[rexisme]

I had no issues whatsoever with my axe until I tried to put a lurker bolt into it. I guess the old saying of,"if something ain't broke, dont fix it," holds true.

Once I did the bolt I had nothing but problems. Partly user error because I do not believe the gun was broke in completely before installing it. Partly I think the part is junk. I do not want to get into a discussion about how great the bolt is and how retarded I am, either way, I do not give a ****. If you do, feel free to purchase it from me. I've had several guns with aftermarket bolts, several guns I've maintained and they shoot/work flawlessly. This one for whatever reason I just could not get dialed in.

With that being said, once I returned the axe to stock, I had leaks all over the place. What I did, I reset the board back to stock. Took the gun completley apart, replaced every single o ring, the poppet o ring, poppet seal, and ended up finally replacing the poppet spring. After doing all that, the gun is back to shooting flawless again. Its very easy to maintain, just take your time. Plus, chances are, if your leak is coming out of the tip of your bolt its either the poppet o ring or the poppet seal.

I believe if you ever shot your axe when it was working properly, you will never be happy with another mid level marker as you would be with the axe. It truely is an amazing gun for the money.

[miamiboy_187]

Get a Mini

[dps093]

Eteks or egos

[tvise]

Originally Posted by ElJefe13

Spyder or Tippmann

Spyder may be the worst electronic markers produced..... ever..

[die.another.day]

Originally Posted by tvise

Spyder may be the worst electronic markers produced..... ever..

Spyder is the worst paintball brand ever...

[h23vtec]

etek

[Morbidrequiem]

Honestly, just about any well maintained mid range marker will be as reliable as the other. People say G6r's have issues; never had an issue with mine whereas I had horrible reg creep multiple times with my Axe. Ego's and Etek's are the simple of the simple to use and maintain. I've seen guys go through a full day of play with sand all through the firing chamber, no issues.

The rest comes down to preference in what you are looking for. Treat your gun well and it will do the same for you.

[dominantgazelle]

My SL74's never let me down. It sprung an O-ring the first time I played it but I simply used an o-ring provided with it and it's been working ever since.

[FXBaller]

Originally Posted by inferno2inferno

Shot quality is only a part of articulating the performance argument. Your claim that it is loud is true, but kick you are quite mistaken. Consequently, your claim is substantially flawed.

Yes the etek line is loud right out of the box, however, my etek 4 and many others I have seen, after break in quiet down substantially. It is still comparatively loud against other markers, which is true. The topic here though is on reliability, which the etek 4 trounced the Axe soundly. Any regular problems the etek encounters are easily fixable and it cab still perform, where as every time I see an Axe go down, it is down for the count. Thus, the more reliable and durable marker is the etek.

Secondly, only the narrow minded consider shot quality to be the begin all end all of performance. Factors such as rate of fire, maneuverability, gas consumption, battery usage, and softness on paint are factors that MUST be taken into account as well. In which case both markers are quite even except maybe the etek being more air efficient by about 1 pod. Sir, you are missing quite a lot in your argument about performance.

Lastly, the shot quality you describe only takes into account noise, which ignores other aspects of shot quality such a accuracy. Both markers shoot as accurately as any paintball gun can really. And if you attempt to bring up kick as con for the etek I recommend firing a real gun at a shooting range first. Anyone who has ever handled a real firearm recognizes that any paintball gun has no kick at all; it just subtly vibrates.

To conclude, that was way too narrow an argument on Axe versus Etek. They are spec wise equals in almost every regard except on one hand you trade noise for a bit of efficiency; their performance is then very similar. Besides, noise is also very relative. I shoot a wide range of markers of varying noise signatures and I could care less of how loud it is as long as the marker shoots paint accurately and can take a pounding.

Ok where should I start? Hmm. This is not an AP English essay. Second of all I have heard A broken in etek. It's not significantly quieter, it's still loud. Third of all axes do not normally go "down for the count". They have a simple oring fix or something along those lines. Empires customer service is amazing (as is planet eclipse's). As for the kick reference, this is not a battlefield and that's why he was describing kick. If we were in war guns would have a lot more kick, but this is paintball and he is referring to paintball guns and their kick related to other paintball guns. Axe>Etek

[inferno2inferno]

Originally Posted by FXBaller

Ok where should I start? Hmm. This is not an AP English essay. Second of all I have heard A broken in etek. It's not significantly quieter, it's still loud. Third of all axes do not normally go "down for the count". They have a simple oring fix or something along those lines. Empires customer service is amazing (as is planet eclipse's). As for the kick reference, this is not a battlefield and that's why he was describing kick. If we were in war guns would have a lot more kick, but this is paintball and he is referring to paintball guns and their kick related to other paintball guns. Axe>Etek

Thorough arguments are not necessarily a bad thing :-/. Anyhow, I still contest the loudness after break in claim. When I got my etek I did not mind the noise too much although it was undeniably louder than other markers. But, after break in, it was just as loud as other poppet markers, but then again it is relative. For kick, i do seriously recommend firing a pistol at your local shooting range if possible. Then pick up any paintball gun, an watch "kick" disappear as a feeling. Paintball guns have no kick after experience a target firearm. This even goes beyond a marker to marker comparison; they really all feel the same kick wise, none at all. Which is why I was claiming that kick is not necessarily the best ground of comparison for markers. For the reliability question, I guess it boils down to different sets of experience. Anytime I have seen an axe go down, it was down, otherwise they perform impressively. So I guess there is some sample bias on my part there, but what I claim remains true based on that experience nonetheless.

