Mech marker advice

[MattV]

After 3 or 4 years of not playing, I sold off all of my gear last year. Naturally, there's been a swarm of young blood that recently started playing and we've been getting big turnouts, so I need to get set up again.

I'm looking for a mechanical semi auto, and need a bit of advice. I've always loved cockers since first shooting one in 2001 or 2002, and I've always owned one. A friend has an old VF tactical that he wants to sell for $300 with some extras. Given the market right now this seems like a good price, any opinions on that? It's sat a few years so it might need some work but that's not a big deal.

The biggest question I have is, are any of the new options any better? I'm talking about the new spool valve mechs, the Enmy, Emek etc. I've read some positive things and they fit my price range, but I've always been a cocker guy and I'm worried about spending the money and being disappointed.

Does anybody have any advice? $300ish is my spending limit so I can't buy anything overly fancy.

[Toestr]

To my knowledge, a $300 VF Tactical is a pretty killer deal.

I'm known to have some controversial opinions when it comes to Emeks. As a brand new gun, they have good bang for your buck, and they're something I'd recommend to a newer player as their second gun as an upgrade from a blowback.

To an experienced player, I'd say you can do better on the used market. To me, the stock Emek lacks the character of mechs like a mag, a good blowback or (I assume) a cocker; and comes off as kind of soulless, like an electro. Emeks also tend to be pretty plain Jane on looks.

I got a good deal on an EMF100, and I think it has good value due to the variety of things it can do. With that said, I was a bit underwhelmed with performance until I upgraded the trigger.

If you want bells and whistles, go for the Emek. If you want something that is more cultured I'd say go with something else. Plenty of good used options on here.

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[glaman5266]

I agree with most of what Toestr says.

$300 is a solid deal for a VF Tactical, but in my opinion you can get something that performs just as well for less. With a VF Tactical you're buying something uncommon & no longer made, not necessarily for performance. If you really want it I'd say go for it.

Another autococker option for ~$325 used is an Empire Resurrection. They perform very well for the dollar & sometimes include the factory barrel kit. The trigger is a bit different though, as it's got a heavier initial pull & a quick break to prevent short-stroking. You can mod the stock trig plate or buy a different one if you don't like the pull.

In terms of raw performance, the Emek is the biggest bang for your buck on the market today. It has fantastic performance fresh out the box and has some great upgrades if you want to go that route (totally not required though). And yes, he's right that they can seem soulless compared to markers of yesteryear, as most modern spool valve markers are. But you can customize it and make it your own with 3D printing. You can make or buy different bodies, grip panels and back caps. You can paint it, you can do whatever you want cosmetically to it & make it your own. That's appealing to me personally.

There are some who prefer the eNMey over the Emek, and their reasons are valid. It's a preference thing. I don't know much about the eNMey, so I won't comment further on that.

Does your budget also include the other stuff, like a mask, air bottle, loader, etc.? Based on your description (just asking about a marker) I'd think not, but, as I'm sure you know, a good mask comes first. And there's a TON out there to choose from.

[BrickHaus]

Im partial to the cvo platform you could likely find a mechd rsx for close to that price range. The trigger on the cvo frame is really nice and snappy.

The drivetrain is essentially a tooless ion so it works pretty realibly.

For the cocker comments, also valid. Not a whole lot shoots like a well tuned cocker. And with you having expierence with them means you can keep it kicking, so you cant go wrong with one. What keeps me from using cockers more often is the cleanup. I personally hate cleaning cockers after a nice firefight. Ive heard a spray bottle works wonders, but I was never that smart.

[Tinybear]

I can’t comment on the cocker (never owned one) or the Emek.

But I can say I picked up a eNMEy when they first came out and was very disappointed. Don’t get me wrong it shoots well, is light and the trigger is fast. But it feels cheap Looks cheap and the trigger feels somewhat mushy. I still have it as my sister liked it so it became hers and I continued on happily shooting my heavy slower Automag a while longer as it just feels right In my hands.

