Gun suggestion

[Vegabond]

So I'm an older player whose only paintball gun is an old, vey nice phantom in a stock configuration. I'm looking to get back in casually but need to completely rebuild all my gear including a good non-stock class marker. My last daily use marker was an Ion. Currently I'm looking at an Etha 3m or if they become available again, maybe an automag tac-one. I'm open to other suggestions and options in the used market. I wouldn't mind a good automag but I never owned one and have no idea what I need to look for in a used one or know how to work on them.

edit: my apologizes this probably should have been put in the new to the sport section

[Jonnydread]

I would not hold your breath on a Tac-One ever being produced again, but if you found a used one it wouldn't be that hard to get it running, especially with help from the mag guys on MCB. The Etha 3M or any of the Emek series are great grab-n-go guns, they shoot great and are super reliable. Classic valve automags are pretty easy to tech and fun to shoot, but they're not quite as forgiving on paint as the Emek/Etha3M. Really any of the options you mentioned will be fine, but if you want something you can buy and just go out and play any of the gamma core markers are great (Emek, Gmek, Etha 3M, etc.).

[Grendel]

Yup, fully agree the Emek/Etha line of markers are hard to beat for a semi-automatic marker right now. I would love to recommend the N1 or N3 from Nova Paintball and I love my N3 but there have been some teething issues that Nova Paintball needs to work through before I would recommend as a grab and go marker.

[Vegabond]

I looked at the emek100f as well but I have no idea how popular the mag feds are and it seemed like the etha 3m was just a better overall marker

[Jonnydread]

Vegabond Magfed popularity varies greatly depending where you are. The 3M is internally the same marker as the EMF100/Emek100F, the only difference is the EMF can take mags.

[Lotus]

I know this is MCB and so people are geared towards the classics, but honestly if you're just trying to play again and get back into it then the newer electro stuff is likely going to be easier to deal with. Considering you came from an Ion, this sounds like the path you want to take.

I really like the original GTek. Even used, they're amazing and yet cheap. They check all the boxes:

Internals are great (The CS2 copied the design instead of iterating on the CS1. The CS3 still uses a modified gamma core)
Ergonomics are great (Rubber everywhere you touch, stretched out frame/foregrip, easy tool-less bolt. Center macro ASA)
Extremely reliable
All the bells and whistles I care about (OLED screen [optional, but a $55 cost if you know where to look and don't have it], good feedneck/asa/regulator/barrel/eyes)
Cheap
Mech frame available

With the mech frame, it does everything except pump. I saw one for sale in the electronic section the other day and can't believe it hasn't sold yet. That one did have the optional OLED screen, but didn't come with the mech frame, which can usually be found for ~$100 if you really want it.

Realistically though any gamma core marker will be fine. I just happen to like the original GTek as it's everything I want without having to pay for things I don't care about.

[Vegabond]

Whats the differences between an original gtek vs the newer models?

[Jonnydread]

Vegabond Internally, not much. The newer Gtek has some QOL upgrades I think, but the biggest difference for me is the original Gtek mechanical frame has a slider trigger whereas the newer ones have a hinge trigger. The hinge trigger is absolutely faster, but (anecdotally) the slider frame is way more fun to shoot.

[Lotus]

Internally, all GTeks until the 180r have identical internals. The 180r is slightly different in details, but functions the same. Think the difference between a DM8 and a DM9. All GTeks have identical boards (well, 170r and up have a longer battery harness cord) and identical solenoid pilots.

The original GTek has a composite frame and standard marcroline and reg placement.

The 160r has metal everything and the air passage goes from the asa to halfway up the frame to the AT pipe then into the front regulator, rest is identical.

The 170r moves the regulator to the grip frame and so the air just goes right up the frame. The front grip now is just a battery holder. It also introduced toolless eye covers.

The 180r is the same as the 170r except for the slightly different internals mentioned above and a redesigned rear rubber grip.

Currently, only the original and 170r are available with mech frames. The 180r mech frame is going to come out at some point though.

[pdogg77]

I recently got back into the game here. My go to play style is definitely pump (I've got a couple Phantoms myself and will probably collect more )

However I recently picked up a used upgraded Emek on here and it is definitely everything said above. It is fast, accurate, simple, and amazing prices for what you get. If I were buying new and didn't find the deal I did I was planning on an Etha 3M. The Emek however, is an absolutely great gun. After shooting it for the first time this past weekend I would say it is my go to semi. I can shoot it faster than my old Angel from back in the day if I want and IMHO it behaves a lot like an old school electro without the batteries and $$$. Crazy what kind of gun you can get today for little $.

[Vegabond]

my first one was a Tippman pro-lite

[Cdn_Cuda]

If you want to keep it pump, a nice pump cocker is a great starting point. You can get a nicely build pump for a pretty good price.

As other have said, the PE markers are great. I've tried the Mag thing and didn't work for me. My Emek checked all the same boxes as a mag (except the retro aspect) and was significantly lighter and more efficient. And if you end up wanting to play more pump, the PE markers make excellent loaners to friends.

[CFEL08]

Lots of good ones out there. May be able to find someone on here with parts to put together a used tac-one if that's what you're after. I have a few mags and they haven't been bad to keep up and running. Still people around here, AGD, and on AO who will tech them for you, too.

