Loaner guns

[BigBalla23]

So, I've been thinking about grabbing some blowback semis to have in the bag for when either I want to play semi, or when I want to bring people along. It just scratches the nostalgia itch for me(started with a spyder then a tippmann). I've been looking around, but it seems like 98s and a5s have been discontinued, which makes me worried for spare parts in the future. I was thinking maybe some of the azodins or newer Spyders with techt bolts, but I'm unsure. Any ideas or recommendations on blowbacks that can get to velocity on modern paint, and use hpa without tons of issues? Emeks are out of my budget I'm afraid, or I'd just go that route. Thanks!

[Magmoormaster]

Azodins are cool. They're well-built and shoot pretty decent for an STBB. But like all STBBs, it is very hard on paint. Personally, I'd be much more likely to get some cheap 98s, polish the internals, throw in a lighter trigger spring, maybe upgrade the barrel, and call it a day. Parts might not be "available" but they'll always be around. People are still keeping pro-lites and stuff up and running, certainly there will be parts for the most ubiquitous paintball gun ever made.

[Chappy]

98 parts will be around for a long time tho.

[Hellion360]

Spyders are so inexpensive and easy to rebuild.
The older production Spyders are really well made and shoot great too.

[JohnB]

Emek or 98 and call it a day. TBH, most likely you will use it a few times, buddies may here and there rarely, and then it sits. So do it for you and according to the nostalgia you are looking for.

[BrickHaus]

No blowback compares to cats.

[Trbo323]

Azodin. They are really well made and have eliminated many of the extra parts that spyders really shouldn't have had in the first place.

Sent from my motorola edge 2024 using Tapatalk

[Ecapnation]

98 parts will be around for a long time tho.

Some will.... I know gi is already out of a bunch of things

[COB]

The 98s, new and old Spyders are durable, easy to repair and there are plenty of places to source parts. They all seem to work fine with HPA. Small paint is a different animal. That would be a barrel change or Freak barrel system. I have plenty of newer spyders, old spyders and tippmann 98s cleaned, repaired and ready to play. If you think you want to go that direction, pm me.

[DBrazXeno]

To echo what others are saying…

I just got back into paintball after 10 years. I got two 98s and an A5 up and running for about $50. After a good cleaning, fresh detents, and swayed O-rings, I was back in business.

I believe Tippmann used standardized O-rings which will always be around. Detents are easily 3D printed so there won’t be a shortage of those either.

I think you will be able to keep them running for quite a while.

[DieManInTheRough]

Coming from a field with an appetite for Tippmanns, the 98 pool is drying up. Kore/GI haven't been backing parts for a minute now. Grab a blowback that you like, or dump the money on an Emek and never look back.

[Blackmagic71]

Eclipse Gteks or Gmeks make excellent loaner markers or a nice primary marker and can be readily found used for a reasonable price. I bought one back in 2015 and between myself and friends have put about 20-30 cases of paint through it without issue.

As far as blowbacks go - Piranhas are great markers and can be bought for cheap

[The Jayster]

Like everyone else I'd say try to find a used Emek (even if it's a bit outside of your budget). From what I last heard the A-5 and 98 are not officially discontinued but Tippmann has stopped manufacturing new units and parts. They might resume production at a later point if demand warrants it. Again, I could be wrong but that's what I heard. If you want to go the cheap and cheerful route, there's the Tippmann Stormer and Chronus which are decent.