Paintball guns are a great way to enjoy some recreational activity with friends and family.
However, the market is flooded with products that are often difficult to understand. Which paintball gun is the best for your needs?
This article will help you understand how to compare different paintball guns and make an informed purchase decision with these 6 tips for choosing the best paintball gun.
What to consider when buying a paintball gun
When you’re looking for a paintball gun, there are many things to consider. Some of these considerations include the price, the type, and how it will fit your playing style.
The paintball gun is the most important piece of equipment you will buy when getting into the sport. It is, in essence, your paintball gun and it’s an investment that will last for years to come. So, how do you know which one to get?
Tips for Choosing the Best Paintball Gun
The main things you need to consider when choosing the best paintball gun for us is what types of paintballs you want to use, what type of marker to use, a reasonable price range, and the types of games and scenarios you are interested in. You also want to be sure that it’s durable enough for the environment and weather conditions where you play.
1. The Type of Paintballs Used
Do you want regular paintballs or does your gun require other types of paintballs?
Paintballs are used as ammunition for a paintball gun. They come in a variety of colors and sizes.
There are three major calibers of paintballs:
- .68 caliber
- .50 caliber
- .43 caliber
The difference in the size is due to the size of the hole that’s drilled in them. The smaller sized ones have holes that are drilled through them so that they can be filled up with more paint, which allows for better coverage on targets.
The first type (.68 caliber) is usually used for beginners because it is less expensive than the other types, and can be bought in bulk easily.
Some people also find themselves shooting pepper balls and rubber balls, for whatever reason that may be…
2. Marker Type
Are you looking for an electronic marker or mechanical one?
There are two main types of paintball guns: mechanical guns and electronic guns.
Mechanical Paintball Guns
Mechanical paintball guns are simply modified airsoft guns. The most significant difference from a traditional airsoft gun is the lack of an electronic trigger system. Instead, a mechanical “blowback” system is used to mimic the action of firing a real gun.
In order to simulate the reloading process, mechanical paintball guns have either an automatic or semiautomatic slide mechanism that forces spent shells out of the magazine and into a chamber behind the barrel when it moves forward.
The primary advantage of these guns is that they are much quieter than their electric counterparts and cost less to purchase and maintain.
Electronic Paintball Guns
The electronic paintball guns can be either semi-automatic or fully automatic. These guns are generally more expensive than other options, but they can also be used in wet weather conditions.
Unlike mechanical paintballs, these guns use batteries that need to be periodically replaced.
The modern day electronic paintball guns are similar to an electric airsoft gun but instead of firing pellets they fire capsules filled with gelatin dye, which are more precise than traditional paintballs and simulate realistic combat conditions better.
3. Price Range
The main consideration when it comes to paintball guns is cost. What kind of budget do you have set aside for your purchase? Paintball can be an expensive hobby and most people buy a gun before anything else.
If you have never played paintball before, then it might be a good idea to start with something less expensive and easy to learn how to use.
Other factors such as power and style are less important in comparison to the price of the gun.
The price of the paintball gun is determined by its features, designs, and the company that makes it. Most paintball guns today are made out of metal or plastic, while some have additional features such as electronic shooting modes or spare barrels.
Many paintball gun sellers and marketplaces also offer bundles and starter kits that include many (if not all) of the other accessories you’d need to start paintballing right away.
If you’re only buying a gun, consider the additional pieces of equipment you would need to purchase as well later such as:
- Paintball clothing (preferably specific to paintballing)
- Paintballs
- Face mask
- Paintball hopper (what you will load the paintballs into the gun with)
- CO2 tanks / HPA tanks
- Cleaning accessories (paint can get messy, for your things and the gun)
- Additional protective gear
- Any modifications / upgrades you desire
4. Types of Paintball Scenarios You Are Interested In
You will want to make sure you’re buying a paintball marker that has been proven in game scenarios by other players.
Every scenario involves different rules and overall game style. Games can be played outdoors or indoors on a large field or small arena. Some of the most popular scenarios are Capture the Flag, Attack and Defend, and Splatter Ball – in which players try to cover opponents with as much paint as possible.
Speedball Scenarios
Speedball is a fast-paced game that requires quick reflexes, strategic improvisation, and a creative mind. The paintball game is usually played in an enclosed area with a set of boundaries. The object of the paintball game is to eliminate the other team by shooting them with paintballs until they have had enough and are eliminated from the game.
The speedball game can be played individually or as part of a team. Players shoot at opponents to eliminate them from the game by marking them with different colored paintballs while protecting themselves from elimination. The first team to eliminate all their opponents wins the match.
Woodsball Scenarios
Woodsball is a variation on the popular game of paintball, where the woods provide cover and the focus is on strategy. Woodsball can be played with traditional paintball guns or with airsoft guns that shoot plastic pellets.
This game takes place on an indoor or outdoor field that is anywhere from 10-100 acres wide depending on the location. In fact, there are hundreds of parks around North America that have permanent fields specifically for paintball games!
The game consists of two teams, one attacking and one defending. The attacking team’s goal is to break through their opponent’s defenses, while the defending team must prevent this from happening.
5. Paintball Gun Designs and Styles
Paintball guns can come in a variety of designs, such as your standard every-day style, handgun-shaped markers, shotgun styles, assault rifles and even sniper rifles.
Some people use paintball guns as a hobby while others use them for military training purposes.
Paintballs can even be reloaded and fed through magazines instead of the standard hopper to give the gun a more realistic look.
Know that if you are going to buy a paintball gun with a unique style that shoots a more powerful or unique type of paintball, you will want to make sure it is approved by your local paintball arena or field company if you are paying to play publicly. If you’re just shooting with your buddies, no problem!
These types of markers are often times more expensive as well for their uniqueness and military-replications, and can come with other technical or design issues that don’t happen in the standard paintball marker (which has been tried and true over many years).
6. Check the Reviews
With so many paintball guns on the market, it can be hard to find one that suits your needs. This is why it’s important to read reviews before you buy one.
You will want to know what you’re getting your hands on and what other people’s experiences are.
One of the best sites that you can check is through Amazon. Find your marker and read reviews from different vendors.
However, as with all products, there will be duds and there will be flukes. If a product is mostly all good reviews except a few, that is definitely a good sign.
Conclusion
Choosing a paintball gun is a very personal decision. It’s all about how you want to play and what type of gun will be the most enjoyable for you.
We know there are a lot of factors to consider when trying to choose the best paintball gun for your needs.
Feel free to check out the Paintball Report reviews for help finding a marker that matches your style.
Whatever your preference, we hope this article helped to point you in the right direction!
