Relatively new to paintball (haven't played in years), with that said I picked up a slightly used (1 game played) Tippmann Alpha Black Tactical (w/ out E-Grip, but plan on installing very soon). I picked up this marker due to the fact that for $150 I got the marker, hopper, 6 tubes, sling, case of paint, and a brand new mask. Another reason is that I am very fond of the AR platform (own several) and thought I would try the same in a marker. Here is the question, I was wanting to upgrade this gun (quad rail, NC Star red dot or knock off EOTech, and maybe even change the barrels) but I have no clue where to look. I have seen several quad rail systems for the marker for an upwards of $89.00. Is there anything cheaper? I mean slapping a couple of mods in that price range on a $100 marker seems to be awkward and off-putting. Here is the STOCK AB, oh besides the Magpul CTR stock I put on it from the AR for **edited**s and giggles.
I really would like to put on a quadrail, vfg, red dot, maybe move the hopper over and put an auto-feeder on it, maybe even a sniper barrel?? Help me out w/ links or info. Only parts I am finding is firearm rated products that are a bit too high in price to be slapping on a marker......
Paintballs aren't accurate enough for red dots or scopes
All those rails will just suck up money and do nothing for performance
Get a VL Eye-Force or an Invert Too for a nice hopper
A longer barrel won't make your gun shoot farther, and does nothing but be unwieldly and make your shot quieter
IF you get a barrel, get a 12" to 16" J&J Ceramic barrel, great price and amazing shooter
A new hopper would be a good idea as well, but other than that, just leave your gun alone, don't even get an e-grip
Save up for paintballs and field fees, and maybe even a new gun
If you wanna go MilSim, there's always the SmartParts SP1 and the Bob Long MTac
Paintballs aren't accurate enough for red dots or scopes
All those rails will just suck up money and do nothing for performance
Get a VL Eye-Force or an Invert Too for a nice hopper
A longer barrel won't make your gun shoot farther, and does nothing but be unwieldly and make your shot quieter
IF you get a barrel, get a 12" to 16" J&J Ceramic barrel, great price and amazing shooter
A new hopper would be a good idea as well, but other than that, just leave your gun alone, don't even get an e-grip
Save up for paintballs and field fees, and maybe even a new gun
If you wanna go MilSim, there's always the SmartParts SP1 and the Bob Long MTac
Thanks for the input, again, just vaguely into paintball. Would probably sell the marker in a heart beat to feed the AR if I didn't have friends who enjoy playing from time to time. The hopper is the biggest thing I am concerned w/ upgrading, the rest would be just playing around. Again, thank you for some input, and I am always up for more.......
clearly, you're not asked this forum. Search about the tippman markers and you may be surprised about what you find.
Ok maybe this will be a more clear statement. I DO NOT GIVE A RATS A** ABOUT THE SO CALLED PAINTBALL ELITE THAT SOME OF YOU MAY THINK YOU ARE. Either way it is a game, I have/will not spend $750+ on a marker. That my friend, is retarded. I am here for the specific advise I requested, seeing that people DO modify this marker (whether or not your stance on Tippmann is positive or negative). I know to some people this "sport" is a hobby, and to you I am sorry if offense has been the result of my post. I simply play with friends and co-workers to cut down the stress of work/etc... Also, ammo prices are through the roof (but coming down) and I'm tired of burning up $150 in ammo every time I go to the range. So, to the members who have the knowledge/info on what I was wanting to know, please feel free to make an intelligent reply. For those, who insist on bashing new members, hats off to you my friend, for you are a douche!
If you don't want to spend more on a marker than it's worth, then you should avoid anything Tippmann, this is the whole point Martix was making. They cost FAR more than their performance warrants. They're a very low end design at mid-range pricing. If you want something low end, get a Spyder. If you want to spend the kind of money you'd spend on a Tippman, get a Vibe/SP1. Regardless of which you choose, you're getting either equal performance for chaper, or better performance for the same price.
Since you already have it, I'd say go play with it. Don't waste more money on a low end marker than is absolutely necessary. It's too slow to take advantage of a better hopper, sights are useless in paintball, and anything more expensive than a J&J barrel is a waste of money since it won't shoot any further or more accurately. Other add-ons just add weight without adding performance, so are actually bringing realistic performance down, while not adding anything.
In the end, if you want to make it look mil-sim, go ahead, just realize before you do that given equal talent, you will get creamed every time by the kid with a stock $90 mech Spyder because his marker is lighter and therefore not bogging him down as much.
