Hey, I'm fairly new to paintball and I chose the tippmann a5 as my first gun as I read nothing but good reviews for the gun. Now that I have it, I'd like to know the first MANDATORY upgrades for the gun? I'm talking functional ones, not just for cosmetics. I'd like to hear output from every kind of player as I'm still determining what kind of player I am. Note though that I am primarily interested in woodsball and scenario. Thanks in advance.

As what I have now:
-Double trigger
-X7 low profile hopper
-Remote set up
-lapco 14'' bigshot barrel

I know this is a very broad and vague inquiry as there are many paths in paintball, but once again I'd like input from EVERY type of player. Also I use a HPA tank instead of CO2

Thanks so far for all the input! They're all very useful. Keep em coming. Also, KRA sharpshooter, I think I stumbled across your youtube videos on A5 assembly and maintenance and found them to be VERY helpful (at least i think its you since same name and all?) ! I would encourage everyone to check them out.

**EDIT** Ok so judging from responses and such, I've decided to invest in a palmer stabilizer. But more uncertainties arise... go to this thread (Palmer Stabilizer-- INFO PLEASE!) to help if you wish! Thank you again

I would suggest a stock first since it can help with performance and cosmetic. With the tank off gun it would help with a more stable shooting platform.

i would say a stock and sight. For more stabile shooting and sight for more accuircy for knowing where the ball would hit. Maybe even a regulator for even more consistincy and effiency with air

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I don't like a stock, so I say wait on that. You already have HPA, so you are already started. I say a good barrel is first on the list. A remote is good to get the bottle off the marker. Ratchet upgrades are also recommended. JCS or TechT are my choice. A double trigger is not really needed unless you are using an Egrip.

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You must be the change you want to see in the world ~ Gandhi

Before voting watch this-Link #1 & Link #2!

I guess it would depend... do you want upgrades that focus on gun performance or visual/comfort areas?

right now which is more important to you. By the way I have some nice A5 stuff in my sig, prices are negotiable!

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Welcome to the forum, the game, and the addiction!

Washer first, then o-ring, tombstone holds them in place. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you will soon.

Well, now. You've already got what I would consider the basic mandatory upgrades (barrel, X7 hopper, remote). Do you use a stock with your remote? I have tried stockless remote and did not like it as there was no shoulder bracing. You may want to invest in a stock so you have a stable shooting platform. If you do get a stock, make sure it has mask clearance for any sights you may wish to use in future, or make sure that you are comfortable using risers and/or offsets.

The type of stock is entirely up to you. Folding and retractable are nice if you do a lot of CQB, since they can be collapsed or shortened for better manoeuvrability. I don't do much CQB myself, and in any case I could never be bothered to fold/unfold a stock. I use a Dogleg, which is air-thru. Gives great positioning of the remote line (though this is personal preference) and has excellent mask clearance. Plus, I get to be awesome and have [Doglegs of War] as my user title.

* * *

Or maybe you don't need or want a stock, but you do need or want more firepower. The E-grip and response trigger will allow you to increase your rate of fire. One is electronic and simpler to use. The other is not electronic and needs a little fine tuning which I could never get right, curse it. I'm not downing the R/T, loads of people here love theirs. It just never worked for me. If you want a firepower upgrade, those are your choices. Since you have a double trigger I would lean towards the e-grip, as R/Ts tend to not like double triggers very much.

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If you want good consistency in your shots, I recommend a RVA (be warned that this will disallow use of all but a few stocks), Gold power tube, and Palmers' Stabilizer. This will give you a much more consistent method of adjusting velocity, and will allow you to control your operating pressure as well. The Stabilizer is quite possibly the best regulator on the market. Eliminating the FVA from the equation will give you less turbulence in the power tube, which means better accuracy.

* * *

Optics can help, if used well. Scopes are limited in usefulness, as your trajectory is too short to consider magnification. They may help in distance reconnaissance, but they're not really useful for combat.

Red dot sights can be a good asset if you tune them well. They'll let you put a first shot on target easier than iron sights, and are good for determining the general direction of your shots. Note: General direction. Don't expect every shot to land on the dot. Use it as a guide.

* * *

Want range? Flatline and Apex barrels can increase your maximum range and give you a flatter trajectory (less arcing of shots needed for far targets). Downside is that they decrease accuracy a bit, and in the case of the Flatline in particular, need very good paint to work happily. Don't use cheap stuff in a Flatline, because you'll get barrel break after barrel break.

* * *

My fingers ache now, so if there's anything else you want the benefit of my knowledge on, PM me. Welcome aboard, Operator.

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I see your about performance, like me. Here was my upgrade path.

1. ) Barrel - for accuracy
2. ) HPA - For accuracy
3. ) Camo kit - to help hide it
4. ) *Drop forward - for stability ( I use tank as stock )
5. ) **Response trigger - for rapid fire.
6. ) TechT Vortex - the RT was allot of strain on the cyclone and broke it.
7. ) Barrel - I bought another barrel with a slightly smaller bore. Palmer Brass ( LOVE IT )

*You need a steady gun. I think stuck+tank combo is dumb looking and not practical. I see people using the tank as the stock, so why get a stuck if you’re not remote? In your case you are remote, get a stock.

** I have had ZERO problems with the RT and no batteries needed. ALL through the pull of the trigger I can 2 burst, 3 burst or what ever. No settings to tweak accept your rate of fire, which you can adjust with your finger nail.

PRACTICE!!!

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The Unrealists reply is awesome. He lays it out for you. If I were in your shoes I would go e-grip or r/t next. If you get an e grip save up, spend the extra money and get the APE. Also of note, I know you asked about the gun but, if you haven't already I would highly recommend upgrading your mask. A good mask sure makes a HUGE difference. Best money I have spent since playing paintball.

Come on guys... You have to agree that the stock barrel on the A-5 stinks. That should be your first upgrade because almost everything else; double trigger, stock, sight, etc. are all subjective to your playing style, but a new barrel is a must. I personally like the 12" C-Series, but the Lapco Bigshots are also great barrels. You should also decide if you want the extra range that the Apex Tip would give you. (check out The Ultimate Apex Barrel Thread link in my sig) If you think you might want the Apex later on, I would recommend getting the Apex Ready Bigshot so you don't have to mess with the tape mod.

The rest of the upgrades are all dependent on your playing style; if your going to get an E-Grip or R/T then you will want to upgrade your Cyclone with a Metal Ratchet & Squishy Paddles so you don't chop paint.

From here on, just get what you think you want, and make sure you do your research on the product so you don't get stuck with a lousy product.

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I didn't mention it, since he already has a 14" bigshot.

For the record, conclusive tests have proven that the stock A5 barrel can not hit the wall of a barn (said test was performed while inside said barn).

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