Newbie getting A5

get a bigshot or j&j ceramic barrel, generaly the higher the price the better the barrels get.

i wonder what the new gun will look like? post more info if you can.

What I tell everyone getting a new marker is to play with it completely stock (with the exception of an aftermarket barrel) at least once.  Once you've played with a marker you get a better idea of what you want/need on it.

The majority of the markers I use are set up for functionality as opposed to looks, but I have one model 98 that is set up to look "cool".  It has the Armson Sniper F/X kit with the 12" barrel, the M4 foregrip and the M16 style front sight post and rear carry handle.  I replaced the solid stock that came in the kit with a collapsible carbine stock.  I used an adapter to mount a BSA 30mm red dot on top of the carrying handle.  It has the Tippmann vertical mount kit for attaching a remote and a r/t installed.  It looks cool, and with the souped up hopper, it puts out a lot of paint.  But all of this comes at a price, and that price is weight and having to put up with an annoying remote line.  It is the marker that everyone I know goes "oh, cool" when I break it out to play, but it is also the one I use the least for several reasons:

• Weight
• I'm not a fan of remote lines, but using this marker sort of requires it to keep the mil-sim look.
• It's more fun to play with other markers that I built/modified my own equipment for as opposed to a "kit" marker that is similar to any other marker with the same kit.

In relation to what you're thinking of doing, consider the following:

• The A5 is a little more complicated than the model 98, but this mainly comes into play when you get a bad break in the cyclone feed and have to take it apart completely.  I've only had to do this twice in three years.  I took the cyclone completely apart one other time to install a Tippmann-released (free) upgrade part to fix feeding problems, but I don't think it's fair to complain about free fixes.
• The model 98 does have one distinct advantage over the A5, and that is the ability to drop the hopper and quickly clean the barrel on the field.
• The advantage the A5 has over the 98 is that the hopper is integrally timed to the cycle of the marker which makes chopping paint much less likely.
• Whatever marker you get (unless you wait for one of the new custom pros) you will probably want your first upgrade to be a new barrel.  I have a flatline, a 8" Lapco Bigshot, and a J&J; they are all good barrels.  For anyone who is getting an A5 and can only afford one aftermarket barrel I always recommend the J&J.  The ability of this barrel to "self-clean" compensates well for the inability to drop the hopper on the A5 for squeegeeing.
• You're obviously leaning toward an electric marker, so consider waiting for the new Tippmanns to come out.  I know a lot of folks who have had sear related problems (double/tripple-tapping and ball chopping) with the E-grip.  If the electronics on the new markers are actual electro-neumatics as opposed to being "sear-trippers", they would avoid these problems.
• You mentioned wanting a stock.  I definitely recommend using a tank as a stock at first, then if you don't like it you can always add a stock later.  Keep in mind the stock will add extra weight and will probably require you to get a raised sight rail if you want to use a sight.

lester98c wrote: a-5's arnt really a newbs type of gun. when i started out i got a spyder. thier easy to use,easy ro clean, and alot cheaper

My first gun was a Spyder as well.  I liked it and still have it.  I would not recommend it for every newbie though.  If you aren't mechanically inclined I'd flat out suggest you stay away from Spyders.  I missed many a game fixing seals and trying to get it to shoot legal FPS in the Winter.  I would suggest you go for the Tippmann 98c.  It is a great marker and super easy to upgrade.  My A-5 is a little bit more fussy than my kids 98c.  Enjoy the game and keep your head down newb!

I would recomend against getting a stock.

As for the barrel, most people get the lapco bigshot.