Angel, Shocker, Rainmaker, Cyber 9000…… Any of these names sound familiar? Well they should, especially if you play tournament ball.  These “pnue”guns on the market are the latest in tournamnet level, "hightech" guns,and are replacing existing cockers and mags like crazy.  If you have not shot an electropnuematic gun well….you don’t know what you’re missing. Don’t get me wrong, these guns are not for everyone, but for those of youthat play a lot of tournies or have some extra cash, try one of these babiesout.  One of the most exiting thing about these guns are the incrediblerate of fire anywhere from 12-16 balls per second, I’ll repeat it again,12-16 balls per second!

       Even the rainmaker, the cheapest of the “pneumatic” guns (at only about$400), boasts an incredible 14 balls per second.  Guess what all youmag lovers thinking “So what, I can almost get that on my mag”.  The difference with the pnue guns don’t have the dreaded chopping effect either. How many mag owners have gotten over 10 balls per second and have not choppeda ball?...not very many.  Well, with the pnue guns, as I will call them, it is almost impossible to chop a ball, even at rapid fire. This is what makes these guns so special.  The trigger on these pnueguns is electric (through a switch), that means no more short stroking! When the trigger is pulled there is a point where it will fire, don’t reachthat point (usually just beyond the halfway mark) and the gun won't fire,reach it and it will, no doubt about it.

        There are downfalls to pneu guns also though, mainly price. With the BrassEagle Rainmaker being the least expensive at around $400 stock and theWDP Angel being the most expensive at anywhere from $1250-$1500. Unfortunately,  they are NOT cheap.  Another downfall would bethe battery.  These guns use a battery in addition the air supply. The rainmaker and shocker work on co2, although both work on nitrogen also.The Angel and reportedly the cyber 9000 (don’t hold this against me) bothneed nitrogen.  Don’t go one the field without a motorized loadereither, you will outshoot it in a heartbeat. Especially since these gunshave so little recoil.

       Remember that these guns are electronic, so I would not get them wet. Even if the electronic parts are “supposedly” in a water-sealed area, Iwould not take the chance at their expensive cost.  They are not likemags, you cannot just gas up the gun an dip it in water to clean the gun.
 
 
 

        There are so many angels on the tournament circuit they are almost replacingmags and cockers, I said "almost" so don’t flip.  I am even seeing shocker 4x4’s and SF’s on the tourney circuit.  And what about thecyber 9000 from pneu ventures?  Though this marker is not out yet,I’m sure they will enter the circuit soon.  If the pros use them,you KNOW they gotta be good.  Take a look at these pneu guns and tryone for yourself, I’m sure you will not be disappointed.

Glenn Sweeten
MPN Columnist