My son wants to get into paintball, and I need some..
 

information. What is a good entry level gun? I have heard Tippman 98 and Spyder (spelling ?) are reliable brands.

Any help you can offer?

We use Tippmann M98's for our rental fleet (we have 60 for rentals). They are one of the most reliable markers there are out there. Plus they are upgradable with many options from the manufacturer. Go on www.warpig.com and do some research, you'll find good things there.
O-R-H

Thanks for your response.

I'd say go with the Spyder or an Icon (spyder clone and really just as good just cheaper) over the Tippman. Tippmans are good guns but the upgrades are on the expensive side and a complete pain to strip and clean. The Spyders/Icons are very very easy maintance and cleaning and they shoot alot faster ball per second rate which is very good for speedball and woodsball. Check out

www.pbreview.com almost everything paintball related is reviewed here

www.paintplayers.com is a new but pretty decent paintball forum the guys there are pretty knowledgable.

In my Paintball Store, we don't have any trouble selling most any marker. For my money, our rental fleet is all Tippmann. Out of 60 markers we have trouble with only about 3 or so per match, mainly due to broken paint lodged in the bolt. We used to run "other" types but got sick of the delay, and mad players during the match. I'm the Airtech also, and it was trouble to have at least 20 markers and players in line waiting. Just my two cents.:) In-line markers are more reliable than stacked in my experience of 10yrs in the retail paintball business.
O-R-H

Thanks again
 

Can you explain in-line and stacked?

I'd go with the Tippy, reliable, and virtually indestructable

Re: Thanks again
 

Has to do with the way the gun parts are lined up in the airgun.

Spyders are stacked, Tippmans are all in one single line. Look at the side of the gun, on the two brands and you will see the spyder is "taller" at the reciever.

I always liked tippman better, but it is like a lot of things that comes down to personal preference.

Thanks!

How old is he? What does he want to play? (woodsball, speedball, X-ball?) How many times has he played? How much are you looking to spend? And have you played with him yet? (if not, why the heck not! ;) )

These questions will help narrow down your gun choices. Have fun!

As it's been said you just can't beat the Tippmann custom 98 for what they cost. After he decides paintball is for him add the flatline barrel and he will do very well.

LOL >> i am 42yo, play Xball and supair tournies, i have spent ~$4k on gear.

Where will he play?
The local field will probably use C02 or compressed air >> that will narrow your choices as what to get.
If he is not interested after 12 months or so the marker can be sold.
If he is serious then expect to cough up for an air system ~$200 and a decent marker ~$900-1300

Brass Eagle Markers any good? Good enough for a paintball war between a 39 yr old and 13 yr old?

Ehhh, well you get what you pay for I guess, maybe a little less in their case. You will be able to have some fun around the yard with them, but that's about all their made for. Don't expect them to last all that long under any real use. Then again, as cheap as they are maybe the idea is they're disposable.
Bottom of the barrel stuff.

Only thing i can suggest is look on www.pbnation.com for some secondhand markers.. i still strongly suggest you visit your local field and see what they can supply in rteh way of second hand markers.

You do realise that semi auto markers can fire up to 24 balls per second in some cases.. and full auto ones ~15bps.

Simple pumps>>
I started the same way - last Sunday a team of 12 to 13 yo's took out a 5 man team of 22-35 yo's >> One 4' nothing midgit bunkered 3 players in one game >>> his dad takes him hunting !!!!

Spraying paint is not playing ball
 

I started in 87 with pumps, too. I like the automag for reliability and ease of repair and field strip. It was a gun designed by ballers/engineers. Mine never broke.

If you don't play alot a tippy is great. They never break either. Just a nightmare to fieldstrip quickly and a couple of easy to forget pieces. Just to have to rebuild. You know what I mean if you have had one.

Spyders are "cheap", they work. Autocockers are hot but $$ and are like high maintenence girls. Electronic guns give you a machine gun but they are delicate. Don't buy brass eagle, you will not be happy. They break often.

Its like real guns man. A giant cash vacume sucking you dry.

http://www.airgun.com/

You've got me beat on years :) But I have you beat on my "investment" in gear. ;f Kids ask all the time if me and my team are sponsored.

"Yeah, by Mastercard." ;a

Re: Spraying paint is not playing ball
 

I agree with everything you said, except for "Electronic guns give you a machine gun but they are delicate". Get a good electro and give it basic care and she'll treat you right. No more delicate than a high-end cocker. My Angel gets the hell beaten out of her every weekend (well not lately, stupid knee) and is good to go without fail.