MiLLzZ

i just bought a used tippmann 98 custom yesterday and now i'm pretty much ready to give the gun a reason to be called "custom"....one thing i really want is long range and accuracy...i'm not crazy concerned about speed as long as i can get those couple shots off accurate as hell, any ideas on whether i should go flatline or a diff barrel for my purpose?? any and all other tips regarding the 98c would be great, thanks

Nikolai 77

Don't get a Flatline. They have longer range but the balls don't break easily after 100 feet. The Flatline uses gas that's meant to propel the balls at higher speeds to create a backspin for longer range, and this cranks the velocity way down because more gas is used for creating the backspin than pushing the ball out. Flatlines on any Tippmann look awesome, but they just aren't as effective as they're couped up to be.
If you want a different barrel look into J&J ceramics. The only problem with these is that the ceramic is prone to chipping after a while, especially if you're going to use it as a woodsball gun and make it take a heavy beating.
But if you want to CUSTOMIZE your gun, getting a barrel really isn't customization. Any paintball marker can get new barrels. Big deal. IF you want to really customize your marker but don't have a lot of money, the first upgrade I'd suggest would be a double trigger. You can't walk the trigger like you could any electronic marker with an extended trigger, but the double trigger increases the length of the trigger, and if you know anything about simple machines, the farther away from the fulcrum of a lever you apply force, the less force is needed to move the lever. Try opening a door an inch away from the hinges, then try opening a door from the door handle. Which is easier? Now imagine the stock trigger as opening a door an inch away from the hinges and the double trigger as halfway between the handle and the hinges. It's slightly easier, but it's by no means loose. Tippmanns have a very heavy pull compared to most other paintball markers. Getting the double trigger makes it slightly easier to pull.
If shot stability is important, or if you just like the feel of it, maybe invest in a stock. I have a CAR stock for my 98 and I love it. The only downside is when I'm in tight spots it gets in the way sometimes, but at the same time, when it's not extended, it's roughly as long as a tank would be anyway.
If you have more money, maybe better valve assemblies and power tubes would make your marker better, though you can't see it unless you take it apart.

__________________
"In a world of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." ~George Orwell
"I have no mercy or compassion in me for a society that will crush people, and then penalize them for not being able to stand up to the weight." ~Malcom X
Tippmann 98 Custom, CAR stock, Evil Pipe Kit, Double Trigger, Response Trigger, Flatline Barrel (bleh).