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What upgrades should I buy with a tippmann a5???

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Category: Tippmann Paintball
Forum Name: New Player Forum
Forum Description: New to the sport? Get Professional Advice Here!
URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=183486
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Topic: What upgrades should I buy with a tippmann a5???

Posted By: mdee4
Subject: What upgrades should I buy with a tippmann a5???
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 6:52pm

I'm completely new to paintball and I just want to use it for fun. But I want it to be accurate and be able to shoot far!!!

What upgrades should I buy with it to make it as good as possible? Please give specifics as for what upgrades to get!!!

Wheres cheapest place to get the marker and accessories for it??

I know I want...

Tippmann a5 marker

Response trigger (to make it fully auto right?)

150-200 ball hopper (I want it to be as small size as possible! any recommendations?)

12" barrel (about that size. I want it to be like sniper and ACCURATE! Any recommendations?)(or should I get a flatline barrel?)

3 positioning stock (Or should I get a different one, like 6 stock?)

20 oz CO2 Tank (what's the best one to get?)

Anything else?

Please give as much useful info to help me make my decision as for what to get!

Thanks!!!!

Replies:

Posted By: Mack
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 7:19pm

mdee4 wrote:

I'm completely new to paintball and I just want to use it for fun. But I want it to be accurate and be able to shoot far!!!

What upgrades should I buy with it to make it as good as possible?

I always recommend that people wait a while before upgrading to get an idea of what upgrades they need to compliment their playing style.

Please give specifics as for what upgrades to get!!!

You will get a lot of varying opinions as everyone has their own ideas of what is good or bad. The advice I will offer is to search the forums for certain topics of interest as most of what you are asking for has been posted before. (I could be wrong about getting a bunch of opinions, sometimes the forum has minimal patience with those who don't look around for themselves.)

Wheres cheapest place to get the marker and accessories for it??

I know I want...

The cheapest place tends to vary. Furthermore, some of us (at least me) do not really like to recommend specific places on the off-chance that the person we make the recommendation to has a bad experience.

Tippmann a5 marker

Good choice.

Response trigger (to make it fully auto right?)

The response trigger (R/T) is a pneumatically-activated trigger assist system that gives the effect of fully auto fire; technically however, it is still semi-auto.

150-200 ball hopper (I want it to be as small size as possible! any recommendations?)

I recommend sticking with the stock 200 round hopper. You can however find hoppers that hold anything from 30 rounds (tac cap) to 400 rounds (Allen paintball products).

12" barrel (about that size. I want it to be like sniper and ACCURATE! Any recommendations?)

Most people on here recommend barrels in the 12-14" length range. I will add that most people on here also don't believe in the concept of sniping in woodsball with standard markers and paintballs. Sadly, paintballs are not just all that accurate and most of the markers, with the exception of a few specialty systems (that have their own advantages and disadvantages) all have essentially the same range.

(or should I get a flatline barrel?)

J&J Ceramic or Lapco Bigshots are the specific barrels most often recommended by the members of this forum. Both are good barrels and doing a search will turn up a ton of threads on both. I do not recommend the Flatline (F/L) for new players. It is a unique system with its own specific strengths and weaknesses and people tend to either really like or dislike it. (With that in mind, if you really want one, try to test someone else's out before dropping the cash for one.

3 positioning stock (Or should I get a different one, like 6 stock?)

Stocks are also an acquired taste. Many players just use their tank as a stock and do fine while carrying less weight than someone with a stock. Other players like not having either a stock or tank on the gun, or moving the tank forward, so as to have a more compact marker. My personal favorite stocks are the folding ones that are made by JCS, but as I said; it really is a matter of personal taste.

20 oz CO2 Tank (what's the best one to get?)

CO2 tanks are pretty simple pieces of equipment and I really don't think there is that big a difference between brands. What you do have to consider is the material you want it made of: The chrome-moly have a longer life span but the aluminum ones are lighter.

Anything else?

Please give as much useful info to help me make my decision as for what to get!

Thanks!!!!

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Posted By: Evil Elvis
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 8:01pm

The best early Upgrade you can get is Field Experience. Buy a good After Market Barrel and then go play with friends. The more you shoot the better you will Become. Just like any Sport.

Practice, Practice, Practice

HPA might be a good investment as Fall is here and soon Colder temperatures will turn your CO2 tank into nothing but Issues.

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Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 8:15pm

Evil Elvis wrote:

Buy a good After Market Barrel.

HPA might be a good investment as Fall is here and soon Colder temperatures will turn your CO2 tank into nothing but Issues.

What's a good SPECIFIC after market barrel you would recommend to get?

Would you recommend J&J Ceramic or Lapco Bigshots barrels?

Should I get a 12" or 14"?

What's HPA??

Also, what's a cheap SPECIFIC aluminum 20oz CO2 tank to get??

Thanks

Posted By: TinMan
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 8:25pm

HPA is high pressure air.

I agree with Evil, just play and have a good time.

But my first suggested upgrade for anyone who will listen is a good mask.