Now I run a tippmann Crossover primarily as it’s a good mech shooter from the factory with a awesome trigger. It’s easy to maintain is mostly tool less and shoots similarly to my Automags. Additionally with Flick Of a switch it also functions as a decent electro slinger when needed but most times I don’t even have a battery in it as I never was much for electros. They were discontinued a few years ago but can still be found new some places and used at very reasonable prices.

[Hellion360]

A good price on that VFT if it is in decent shape.
They shoot good, and have good WGP parts on them. If he doesn't have a barrel kit then you will want one, or to have the back bored for inserts.

IF you are going to be playing mech you are just having fun right? Then get something you want to shoot. Do emeks offer "better performance than my mags or cockers? In some ways, but I like playing with the other guns for fun.

[the_hyren]

Cockers need a lot of work to make them good and you will probably want to upgrade the front block some. A inception or dye 3way at the minimum. These just make the tuning much less painful though a shorter trigger pull is always nice too.

The emek is a great rental/beginners platform but I have major complaints about the trigger and while there's a pile of upgrades now none of them really get the trigger where I'd like it. It's just too light and spongy. You really need tiny hands so you can walk it like an electro. It doesn't have enough return force to middle finger shoot the way I prefer. I starting shooting slider cockers about 12 years ago and its just how I learned to shoot.

I strongly urge you to save up another $100 or $150 and wait for the mech amp to hit the market. You should see CVOs crop up for low $400s shortly after. The CVO is an insanely good marker for the $$. And with a little trigger setup, polish, and a $20 shoe from master sconi it's a real beast. Yes that's right, it's a $20 part away from excellence. I put $400 of ups into my emek and its not nearly as good and it's still plastic! The CVO has a lot going for it; sub 2lb weight, the sustained fire rate, the cocker like trigger pull, the ergonomics, no macro line, no tuning or timing to do, it'll probably come with the nice and compact case, the tear down and clean is easy. Hell I could probably fully tear down and clean at least 4 CVOs to 1 cocker. There's a reason why most pro's (who weren't PE sponsored) are shooting these or their Adrenaline counterparts. The CVOs only downside is the efficiency, it's a bit lacking, the Rsx version is a hint better but 6 pods and a hopper is pushing it with a 68/4500 unless you cold fill. This is why the Amp is such a big deal. Having that level of efficiency in the CVO package is going to be a game changer. For the first time since Intimidators were popular I have enough air to shoot more paint than I can really carry.

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[flyweightnate]

I gave up on cockers. There, I said it.

I play 3 times a year, and got tired of tuning and greasing and tightening and cleaning.

For me, it's a well- tuned Millennium (or Sentinel) that requires zero maintenance, or a nice electro, or a Phantom.

I was really impressed with the Emek, too, with a new trigger. Less soul, but more paint! I pull the trigger and paint goes out, which is a bit of the right idea. The eNMEy was very mushy. I'd stick to the Emek.

I'll probably try Macdev's new mech at some point, too. I like their guns. But I have no reason to upgrade right now.

[JonM]

$300 isn't a bad deal at all if Cockers are your preferred mech.

As for the Emek, I'm going to disagree with some of the things said here so far. There are two markers in my main gun case. One is a Bob Long Autococker and the other is an Emek. Between the two, the Emek provides the best bang for your buck regardless of whether you're a new player or an experienced tournament player. These things can be found everywhere these days from the rental counter to the podium at mechanical events. Yeah, they don't have the old school cool factor of a nice Mag or Cocker, but they're $250 for crying out loud. Toss in a trigger upgrade and it will compete or beat guns four times as expensive. Hell, I spent more on just new parts for my Cocker than I did on my whole Emek (upgrades and all). Style isn't everything. If you're looking for a lightweight, efficient, smooth shooting, and reliable marker, you can't go wrong with an Emek. Then again, if style and customization options are more your speed, then a Cocker is hard to beat. That said, The Emek platform is no slouch in the customization department either now that people are designing upgraded bodies, triggers, bolts, 3-ways, and so on for them. I see some people comparing the Emek to a Mag, but if you ask me, there's no comparison. There's a reason why my Mags are collecting dust and the Emek holds the #2 spot in my gear bag.

