TippmannA-5 .68 Caliber Paintball Marker, Black

I just recently started playing paintball and soon decided I liked it enough to turn it into a regular hobby. I wanted to purchase some of my own equipment and I decided on the Tippmann A5 as my first marker for several reasons:1) Reliability - Tippmann is known for making quality products that are built to last. The A5 is one of the most reliable of the Tippmann line, and has a long track record.2) Ability to customize - The A5 is one of the most customizable markers available with a ton of upgrades, both practical (barrels for distance and accuracy, triggers for rate of fire) and aesthetic (barrel shrouds, clips, etc.)3) Ease of use - while I doubt their claims on field stripping, the marker is easy to customize, maintain, and fix on your own if you are mechanically inclined. Also, very intuitive design.4) Price - It is relatively affordable considering it can go up against more expensive markers, though customization gets a bit more pricey.Having now used the marker, I can say that I am very pleased with the product. I added a flatline barrel and stock and removed the foregrip. changing out the barrel and stock myself was not difficult. I also use a remote line to an HPA tank carried on my back. I am relatively new to the game, and I was doing quite well all day on my first day out with the A5. I fired about 1500 rounds through it in one day for reference. A couple of thoughts now that I have used it:1) The marker is very easy and intuitive to use. I had no problems adjusting my velocity for the field I was on and no problem making adjustments even when at the field.2) Only one day, but the marker was very reliable all day. No chopped balls. No ball breaks in the barrel (though I have heard this can happen with the flatline.)3) The rate of fire is impressive. I personally think firing too fast is a waste of paint, but the high rate of fire came in handy for suppression purposes.4) This thing does use quite a bit of air, which I was warned about prior to getting it. I only have a 48ci, 3000 tank. I only ran out of air once in play during a 20 minute game, but I was often going back for air between games even during shorter games. I also like firing for suppression and put out large volumes of fire, so perhaps more of a sniper type role wouldn't have as much of a problem. If you like to play up close though as a pinning force or as an assault force and you go with the A5, do yourself a favor and get a higher capacity tank. I've decided to get a 68ci 4500 carbon fiber now, but I suspect just a bit of a bump would be fine for most.5) Highly recommend a remote line. Particularly if you're getting a larger tank. So much more versatile without a big air tank on the back.In summary, I did a lot of research on different markers prior to this purchase and I am very happy with the decision. I would recommend this marker to anyone, but particularly for those who are beginners or intermediate level players who want a reliable marker that can keep you in the game against even more experienced players, and is fun and easy to use.

Sure it's no Angel, but if you're not a super serious player who takes pride in throwing away over a hundred dollars of paint every game, this reliable gun will help you stand up to the competition no problem. Been playing for a little while now and finally upgraded from my starter gun (mainly for accuracy/FPS concerns) and I have had no issue taking on more "heavily armed" opponents who can spray paint all over without being able to hit the broadside of a barn. I've attached a SAW stock and a 14" barrel, so I just mow em down before they get close enough that rate of fire outmatches accuracy. Simple and clean semi-auto action makes for a great woodsball sniper (my role), but it can easily be re-outfitted to an SMG for close quarters skirmishes. If you anticipate firing a lot, this probably isn't the gun for you, cause even though you can empty a hopper full (only 175 balls) in under 30 seconds, you'll run through so much air that you would only make it to the third or fourth reload. Also, don't believe the BS they feed you that you can field strip it in 90 seconds. That is utter garbage. It's not difficult, but you will definitely need a table, some allen wrenches, patience, and a tolerance for finger pain.

The A-5 is a really great gun. Never had any issues with the gun mechanically. The air cyclone feeder works geat, never had a jam.Can also upgrade the trigger to Response Trigger or EGrip. (Who needs to use 2 fingers when you can hold down the trigger with 1 😉)Only bad thing about the gun is the barrel but after upgrading it, it'll shoot as good as the $500+ ones.The photo has the Empire Apex 2 Barrel and A5 Car stock (Adjustable)

Many others have said it before, but the Tippmann A-5 is like the AK47 of the paintball world. It's true that there faster, lighter, and more advanced paintball markers on the market, but few of them can boast the dependability and high level of customization that the A-5 has to offer. I have used several modern markers before this one, and something about using this is just more satisfying than using some of the space age guns out there today.I play woodsball where tactical movement and strategy do more for you than having the most advanced equipment out there, and using an older marker like the A-5 more or less forces you to play better to keep up. Some may see that as a weakness of the marker, but I actually enjoy that aspect of the A-5. The plain version listed here is strictly semi auto, and the stock barrel doesn't really lend well to accuracy over range. However, it does promote a more deliberate play style that will ultimately be more successful in larger fields.It may seem like I'm dancing around the "cons" of the marker at this point though, so I will break the rest of the review down more plainly.Pros:1. Reliable - The A-5 takes its knocks on the fields and feeds CO2 like a champ for those who prefer it. I use the heck out of this thing, and none of the stock parts have worn out yet.2. Customizeable - I don't think there is a single marker for sale today that has more after market upgrades available for it than this one. You can literally make the A-5 into anything you want for paintball.3. The Cyclone - The 2011 version of the cyclone feed system works very well, and I don't often have issues with feeding until my C02 gets low. Once you get to the 400 shot mark, you may need to manually feed balls until you run out of air. The up side is that you don't need an additional hopper unless you want a low cap replacement or a spare.4. Easy to Clean/Maintain - It's not as easy as an open bolt marker to clean, but it is still pretty easy. There are very few o-rings that need regular maintenance, and keeping it well lubed will prevent a lot of wear and tear.Cons:1. Heavy - I'm not a small person, but the marker can get a bit weighty after lugging it around all day. I recommend a remote line for sure, and I haven't added any mods just to keep the weight down.2. Loud - I have tried several barrels, and this thing will always be loud. It adds character, but will also expose you very quickly if you are trying to be stealthy.3. Pricey (with necessary upgrades) - I'm not saying that the price should be lowered, but buying a few uprades like the response trigger and a better barrel will quickly make this marker just as expensive as more versatile markers in a hurry. If they lowered the price of the response marker a tier and reduced the cost of the base model by $30, I think that would be more fair.4. Outdated? - I bought one of these because I wanted one, not because I thought it would be the best thing out there. I wanted to change my game and play more deliberately, and I knew this marker would make me focus more on the field. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as a beginner marker anymore since there are quite a few better options out there these days. The A-5 is really a hobbyist/enthusiast marker now. Don't get me wrong. People can still dominate with this marker (I have witnessed it), but there is a steep learning curve when you play with people running speedball markers and other full autos.Overall, I really enjoy using this marker, but I think it is an acquired taste. I can't fault anyone for buying it, and I wouldn't discourage anyone from doing so either. If anything, using other markers after this feels too easy, so maybe that is a good place to start. I'm currently saving for a Phenom, so I can't wait to see what a difference that will make.Enjoy!