Back from retirement looking for pump gun suggestions :)

[pastajacob]

Hello my dudes, been around 10 years since I last played and am excited to be back! I had always wanted a pump gun but being a minor with no job meant no money lol. Looking for pump gun recommendations for $300-$650ish second hand, The empire sniper is on the top of my list so far, the Azodin I am not to keen on, but are there any ones Im missing that you guys would recommend? Thanks a ton!

[Chuck E Ducky]

Have you looked into the Phantom? It’s probably the most versatile pump marker ever, super reliable, and well within your budget.

I think the Kp3 is nicer out of the box the the sniper if you don’t mind not having auto trigger.

If you got empire sniper I recommend one with the inception upgrades. Stock they have issues.

You could also build your own really nice pump with that budget.

However if I had to choose one marker it would be a phantom no doubt about it.

[Trbo323]

I have a stock empire sniper and while nice, it does leave me wanting more. That said, they are nice in that you can slowly upgrade them over time. Mine is still almost all stock.

Definitely put a phantom on your list. And I'll agree the kp3 is a nice marker as well.

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[pastajacob]

I think the phantom is super cool but do you guys think its as competitive as the sniper in open class format? Ive heard the pump handle is more stiff.

[Pyrate Jim]

Phantoms don't wear out, they wear in.
It may feel stiff at first because the tolerances are tight, with enough use those "pinch points" wear down and it becomes butter smooth.

[Siress]

The gun doesn't really matter when it comes to being competitive. The barrel does, and if ROF is unlimited then the gun does matter...but in stock class, it's just about what YOU are comfortable with...that's all. The sniper platform is heavier and bulkier, but it does have a smoother pump stroke and fewer feeding issues than a Phantom - so it is easier to shoot at a higher ROF. Personally, I'd sell every other gun I have before my phantom. I value how compact and comfortable it is to shoot, and I'm only interested in one shot.

[Twisted G]

Open class pump. Get a either a Airow Percision Sterling or a Indian Creek Designs PRP. Both are unique enough to stand out at the field while also being great performers. Auto trigger standard so you can keep up with everyone else on the field. I love my sterling. Most people do. .

[Drachen]

I regret not getting a sterling when the stp came out. Every time one pops up I don't have the money for it. Sad face is sad.

[Trbo323]

Yes competitive. I wouldn't say it's overly stiff by any means. The phantom is also much lighter and has a smaller profile.

Also be one of the cool kids, find yourself a 6pak
(Joking, but it is really fun)

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[pastajacob]

Hell yea that looks super sick, how many shots do you get on those 12g?

[Chuck E Ducky]

Snipers generally get 25-30 shots to a 12g on a good hot day if you shoot slow. Phantom will do 30-40+ on a good hot day shooting slow. 60*+ at 280FPS with consistent paint and a good bore match I get 42 shots easy on my setup. I run a longer barrel and pick my shots.

[pastajacob]

Open class pump. Get a either a Airow Percision Sterling or a Indian Creek Designs PRP. Both are unique enough to stand out at the field while also being great performers. Auto trigger standard so you can keep up with everyone else on the field. I love my sterling. Most people do. .

holy moly that PRP is a looker forsure :0

[Trbo323]

Hell yea that looks super sick, how many shots do you get on those 12g?

Around 20 with the barrel kit

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[pastajacob]

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...-other-goodies

do u guys think this is a good deal? from the pump section on here

[BrickHaus]

Im not a phantom guy, but this looks like a solid deal to me at 400. That is essentially how Id want my phantom set up if I bought one.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Yup that would be my choice 100% especially if I’m limiting myself to one marker. It’s got freak bore barrel VSC setup. You could then purchase a small 9ci for less than $70 from tippman. Add an open class adapter to the stock class body they are like $35. Or get a bottom line kit and run a larger bottle out the back. It’s gloss black so all kinds of parts will match. They also hold their value so later down the road if you want to switch it up you could get $400 for that easy. I’m surprised it’s still available honestly.

