WTF, it's been over 20 years?

[forge55b]

So 10.5 bps is the limit now? Can I still run my Angel Speed with a Halo? And somehow it still holds a charge. Should I just air it up and see what happens or tear down and rebuild?

Picked up a CCM T2 to get back into pump as well.

Too excited but know the body isn't what it used to be. Any tips from anyone else getting back into it decades later?

[iamthelazerviking]

Paint quality sucks. So be prepared for that

[ChillswitchEngage]

Its a bit of a trade off IMO. The paint may be worse, but the gear is absolutely miles ahead of what it used to be for reliability, efficiency, field stripping, etc. I feel like 15+ years ago, having a second setup to bring even for just a casual rec day was just about needed if you didn't want any potential serious downtime at some point. Now realistically, one could probably (and I'm sure many do) go to a scenario or tournament with just one set of gear.

[BrickHaus]

Welcome back. I personally enjoy just playing rec ball myself, so the bps limit has not been a factor for me.. that being said. I'd much rather watch a game at 10.5 bps on TV. People can actually take gaps at 10.5 bps. The body movement comes more into play vs just locking angles out.

The field I go to runs 12bps full auto games once a month if your trigger finger needs to burn, you may find higher bps specialty games.


Your halo should be fine, they did just release a tooless shell kit for them if that tickles your fancy. Otherwise you can't go wrong with an old used dye rotor.

I would rebuild the angel even if it's holding air. Some (most) of the o rings are likely jelly, and will fail on you when you work them dynamically.

Like mentioned. Paint has gotten much smaller and crappie. I almost always run a .682 insert on my freak. I've seen roll outs at .679 with some paints. If you have an insert kit, you may need to flesh it ourlt with some super small single inserts for modern paint.


as for your body.. take your time man. I play ball with a couple of die hard 70 year Olds who have been at the field every weekend for decades. They don't run. Not a single step.. and they are extremely formidable opponents. With age and wisdom, you don't need speed.

Let's see pics of both the t2 and angel!

[ChoSanJuan]

Yeah, those dudes are pretty bad ass. I love playing with them, as infrequently as I do...

[Hellion360]

Definitely rebuild that Angel. The lifespan of those orings has been reached. Especially if it has been sitting. Likely it will work for a bit then blow when you start pushing it.

Get a freak barrel for the Angel, or just a smaller bore stock barrel. Mine work great with a 686 stock but I often use a freak with 682 insert. It makes a difference in sound for sure, and certainly efficiency, don't have to blow as much air.

If you really want to run your angel in tournaments there are 10.5 capable boards available.

Start doing some Yoga or Pilates, you won't regret it. It will help keep you from getting messed up, and improve your flexibility and endurance in holding aim on field. (source: I'm oldish)

[StaticShocked]

#1 For me is knee support sleeves with knee pads and go easy the first time out. I went out and acted "just like the old days" and headed for the snake playing the aggressive front guy. I hurt for a week afterword.

The paint really is not great. But better than no paint.

Otherwise i bet you will have a blast! I just started playing again this year and i wish i hadn't waited so long. Last time i played was 2003 prior to this. Go have fun!

[ChoSanJuan]

OMG I did my first day back from 2006 in 2018. I went to Monster Game with SignOfZeta. Only did 1 day. I went hard like I was still back in 2006. I regretted all of it, other than being back in the game. I learned my lesson and started working out on the regular, upped my cardio, then switched to weekly HIIT workouts offered by my home field. I think I'm in the best shape of my adult life and it only gets better. (except my knees, but that's a different story...)

[StaticShocked]

I need to start working out again like you are. It would help with the enjoyment a lot. I am still playing front during rec ball, i just do it in 3 or 4 bunker sprint/moves over a couple minutes and only sprint to the 50 once a day. Lol. Boy that first day back was fun. Being unable to sit down without arm support wasnt... body wasnt used to running and doing lunges for 8 hours.

[iamthelazerviking]

Oh yeah as mentioned above, invest in knee pads. Don't cheap out on good protection. The Hydra Black knee pads are the best I've ever used (I'm now using the 2.0 version with the backs cutout). They're $70 but well worth it.

