Noob with a A5

Hi all my name is James and I just bought a Tippmann A5 4 days ago, I have allways wanted to get into the paintball spirit and fianlly bit the bullet. Anyway I have already put a browning red dot site on it which so far I am finding useless, because I don't use it. I have found that paintballs aren't that accurate. I will be going to gander mountain today becuase the have a flatline barrel, and the e grip for the marker. I have probablly a really dumb question to ask and that is will the x7 egrip fit my gun, I like how it has an external switch. I will also be gong to dick's sporting goods today as they have a 68ci 3500psi tank I want for $70. As of right now I just play in the woods with some friends and I am loving it.  Any advice for a noob would be greatly appreciated.

I like the Flatline (F/L) barrel, however I never recommend it for new players.  I also suggest that it not be someone's first after-market barrel.  It is a great tool for providing suppressive fire at extreme range.  It is not suitable for all situations.  Many people find they don't like backspin barrels once they get one.  It will not provide one shot-one kill capability.  The F/L makes a great alternate barrel for use in certain situations but for a primary barrel I suggest the J&J Ceramic or Lapco Bigshot.

I also suggest you browse some of the information available on the forum before making any purchases.  You will find posts on this and much more throughout the forum.

I used the flatline for a while but prefer a straight barrel personally.  I only play in the woods and scenario style.  It kind of depends if you want more accuracy or distance.  the flatline gives more distance but sacrifices accuracy. If you decide to go for a straight barrel get a J&J or a Lapco.  For the price of a flatline you can even get the J&J kit (Edge Elite) to have all of the bore sizes so you can use any paint with no problems.  Also you may want to save up for a 68/4500.  More shots (especially with the A5).  It will also be lighter if you get the carbon fiber (the 4500) and will be much more comfortable for you.

Good tank at a good price. 

http://www.actionvillage.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/S tore/en/-/USD/DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=EuEEtd6DFP wE_5kguv3EHdQlt6GxaV8yETQ=?ProductID=kT_AqArb0QoAAAETQXZHL9W v

 

Edited by thejudge - 01 February 2008 at 6:19pm

Well I am going with your guys advice 1- I don't need distance but more accuracy. 2- the flatline is extremely ugly and expensive. I seen the j&j kit for about the same price and it's a sexy barrel. The tank I am definately saving up for the bigger one in a fiber wrap because the aluminun, one weighs a ton. Why exactly does the A5 use so much freggin air because I went through a 20oz  co2 tank in under 200 shots. The temp was ~60 degrees so I know that is part of the problem.Is the egrip worth the money for woodsball? I know I like to make my shots count, so I shouldn't need 20bps. How long of a barrel is optimun for the j&j  I have read on here anything over 12" is useless. I just need to decide on a barrel then I will order it and hopefully be able to try it out next weekend.

Edited by jwhitten - 01 February 2008 at 9:12pm

http://www.actionvillage.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/S tore/en/-/USD/DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=tlfxUflQuH bxar7zeX0x-fP2iGSuWTpMcew=?ProductID=eSKsFAY7YZ0AAAD7oyEwXFD u

 

This is the barrel I am leaning to, I like it allot. I'm not sure I wanna pay 120 for a 3 round burst because that all I wanted out of the egrip. I still need to find a tank carbon wraped and big because I am going through 3 20oz co2 tanks everytime I play which has been everyday now.

Any help at all is useful like I said I have only had it for 5 days now, I really hope the barrel kit will be nice and I won't regret it later on. I wish I could find a used egrip or something some where. I hope the barrel kit will quiet it down some because my stock barrel is loud.  I am going to have a big mess by the time I am done but hopefully it will shoot good. Thats why I asked for everyones help, I figure from what I have read there allot of useful people on this site, thats why I chose it.

So here is my big plan for my marker not in order

1) Polish the internals easy to do and almost free

2) HPA tank bigger is better for me

3) Ratchet mod for the cyclone

4) e-grip even though I don't need it but it will be sweet

5) Off set hopper for the cyclone so I can get the red dot set up right

6) J & J barrel kit

7) A good aluminum power tube

8) The full vortex mod

9) QEPH mod

10) the double trigger for egrip

I shouldn't need an expansion chamber if I use HPA, correct? Anyway I now this is gonna take some time and money but hey what else do I got to do. This is just like modding my truck but allot easier and cheaper in my mind. I know I don't need half this stuff but to be perfectlt honest I can't stand plastic parts.

you're going to waste a lot of $ unnessesarily going for all those mods on
your a-5 all you really need is a good accurate (short) barrel a good
sized tank ( a 72 ci 4500 psi tank will give the a5 about 1080 shots) but
woodsballer beware n2/hpa is much harder to get fills for so don't scrap
your co2 tanks just yet. I also suggest you get a remote with a slide
check it reduces your gun profile when belly crawling with your air off the
gun and I also suggest a good stock that you can get your head over to
look down the sight I have an aluminum mp5 sliding stock I love it. Other
than that spend your money on concealment and protection ie: mask
camo, chest protector (woodsball isn't so much about the marker but
strategy and stealth) hope you found this useful. Pm me with any
questions you have. Sorry if the format of this post looks screwy I sent it
from my iPod

Yea I use a vest and it carries my extra pods as well.  They also make packs for it that just go around the waist.  It comes down to personal preferrence really.  As for the MP5 Stock here is a link for one.

http://www.opsgear.com/Tippmann-A5-Sliding-Stock-MP5-p/mi-st ock-mp5-slide-a5.htm

You may be able to find it somewhere else for less but it will probably be around that price everywhere since it is aluminum.

*Edit: Good find on the barrel kit too.  Just remember to match the bore size of the paintballs to the correct backs.*

Edited by thejudge - 02 February 2008 at 11:45am

I only use the vest for the pod holders and tank pouch I got my sliding
stock at usmilitarygear.com for $120 you can find them for less but mine
is tactical quality (I broke 2 $60 dollar sliding stocks before I found this
one) no problems with it yet. You're very lucky to have hpa fills so close
to home I have to travel 40 minutes to the closest field while co2 is 3
mins away.

The slide check allows you to cut off the air to the marker at the quick
disconnect so you can detach your gun without having someone turn off
your tank I have broad shoulders and cannot reach my valve without
taking off my vest and in respect to your other question remote lines are
rated at half of their minimum burst pressure so a 3000 psi remote needs
at least 6000 psi to burst. I cannot recommend using a 3000 psi remote
with a 4500 psi tank. all I can tell you is that I do.

Edited by roamingrican - 02 February 2008 at 2:56pm