This is a follow up to my Tippmann M98 review

        Having tested the model 98 thoroughly, I feel I have to address a few points.  As I stated in my previous article, the model 98 is a sound gun made by a quality name (Tippmann).  As for performance, it does not get much better.  With a short and fast trigger and excellent feel the Model 98 could easily compare to any other gun on the market.  The gun, however, is not perfect.
 
      Through further testing, I have found that the Model 98 has some very serious flaws.  Ball breakage was a severely excessive problem on the Model 98 tested.  I would break an extreme amount of balls throughout the day.  As it was not
the paint, I attributed this to the interior finish (very rough and imperfect) of the stock barrel.  Therefore I commenced further testing with what I have found to be the one of the best after-market barrel yet, the Lapco Bighshot barrel. When using NEW paint (RP Scherer Marbilizer was used during the testing) with the Bigshot the Model 98 performed excellently.  Yet when the paint moderately old (still very acceptable), it simply could not be shot through the Model 98 at all.  Even when using the recently bought RP Marbilizer, the Model 98 would break many paintballs.  I was unable to get past the chronograph without breaking several!  I checked another possible cause of the problem, the bolt.  Yet, there were no imperfections on its head, hence, it did not seem to be the cause.  I have also seen other Model 98s at breaking excessive amounts of paintballs too, so I know it was not just the test gun.

        The Model 98 in an excellent gun that can perform as well as anything on the market.  With companies like Lapco making quality upgrade components it is sure to do this with more ease and efficiency.  Yet, the gun is still too flawed to dethrone the Spyder from its position as the king of high performance mid-priced guns.  Yet, I am sure Tippmann will continue to improve their design, as they are one of the best companies in paintball, hands down.  Well, until then...

Brian Speiser
MPM Columnist
Team Purple Stuff