Teach me to pumps

[goofyman23]

Happy (belated) Turkey Day everyone! Couple buddies and I are looking to step into pump territory, but I'm not really sure what to look for. At this time, we'd be looking mainly at open class, but stock class could be viable down the road if this sticks, lol.

What would be a good pump to start with, but not being complete junk? The first 3 that come to mind are the KP3, Phantom, and Empire Sniper. Pros/Cons to each of these? Are there others out there that would be contenders?

Thanks!

[Chuck E Ducky]

Just build one time and tune it. It’s super simple.

Or buy one already built with some good parts.

All 3 you listed are decent entry level pumps. KP3 has a few quarks mainly it’s reg (don’t adjust it under pressure)( (keep some reg seats on hand JIC)Empire Sniper has handle swelling and timing issues, stay away from new EV Phantoms till they get their shit together.

You can find very reasonable cocker body’s with most of what you need. You can build as you go.

AutocokerParts.com has Slice kits and internals that range in cost. Their gold stuff is really nice if you just want drop in internals that will perform nicely.

Mozak has some killer frames feedneck and body options if you want custom. Or just grab a cheap slab kit and have at it.

Best bang for your buck is keep an eye on the Pump FST section you can definitely snag some great deals.

[goofyman23]

Just build one time and tune it. It’s super simple.

Or buy one already built with some good parts.

All 3 you listed are decent entry level pumps. KP3 has a few quarks mainly it’s reg, Empire Sniper has handle swelling and timing issues, stay away from new EV Phantoms till they get their shit together.

I'm assuming when you say build one, you mean a cocker based sniper?

EDIT: What's the issue with the new company that took over the Phantoms?

[Chuck E Ducky]

Cup seals, QC issues, lots of guys are having issues with brand new Phantoms. While most of us are shooting CCI ones from several century’s ago that never let us down. If you get one try and get a mid production CCI made phantom.

[Spider!]

You'll get a lot of votes for a phantom. Hard to go wrong with them.

KP3's can be cheap. They have the nasty property of shooting very hot (~425fps) wherever the regulator fails, and the stock reg seals always fail. They are fine as long as you watch the velocity. The balanced poppet design is responsible for the hot shots when the reg fails, so you have to check it every outting.

Snipers are like buying something you could build, but it's all matching and new.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Not a bad pump for $190 KP3 with the reg issue solved.

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/pump-guns/470980-kp3

That Cotton Candy STO in the BST Jonny just snagged was a great deal lots of great parts in that one.

Great Deal on a CCM T2 if you want the best. You could always get your money out of this Gideon the road if it’s not for you. CCM hold their value so if your pockets are deep ($950) this would be a great option.

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/pump-guns/430882-%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B%E2%8 0%8B%E2%80%8Bccm-t2

Nice Right feed Hellion built for $350. This guy builds nice stuff Im sure this is setup nice if you can shoot right feeds.

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/pump-guns/474485-green-splash-sniper-pre-2k

[superman]

Empire sniper issues are resolved pretty easily and basically turns it into such a better marker. If you pick up a used one i would check that the pump arms are adjusted so that it does not cause binding, check that the handle has not swollen. I would check that the reg seals are in good condition and not gummy.


I offer a service for them cut the body slot, cut the pump rod, slot the hammer, drill the pump arm and replace the reg seat.

[Trbo323]

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I offer a service for them cut the body slot, cut the pump rod, slot the hammer, drill the pump arm and replace the reg seat.

Price? I might be interested at some point

Sniper or kp3 are really good options. Nothing really wrong with the phantom just a lot of the stuff for it is specific to the phantom

If you see yourself wanting to build and upgrade, go with the sniper. If you just want a good pump from the start and don't care for an autotrigger go with the kp3.

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

[Toestr]

Autotriggers are also available for the KP3. My biggest gripe with the KP3 is that the ball doesn't sit in the barrel when chambered.

[KMDPB]

I would recommend starting cheap, and after awhile you'll have a better idea of what you really want, and can then drop some money. I think a tippmann sl68 or an empire trracer are both great guns for the price and can easily switch from open to stock class by throwing on a bucket changer and stick feed. My favorite gun is my phantom but it took a long time to get there. For me it just took sooo long to get used to the pump stroke and feel of the phantom. So idk if I'd recommend it as a first pump. If you come from shooting autocockers and plan on only playing open class then you should probably get a cocker pump, it'll feel the most natural.