[forge55b]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.

Yeah, I'm no spring chicken anymore and needed that reminder to relax and not be the aggressive front guy of years past.

[ChoSanJuan]

Heck yeah! Welcome back! Being a back player has it's perks, plus from what you said, it sounds like you can fill in if you need to.

[StaticShocked]

You can be still be front, just dont destroy yourself so you miss out on more fun! Its hard to forget the feeling of the low sprint to the 50 and slide into the bunker while paint is flying overhead. So fun.

[Trbo323]

I don't like knee pads. I'm not sure what it is but every pair I've ever had hurts my knees, like the skin around my knees. They are hard to find but there are a few options out there of "slide pants" most companies make slide shorts that are basically hip and crotch pads, the pants are longer and have built in knee pads.

In my opinion way more comfortable.

For the angel, rebuild it but I wouldn't worry about making sure the board can do 10.2. get out there and play, if you still want to use it for tournaments after playing with it for a while then maybe look into setting it up for tournaments. I wouldn't be surprised if you wanted something more modern to play a tourney though so I wouldn't sink a bunch of money into modifying the angel until you are sure that's the road you want

Sent from my motorola edge 2024 using Tapatalk

[Pumps4ever]

I came back after 30 years…

Loving the resurgence of pumps and mechs

Super cool watching the pumps at NXL.

Just really nice to see it slow down a little

10.5 bps is so much

but i feel i can rip a semi almost faster…

[RhoXi]

I rebuilt an 04 Speed about 6 months ago and it was really easy. It was sitting in my buddy's basement since at least '06 and it aired up with no leaks first try. I still replaced all of the o-rings but I was impressed. Great shooter too.I got a FloryPB board for it and it's nice. Not super neccesary but the stock board I had is kaput along with the battery so I figured might as well. It's definitely worth it to get it up and running if for nothing else than to show it off to the youngsters.

When I got back into the game a few years ago, I tried playing the same way as when I was a teenager. Not only was I completely gassed and sore the next day, I was terrible on the field and got shot out a lot. Now I hang back more and pick my moves more carefully with much better results. Remember to stretch and hydrate!

[ChoSanJuan]

I second, third, fourth, etc... the whole thing about your knees. I use Old Bones Therapy knee sleeves. They are much different than others that I've used in the past! Not sure what kind of black magic they put in them, but they work! With them I get to play longer, do breakouts snappier, run and gun more efficiently, and not worry about pain coming in sooner than "normal" with these. I don't even need to wear any of my older standard issue paintball specific knee pads. Another plus is that if you have access to an HSA/FSA, you can use that instead of impacting your direct budget!

[Cyberpyr8]

Ease into it. Don't try to play like you did 20 years ago off the bat. As I'm 55 now I listen to my body more and head less. If I am too tired I sit out a game now. If I get hurt I make sure I'm ok before I start just trying to push through and keep going. You're not a pro so just have fun and enjoy it. No sense hurting yourself for a hobby. Just do what you can and you will eventually get back to a point where you feel good about your level of play. Welcome back!

[PBGunny]

I recommend getting some Bayer Back & Body... Helps with all the aches and pains.
Paintball is a really neat sport cause you take it at your your own speed.
You don't have to be Superman to be a winner.
And I find teaching others all the stuff that I learned playing over the years is very satisfying.
As long as the other individual is willing to listen.
Just turned 60 and I'm still going where others have dropped off.

[XNine]

If you live in a state where MJ is legal, I highly recommend the CBD balms you can get at dispensaries. I've had severe knee pain where I couldn't even walk. Put that stuff on and 45 minutes later I was doing stairs

I came back last year and even with a bad back and knees in out there. Do I hurt the rest of the week? Absolutely. Do I love it? Absolutely.

[OrlandoDave]

It only takes a couple weeks of effort to get your cardio tuned up if you're not maintaining it already. Just take it easy your first couple times and hydrate with good low sugar drinks. Have fun, i've come back to this sport 3 times in the last 30 years. Each time as a different person mentally and physically. Its been an amazing journey with friends and experiences.