I'm not sure if it's a regional thing or not, but outside of MCB events I'm noticing a significant drop-off in the number of pump players, events, and equipment available lately. Is it me, or is pump play hitting another lull? I hardly ever see pump players at my local fields anymore. Companies seem to be killing off their pump lines as well (with a few niche exceptions). I'm not seeing fields promoting pump days either unless one of us organizes an event for them. Is anyone else seeing this in their part of the world too or is it just my observation around here?
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If you go slightly more Northeast you may have a different opinion. New England has got quite the healthy pump scene in a myriad of play styles and we have been slowly, but steadily growing in numbers.💀 PK x Ragnastock 💀 -
New England and SoCal seem to be thriving. I know there's other areas with regular groups of die-hard pumpers like in Arizona, Texas, others. When I lived in Utah I met enough other pump fans to have a few private games on someone's property, which was amazing.
But I agree, it's in a weird place as far as big pictur goes (yet CCM's still go for over 1k). I've met a small number of people where I am now who talk about pump, and even less who actually play but at least there's a few! Funny because a pump team that did really well used to exist here. There are regular pumpers I haven't met yet further away though.
The walk-ons at the field I go to are mainly people who have been playing for under 5 years, with a few just getting back into it, then the more rare old timers. Everyone uses electros, even most the experienced guys with the exception of a handful who regularly run mechanical.
I'm trying to force myself into more pump play, especially because after almost every outting I reflect on the day and realize that even with a mech/77ci tank/full sized hopper I shot less than half a case and only aired up once all day.
I'm trying to get more people into playing pump, but it's too easy to get discouraged when everyone else is shooting 10 BPS (capped electros) and carrying 6 pods. I'm guilty of it too, just easier to shoot the Emek all day. But the new owners (Cousin's) of this field are great and receptive, and I plan on talking to them about ways to encourage more pump: whether that's pump days, or a even a pump tournament.Comment
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Here in Southern Ontario I occasionally see other pumpers at walk ons and big games. We have a huge pump group call Pump Fiction but I literally never see them anywhere. I only hear about them playing.Originally posted by Terry A. DavisComment
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I imagine it is very regional. No one is going to play pump for long if they are the only one at the field. St. Louis has a healthy pump scene too. The field that hosted the Spring Pump Event, Xtreme, has a consistent group of pumpers every 1st Sunday of the month for open play.Comment
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At my local field, several of the regulars are playing pump on a regular basis now. I play pump maybe a third of the time i go out. But still theres 2 to 4 people playing pump on an average day.Comment
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It had steam?
Most guys I ever had show up to a pump only game we ran was 12.Comment
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I bet pump will pick up about 5 years from now. The mech gun craze has evolved into speed warz 2.0 I feel that after a while people are going to get tired of shooting so fast. Much like how xball eventually came down from uncapped to 10.5. A switch from mech craze to a pump one could happen thanks to the same demographic of players that's wanted to go back to mech.Comment
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My local-est (1.2 hours away) field has a small pump tournament every month. I built a pump just to play in it but haven't been able to make it down yet on a weekend when they host it. It's still got a following there though!
I do think that the age group, as far as I have seen, is generally older for pump games.
It is immensely more satisfying to place that one shot that hits someone and closes out the game rather than guessing if one of your few hundred plus shots had an impact or hit someone.
Pump market is kind of small though for people wanting to try that play style. Not a lot of new pump markers that are readily available to a newer player who doesn't know the ins and outs and forums and what not.
Like I could source all the parts for a cocker build or find a CCM or an ICD PRP because I know they are there and know where to go. But the new kid on the block only see's Azodin, and that is nearly it.
New kid on the block is also not going to fork over 1K plus for a bob long MVP, or a CCM.
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We are in maryland but went up north for Slim's and Capital Dave's games, stock class events. Between myself and 4 others on our team we've got ~20 sc setups and gear to loan out. We plan on hosting some events next year at our home field in Taneytown, NRAd enturePark, formerly PaintballAdventurePark. The idea is to run our events like Slim's, with games Saturday and Sunday, offer lunch and a raffle. Hoping to get some outsiders to come but if not, we're just gunna force our non stock class guys to use our stuff. Hyperball and woods all day hopefully. Of course, theres a lot to hash out between now and then but all MCB homies are welcome.