[Jonnydread]

If you like cockers, get a cocker. There are plenty of newer mechs available that have objectively better attributes (faster, lighter, etc.), but I think feel of a gun is paramount to performance unless you plan on playing competitively. If you're just looking for something to grab when you go out and play really whatever you like will be fine. I have a handful of mechs, but I keep coming back to the Procarb and the Thundercat because they have so much character and are wicked fun to shoot. I think the $300 on the VF is fair, but you could probably spend a bit less on a cocker setup that still shoots well and have some leftover for accessories/paint/etc.

[MattV]

Thanks for the replies guys. For the record, I played fairly religiously between 2003-2018ish, and I've always owned at least one cocker/sniper since probably 2005. I love the platform, and used them primarily (or a balzer/pyre) for probably about 10 years. I do know what I'm getting with one. Thing is, I've been out of the loop on new technology since probably 2015 or so. I'm really intrigued by the idea of a mechanical spool valve. I had a DM5 for a while that I liked, and a mech version sounds pretty cool. I've done a little bit of reading, and it seems a lot of people swear by them. I'm completely unfamiliar with the different models, and what each one is all about. The input here has been good so far, you guys have given me a few more things to look into, thanks!

My budget is fairly set in stone(ish), I don't have a lot of spending cash laying around. This probably does limit me to the lower end of the spooly mechs. I did dig up some of the gear I gave to my brother a few years ago, so I have 2 phantoms, a mask, tank etc.

[Jonnydread]

It's worth noting that for the PE spool mechs, you are paying for the gamma. An Emek will keep up with a M170R no problem. Also worth noting that if you like cockers you may actually prefer the eNMey as the bolt stays back when the trigger is held. Most people prefer the Emek over the eNMey, but I'm one of the weirdos that likes the quirks of the eNMey and you might be too.

[OpusX]

What you really need to admit to yourself is you know you'll get both and more anyway. It is the MCB way. 🤣

[MattV]

I always was a gun whore so you probably aren't wrong. Unfortunately most of my money goes to keeping my kids alive these days so it would be a long time down the road.

[Siress]

I had to unlike this post so that I could like it twice.

[MrKittyCatMeowFace]

Run exactly what you want. The game is for fun and doing good in it boils all down too skill. The marker dont matter aslong as it shoots

[MattV]

That was never in question, I'm just coming back into things with an entirely new market and not knowing what's what anymore. The only running I do these days is out of beer, so I do need a little bit of firepower to make up for my fat ass dragging me down 🤣

[ChuckLove]

I've owned a couple Emeks (stock and heavily upgraded), a Shocker CVO and a few cockers recently. I prefer the cockers over the space mechs on expierince alone. I'm an analog type of guy (Still drive a manual) so I really enjoy shooting a cocker. With that said the Emek is an amazing option as well, even in stock form. Additionally the CVO was a really fun gun to play with, but it's drive-train (bolt) isn't as robust or reliable as the Emek's. If I was in your shoes, I'd buy the emek to get myself out there and maybe try to shoot someones cocker at the field and see if it tickles your fancy again.

[the_hyren]

Additionally the CVO was a really fun gun to play with, but it's drive-train (bolt) isn't as robust or reliable as the Emek's.

The CVO bolt has been know to break in pretty rare circumstances but aside from the bolt latch I haven't had any issues with my CVO. I've only replaced the oring at the tip of the bolt because its easier to replace it rather than clean it. Pretty sure I've put about 100 cases through it in past 2 years.

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[ChuckLove]

I never had any problems with my CVO either. Made sure to maintain the bolt before every use. I have seen both the RSX & XLS bolts snap but that is most likely contributed to lack of maintenance causing excess friction. The bolt speed adjustment can lead to issues if not properly adjusted as well. I prefer the ergonomics of the CVO over the Emek or M170R as well, but the Gammacore bolt is definitely superior.