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Tippmann 98 Custom Basic Paintball Gun

In Production

Tippmann 98 Custom Basic paintball gun: The non-ACT base 98: the simplest, cheapest version of the most-rented gun in paintball history.

Typical street price: 85-130 (Budget). Pricing is guidance only.

We track new and used market prices for the Tippmann 98 Custom Basic and chart the weekly trend, so you can see how its value moves over time and spot the best time to buy.

Pros

Cons

Inside the gun

How the Tippmann 98 Custom Works

Every 98 Custom, from the Basic to the Platinum Series ACT, runs the same open-bolt blowback system. A spring throws the rear bolt into the valve, the valve fires the ball, and the same burst of air blows the rear bolt back to cock the gun for the next shot. The animation shows the whole cycle slowed down.

The 98 Custom firing cycle, slowed down so you can follow each part. The internals are simplified for clarity, so treat it as an explainer rather than an engineering drawing.

The firing cycle, step by step

  1. Ready

    The sear holds the rear bolt back and the breech is open for a ball.

  2. Release

    The trigger moves the sear and frees the rear bolt.

  3. Chamber

    The drive spring pushes both bolts forward and the front bolt loads the ball.

  4. Gas pulse

    The rear bolt knocks the valve open and air fires the ball.

  5. Blowback

    The same air pushes the rear bolt back against the drive spring.

  6. Reset

    The sear catches the rear bolt, the breech opens and the next ball drops in.

Read the full breakdown: every part, how ACT works, and what to check when something goes wrong