Maybe this will grow the stock scene around here. We have a lot of cocker pump players.Comment
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uh, again- jonesey9041, this event would be hosted at NRAP, NOT NR
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It goes in cycles but like others have said there are regional pockets where pump play is going strong.
I do think through that without some industry support it won't pick back up. People have to be able to walk into a proshop or go online and be able to easily buy a pump gun. Sure we can build a sniper or find a used Phantom but the average guy at the field will look and end up with an emek or something along that line because they can use it at a field and walk out of a store with it.Comment
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For what it's worth OSG has just started selling Azodin pumps in their proshop! -
Bingo. The industry needs to make more readily-available pump guns. The Phantom & Azodin KP3 being the only ones doesn't cut it. And even those aren't always available off-the-shelf.
And it also doesn't help when the money-making for fields comes mainly from paint sales.
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We host 15+ player pump games on the regular easy in the north east. We have a great group and the level of play is very high and intense. Our pump days are way more challenging then any walk on day. I’m sure it’s just your area. Some fields definitely have more pump players than others.
Fields don’t really have an incentive to promote limited paint style of play. Most operate on paint sales. This is why we organize them ourselves. We have built a relationship with several local fields that have made it super easy for us to organize this year has been especially good with lots of great pop up games. The collection of ballers this year is what keeps people coming back. No attitude, no stress, no Drama, just some good competitive paintball. Before or After we often grab food or drinks. It’s been a great year for pump play.
I travel a lot for good paintball and it’s totally worth it.Comment
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QUOTE=Chuck E Ducky;n482807]We have a great group and the level of play is very high and intense. [/QUOTE]
Now that's an understatement on both accounts!! Despite getting my ass handed to me most games, MCB pump meet ups are amongst the most fun I've had playing paintball with some wildly talented players too.
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The same thing goes for online retailers. If you go to a major site like ANS, do you know how many pump gun models they have available? One. It's either an Azodin KPC+ or nothing there. Lone Wolf? There are two - both of them being Azodin pumps. Unless you want a $600 Phantom or you can afford to buy a Sniper from Inception Designs, the available options for new pump guns is nearly nonexistent. This leaves the used market or slapping a pump kit onto a Cocker as being among the few ways of even getting an affordable pump these days.Originally posted by BLachance75 View PostComment
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Nope. MCB games. I'm not that cruel. The point I was trying to make though is that variety is good for everyone. If someone buys that new Emek and has fun with it for a while, they may wish to branch out and try new things. I just wish the option was more visible and available to people. Just seeing a pump gun hanging on the wall will get people asking questions. Instead, all they see are tacticool Tippmanns, electros, and modern mechanicals. Pump doesn't really even register as an option since most companies have stopped making them. -
I see what you’re saying maybe I’m insulated from it as we have such a great pump seen in our area. But the best way to build it is from the ground up. It starts with a bunch of OG
guys showing up regularly and putting the smack down on the paint hosers. You would be surprised how many people think my pump maker is more accurate then there electro after they keep getting shot out. I really only shoot semi mech to play 10man now. I even got my wife playing pump now. Her game has improved drastically because the level of play is so high. As we like to say “Iron sharpens Iron”. I don’t think it’s losing steam but there definitely is less support from the off the shelf market. But that’s ware the aftermarket picks up the slack unfortunately for new pump players getting into the sport. -
Reading this just cracked me up, I'm introducing my older brother to paintball on the 16th at an MCB pump meet up. I might pack an emek with a tiny hopper or stick feed just in case haha
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As everyone else said, New England’s scene is booming.Comment
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I think having a massive hole between Azodin pumps and expensive pumps (ID, CCM etc) is hurting. A solid mid/level pump like an Empire Sniper would be great. Snipers are starting to be hard to get and prices seem to be bumping up too. Be interesting to see how the Nova pump sits in the marker.
My local area had a few pumps but looks like a lot of the regulars use Electros on low setting or play pocket ball.Comment
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lmao @chuckEducky. handloading from a dump pouch with an electro sounds like an appropriate handicap to me. not to toot my own horn but (insert miles davis solo) we also always pull out the pump guns for rec play and run circles around the speedball guys. the world would be a better place if the walkons got semis and the regulars all played pump -
It totally would. However this is why we can’t have nice things Slimbo…
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