[SNAKESNIPER (Banned)]

I really can't stand when people compare a firearm's recoil to a paintball gun's. We're not comparing markers to firearms; we're comparing markers to markers. The argument is that the Etek has a greater recoil compared to other paintball markers, not a greater recoil compared to a firearm.

[ElJefe13]

Originally Posted by SNAKESNIPER

I really can't stand when people compare a firearm's recoil to a paintball gun's. We're not comparing markers to firearms; we're comparing markers to markers. The argument is that the Etek has a greater recoil compared to other paintball markers, not a greater recoil compared to a firearm.

The point he's making is the difference between markers, particularly between mid and high end electros, is so minuscule as to render it completely undistinguishable.

[Goumba]

poppits by far are more reliable.

also paintball is very different than the car industry in where a new entry level base model is less reliable than the flagship model that is 5-7 years old.

so what i am suggesting is get a high end gun from a few years ago where used prices are cheap. I would go with a poppit gun they are dummy proof.

Look for a bob long vice, closer, victory , or protege if you want a gun made in america. I also believe alien made some things in the use

otherwise planet eclipse ego 7,8 are good choices, also

I would avoid a spool valve for what your needs are.

Now where to buy these guns i mentioned. Try
-ebay
-here (look in bet)
-google paintball forums and check any of the ones on the first page of googles for sale section (I like mcarterbrown).

Make sure to pay with paypal via a credit or debit card so you have buyer protection and dont gift your payment to avoid fees.

- Cheers

[2pipes]

Originally Posted by batman788

So What's the most reliable gun that would be a downgrade from the axe. I don't need a high end marker since I'm not playing any tournaments.

How's the Etha? Or something.

Thanks!

First an Axe really isn't a high end. Shots like one in a lot of respects though. As for downgrade and reliable, I have to say Bob Long Vice or Older Intimidators. So reliable in fact that it is difficult to find them less than $300 unless really old. When you go back more than 6 years then parts are harder to find so the reliability dives if you have a problem you can 't fix.

Seriously, stay with the Axe trading or selling it will not yield a big cash windfall and you are likely to spend most of it getting another gat.

[SPYDRMN22]

You guys are funny and you all sound like noobs that don't play enough woodsball,eteks are loud for a couple of reasons,the barrel is a big cause as well as kick and yes all guns have kick and some have less the others.Ive played for many years and shot almost every marker out there and to answer your question any gun is reliable if you take care of it and maintain it now if your looking for a straighter shot or faster rate of fire then yes you should look as specific guns ,spool valves etc. Now as far as spiders being the worst guns you guys are wrong again because I guarantee you can get a Walmart brass eagle gun that is worse.Dont spend so much time on having the top of the line stuff or the newest or greatest new gun because at the end of the day if your a sucky paintball player the best gun in the world won't guarantee you kills, but playing,practice,and using your brain will.I see people wearing the coolest gear and shooting the best guns at the fields every weekend and get mowed down by some park rat with a old spider or cocker so to answer your question I tech for many stores here in Cali and the gun I see the least for repair are Tippmans and Spyders.

[paintballcrazy94]

just buy a poppet, an etek, never need to clean it and shoots ropes all day

[miyo00124]

Originally Posted by batman788

I'll check for an 07 ego or possibly an etek 2/3.
Thanks!

dont get an etek if its possible eteks in my opinion are garbage i had one when i first started out and i hated it it shot like a jack hammer

[HarleyR62]

Id take a nice used ego 08 over a new axe.... I have a 08 and it has been without a doubt the most reliable gun ive owned

[noclue119]

Here is the reliability of PE Egos

Ego7 > Ego8 > Ego10/11 > Ego09 > Ego06/05

If you take out the QEV for the Ego7 and replace it with a banjo bolt, basically the only thing that can go wrong is the LPR/HPR pistons.

Ego8's has 2 QEV and can snap rammer shaft

Ego10/11 are nice but i am not sold on the SL3 regs

Ego9 had the issues that were fixed with plank kit

Ego6/5 parts are hard to get.

Oh ya forgot Ego5/6/7/8 sounds like a bazooka.

[2pipes]

My Ego 6 did not sound like a canon. 5 and 6 parts are hard to get and 9's did have issues. Not sure why the 11's where in the middle of your ranking.

PE Geo 2.0, 2.1, and 3's are solid markers. I really like Bob Long Intimidators Gen 5 "Vice" or Gen 6 "G6R", too.