Compare the Tippmann 98 Custom Platinum Series ACT and Valken SW-1 Blackhawk side by side: price, specs, firing modes, weight, and maintenance — and see which paintball gun is the better buy for your style of play.
| Tippmann 98 Custom Platinum Series ACT | Valken SW-1 Blackhawk | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Budget | Budget |
| Typical Price | $110-160 | $100-160 |
| Operation | Mechanical inline blowback (ACT) | Mechanical inline blowback |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto | semi-auto |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Gravity hopper | Gravity hopper |
| Air | HPA/CO2 | HPA/CO2 |
| Operating Pressure | ~250 psi | ~250 psi |
| Weight | 3 lb | 3.4 lb |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
The Tippmann 98 Custom Platinum Series ACT and Valken SW-1 Blackhawk are both budget paintball guns, so the choice comes down to how each one fits your game rather than how much you spend. The two land close enough on price that cost alone is unlikely to settle it. Both run electronic firing modes, so trigger feel and board tuning matter more here than the spec sheet. At 3 lb the Tippmann 98 Custom Platinum Series ACT is the easier carry over a long day on the field. The Tippmann 98 Custom Platinum Series ACT is built with woodsball and field rentals in mind. The Valken SW-1 Blackhawk is built with scenario/milsim starters and woodsball in mind. Bottom line: the Tippmann 98 Custom Platinum Series ACT has the clearer edge, especially for all-day comfort.