got eyes, a clamping feedneck, a 20bps capable stock board, and more.
Upgrades he'll want: New bolt, IS-Switch

HYBRID Rival:
If he's looking at all at a mech 'cocker, check out the Hybrid Rival. For the price, it's got quite a few of the "pro" features (regulator, nice pneus, hinge trigger, etc)

If he's looking seriously at the TES or a Hybrid 'cocker, PM me.