By Paul Knoch

In 1987, Tippmann revolutionized paintball by introducing the SMG-60, the first semi-auto paintgun powered by refillable C02 tanks. Nearly 26 years later, Tippmann is leading a new revolution away from C02 and semi-autos back to something that is very familiar yet totally original.

The Tippmann C3 with PEP Technology is the first paintball gun to use propane as a power source. Depending on how you feel about pumps or how easy it is for you to fill your C02 or HP air tank, this marker's debut is either a big deal or just an interesting side note. For paintball players living in remote areas where it’s difficult or expensive to get their tanks filled, this gun could signal a new era of unlimited, hassle-free paintball play. Shoot as much paint as you like without worrying about running out of air.

When Tippmann officially announced the C3 in mid October, reaction was sharply divided. Some people responded, “50,000 shots! That rocks!” while others exclaimed, “Propane? Won't it blow up?” Paintball forums were flooded with posters joking about “lighting up an opponent” or “cooking a hot dog” in between games. Even the most suspicious seemed a little curious. What the heck has Tippmann gone and done?

I can't recall a new paintball product that has stirred up so many questions. Will the C3 change paintball? Is it dangerous? Does it really get 50,000 shots? All of these questions will be answered over time. Personally, I don't see propane impacting the paintball world until they figure out how to make a semi-automatic marker. Statements by Tippmann seem to indicate that a semi-auto is in the works. That said, I do think the C3 will be remembered as the technological breakthrough.

Is the C3 dangerous? No more than any other paintball gun in my estimation. Does anyone really think a major company like Tippmann with an impeccable reputation and millions of dollars in assets would release a gun that was unsafe to operate? Propane is used far more extensively than C02 or compressed air. It’s used in a variety of home and industrial products. It’s so common that you can buy it a supermarket. Try getting your compressed air tank refilled at your local Safeway. Like anything, if misused, propane could cause serious injury but I think you are more likely to sprain your ankle on an exposed root than hurt yourself using the C3.

As for 50,000 shots, even if the C3 only delivers half that many shots, it’s still a quantum leap forward from C02 and compressed air. Paintball enthusiasts like me who do not have convenient access to C02 or compressed air could play all year with one $3 propane tank. With the C3, as long as you have paint, you will never have to miss a game because your C02 tank is empty. No more bumming air from friends. If you have two C02 tanks and you play twice a month, at $5 per fill, you would save about $240 in a year which means the C3 pays for itself in one year.

Paintball players who travel by plane may like the concept of the C3 as well. Because propane tanks are cheap and easy to find, you can fly with your marker and buy a propane tank when you reach your destination. Shoot all the paint you want and then give the tank away before you head back home. No need to worry about being hassled by the airlines or having your $200 compressed air tank impounded.

The fact that the C3 is a Tippmann means a great deal to me. The A-5 and Custom 98 are arguably the most popular, most rugged, most reliable woodsball guns available. Whenever I am asked to recommend a marker, I always answer, “Anything by Tippmann.” Although great companies can sometime make big mistakes (think Porsche 914), even if this marker doesn't sell like the Custom 98 and A-5, it has clearly put Tippmann out front in the search for better paintball fuel sources.

The C3 comes packaged in a large rectangular box with a clear window panel that allows a shopper to see the actual marker. Apparently Tippmann is quite excited about this although the concept has been around for years. Along with the marker, Tippmann is including a straight shot barrel squeegee, marker oil, the typical allen wrenches, and a product manual. My guess is Tippmann decided to not include a hopper in order to save space. It’s also likely that anyone buying a C3 is already a paintball player and has a couple gravity feed hoppers laying around.

For you techie types, here are the specs on the C3 straight from the product manual.

• Overall length is 17.6 inches
• Weight without tank is 3.75 pounds
• The marker features an aluminum and composite construction with a 13-inch mandrel-wrapped barrel
• Velocity range is adjustable between 240 to 320 feet per second
• Rate of fire is four balls per second

Oh, and it uses propane if you haven't heard.

Speaking of which, buying a propane tank for the first time was an odd experience. When I purchased my compressed air tank, I did a lot of research and shopped around for the best price. Propane tanks are $3 and they probably all work about the same. I picked up a stubby Coleman 16.4 ounce tank that weighed just over 1 pound and a no-name skinny 14 ounce tank that was just under 1 pound in net weight. Propane tanks are illegal to refill so it’s a good thing they are cheap. If a 16 ounce propane tank is capable of producing 50,000 shots, would a small 4 ounce tank produce 10,000? For scenario players, the prospect of a tiny tank that can shoot five cases of paint has to be intriguing.

