Tippman paintball guns are some of the most reliable on the market. They are durable, and they don't break paint. I've shot at least 10,000 rounds through my A-5 in the last 4 months, and I've have had only 2 break in the barrel. A-5's are cheap compared to a lot of guns, and for the quality of the gun it is a steal. You can also easily get upgrades for the A-5. The A-5 stock barrel is not very good, so I use a J+J Ceramic barrel. For newbies, make sure you buy good paint. The cheap stuff will not shoot straight. It is worth it to pay $10 more and actually hit someone.If you are just starting to play paintball, the A-5 or Tippman custom 98 would be excellent choices for a marker.