Usability of Paintball Collection

[Cdn_Cuda]

Over the weekend I managed to hit the field and brought a new player in tow. I set him up with all the necessary gear and he had a great time. I didn't do my usual prep in advance and have several issues that lead to markers going back into the bag, including my Phantom (which I should have properly set up the night before -- Next time!) But it did lead me to wonder about the general usability of my collection. I've got some fun neat marked, but not much that is particularly easy to use. I've got a few nephews that are getting into the age of playing and so now I'm pondering a bit of a change in my collection to get some easily useable gear for lending. They're not going to like running pumps and autocockers their first time on a field. I suppose I've come full circle and am now reverting wanting things like I used to have like a few tippmanns A5s or the like. Right now the only easy markers I have to use are an upgraded Emek and a Nova N4, which both do their job great.

Anyone flipped around their collections for similar situations? Any advice? How useable is your paintball collection?

[superman]

Really just depends what you have in your collection. I tend to keep a few loaners kicking around either by choice or found in lots. That being said 50ish mags and a pile of cockers/pumps and whatever else too. I don't have issues keeping people on the field. The issue is picking what to bring that can get beat up. I have a few mags i keep for such occasions though.

[Chuck E Ducky]

My collection is usable but not new player friendly (lots of SC pumps). I suggest picking up a few Cheap beater emeks if you want loaners.

I got some fancy VSC phantoms for my boys but that’s so I can play outlaw at the house without the need for a compressor and all that jazz.

[Chappy]

I’ve always been a montneel guy at heart and my “collection “ reflects this but between the liquid co2 , the hard to find replacement parts and aged seals means problems. I love to use them myself for laid back open play but don’t rely on them for loaners. Last year I picked up a lot of 5 procarbs off eBay in decent shape. Also I’ve acquired a few more and a 98 from some awesome dudes here who donated them to my backyard ball supply. I still shoot a tricked out procarb for my main semi so I know these things inside and out. I’ve collected a good supply of parts over the years. I had a game yesterday and had no problem handing out six loaners. Actually 7 when Araphel needed to switch it up. I feel pretty confident I can keep most of them running for a long time even if I eventually need to cannibalize a bit.
Now all that to say maybe the procarbs not the one for you but are there any simple user friendly guns that you are familiar? How many loaners are you looking for? A handle up of old reliables like A5s you mentioned go a long way. I bet if you posted a wtb here you’d find what you need.

[Myrkul]

I feel like pro-carbines are the hands down best possible guns for loaners and casual players. Detents and springs are still being made, seals are all standard. They seem to shoot much more consistently then 98s do, and no silly cyclone loader sticking off the side like the A-5. They run for absolutely ever with close to zero maintenance, are damn near indestructible, run great on HPA, and are cheap as hell to boot. Triggers can be pretty easily modded to keep up just fine in today's 10.5 world, and they kick just enough where you'll never had trouble feeding them with a proto primo. The rife style layout also makes it much easier to aim for first time players that have real steel experience but no experience shooting paintball markers. If I have to shoot a Tippmann, the pro-carbine is my #1 choice hands down, with the 68 carbine being a close second, assuming you have some kind of aftermarket feedneck for it. When Tippmann moved to clam shells they really lost the magic in my opinion.

[Jonnydread]

I can't even use half the guns in my collection

[JeeperCreeper]

One man's collection is another man's scrap pile 😆

[iamthelazerviking]

I don't collect. I usually have 2 max markers at a time, but mainly one which is the Emek. But once my cool pump is finally done I am hoping that is all I will use. Especially since my field rents out Emeks, worst case scenario they lend one to me (and I secretly rebuild/relube it)

[Chuck E Ducky]

That brings another good point most of my commercial local fields rent emeks now it may just be better having the supportive gear for new players. Like a good loaner mask.

[Cdn_Cuda]

My field did have Emek but got robbed and they stole them all.

[Chuck E Ducky]

That sucks they ever recover them?

[Cdn_Cuda]

Nope.

[Riot]

Rainmaker = bullet proof…

as long as new guy can carry it. Everything else gets paint out of the barrel only occasionally.

[Ecapnation]

My collection has layers...

Frequently used
Not often used
Could be used if warranted
Could be used but wouldn't normally be
Wouldn't be used
Wouldn't be used due to a restriction
Can't be used
Will never be used

Out of 400 ish guns (doing a massive inventory of things currently) most fall into the top four categories. A restricted gun would be like odd caliber guns at field paint only events or field doesn't offer CO2..... But also applied to my AT16 because I'd only use that at mag fed games but most mfog don't allow it locally.

