Best value

[Chronobreak]

m98/a-5 rt soemthing liek that

the basic 98 custom kit for like $150 with mask tank and hopper is agreat deal and not a huge investment for a beginner and isnt a bad gun should they choose to keep it for a longer period of time

also maintenance isnt really an issue at all.

basicly safety is the importance for beginners


anything below $70~ is really abd choice

those cheap avenger and other spyder clones are more work than they are worth and very poor quality and virtualy no consistency.

invest a bit more $ into the sport and have fun instead of messing with gear


OH and DONT FORGET a ncie pair of thermal lenses

[VFX_Fenix]

New guns in the "Bang for Buck" catagory need to go hands down to Kingman USA Products (Spyders) and their clones. There's little to go wrong with them, they'll last for a few seasons of hard use and upgrade/replacement parts are numerous and avalible just about anywhere.

Tippmann M98C's are bullet proof, simple as that. They're a bit more expensive than the Spyder(clones) and lack some of the out of the box firepower but still have a nice upgrade path for most applications.

For my piece I'd say the Spyder to get rolling since they have a layout which is very similar to virtually every other pneumatic ram driven gun out there if "Space Gun" is the order of the day. Personally I'd stick to Kingman since I've had good luck with them in the past. If the gun will be a long-time investment I'd go the M98C route, again, because of the durability of the piece and the more-or-less divergent nature of the upgrade paths of the M98 for both more serious recrational or even entry level tournament play and scenario play.

Things to consider though, how mechanically inclined are the future owners and will they be comfortable dealing with wires if they go the electro route, even if it is just a sear tripper without an eye harness.

If you have faith in your cousins then an Ion or Diablo Wrath would also be good choices, just be aware that the more features there are on a gun the more there is to go wrong or be broken either through ignorance or incident. Also be aware that the faster the gun can shoot, the more expensive the entire package will be because of other purchases, i.e. REVY/HALO/EVO II and HPA for the entry level e/P guns.

[Cow hunter]

Parts and upgrades are cheap? Compared to what?

compared to everything! well for the most part at least., then you have to consider that there arent as many upgreades for other guns..........well sorta
as for the parts thing, i consider mag parts not too expensive....... because, well, what parts are there that need replacing? 10 cent o-rings and shims?

[11 Bravo]

Brag they have a Cocker?

[Lohman446]

compared to everything! well for the most part at least., then you have to consider that there arent as many upgreades for other guns..........well sorta
as for the parts thing, i consider mag parts not too expensive....... because, well, what parts are there that need replacing? 10 cent o-rings and shims?

You lost me on that. Personally I think you lost you somewhere in that reply too.

[Tunaman]

Just get the Mags. You will be much happier in the long run. Email me and I will hook all of you guys up for CHEAP. I'll provide spare parts and all...everything you might need. I have TONS of new and used guns and parts here...

[warbeak2099]

Evo, great rec gun. Wish they had them when I was starting.

[Cow hunter]

You lost me on that. Personally I think you lost you somewhere in that reply too.

mmmm hmmm.......... yeah, i guess you were right after all.....

[noahyay]

98 custom

or a race framed cocker

[lather]

Strongly encourage them to spend money on a good high quality thermal mask first and then worry about what gun to get. Safety and comfort should be the initial concern for beginners (and experienced players).

What marker is best doesnt really matter much to rank beginners. If they end up really getting into the sport its only a matter of time before they upgrade to something else that suits their playing style.

[grEnAlEins]

Just get the Mags. You will be much happier in the long run. Email me and I will hook all of you guys up for CHEAP. I'll provide spare parts and all...everything you might need. I have TONS of new and used guns and parts here...

Tuna I am definately interested, in fact I want my family to start out with mags. I still have my 68 classic, it atill works great after years of abuse. I will call everyone over the next couple of days and PM or Email you with numbers of those that are interested.

As for everyone else, thanks for your asistance and sharing of opinions. They will all have thermal lenses, I assure you.

Thanks all,

Nick

[Coralis]

Well whatever you choose do yourself a favor and get the same type of gun for all of them that way youll only have to learn how to tech one gun.... If you decide to get a 98's make sure that under NO circumstance do you let anyone take their guns apart (those things are a beast to put back together especially for a noob). Anyway good luck with your purchase.