Tippmann A-5 Marker

Table of Contents

Tippmann began their manufacturing career building half-scale collectible replica machine guns, and almost unwillingly moved into producing paintball markers due to a change in gun laws that rendered their previous products illegal. They were sure this whole paintball thing was going to blow over, but nevertheless, they approached their new product line with the same degree of integrity that they applied to their previous production.

Since then, they have created the first semi-automatic and full-automatic markers, and after twenty-two years in the business, their quality and consistency has only improved. With a background like that, it's no surprise that the Tippmann A-5 is the best entry level marker that I have had the pleasure of reviewing.

The Build & Feel

Out of the box, the first thing I noticed was the workmanship. The A-5 has the most solid feel of any marker I’ve held. It has a little more weight to it than most markers, but that's a small price to pay when you consider that it can also take much more of a beating than lighter markers. Either way, pump a little iron and this won’t even be a problem! In any case, the weight is distributed evenly across the grip frame and is not enough to cause any additional arm fatigue in extended games. As a further testament to the brilliant engineering of this gun, it can be easily field-stripped in under 60 seconds, with no tools required. That can make all the difference if the marker ever jams in a heated match.

The Look & Customization

Once I was done admiring the workmanship, I took a good look at the marker's appearance, and for a brief second I wondered whether I was holding a paintball marker or an assault rifle. The A-5 is modeled after a Heckler & Koch MP5K, and without the barrel attached, it could pass for one well enough to be used as a movie prop. It's easy to tell these guys got their start making replicas, because this gun looks like the real thing. For anyone looking to make an entry into MilSim or add a bit more authenticity to their scenario play, this is your marker! Also of note, the Tippmann A-5 is one of the most customizable guns on the market, and can be configured to resemble a number of other assault rifles if the MP5K styling isn't to your liking.

Fire as Fast as Your Fingers Can Pull the Trigger

Tippmann’s catch line states that the A-5 is all about speed, relying on their Cyclone Feed System to deliver paint as fast as you can pull the trigger. Gravity feeds balls into the five slots at the bottom of the rig, and blowback from the previous shot rotates the paddle, placing the next paintball into the chamber. This unique design allows for consistent performance regardless of your rate of fire, and almost completely eliminates chopping. The other huge benefit to this system is that it is completely mechanical, negating the need for batteries. The Cyclone system is capable of firing at up to 15 BPS stock, and with the optional E-Grip upgrade, it can fire at up to 22+ BPS in full auto.

Will It Deliver?

It's sturdy, it looks cool, and it shoots fast. That's all well and good, but are you going to be able to put paint on target? As far as entry level markers go, the A-5 is on the higher end of the accuracy scale. In a field test, firing 2000 balls, every single one hit the target, and I was left with about a five inch spread across the center. Firing at center body mass, you're going to take the guy out; or you just might hit his shoulder instead of his chest. Definitely decent for the price, and wannabe marksmen and snipers-in-training can always opt to upgrade to the Flatline barrel, increasing both distance and accuracy in one go. Let's recap:

Specs:

• Caliber: 0.68
• Action: Semi-automatic, Fully Automatic (With optional E-Grip upgrade)
• Power: CO2, compressed air, nitrogen
• Feed rate: 15bps (up to 25 bps with certain Cyclone upgrades)
• Firing rate: 1-15bps (Tippmann E-Grip ROF 8-30bps Auto)
• Trigger: Standard
• Barrel length: 8.5 inches
• Length: 20 inches (with stock barrel on)
• Weight: 3.5 lbs. (without tank)
• Effective Range: 150+ ft

Pros:

• Durable. You can drop this gun in mud and water and smack it against trees and it won't skip a beat.
• Upgradeable. If you're a customization junkie, this gun will keep you going for a very long time.
• Dependable. Come rain or snow, you'll still be putting paint on target with no issues thanks to this marker's rugged construction.
• Cyclone Feed System. Truly awesome and almost worth the price of admission by itself, the Cyclone Feed System pushes out 15 BPS with no batteries required.
• Adaptable. Between the optional upgrades and the versatility in propellants, there's very little this marker can't do with proper planning.
• Low price.

Cons:

• Barrel. Although the stock barrel is by no means inaccurate, serious marksmen will definitely want to upgrade to the Flatline barrel for better accuracy and distance.
• Weight. I happen to be a fan of the added heft on the A-5, but some people may prefer a lighter marker.

Final Thoughts/Summary

Overall, the A-5 is easily the best entry level marker I've handled. The quality of construction and customizability are unmatched at this price point, and the Cyclone Feed System gives it even more of a leg up against its competition. With the A-5, Tippmann has succeeded in their goal of producing an entry level marker that performs above and beyond its price range while maintaining impressive durability. I would rate the A-5 a very solid 9 out of 10, docking a full point for the stock barrel because I'm a wannabe sniper and spend almost as much time painting targets as people. It's worth mentioning that even with the Flatline barrel, the A-5 still remains at "entry-level" cost, and with that one upgrade it outperforms many mid-range markers. It's time to ditch your Wal-Mart marker and make the jump to a big-boy gun. The Tippmann A-5 is everything you've ever wished your little Stryker starter paintball gun was, and a whole lot more.

About the author

Niko Brain is a freelance writer and offers sound advice on the sport of paintball. He runs his own personal paintball site and enjoys writing reviews on tippmann paintball guns and paintball gear. He's your "average Joe" paintball player and is an up and coming industry resource that loves to help newcomers to the sport.