Posted By: SSOK
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 8:30pm

C02 tanks really dont vary from manufacturer. In fact, I think many manufacturers have their tanks made in the same factory and just label them differently.

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Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 03 November 2009 at 6:09pm

OK. Thanks for the info guys! Is there anything else I should know???

Also, I think I'm gonna get a 12" barrel! Which specific one should I get because I have no idea!

Posted By: Robby_of_PBH
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 1:16pm

As far as the "shooting far" goes, unless you have a barrel that ads backspin all barrels will be near the same.

So if you do want it to go far, check out the flatline or apex barrel. Although they go far, there accuracy probably isn't as good as a NON-backspin barrel. So it's your decision. IMO, if your playing woodsball or somewhere not on a speedball type course, I'd go with the flatline/apex. Personally I think the extra distance is awesome, but that's just me.

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http://www.lovesongdatabase.com/ - Love Songs

Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 6:57pm

What is an apex barrel?

Is flatline or apex barrel better?

Posted By: SSOK
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 8:59pm

An apex barrel, in its simplest of terms, makes your rounds shoot farther. They will fly out to around 300 feet, but rather inneffective after 200 feet or so, because they either dont break or people will just dodge them.

I like apex barrels more than flatlines.

For simplicity, I would reccomend a JJ ceramic or Lapco Bigshot. I believe Lapco makes barrels that you can use apex tips on if you wish later. Not sure though. Check their website.

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Posted By: p shooter
Date Posted: 04 November 2009 at 9:49pm

mdee 4 there is alot of information out here on the net just read and learn then ask specific questons..... most of the questions you may ask have already been asked and answered, and if you have further questions then ask.
You have just begun your journey into the world of paintball, have lots of fun and always rember its the player and not the gear...... but great gear is so really cool.

Posted By: prolitesniper1
Date Posted: 07 November 2009 at 7:42pm

... see somethings never change on here, first off are we to assume you are playing woods? or speedball? based on that you can get a better answer for what gear you need

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im back

Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 08 November 2009 at 10:00am

Thanks SSOX.

It'd probably be woodsball.

Knowing this, should I get a flatline, apex, or just a 16" sniper barrel? Why?

Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 09 November 2009 at 7:14pm

Anyone have any ideas?

Also, what exactly is the difference between an apex barrel and a flatline barrel?

Posted By: TMan 24
Date Posted: 09 November 2009 at 7:36pm

As far as i read there, that will be a nice A-5. The only thing i can say it get a 10 position red dot green dot scope that is a nice way to dial in your shot. As for prices it is going to very in every different place you live right. I could get all that from my guys for about $500 make that gun look like M16. Whee are you from? Maybe i can help you get some good deals?

TMan24

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NJCB

Posted By: TinMan
Date Posted: 09 November 2009 at 7:37pm

An Apex barrel skids the ball off of a rubber ramp to induce a backspin.

The Flatline barrel uses a curved barrel to impart backspin.

The only real difference is you can adjust the amount of backspin with the Apex.

I prefer the Flatline

Posted By: Terroreyes
Date Posted: 09 November 2009 at 7:40pm

I play 90% woodsball and am really starting to lke my Flatline. That extra distance sure does come in handy! Does take a bit to get used to it though. Awesome for punching through brush and tight spaces at long distances. As noted in the tips section, you do have to concentrate on keeping the gun square for straight shots. I've learned to tilt the gun to give it an "Apex" effect when needed. Not as dramatic as an Apex, but the Flatline does have that tight fast curve to the flight that has come in handy shooting around obstructions. Put it to good use yesterday! :)

Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 10 November 2009 at 6:45pm

TMan 24 wrote:

As far as i read there, that will be a nice A-5. The only thing i can say it get a 10 position red dot green dot scope that is a nice way to dial in your shot. As for prices it is going to very in every different place you live right. I could get all that from my guys for about $500 make that gun look like M16. Whee are you from? Maybe i can help you get some good deals?

TMan24

I live in Maryland, USA........

Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 10 November 2009 at 6:46pm

Are there different brands of flatline barrels I could get? Which is the one you think I should get?

Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 10 November 2009 at 7:41pm

I am also looking into getting the cyclone feed system. I'm getting the tippmann a5 with response trigger and a 13.5" barrel. How cheap can I get it for? Is it worth getting it??

Can I still use the response trigger and shoot about 15 bps and it still work fine? Does CFS just allow the balls to shoot at 17 bps? Is the CFS heavy?

Posted By: TMan 24
Date Posted: 10 November 2009 at 10:35pm

The CFS weighs nothing. A response trigger with make your gun Semi / AUTO / Full Auto all in the pull of a trigger, so when you need Full Auto when they have you pind down you will have them ducking all over the place.
The CFS just works better with the Trigger. It lowers the risk of you chopping a ball at the hammer. The CFS makes sure you have a steady feed of ball from the hopper going in the gun all the time, but the cool thing about the CFS is it only runs when you pull the trigger unlike the electronic hopper witch you hear a mile away and have to shut off with the button.