Can't be used would be like less than lethal stuff that won't Chrono.

Will never be used..... Anything still factory new I own

[BrendanB]

I have a bunch of cockers for me. I have two inception emeks for my kids and friends, and I have some random things like mech ions, and egos for people too. People will mess up your cockers if they dont know how to shoot em.

[vijil]

If I were to set up an outlaw field or get a bunch of loaners, they'd be a mix of emeks running PAL locap hoppers, and emf100s. I'd get an electric compressor and a bunch of 15ci and/or 36ci tanks. There are cheap second hand bunker sets around as well.

But I never have more than two markers. Don't see the point where I am as there is nowhere to play outlaw anyway. I do know a lot of farmers though...

[Cyberpyr8]

I have an Axe and my Emek that I loan out. I am bringing my LV2 twins to the field this weekend and already posted up to the group that I will be loaning one out to give it a run through. The Emek is easier to loan out even though it looks mean. They always hesitate to use the Axe thinking it's too expensive. I hate admitting but I have about $1k in that Emek...but let's not think about it too much!

[Cdn_Cuda]

I almost went that way with my emek and bought a cheap pink heart body instead.

[Cyberpyr8]

To be fair, it's been my main shooter for 2+ years so I don't feel terrible about it. It's also had stock bodies and a rigged feedneck at times. It's been through a lot of changes. It looks beautiful right now in flat red.

[redsquirrel]

This same question has been in the back of my mind lately. Out of the 10ish markers I currently own, not one is what you’d consider beginner friendly. I don’t even own a hopper that can hold more that 30 balls. I’m back and forth on investing in some loaner markers/tanks/hoppers that I know I’d never use myself, but for now I’ve got gloves and nice masks for when I bring others to the field. That’s made more of a difference than anything. Also gives me a chance to support the local field a bit more by renting equipment.

[Cdn_Cuda]

I've got some masks, and likely will get a few more and some new lenses. Have a bunch of "collector" grade JT stuff I need to flog and that should easily get a few more quality masks and new lenses.

[Casualwarrior]

Throughout the years, I’ve had several types of loaners. From Eteks down to cheap old school walmart Pumps. The old spyders or similar style markers always ended up causing issues and that made the day less
fun for everyone. The electronic loaners were to intimidating as my local fields generally tried to put guys with electro personal setups with advanced walk-ons. Nothing ruins the fun of a new player more then getting bunkered and getting lit up on their back and kidneys. Then came along the emek. Reliable, accurate and easy to operate. Sold some of my stuff that wasn’t used and got a couple emek setups, boy were they a hit. I pair them with light weight tanks, 45/4500 or 36/4500 and with a super light electric hopper (HK sonic). I ran PAL hoppers to, but the skipped shots always come at the worst time and that too can ruin the fun factor. Nonetheless, a emek, 36/4500 and Sonic hopper is an absolute hoot and can’t be beat imho as a loaner setup. Never have I had someone complain about the weight, accuracy or reliability. My wife ended up commandeering an entire setup for herself. And when I don’t have a new player with me, I end up running that setup half the day anyway. Most my personal
favs are ebladed cockers, heavy and hungry for air, so big hoppers and 68/4500 tanks are used. I’ll use those when my loaners are being loaned out, and I love me an ebladed setup, but man a lightweight emek setup is all around fun for new and experienced players.

[Cdn_Cuda]

Emek are great, but very pricey here. A new Emek in Canada is $449.55 before taxes. Very few on the used marked either.

[Casualwarrior]

Oh wow, I had no idea they cost that much up there. I got mine brand new for around $200ish before they took off and inflation took over. Yea, for those prices, it’s a much harder sale for a new player. I buy emek bodies on sale for only like $20 too and spray paint them for fun, I like to change up the color every now and then. Perhaps keep looking around online, maybe eBay, some deals are to be found still.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Pretty prevalent in the states. I know a guy that could get you one this Fall.

[Toestr]

Basically all my guns are 'go guns' (mostly because I don't have the money for 'show guns'). I always prefer buying old gear that's in meh condition because I don't have to baby it to preserve it (also the savings 🤑).

Blowbacks are the way to go for loaners imo. Cheap and no need to worry about short stroking the trigger causing issues. Throw on a Revvy or other cheap electro hopper if you concerned with chopping (I get along fine with gravity though).

Controversial opinion: blowbacks are better rentals than Emeks. Easier to diagnose and repair for the stoner kid a field pays in paint to maintain their rental fleet. Also many renters (especially in the city) try paintball to get the 'shooting experience' without actual firearms. Seeing the hammer slam back and forth and a little 'kick' plays into experience.