Hello all. My oldest daughter has been bugging me to take her to play PB after she turns 10 and the day is rapidly approaching. I know I am probably getting ahead of myself, but I truly hope she enjoys it and will want to continue playing. For her first outings, I will let her use the bone stock M98 that I picked up as a backup/spare marker. My question is, IF she ends up like it, what marker should I end up getting her once I know she will want to continue? I have a couple of thoughts on this. One would be to pick up a used 98C and use it as a project to upgrade and work on together. Or maybe even giving her the M98 and finding an E-bolt for it and tricking it out with milling etc. My second thought is finding and buying an entry level electro of some sort. However, I have no experience with these at all, which will make maintenance/repair a possible issue.  

Regarding, costs, I would like to be able to stay reasonable. A 10yr old doesnt need a $1k marker IMO, nor do I have that sort of money to throw around. I also would probably prefer to stay with CO2 if possible as I already have several spare 9 oz. tanks around and also because of weight. Which leads me to one of my other issues, weight. She is average height for her size, but scrawny (think Mowgli from the Jungle Book) and need to try and keep things light.

Size is also an issue. I adjusted my old mask down for her and to get it to fit, the lens is actually bending to fit her little noggin. Are there any good thermal lense masks made for smaller players? I tried to put my Proto Switch on her and was scared to size it down that small for fear of cracking the lense.

Lastly, do any of the younger players, or players that were younger when they started have any opinions of what they would rather have? Would you prefer a store bought Invert Mini or a milled/e-bolted 98 that you had a hand in building? Any opinions are appreciated.

Thanks.

• 9 oz. tank sounds right
• A used 98 isn't the lightest marker you can get but . . .
  
• . . . it will be reliable . . .
  
• . . . and easily upgradeable if she stays in the sport.
• I would recommend looking into the cheaper Ricochet hoppers.
• They tend to be lighter than most other hoppers.
• They can keep up with decent rates of fire from R/Ts and E-Triggers.
• They present a smaller target profile.
  
• Not knowing how big your daughter is, the reach from having the tank shouldered to the grip may be awkward.
• Consider a small drop forward.
• Due to balance, fatigue and stability issues, I always recommend the smaller/younger players use the tank as a stock.
  
• Upper body protection for female players is a must.  At one field I used to play at, the owner was adamant about this because of an article he read linking an increased chance of breast cancer in females to bruises in those areas.
• I don't know of any smaller masks specifically; so if you don't find one and have to use your old one, I recommend the following.
• Make a chinstrap if it doesn't have one.  (This will help prevent the mask rising from multiple hits.)
  
• The parts (strapping, buckles, etc.) can be found at any fabric store.
• You should be able to attach it by going through the side vents.
  
• Get her some type of hat/cap that fits well and have her wear it backwards. 
  
• The brim of the cap should help with keeping the mask from sliding downward.
• Keep in mind, this depends a lot on exact fit so this is only a suggestion at best.
  

As always, I appreciate your input.  Sad that I don't know how tall she is, but I would guestimate about 54".  Yes the tank to grip is a little far for her. When we were practice firing, she would tuck the tank up under her arm. I have a drop forward that I removed from my marker already that I will probably put on, just need to get a new longer SS line as all I have is Macroline around here and for some reason, I have issues with it sealing properly. Chest protector is a good idea and probably will make her a little less likely to cry. Only one I saw was a "one size fits all". False advertising unless it it able to be trimmed a lot. I may have to go look around the sporting goods store for something else that will work.

I may actually rig up something for the mask that puts a strap over her head as well to keep it from possibly sliding down. Again, thanks for the suggestions.

You lost me on the macroline fittings. I didnt think there were o-rings in them. Maybe that is my problem. Think I will stay with braided lines. lol.

My GF owns a Spyder VS3, and the thing is noticably lighter compaired to my 98C when both are fully loaded. You could look into getting a used one off eBay for her to kick around. It would be a little more advanced for a starter marker, but hey, we can help you if it breaks down

Honestly it isn't a bad gun either. I've played around with it a few times and the maintance is easy. A good starting gun can really keep someone in the game too. Plus I find it fun to have a variety of gear to work with, to help learn about the different way markers work.

For anyone on the younger side I'd really recomend chest and neck protection, just to be on the safe side. Even if you go to Dicks and get a real cheap chest pad its something to cut down on bruising. Especially in todays over-paranoid world the last thing you want is mysterious briusing on your kid. If playing with friends and family consider getting them to keep thier guns around 250ish.

I have a neck protector that I will put on her. I looked further into a chest protector and either have a choice of the $15.00 Wally World model or the $40 Proto one that actually comes in youth sizes. I am trying not to be cheap, but.....   I know my priority needs to make sure that she doesnt get hurt. My wife is already having reservations about her going in the first place. We are playing at a smaller commercial field in the area that seems to have a pretty decent group of players the times I have gone, so hopefully they will be kind. I have a feeling the day will end up as a daylong "VIP" game.

As for the marker, I appreciate the input. I have heard some mixed remarks about Spyders, so will have to consider and maybe do some more research. I also saw a Tippmann Triumph online somewhere, and read some decent comments here.  Have these held up?

I got a Triumph as a loaner, I wasnt a big fan of it.

I ended up selling it to get rid of it.  They are just another mechanical gun, unless you go electro with it.

Not a triumph fan either. Shot one for about ten minutes that a friend got and it broke four shots in that little time.

Spyders can be mixed bags. I find thier more recent stuff is pretty good though. Like most guns its about getting one that wasn't totally abused and neglected.

paintball437085 wrote: invert mini is a small gun that can use and grow as a player but of course you have to pick up a n2 tank

Which puts it well above what I am looking to initially spend. If she plays and REALLY likes it, I would consider when she is a couple of years older and more responsible. I can't even get her to take care of and wear her retainer let alone a $325 marker.

/\_ thats probably the best protection, the mask is really light allso.

My experience with new players is that the main thing is ease of use, and this goes double for kids.  They don't know how to push buttons, clean barrels/breaches, turn stuff off or on, or anything, and they don't particularly want to learn yet.

So you want something that is super-simple to use, and is basically incapable of breaking balls or otherwise developing headaches.

My vote is therefore for a 98 with Revvy.  ACT would be nice, but not required.  Subsitute Prolite/Ricochet or other basic-yet-reliable gun/hopper.  HALOs and similar hoppers are too complicated for rookies, as are all guns that shoot fast enough to require them.

And A-5 would also be a good choice, but when A-5s go bad, they go spectacularly bad, and that can turn anybody off to paintball.  Any problem that could appear with a 98/Revvy is a problem you can fix for her in five minutes.

Either way, good luck and enjoy.

Well my god son has is six and he has shown some intrest in Paintballing. I don't want to tke him to a field yet, but I do want to teach him some things. The thing is I never taught anyone before(and I'm starting with a kid? kill me now!lol). Can I get some advice on how to keep thier attention, And How I should break it down to him? Didn't want to start a new thread because I felt this all fit together!

Hah. At least you noticed! It's a LOT better than the other people who just don't care...

As for teaching, I'm a horrid teacher as well, so I can't really offer any tips. Good luck!