Tippman makes fine products that are very durable. I have owned several of their markers over the years and have never been disappointed by their performance. Of course, I realized that I would be sacrificing rate of fire and some range for the durability. At the time that wasn't such a big deal, but now that my friends and I are starting to play tournaments, I have changed marker styles. When we play rec-ball, I see several players using the 98's and they seem to hold up their ends of the encounters just fine. Go shoot one and then decide if it's for you.