...I picked up this marker due to the fact that for $150 I got the marker, hopper, 6 tubes, sling, case of paint, and a brand new mask...
Again, I stated the reason I chose this marker. I know its not the best, but that is a hell of a deal and the cheapest way in. Also, I have virtually no money tied up in it. I mean, my stock on the AR ran 2/3rds of the price of the entire paintball setup. I am wanting to make the best of what I got, I can get something better in the latter when/if I start playing on a regular occasion...
Then get a $30 J&J barrel, and leave everything else alone. Nothing else you mention will help performance. Don't bother falling into the upgrade pit on Tippmanns. It gets expensive but doesn't improve performance.
If you at some point decide to really get into paintball and want higher performance, save up some money and get a better marker rather than dumping money into a Tippmann upgrading.
If you stay just playing on occassion, then take care of it and you'll be set for years to come.
Ok maybe this will be a more clear statement. I DO NOT GIVE A RATS A** ABOUT THE SO CALLED PAINTBALL ELITE THAT SOME OF YOU MAY THINK YOU ARE. Either way it is a game, I have/will not spend $750+ on a marker. That my friend, is retarded. I am here for the specific advise I requested, seeing that people DO modify this marker (whether or not your stance on Tippmann is positive or negative). I know to some people this "sport" is a hobby, and to you I am sorry if offense has been the result of my post. I simply play with friends and co-workers to cut down the stress of work/etc... Also, ammo prices are through the roof (but coming down) and I'm tired of burning up $150 in ammo every time I go to the range. So, to the members who have the knowledge/info on what I was wanting to know, please feel free to make an intelligent reply. For those, who insist on bashing new members, hats off to you my friend, for you are a douche!
I do not condone the buying of excessively priced markers either. If you're here to cause controversy and not to take advice, I kindly ask you to leave.
Hehe. Gotta love the attitudes you get on forums, eh?
Honestly, it's 100% personal preference as to what you like and decide is worth spending money on. Here are a few options:
Loaders - you're currently utilizing a gravity-fed loader, which might need shaken from time to time to keep a flow of paint coming into the marker. Your other option is to buy an electronic loader. There are many different designs, but ultimately, they use battery-powered electronics and fins/paddles/belts/etc. to guide more paintballs into your marker as you fire it. This would be a nice upgrade if you have feeding issues. I'd recommend the Reloader2 ($45) or Halo Too ($60). For $15, the Halo Too will feed a bit faster, but either should suffice.
Barrels - Here's the thing with barrels. Paintballs don't come in a uniform bore size; so-called .68-cal paint can vary from .677 to .695. Matching your barrel to the paint provides added efficiency (shots per fill) and the best chance for accuracy (in the end, yes, you are still shooting a liquid-filled gel ball). Shooting paint that's too large for your current barrel can cause the paint to break in the barrel. Shooting paint that's too small for your current barrel will impact efficiency (wasted air getting around the ball every shot) and can also affect accuracy if the difference is severe enough. For now, I would recommend checking the bore size of the paint you'll shoot most often, and buying a similarly-sized barrel. If you end up getting hooked on paintball and making a bigger investment into the sport, put a barrel kit on your long-term wish list. A barrel kit consists of several different sized barrels (or barrel backs, sharing a common giant-bore tip) so you can always match the barrel to the paint of the day. Oh, and barrel length is something of personal preference. A 10-12" with minimal porting will generally provide the best air efficiency. Go longer for looks or feel, if you like, but it's not necessary.
E-grips - You obviously know what this is, and what it can offer. Totally personal preference whether the few balls a second increase from "upgrading" to a mouseclick trigger is worthwhile. I don't think there's anything wrong with leaving it mechanical.
Rails, milsim stuff, etc. - magic words here again: personal preference. Do what will make the marker look and feel good for you. Personally, I'm not into it, so I don't have much better advice to offer. Just make sure you don't overpay for what you get. Milsim is enjoying some popularity in paintball right now and I think manufacturers are taking advantage of it via price.
I see you're running a remote air line. Other 'upgrade' considerations might be a comfy vest.
That's about all I can think of for now. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask or shoot me a PM. Good luck!
I would upgrade the hopper and barrel. Like they said j & j barrels are great for 30. But also get a vl eye force for 50 bucks. If you do get hooked on the sport and decide to buy a better maker you can just use the vl eye force on your new one. The hopper is the first thing i would get.
New here, w/ questions
