So most players out there play with semis, many of them have never even used a pump. Most of them have rarely seen a pump. I know this because of the questions I get asked about my pumpguns. I’ve been to many events and I always get questions about my pumpguns. I’ve been asked how it works, how fast it shoots and why do I have to pump it. I’ ve also been asked why I use twelve grams when they only give me 25 shots and I can’t refill them.
I also get confused looks when I have to correct them that my Sniper II is NOT an Autococker. (A fellow Sniper owner told me that he’d probably save a lot of time explaining if he just wrote, "No, this is NOT an Autococker!" on the side of his loader.)
For the most part, I let them try out the pump, usually on the range. Most players are impressed with the pump’s accuracy, feel and balance. Mind you I don’t use your standard out-of-the-box pumpgun. My pumps are custom made and tricked out to the max, although I‘ve yet to use high pressure air. I like to own "dead sexy" pumpguns.
Even though these players are impressed with the pump-marker they admit that they wouldn’t want to give up the firepower of their semi. One honest player admitted that he would never play pump (or worse: stock) because he was too afraid to find out that he actually sucked at this game without a semi.
I’m here to tell you that you’re going to have more fun with a pump than you will with a semi.
Don’t get me wrong, I like to play semi too. I love to sit and hose away because I’ve always liked to shoot. I have an old Tippmann 68 Special it’s big and heavy and black and when you start tickling that trigger my Special barks and coughs and pumps and chugs. It’s a joy for me to shoot so when I do play semi, I put a lot of rounds through it.
As fun as all that hosing is; it can’t compare to taking out an opponent with one shot. Folks, you can’t buy that feeling. While everyone around you is hosing like they’re trying to push a truck out of a ditch with the paint -- you take aim and pop a bad guy in the goggles, or the loader or what have you.
Man, I love that feeling.
It’s even better when someone else sees you do it.
At Skyball 2000 our team (Team CanCon) played in the pump event. It was real nice to have an audience when I eliminated an opponent who was clear at the other end of the field with one shot. I did it more than once, too.
Speaking of Skyball, I had player ask how the stockgun I was using worked. Here’s what I said, "You know about electro-pneumatic semis right? Well, this is the new bio-mechanical semi!" The player was pretty impressed, but a bit confused. "You see, your ARM cocks the marker!" I added. He narrowed his eyes, realizing he was the butt of a joke and walked off without saying a word. It didn’t help the situation that my teammates were chuckling like a pack of hyenas, either.
It’s also really cool to hear praise from your opponent after the game. Especially when they say they didn’t think you’d be able to hit them.
You looking for extreme? Go into a semi game with a pump. Knowing that you‘re outgunned by every opponent on the field sure gets the heart racing. Just because you seem to be "technologically disadvantaged" doesn’t mean you still can’t get in their faces. It’s even more of a rush with a pumpgun.
When the moment comes that you actually eliminate an opponent take note of that feeling. Also take note on how much money you spent on paint to get them.
Sure, I’ve been playing since 1984 and it may be a bit easier for me to bring a pump- or stock- gun into a semi game. Okay, I’ll give you that. However, that’s not an excuse. (Well it is, it’s just not a good one.)
The fact remains that anybody with hair, a heartbeat and basic motor reflexes can play with a semi. Look around you next game and you’ll see what I mean. If you still crave firepower just get a pump with an autotrigger. Even an old guy like me can match the rate of fire of most semis (well, maybe not full auto).
The beauty of the pumpgun is that most pumps are inherently more accurate than most semis. With some practice o n the target range you can tag an elbow, a shoulder or the top of a loader with one shot.
Sure you’re going to have to work harder at this game, but at the end of the day, you’re going to find that not only did you save money on paint but you actually had fun. Top this off with more eliminations than you usually get and you’ll find you can’t match playing with a pump.
For those of use who are lucky enough to be able to play pump on a regular basis, we know that a bad day of playing pump is still better than a good day of playing semi.
I'm telling all of you die-hard semi players out there, you don't know what you’re missing.
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