Other option I would go is to build a pump from an old cocker. I would use CCM lowers and CCM pump kit on whatever body fits my fancy. This is a great option if you just plan on playing open class pump. Sub 600 you can build a pretty wild pump. It’s super simple we could walk you threw it if you don’t know how.

[JeeperCreeper]

Yes, buy it!

[shooter311]

The phantom is a solid marker, but it is just not for me. I just don't like how stiff and crunchy the pump stoke is. However, most everyone loves them. I would see if you could get one in your hands first.

Personally, I think the Sterling is hands down the best all around pump. It has the smoothness of a ccm, the compact size and efficiently of a phantom. Plus it's super easy to switch
from stock class and open and everything in between. Plus it's cheaper than a phantom.

Down side is there is only one place to buy them, and they are in Australia. https://paintballshop.com/sterling/

Keep in mind the exchange rate. You could get a stock class stp within your budget and that will come with everything for all the different kinds of pump play. Only upgrade I would recommend is a freak barrel for it ( Spyder thread).

Ultimately, the best decision would be made after going to a field and testing out a couple different pumps to see what feel you like the best.

[Axel]

I absolutely love Phantoms and old brass Sheridan guns, but it depends very much on what you want to do with it.

If you want to play speedball tournaments and attempt to keep up with electro guns, you probably want an Autococker / Sniper based gun with auto trigger and the air and paint systems to keep it fed.

If you want to find stock class games, then ball for ball, your Phantoms and probably PRPs (I just haven't shot one personally) are excellent guns. I won't call the pump stroke on a single-tube Nelson-valve gun "stiff"--let's say it's "crisp"--but you won't get the speed or accuracy at high volume like on a finely tuned CCM or Inception Designs 'cocker/sniper where the pump stroke is almost like a second, long trigger pull.

If you just want to play walk-on or big games, it's entirely up to what strikes your fancy and how much of a challenge you want. As stated, Autococker/Sniper guns will get you closest to keeping up with electronic semis in rate of fire. But if you want a challenge and aren't worried about 'shutting down lanes', I've had surprising luck snap shooting with a light Phantom setup, getting your gun up and that first ball on target a fraction of a second quicker than an opponent with a 200-ball loader and a tank, plus you can move around the field quicker without half a case of paint around your waist.

Sterlings are just cool, and the Azodin KP3 is a surprisingly well put together Spyder-type pump (think of it like a really well done budget Cocker/Sniper). Then there are more obscure guns, and the lunatics here who turn semi guns into pumps because of reasons 😉

Pump paintball isn't a game or a sport. It's a disease, and it's contagious 😁

[Trbo323]

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/b...-other-goodies

do u guys think this is a good deal? from the pump section on here

If you are looking for open class no. You would have to change too much around to get it to be open class to be worth it.

If you want to play stock class yes. It's a good price

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[superman]

While i agree the phantom is great. I tend to lean more towards open class play. I would pick up a empire sniper and plan on replacing the reg seat and seals in the reg. plan on swapping the hammer out with inception designs.

I would also consider a something more along the lines of the cocker platform so you can mix and match parts that you may want to swap. I have a few options in that price range in the pump section.

[Jonnydread]

Open class pump. Get a either a Airow Percision Sterling or a Indian Creek Designs PRP. Both are unique enough to stand out at the field while also being great performers. Auto trigger standard so you can keep up with everyone else on the field. I love my sterling. Most people do. .

I agree with you on the unique part, but for a first pump I wouldn't recommend a PRP, and probably not a Sterling. The PRP can be finicky and they are hard to come by, while some of the newer Sterlings have some out of the box issues that can be frustrating, especially if you're just dipping your toes in.

I recommend building a WGP-based cocker pump. Parts are widely available, they're simple to work on, and they translate well from semi to pump. Empire guns feel chintzy to me. Phantoms are great and simple to use, but they can have a steeper learning curve.