I would go with the Flat line Barrel only because my friend has one and his gun can shoot about 100 yard away accuratly, but your gun is what you want.
You have a A-5 with Response trigger, and a CFS system on it and a Flat line Barrel, YAH people will be bucking for sure when you let go , now if you want to go pro or something like that you will need to upgrade to a different gun, as far as i can see thought the ball you play your going to kicking ass man with the combo of stuff on a gun.

Naaman

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NJCB

Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 11 November 2009 at 11:10pm

TMan 24 wrote:

The CFS weighs nothing. A response trigger with make your gun Semi / AUTO / Full Auto all in the pull of a trigger, so when you need Full Auto when they have you pind down you will have them ducking all over the place. The CFS just works better with the Trigger. It lowers the risk of you chopping a ball at the hammer. The CFS makes sure you have a steady feed of ball from the hopper going in the gun all the time, but the cool thing about the CFS is it only runs when you pull the trigger unlike the electronic hopper witch you hear a mile away and have to shut off with the button.I would go with the Flat line Barrel only because my friend has one and his gun can shoot about 100 yard away accuratly, but your gun is what you want.You have a A-5 with Response trigger, and a CFS system on it and a Flat line Barrel, YAH people will be bucking for sure when you let go , now if you want to go pro or something like that you will need to upgrade to a different gun, as far as i can see thought the ball you play your going to kicking ass man with the combo of stuff on a gun. Naaman

Can I use a hopper that runs on co2 with response trigger and it work just fine? like will it feed balls fast enough? What about Stock hopper?

If I get a flatline barrel, cfs (maybe?), and response trigger... then should I also get a...
Expansion chamber?
Double trigger?
Red dot scope?(I only want this to help make my a5 look like a sniper)
Use Co2 OR nitrogen???
E-grip?

Posted By: oldpbnoob
Date Posted: 12 November 2009 at 10:37am

To clarify a few things:

1. Only Tippmann makes the Flatline barrel.

2. The A5 already comes with the Cyclone.

3. Expansion chambers do help if you run CO2. Not necessary for HPA

4. HPA will help reduce freeze up with higher rates of fire (ROF) and provide more consistency

5. You can only have either an E-Grip OR a Response Trigger, not both.

6. Electronic hoppers are not necessarily capable of being "heard a mile away". Moot point, since standard electronic hoppers cannot be used on the A5 anyways without some sort of adapter.

7. Flatline barrels will increase range, but at the expense of accuracy. Anyone that says they can consistently hit a person with one shot/one kill accuracy from 100 yards with a Flatline is full of crap.

8. New players that have no clue what they are talking about really should refrain from giving advise to even newer players.

9. Seriously, read the stickies in the New Players forum as well as the Upgrades and Customizing forum. Every question you have asked has been answered repeatedly.

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"When I grow up I want to marry a rich man and live in a condor next to the beach" -- My 7yr old daughter.

Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 12 November 2009 at 6:02pm

oldpbnoob wrote:

To clarify a few things:

1. Only Tippmann makes the Flatline barrel.

2. The A5 already comes with the Cyclone.

3. Expansion chambers do help if you run CO2. Not necessary for HPA

4. HPA will help reduce freeze up with higher rates of fire (ROF) and provide more consistency

5. You can only have either an E-Grip OR a Response Trigger, not both.

6. Electronic hoppers are not necessarily capable of being "heard a mile away". Moot point, since standard electronic hoppers cannot be used on the A5 anyways without some sort of adapter.

8. New players that have no clue what they are talking about really should refrain from giving advise to even newer players.

9. Seriously, read the stickies in the New Players forum as well as the Upgrades and Customizing forum. Every question you have asked has been answered repeatedly.

Ok. Thanks. And sorry. Wait, the a5 comes with the cyclone feed system??
Should I get response trigger or egrip?
Does double trigger work with both rt and egrip?

Thanks!

Posted By: oldpbnoob
Date Posted: 12 November 2009 at 6:06pm

mdee4 wrote:

Ok. Thanks. And sorry. Wait, the a5 comes with the cyclone feed system??
Should I get response trigger or egrip?
Does double trigger work with both rt and egrip?
Thanks!

OPBN wrote:

9. Seriously, read the stickies in the New Players forum as well as the Upgrades and Customizing forum. Every question you have asked has been answered repeatedly.

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"When I grow up I want to marry a rich man and live in a condor next to the beach" -- My 7yr old daughter.

Posted By: mdee4
Date Posted: 13 November 2009 at 6:32pm

I checked the stickies!

But what is a specific expansion chamber I should get for my a5??

Posted By: oldpbnoob
Date Posted: 14 November 2009 at 11:15am

http://www.tippmann.com/canada/product_guide/accesDetails.aspx?id=341 - http://www.tippmann.com/canada/product_guide/accesDetails.aspx?id=341

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"When I grow up I want to marry a rich man and live in a condor next to the beach" -- My 7yr old daughter.