Phantom love/hate relationship

[iamthelazerviking]

Once or twice a year, I get the itch to use a Phantom. I could be cool like you all and just always have one, but I never use one enough to justify it. Especially because it seems like no matter what I try, I can barely hit anything.

But running around with a VSC setup, no stock, 12 grams and 10 rounds, just feels so awesome. And when I eventually DO land a shot, nothing is more satisfying.

Thats all. Just a thought I had and wanted to share.

[Cyberpyr8]

Glad I'm not the only one that feels this way. I had a OC Phantom and it was awesome. I upgraded everything (under cocking pump, ASP body mod...) enough to eventually have 2. But I couldn't hit much with it and found it frustrating. I have since learned that I depend HEAVILY on a big front grip for aiming. I really wish I could use one effectively so I could save on paint and have a lighter setup, but it's just not in the cards for me. And I too can't justify owning one just to have it to look at on the wall.

[Lt. head-shot]

To me I've always had better luck with using a stock, that rear point of contact does a lot to keep things in line. BUT, if I am using a pistol phantom, I dont run a stock but use both hands one the grip frame, like a regular pistol.

Pistol = 1 point of contact, no leverage for twist, but you have to hold steady.
VSC = 2 points of contact (grip and pump), have to hold both perfect in order to not twist/lever your shot.
VSC + Stock = 3 points of contact, no leverage, more stable.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Similar to my experience. First I need to find a screwdriver so I can raise the velocity past 200 -- then I need to run a stock so I can hit the broad side of a barn...just to likely come to the realization that I prefer sniper platform more. I really did enjoy my Palmerzied PMI-II, so that can be my stock class go to if needed.

[gabe]

Might just be stock class in general. I take my phantom and/or P68 out once a year and end up getting murdered by renters. Skill issue I know.

CCM S5 comes out almost every time I play and I rack up bodies with it. Something so much nicer about how a sniper/cocker points.

[KMDPB]

It took me 2-3 years to really get use to the phantom. Now it's all I use and will never go back. It's a big learning curve but eventually something just clicks!

[iamthelazerviking]

That's what I hear, and you'd think for how many different Phantoms I have used it would have clicked for me by now LOL

[The Jayster]

I went from "couldn't hit the wide side of a barn from ten feet away" to shooting "phreakin' lasers"

[Melrosejedi]

I feel the same about the phantom. I personally have two, with stocks and freak bored. These seem to be no where near as accurate as my cockers.the action is smoother on a cocker and to me its Like night and day.I have given them a fair amount of play time , but with the ballers i play with I don’t have the luxury of a learning curve,haha. To each their own,so long as the thing treats ya right I guess.

[flyweightnate]

The grip frame was a huge issue for me. It's a rifle grip, so I could never point without a stock and a front grip of some sort (gas through or a larger pump handle). A 45 block didn't improve it much, but a little, with Hogues.

Running my Phramed Phantom, I used a small undercocking kit and a short barrel and it felt more natural as a pistol. Browning was on top of it with that grip angle on 1911s.

[The Jayster]

The two additions I made that made a huge difference were: a T-stock and an Armson OEG sight. Where the latter is concerned, I've never believed in 'red dot' sights for paintball but in this case it does, at least for me, make a big difference - although the biggest difference would be the T-stock so I can properly stabilize the gun and aim properly. Also, maybe because I used Freak-bored barrels I gain a bit in accuracy? I also had velocity issues but once I understood how the TPC works (what to do with the nylon screw, the o-ring on the newer versions, etc.) I'm all good now; my consistency is solid on both of my units. Better consistency = better accuracy.

I play at two fields: a smaller one which is a bit more relaxed where I mainly play with my Phantom; and another much larger one where the gameplay is more intense (many speedball league players playing rec) and where therefore I never use my Phantom. However, I told myself that one day I would show up with my Phantom (and nothing else, as to keep away the temptation to get one of my semis out of he bag) at the latter field and play with it. I might get royally owned, be lucky to get a hit here and there and that's it. I'll have tried it, get repainted and laugh it off.

Well I finally took the plunge last Saturday, and lo and behold, I was nowhere near as outclassed as I thought I would be. I don't mean to brag but I took out a lot of players and barely got hit myself. Of course, I had to modify my play style drastically. Armed with a semi and 1,000 rounds on me, I'm always up front, trying to push and outflank, and getting into gunplay duals (dumb but fun - and good practice, especially against players who are better than me). Obviously, with a pump (and a 13ci bottle + 150 rounds on me) I must be stealthier, pick my spots, bid my time, etc. But it works.

I was playing with a friend sporting a speedball gun and he remarked that when you're on the receiving end of a pump, especially a very quiet one, you don't handle yourself the same way as you would when paint is being thrown at you. And that false sense of security can be used to the pump player's advantage.

[Jonnydread]

It took me 2-3 years to really get use to the phantom. Now it's all I use and will never go back. It's a big learning curve but eventually something just clicks!

100% agree with this. A few years back I challenged myself to get good with a Phantom and after about 6 months of only using a Phantom playing weekly I got reasonably good with it. I generally default to a Sheridan platform so I'm back to square one, but if you're willing to put in the time a Phantom is a lot of fun to use.

All that said, I am dead nuts with my Super Stocker so the desire to use Phantoms in SC play has dwindled.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I find my Phantom to be one of my top most accurate markers. I do prefer a VSC. I look down the outside edge of the body and barrel to aim so they shoot the same as a sniper setup for me. I feel the Phantom feels more natural to shoot since the barrel line is very close to the grip. Some of the craziest one ball shots have come out of the barrel of my Phantom.

[Drcemento]

Stock and a red dot! I don't care what anyone says about red dots and paintball. like anything, you gotta commit! I set up a head size target in my yard and target practice - allot! even with paint as it is today, I can get very consistent hits on small targets very quickly. Valken graffiti is very fresh and readily available here in NorCal and is the consistently the best paint i've used in the last few years. Is it my favorite marker - No - its to light and small for me - I like some meat and weight to my markers. for open class pump its always a sniper. I'm working on a stock class sniper, and I recently acquired a houndstooth and really really like it, so the phantom might take a back seat at Bacci's this year.

[ChuckLove]

I can't make shots with a phantom unless it's at relatively close range. I'll keep trying though.

[Magageddon]

My first real gun was a phantom, so I've had some time to get used to it, but I do find myself doing better with the carter style markers. Nothing wrong with the phantom platform, I just tend to do better with heavier guns. Most of my phantom builds even fully decked out parts wise are still over a pound lighter than my carter set ups

[Chuck E Ducky]

I do find heavy setups more accurate. I think that is the reason people have a hard time getting use to them.

[JeeperCreeper]

I love my Phantom. Never had any doubts. It became so much better after using UC kits instead of the over barrel pumps. Mines VSC, no stock. Some days I'm pretty good with it. I know it will work in the rain just fine, and it comes with me to almost every game I attend.

[Jonnydread]

Agreed that under cocking makes a big difference