[Junglepeanut]

I am a diehard Autococker guy but as most above have stated if you just want to go out and play with a fast reliable marker and not worry about anything else get an Emek..... Then go out and buy whatever you liked from your glory days that you couldn't afford and start making it exactly how you want it.... before you know it you will be a addict like the rest of us and have 20+ markers and countless parts bins.... but you will always have your Emek to go use on GameDay because they just work

[Psycho91]

Everyone will shout emek but a cheaper option would be an enmey, can be had for around $100 instead of around $400, of cost is a factor that is

[Vegabond]

it sorta is as I still need a hopper, hpa, etc.

[Chuck E Ducky]

It’s definitely worth springing for an Emek over the GOG. Especially with the aftermarket support for the Planet markers.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I recommend the Emek (new or used) used you can probably find one with some upgrades for new prices. The 3M just came out so you can scoop up a great deal used with some popular lifestyle mods. But you cant go wrong with anything Planet Eclipse makes. You want a bullet proof marker go PE.

Dye LTR Rotor. The new mech markers are fast especially with valve and trigger mods. The Rotor is a force feed hopper it complements the Emek perfectly, its battery’s last a long time it’s as durable as they come, and only cost $99 new.

As for tank figure out how much paint you want to shoot in a game. The Emek is very efficient so you don’t need a big tank unless you’re really slinging paint. I play 10 man on a 68ci and shoot 8 pods and a hopper no problem. So you probably won’t need more than that. Especially coming from a SC pump.

My wife and I both run our emeks with first strikes new 2” round 17ci and 15ci 4500 tanks with JoLo hoppers on them. It’s Phantom lightweight but semiautomatic. It’s great for rec ball. The thinner tanks would complement your phantom nicely as well if you wanted to run it as an open class pump. They were on sale not to long ago for cheap so you can find the with a year old hydro date used cheap.

When I’m playing competitively I run the LTR and a 68ci or 70ci

So it really depends on how much you’re planing on shooting, when in doubt go a lil bigger. I like to set them up so the butt of the tank sits on the inside of my elbow when holding it by the grip.

Also you don’t need the fancy aluminum body it dose nothing for performance, and an out the box emek shoots just as good as the high end mech markers. I just recommend getting a good barrel for it.

[iamthelazerviking]

A bone stock Emek with a Dye Boomstick or a CP barrel. Good fiber wrapped 4500 tank, Revy or Dye LTR.

[Chuck E Ducky]

This is the way….

[Vegabond]

This is the way....

[Trbo323]

Automag!

While the emek is a good marker, I still prefer the automag. I own both just for reference.

Now that said, my mag is probably a 7 or 800 dollar build on the open market so there is a decent price difference between the two as well.

If you like the milsim aspect of the tac one, you might want to also consider the emf. It's a emek on tbe inside but also has a milsim look and can do either hopper feed or mag feed. My brother in law has one, pretty trick little design

Sent from my motorola edge 5G UW (2021) using Tapatalk

[Cyberpyr8]

You can probably pick up a used Emek with pops, barrel and an upgraded valve for around $250-300 now. The 3M is the same thing but new for $400. I have been seeing them used for $350. Either way, they are a great marker. They have become the modern 98's. They're workhorses that can sit in a closet for 6 months and it will still shoot great. If you find a stock Emek just get a barrel and pops. The rest isn't really needed but more just nice to have. I shot my first Emek stock except the barrel and pops for almost a year. It ripped and was dead on accurate with a good barrel. Plus you won't scare the rentals with it. If you are on FB there are a few Emek only groups and there are deals if you ask or look around. The market on them has dropped and now is the time to get one.

[Blackmagic71]

Given the choice I almost always shoot an eblade autococker.

The reality is that between paint issues, and mechanical issues I was being forced to spend more time off field trouble shooting than I wanted.

The solution for me was to pick up a handful of new Planet Eclipse markers (a Gtek and Etek 5 to start, and later a CS1 and CS2 as well). They all handle paint (even crummy paint) exceptionally well and are extremely easy to service/maintain.

Most of the time when I go to the field and I’m using one of my newer Planet Eclipse markers I don’t even need to adjust the velocity at the start of the day. Plus they’re so easy to use that I can set any of them up with air and paint and put them in the hands of a friend that plays infrequently (or even for their first time out) and they can use it without issues.

[superman]

If you decide to go with an automag......I have tacone bodies....

That being said if you prefer analog feeling markers you likely will not love the emek or pe guns. I have 2 emeks myself and 90% of the time i shoot something else. I keep them around as loaners mostly or if i am playing an event in bad weather and prefer to not add scratches to other markers. They work, i just prefer cockers and mags to them though.

[Vegabond]

may go with something else to start with but make a project out of building an automag. whats it run for the bodies?

[BrickHaus]

Being your last shooter was an ion, and you enjoyed it. I'm going to suggest you snag Chuck Loves olive cvo if it hasn't already sold. I have a few mech ions which I love, but my favorite work horse is my sp rsx with a cvo frame on it. If you dont know, the rxs is essentially an ion on the inside, you once could get mech triggers for them. The XLS dropped after which was the same thing with a longer can so it ran lower pressures. The cvo is a mech XLS. You will really love the bullet proof, tooless aspect of a new shocker.

They have a crisp trigger and enough kick to be fun ( rsx at least)


I also have a few mags laying around Id part with if you were interested, but Id let you work with the others who have offered first.


Edit: heres a link

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/mechanical-semi-autos/428643-olive-shocker-cvo-w-cocker-trigger-shoe

Gotta show love for Jellos black one too.

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/mechanical-semi-autos/414278-lnib-shocker-cvo#post430386