[RAZRBAKK]

I feel like any sniper variant is the best option for you first pump.

They can be had quite cheap, are easily customized, and there are lots of aftermarket parts to keep upgrading as you go.

Phantoms are another great option, but personally I think phantoms shine as stock class guns, and they do not outshine sniper variants as open class guns.

To me, any of the KP options are like learning to ride a motorbike on a 125. The moment you realize you like it and want to do it more, you've basically outgrown it.

[iamthelazerviking]

In my younger days I wanted to play pump but was intimidated by sniper based pumps and didn't know how to work on them, so nothing ever went right. But got older and wiser, now like many others can get carried away with builds 😁 can be expensive, but it can also doesn't need to be.

[Grendel]

Find a friend (player) who regularly plays pump and hopefully one who shoots multiple types of pump markers. Borrow some form of single tube marker (e.g. Tracer, Phantom, ...etc.) for a day and stick with it for the day or at least multiple games. Note what you liked/did not like then on another outing borrow some stacked tube marker (Empire Sniper, WGP Sniper II, Sheridan) and do the same. In my experience players either prefer Stacked Tube pumps or Single Tube pumps so figure out which camp you are in that will shorten you list of possible markers for your first pump of your own. I prefer stack tube, I own play with both single tube and stack tube but always have been most comfortable with stacked tube.

You do not have to spend a lot on a marker for your first marker function over form is the way to go while you are developing good habits and muscle memory. Start with Open Class, stock class and modified stock class has a steep learning curve for new players and if you get frustrated too much early on you will never end of giving it the time to learn new skills. You are in CT and all of New England has a good amount of pump and stock players. Some of them I know and have played with and most are willing even eager to share their collection of pump markers with players interested in getting into pumps, hopefully some of them on here will contact you and help you out in your quest. If I was still up there I would offer to head to a field one weekend to let you try some markers.

If I could loan you a marker to try I would loan to you my long term 2K+ WGP Sniper II (FYI, never was a cocker was bought as a Sniper II). Most people who I have loaned that marker too will get the hang of using it within a game or two.

[Psycho91]

Trilogy autocockers with a pump kit can be had pretty cheap

[Jonnydread]

Back in the day sure, but now that they have become lazarus fodder the prices have gone up a bit.

[Riot]

Probably just find an old sniper. They pop up for cheap.

I see you’re in CT, shoot me a message if you ever want to play. We just played some yesterday.

[The Inflicted]

KP3's can be cheap. They have the nasty property of shooting very hot (~425fps) wherever the regulator fails, and the stock reg seals always fail.

I built a mini-sniper using an Azodin regulator and thought I got a good deal, since the regs could be had for so cheap.
Used it for about 2 years and then it failed on me this year at Spring Pump Event.
Had the opposite problem though- since the sweet spot of my sniper is way lower than on an Azodin pump the velocity with a freeflowing reg was essentially zero- the gun just wasn't shooting at all with my spring setup.

Ended up replacing the seat with one of these. So far so good.

https://ansgear.com/dye-lpr-hpr-replacement-regulator-seats-r38720000/

[JeeperCreeper]

I feel like cocker based pumps would be easier to ween you off the Semi auto. You can rip paint with a cocker pump, but having limited paint will teach you to make your shots count. You can get anything from cheap and mild to wild. You can build them open class or stock class. And there's alot of people here that can tell you how to fix anything going wrong with your build right here on MCB.

I love my old brass pumps, but I feel like they are a steep learning curve. Phantoms are, too, but alot easier to figure out what motions you need to go through for good performance.

But whatever you choose for pump play, just stick with it for a while. Some people don't like it after 1 or 2 times out, going against paint slingers. But if you adapt to it, you can have some of the most fun you've ever had playing paintball.

[JeeperCreeper]

Yeah I jumped in with both feet with brass and a Spyder pump that I made. Steep learning curve, but I hooked up with the right people, which is a game changer for sure

Edit, went back and looked through pictures, the first time I actually used a PGP in a game of paintball, it was single shot running 12 grams, and there was snow on the ground. Talk about jumping in with both feet!

[goofyman23]

Jonny, what makes the learning curve steeper? Do you just mean stock vs open class?

[superman]

Nelson style pumps just feel drastically different and some people have a hard time using them. They are typically lighter, but have a heavier pump stroke, just overall feel different. It is generally much easier for someone to pick up a pump that uses a normal size tank and hopper to start out.