well a couple of things pertaining to the prices. I would definitely recommend venturing into the B/S/T part of the forum or even some other paintball forums to save yourself some valuable cash. I am currently searching for an X7 to mod and have found a lot better prices via eBay and this forum. I know a lot will say that it is a bad idea, but if you do your research and check feedback from your seller it can definitely save you in the long run. A used A5 can run you from anywhere from $130-$180 and they are normally in pretty decent condition, and may come with a few little add ons. Let me know if you need any help searching for some better deals, I know quite a few places to search seeing how I am always buying new markers or parts.....

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Dante,

Thanks I appreciate the B/S/T tip, currently tho I'm not high enough to actually post. Eventually I'll get there.

Quick question, are you still Force? I was with Battalion at CHB until my DD-214. We may know some of the same operators.

Personally I would reconsider on the R/T if you are going to be playing non-tourney most of the time. The full-auto is handy, but I really like the snappy trigger return it provides. You can disable the R/T fairly easily if you need to.

Just food for thought.

My brother is currently Force Recon, currently serving in Iraq. I was to follow him two years later, yet I failed my physical, I have chest palpitations from time to time. For that I was refused from joining him in the service. I am currently attending college with plans to join the State Troopers and eventual Special Weapons and Tactics team. But I will definitely talk to him, I know he was mostly stationed at Camp Lejeune for a few years prior to Operation Iraqi Freedom, so I will ask him.

Anyway, you won't need to post in the B/S/T, you can still read them and then send direct PMs to the members.

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Hi there, Foreverunstoppable! Welcome to A5OG and enjoy your stay. I see someone's already quoted the saying to you, so I'll not repeat it.

First off, have a healthy dose of welcoming as you seem to know a fair bit about paintball already despite your limited experience. Always good to meet a newbie who's not quite a newbie...you know what I mean!

As for suggestions and advice. If you are mainly a woodsball player and not too interested in tournaments (I'm the same way), then don't be too concerned with trigger mods not being allowed in tournaments. Check with your local field to see what their rules regarding full-auto are. Chances are you can get away with a Response Trigger if not an eGrip. R/Ts are not affected much by weather or moisture (there is a YouTube video of one firing underwater!) If they allow full-auto, and you want it, and can afford it, go for it!

If you do decide to get yourself a firepower upgrade, yes, you will want some upgrades to your cyclone to go with it. TechT makes their well-known and oft praised Vortex Mod for the axle and ratchet of the cyclone. Lapco also offers a slightly more expensive by seemingly easier to install version with threaded pins. Either will be a good investment for durability and smoother cycling of your cyclone. If you're big on ROF, look at TechT's QEPH on their website.

Fibre tanks offer an advantage over steel in that they are lighter and can hold up to 4500psi (not always though! Check before buying!). A steel tank can only go up to 3000psi. This means you will get less shots from a steel than a similar 4500 fibre (48/3000 will get less shots than a 48/4500). Personally I would recommend Fibre, because of the extra air capacity. I am currently saving up for a 68/4500. If you want to calculate shots per tank, you can use this nifty little tool: Paintball Shots

Remote or non remote is up to you. Personally I prefer remote because I have a stock and I hate the back-heaviness of a bottomline tank. Remember the size of your tank when you decide this. Remote will take some weight out of your hands and make your gun feel lighter (always a plus).

I would not recommend the Apex or Flatline, honestly. Yes, you do get a range advantage, but at the cost of accuracy and ease of shooting. By that I mean that these barrels are prone to breaking paint quite a bit more than regular barrels. The stock BT Apex is also not a very good barrel. I would suggest to invest in either a Palmer's Brass Barrel or a switchable barrel kit such as the J&J Edge kit. Both are very good barrels (Brass in particular has quite a few zealous supporters on this forum). If you later decide you want the APEX, the tip can be rigged to fit onto a Brass barrel. I'm not sure about the Edge, though.

If you are serious about wanting a good mask, I would go up a step further and get either a VForce Grill or an Empire E-Vent. Both are very good masks with reliable antifog capabilities. Don't skimp on a mask, whatever you do.

I suppose that's all I have to say on your original points. I have a whole host of other mod ideas, so feel free to drop me a PM anytime.

~Unrealist

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I totally agree with everyone here. About the cyclone upgrades, dont worry about it for now since you are getting the marker with those upgrades which in reality they are not upgrades except for the paddles which are a bit softer than regular a5 paddles.

The TechT makes all their parts of aluminum which are far more durable and work with less pressure due to the QEPH. This are far greater upgrades but once again for your game play what you are getting might be enough, so get a feel of the game and your play style and that will get you to the conclusion on whether you want an egrip or not, or techt compared to the x-7 upgrades and etc etc.

The difference between the RT and non-RT is $50.00 even. I am looking at the probability of me exorcising trigger control and not using 2 or 3 more rounds than needed a trigger pull. I know its auto-assist but how much of it is controlled in your opinion Fish?

I have yet to use one and understand the mechanics are like bump-fire,

Just how easy is it to control 1 shot at a time every time you intend to only fire once?


Then how hard is it to control rapid fire bursts or continuous fire with the RT when you intend to?

Do ever have an issue of the RT creating a situation where you use more paint when you didn't intend to? I know its only .02cents a ball at my field but I don't want waste those rounds and its not always one shot one kill but I'd like to get as close to 1-1 as I can.

On the e-grip you can have 3 shot bursts specially on the WAS board which is the standard on tippmann egrips now they are programmed that for you to shoot 3 round burst or full auto you first have to fire 3 singles shot in order for the board to go into full auto mode or 3 round burst mode.

So there you get the single shot when you want to or full auto if desired like i have it but in your case you would have single shot and 3 round burst when desire which can become as fast as a full with pulling the trigger repeatedly.

Your choice.

Well after researching and reviewing your comments I decided to take the plunge today. I bought

A-5 RT EP X7 cyclone upgraded w/X7 200rnd hopper
239.00

Lapco Bigshot 12" w/ Apex
106.90

Pure Energy 72/3000
69.99

Empire E-Vent Thermal Digital Green
94.99

Total: 510.99

Next two purchases

Palmer Male Stabilizer
99.99

and if it turns out the EP upgrade isn't enough, time will tell

TechT Package 4n1 upgrades
109.00

Total: 208.99

I think this pretty much covers it.

I believe I made the best decision financially, reliability and functionality wise. I'll be upset if I find out there are cheaper prices out there I didn't find but you cant win them all. I was prepared to spend $500.00 and I went over by 10.99.

Comments? Questions?

Bump-fire pretty much sums it up....think Hellfire triggers for 10/22s and SKS's.

Personally I find the RT to be quite controllable. Much of the time I actually do what you were talking about and just exercise the trigger finger with semi. The RT "sweet spot" on my gun is small enough that you have to conciously decide to use it but it's large enough to maintain indefinitely if you wanted to. Unlike some people I had no trouble with my RT when switching from CO2 to HPA. My RT has the 1/8" ID hose and I suspect yours will as well if it is new.

I have the clicky pen spring mod on my trigger. Do a search. HIGHLY recommended, and basically free.

People have recommended going with ratchet upgrades, since with auto fire (even burst) it's a matter of WHEN your cyclone ratchet will fail rather than if. My ratchet is stock atm but TechT is on my short list.

In my humble and semi noobish opinion (played 4 times in 2 months, practice/tinker ALOT) you made a good purchase.