Tippmann 98c Pro

by Jonathan
(Newfoundland, Canada)

Tippmann 98c Pro -- This gun was my first gun. I played a few games with some loaners, looked around online for the best choice of a beginners gun, this was more or less the unanimous decision for a nice reliable low end woods gun. The only differences between the 98c and 98c pro are the pro comes with a significantly better stock barrel, duracoat finish, a drop forward and a double trigger. I for one bought it mostly for the barrel.

It is by far the most durable gun I have ever seen. I have hit it off rocks, stumps, trees, dropped it while making a dive, even used it to block an incoming airborne Orion! (MY brothers gun...He wasn't too fussy on getting shot) It requires very little cleaning, if any, of course it will perform better if you do, but it will never quit on you. Unfortunately, cleaning it for the first few times is difficult, and even after years of experience with it, i still have a hard time getting mine back together right on the first try.

Its feel is decent, I'm so accustomed to mine that I could snapshoot a butterfly at 50 feet, but it is by no means an ergonomic gun. For any younger or smaller players, it tends to get heavy during long games. It is also very long, making it unwieldy in tight places, but also making it great for poking through that bush branch that's blocking your perfect shot.

Out of the box performance is acceptable. It is a blowback semi, so you most likely will have no advantage over your opponents ROF with or without the double trigger. The stock barrel is a happy middle ground. It will perform better than any other low-end stock barrel I've seen, but you will still most likely wind up getting a better one down the road. The duracoat is fantastic, it is no sheen and near invincible. I've had mine for 4 years of rough paintballing and it only has the odd scratch here and there. I'd be willing to bet regular paint wouldn't hold up that long.

This was the most customizable marker on the market before the X7 came around. Regardless of your play style, you will be able to find the right upgrades to fit your style of play. Firepower ups, loader options, internals, barrels up the wazoo, stocks, shrouds and rails. You name it, it'll fit or can be made to fit. Right now I have mine upgraded with a 14" razor barrel, an Evo II, an R/T and a Palmer's female reg. I love it, and it can spit paint like the best of em.

Ok, long story short is this is a fantastic beginners gun and a good gun for a seasoned player after you've sunk some cash into it. It is reliable and upgradeable, with decent out of box performance. You will not regret getting this gun. 4 of 5 stars for its initial, stock performance, god only knows what YOU can turn it into.