Tippmann 98 Custom Review: The Best Entry Level Paintball Marker?
There is not denying that the Tippmann 98 custom is one of the most iconic paintball guns on the market. It’s wide spread popularity is well earned. From the extreme reliability and durability to the insane range of upgrades and accessories available, make it one of the most versatile entry level paintball guns on the market. Tippmann has long been one of the top paintball gun manufactures on the planet and they were wise to create this well rounded top quality paintball gun. For anyone looking to purchase their first marker, the Tippmann 98 Custom is probably at the top of your list, alongside the very similar Empire BT-4.
Those who are new to this extreme sport will especially enjoy the Tippmann 98 Custom as is it super easy to use and doesn’t have to be cleaned as frequently as most markers thanks to the anti chop system they have implemented. Our of the box, The Tippmann 98 custom is a semi-automatic paintball gun, with a decent fire rate of 8 balls per second. Not too shabby at all!
A base Tippmann 98 custom and one with full accessories
Extreme Durability
There’s a good reason why the Tippmann 98 Custom is one of the most common field rental paintball guns around. It is made to withstand player falls, crawls, rolls, bad weather and just about everything else you can throw at it. Players can even drop it repeatedly and it will likely still work, something we put to the test during our hands on review (we were a little rough on our test model). Some players have claimed that they’ve gone years without cleaning theTippmann 98 Custom and it still works like new. It is made of high quality metal that is comfortable to grip in both the rear and front. Even after several hours of play, it is still light enough and soft enough to carry with relative ease, without any rough edges to chafe and blister your hands. This solid metal construction is the basis of the Tippmann 98 custom’s superior durability and puts its miles above your average plastic Wallmart patinball gun.
There’s a hinged elbow that you can easily disassemble in a matter of seconds in order to reach the marker’s chamber. The Tippmann 98 custom splits open into two halves so you can view and tinker with the internal mechanics with ease. It may feel a bit awkward when you first open the marker but you’ll get the hang of it after a few attempts. Just be sure to keep a close eye on any springs and pins that might tumble out of the marker when you take it apart, especially the front sight spring. You don’t want to lose any of these parts as they can have a tendency to slip out when the gun is opened up.
>>Click Here to read user reviews on the Tippmann 98 Custom<<
How Does It Shoot?
In terms of the Tippman 98 custom’s shooting prowess, it definitely delivers. It provides an accurate shot and the trigger is just the right size. The Tippmann 98 Custom shoots nearly as well as premium paintball markers on the higher end of the price spectrum, which helps level the playing field for newer players. It operates on either compressed air or CO2. ASA blade sights are provided along with the adjustable variety as well. This gun fires up to 8 shots a second, a speed that will satisfy the majority of paintballers. It also uses very little air compared to other markers, so it will last much longer before an air refill is necessary. If you browse web for player opinions of the Tippmann 98 Custom, you’ll find that plenty of player claim to have won paintball tournaments with it. That is a bit surprising but not entirely unbelievable given the massive upgrade potential.
The only criticisms in terms of its shot is that there is a bit more recoil than you might anticipate from a marker. This can impact the quality of rapid consecutive shots, but in most cases those situations do not require laser accuracy. Critics also are quick to note that the stock barrel is only 8 inches. This is a bit on the short side for more advanced players, but once again is easily to mod with a custom barrel for added range and accuracy. The Tippmann 98 Custom Flatline barrel is extremely popular and adds additional backspin to your balls for added precision.
Tippmann 98 Custom upgrades
Like most Tippmann paintball guns, the A5 allows for TONS of mods and upgrades via a wide range of accessories. While the base level gun is a fantastic mid-high end paintball marker,
Most Popular Tippmann 98 Custom Accessories:
- Tippmann 98 Custom E Trigger system (allows full auto 15 Balls per second fire)
- Tippmann Cyclone feed system for 98 Custom
- Tippmann 98 Custom Flatline Barrel
- Tippmann 16″ Sniper Barrel for 98 Custom
- NC Star Red Dot Sight and Carbine stock for Tippmann 98 Custom
Tippmann 98 Custom Price
The 98 Custom falls squarely into the entry level marker price point category. Due to its popularity you can find it in great value bundles for those who have none of their own gear. Often you can find it bundled with a mask, air tank, and reserve ammo pods like the awesome starter package you can find here. Overall we think the price level for this durable entry level paintball gun is a steal, given the fact you are able to upgrade and customize it to your personal preferences for years to come, building your kit at your own pace and budget. With some cheap plastic wallmart style paintball guns going for similar prices, this is a big reason why we can heartily recommend the Tippmann 98 Custom for anyone on a budget, but still wanting top quality gear.
Final Thoughts
For anyone looking to invest in their first paintball gun the Tippmann 98 Custom is an easy choice, rising well above the competition in terms of customization options, durability and ease of use. We treated our review model extremely rough, putting it through mud, dropping it on concrete, running through the bush with it and firing thousands of balls. It still works like new. We were really impressed during our time with it. This marker won’t break the bank and will last you a LONG time. An Iconic paintball gun that certainly earns its popular reputation.