STOCK AND PUMPGUNS -- PICKS OF THE LITTER

I own a Nelspot, but due to the fact that you can't find aftermarket accessories, I wouldn't recommend one.

For the most part there are no bad pumps or stockguns out there, per se. However, I have my personal favourites.

If you want to contact any of the manufacturers, start up your search engine. Links pages are too hard to maintain.

STOCKGUNS

• SHERIDAN
  • PGP -- Probably the best "entry level" stockgun out there. The new and improved version of the PGP, which replaces the PGP and P68SC, has some drawbacks, but they're not so bad as to keep it from being a good marker. The PGP is made of brass so it'll last for years. I have a very old PGP (it's about 15 years old) and it still works great. The great thing about the PGP (and it's bigger brother the P68SC) is that many experienced stock players use them and swear by them. The out-of-the-box PGP needs a few aftermarket accessories, but it's still less expensive than most.
  • P68SC -- This is basically the PGP with a fifteen shot tube (five more balls than the PGP) and a longer barrel. Like the PGP it is a workhorse and will give many years (even DECADES) of service.

• CCI
  • Phantom -- I like the Phantom solely because by simply changing the body you have a stockgun or a pumpgun. I also like the fact that there are several options and they have removable barrels. They're very inexpensive and they also come from the factory in several colours, including splash anodizing. They also have velocity adjustable bolts. People who don't particularly like Sheridans (mainly because you need a special tool to pull out the valve) usually get a Phantom.

• PALMER'S PURSUIT
  • Superstocker -- This nickel plated beauty is expensive, but it may be well worth the money if you're playing stock on a regular basis. I've always been a big fan of Palmer's guns. Due to the fact that they're custom you can get, as they say 'mild to wild'. The Superstocker breaks one of the stock class rules, however. The design allows a ball to be held over the bolt, due to the fact that the feed tube is not touching the barrel. There may be some hassles at your next stock tourney, so call ahead.
  • Typhoon Convert -- This was intended to be a semi with interchangeable feed systems (DF and spring-loaded). There is also a pump kit to convert the semi to a pump. If you took the spring out of the spring feed, it would qualify as a stockgun. We're talking big bucks for this rig, but you basically get a semi, a DF pump and a stockgun for the price. One thing to remember is that it may not be allowed in a stock tourney or event, call ahead. Any technology that is out of the ordinary is usually not accepted.
  • PUG -- The PUG is like a PGP but BETTER! Again you can specify barrel lengths, feed tube styles and capacities, etc.

• CARTER MACHINE PRODUCTS
  • Buzzard -- There are other model stockguns made by Carter, but I only owned a Buzzard. One word: Expensive. I dearly loved mine, but I later sold it to get a custom Sniper II from Spanky's (more on that later). The Buzzard is an excellent gun and even made me look good at Skyball 2000. I headshot a guy from across the field with no problems! The action is silky smooth and the gun has really good balance.

• SPANKY'S PAINTBALL
  • Stock Class Sniper -- This is presently in the development phase. I know this because I'm the one helping them develop it! The idea will be that if a vertical feed Sniper/Autococker body is used and the stock feed block screws into that, it can be removed and replaced with a direct feed. Two guns in one. Of course you'll have your choice of body styles, anodizing, etc. Be warned, they will be expensive! Mine won't be, but YOURS will. Sorry.

PUMPS

• W'ORR GAMES PRODUCTS
• Sniper, Sniper II and Sniper III -- The best thing about the Sniper line is the fact that, apart from the pneumatics, aftermarket accessories for the Autococker fit the Sniper. No problems finding barrels for this baby! For a bit more money you can get custom back blocks, bolts, barrels and other stuff to personalize your gun.

CCI

• Phantom -- Like I said above, get the stock class receiver and save some money on a second gun!

• PALMER'S PURSUIT
• Houndstooth -- In C/A and 12 gram versions. A slick marker if ever there was one.
• Typhoon Convert -- See the Stockgun entry above.

• TIPPMANN
• SL68-II -- Not many aftermarket accessories, but if you're looking for a marker to pass down to future generations, your children and their children and their children's children, etc -- will be using this gun into the NEXT millennium! The feature I like is the anti-double cock. Cock it once and you can't mistakenly re-cock it to load a second ball. The bolt unlocks when you fire the marker. This slows the autotrigger somewhat, but autotriggers are for slobs!

• SPANKY'S PAINTBALL
• Sniper II -- This is the best marker I've ever owned! No question. It's really expensive, but I think it was well worth my hard-earned money. This is not the marker for the occasional pump player, this is for those of us who play pump, even against semis. A word to the wise, when you order one, specify what power source you'll be using. The valving used for HPA and Nitro requires a regulated system to work well. I run mine on 12 grams so I had to replace the valve. I was actually getting 50 fps velocity spikes off of a 12 gram! Also, if you intend to mount a scope or dot sight I would recommend against the Cobra Body. There's not enough sight rail left, after they mill the body away, to put the larger sights on. I have found one major problem with the Spanky Sniper that annoys me to no end: you have to continually tell people it's not an Autococker. I'm putting a sticker on the loader that says "No, It's Not an Autococker!"

There you have it. You can't go wrong with any of the choices. However, I take no responsibilities if the particular marker you get doesn't live up to you expectations. Even the most reputable makers will put out a dud, every now and then.

---

All of the articles in the website "www.DURTYDAN.com" are free to use for webpages, school projects, reference and to promote paintball to players and the non-playing public. Please give credit where credit is due and (where possible) provide a link back to the www.DURTYDAN.com website.
© Durty Dan 2000. All rights reserved. All works contained in the website known as "www.DURTYDAN.com" are under copyright of the author Durty Dan. While the Terms of Use are broad they do not include the right to republish this work in any publication (hardcopy or electronic) for the purposes of personal financial gain.

---