Beginning Paintball Markers - A Review of the Tippmann 98 Custom
When choosing a beginning paintball marker, you can not go wrong with the Tippman 98 Custom. This particular model is inexpensive, almost infinitely upgradeable, and amazingly durable. If you are looking for a solid performer for your first paintball marker, the Tippman 98 Custom is a winner.
Layne regularly writes for ProlificPaintball.com, they carry such paintball equipment as the Empire Invert Mini and the Paintball CO2 Tanks, as well as many other items from a variety of manufacturers.
Durability - The Tippman 98 Custom has often been compared to the AK-47 favorably for a reason. There seems to be just about nothing you can do to the marker that it won't stand up to. Whether you drop your maker, kick it, or whatever other kind of hell your paintball play puts your marker through, the Tippman continues to work as well as the day you unpacked it from the original box. Most users maintain their Tippmans for upwards of 3-5 years and only put them aside for a really high end marker.
Reliability - Most paintball fields pretty much only rent out the Tippman 98 Customs, and there is a reason for this. Not only are the markers highly durable, but they are extremely reliable as well. This is also nice as you can have the opportunity to try one out at your local field before deciding to purchase one. Most users of this marker report that they have never chopped a ball with this gun. Sure, you can still break a ball in the barrel if the bore of the ball isn't correct for the barrel of the gun, but chopping balls is virtually unheard of with this Tippman.
Maintenance and Ease of Use - The Tippman 98 Custom is very simple to strip and clean. If you are cleaning at the field, make sure to only field strip your marker as there are many small parts that can get lost if you break it down completely. This marker is perhaps one of the simplest of all available to use. It should take you about five minutes or less to strip the gun for cleaning.
Ability to Upgrade - There are more upgrades available for the Tippman 98 Custom than for any other paintball gun currently available. No matter what it is that you are looking to do to your 98c, there is most likely an upgrade available. With that in mind, when you are just beginning paintball, its wise to take your time upgrading your marker rather than by adding a whole bunch of upgrades at once. Take some time to get used to any upgrade that you add before adding another.
The main drawback of the 98C is the custom barrel that comes standard. Most experienced players will tell you for the most part custom barrels are the way to go no matter what marker you are thinking of purchasing. The stock barrel doe perform adequately, but most players will prefer a quieter barrel with increased distance and accuracy.
For a beginning paintball marker, you can't go wrong with the Tippman 98 Custom. Many paintball enthusiasts own one or have owned one in the past making it very easy to get help with your marker should you need it. The 98c is hard to match for economy, durability, reliability, and ease of use. With the many custom upgrades available, this marker is sure to last you for years to come.
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