With enough propane to last me about three years, a pod of paint, and a $2 black hopper, I was ready for my adventure in propane paintball. While waiting for my C3 to arrive, I had downloaded the C3 product manual and read it through a couple of times. With my gun actually in hand, I re-read the propane installation section just to be sure I was doing everything right. I don't camp a lot so I haven't used propane very much. Even though I trust Tippmann, all the “dude, it’s gonna blow up!” comments on paintball forums had made me a little nervous.

It took me a few tries before I was able to thread the propane tank into the regulator. The manual instructs you to hold the propane tank upright while attaching it to the marker. The process is a bit more awkward than your typical C02 or compressed air tank but eventually I got it threaded. You simply twist the propane tank until it stops and you are good to go. Over the course of three or four sessions with the C3, I found myself increasingly comfortable connecting and disconnecting the propane tank.

After connecting the propane tank, the C3 requires three or four pumps before it will begin firing. If the marker doesn't fire, the manual suggests adjusting the air/fuel mixture. Unlike C02 or compressed air, a tiny amount of propane is ignited by a spark plug creating a combustion that propels the paintball out the barrel.

I found that the smell of propane was barely noticeable and quickly diminished altogether. I loaded the hopper and shot about 30 balls. The C3 has a distinctive pump stroke that feels and sounds similar to a shotgun. I found the pump action to be solid and satisfying. You truly feel like you are loading something. While there is no auto-trigger, you can work the pump quickly enough to lay down light suppressive fire.

My initial field test indicated that the marker is fairly accurate. Of course, accuracy is not merely determined by the barrel but is also a result of consistent velocity and adequate paint. I tend to aim by “pointing” the marker at my target rather than trying to line up the target in the gun sights. The C3 seemed to fit my style well and I was able to tag skinny tree trunks from about 50 yards with regularity. Obviously the C3 is not a semi-auto so you can't walk your shots to the target. On the positive side, a player will naturally learn to be more disciplined with their shots by using this gun (or any other pump).

The C3 has a fairly loud report. Too loud to make it a sniper gun in my opinion. The pump stroke itself is loud enough to give away your position. Tall but not very long, the C3 resembles an oversized pistol. It’s compact enough for close combat situations. Without having played with the C3 in an actual game, it’s hard to say what the strengths and weaknesses of the gun will be on the field. Back in the day, this gun would have rocked the woods against other pumps, but times have changed. You can play a lot of outlaw woodsball games before anyone with a pump shows up, but 50,000 shots from a single propane tank might change that.

Maintenance of the marker is fairly straightforward. I am not mechanically inclined so I avoid taking apart my markers unless I absolutely have too for fear of not being able to get them back together. Despite my lack of technical smarts, I was able to follow the manual and perform the basic periodic maintenance that Tippmann suggests to keep the marker functioning properly.

Bottom line, the strong points of this gun are fairly obvious: it’s a Tippmann and it gets 50,000 shots from one $3 propane tank. Aesthetically, it’s a toss up. Some people will like its looks and some won't. (I think the gun looks much better when I’m holding it than by itself.) Slightly heavier than a stock A-5, the C3 is tall but compact. Time will tell whether the C3 has the famous Tippmann durability. At the very least, it’s the first of its kind.

As for weaknesses, they are also very obvious. It's a pump gun. While other manufacturers are producing markers that shoot up to 20 balls per second, Tippmann has released a 4 bps pump. The C3 won't interest the “accuracy by volume” crowd. Whether the general public, field owners, and city councils will be comfortable with this marker is hard to say. I wouldn't expect indoor fields to be comfortable with a propane marker, regardless of whether any actual hazard exists.

Ultimately, the C3 delivers everything Tippmann promised – a pump gun that can shoot over 20 cases of paint with one $3 tank. The market for this gun is most likely pump players or people interested in pumps, marker collectors, techie types, hardcore Tippmann fans, and most importantly, the legion of paintball players who don't have easy access to C02 or can't afford constant refills. My guess is that a lot of people will wait for a semi-auto model to be released. Chances are, I'd buy one of those too.

Personally, I like the idea of pump paintball. Pumps encourage strategy and movement which is what makes paintball exciting and fun. Not having to worry about running out of air is a huge bonus as well. The name Tippmann is a strong selling point as well (given their reputation for quality products made here in the USA). While this marker may not appeal to everyone, it may be exactly what some paintball players have been waiting for.

Paul Knoch lives with his wife and two daughters in the Pacific Northwest. In addition to playing paintball, he is an avid golfer and skimboarder. Paul is a founding member of the Dirty Saints, an association of paintball players committed to guarding the original values of the game.