You have made up your mind. It is time to buy a paintball gun.You begin your research and quickly find out there are so many choices and features. What does it all mean and what should you buy? This article will help narrow the choices.
One of the main things you should consider is where you are going to play. If playing at home or in the woods, you should note that the type of air you have access to is a key question. CO2 is relatively simple to obtain at local paintball stores or even at the local Walmart with a tank exchange stand. Compressed air is usually not so simple and if you plan to play mainly at home, it may be a good idea to stay away from paintball guns that use compressed air.
Care must be taken to use makes and models of paintball guns that are designed to run on CO2. The damage caused by using CO2 in a paintball gun designed to run compressed air is irreversible. We would hate to hear of someone using CO2 on a compressed air gun and literally throwing away their money as the internal parts are not designed to handle the liquid CO2. There are plenty of high quality paintball markers that are designed to run CO2.
Once you have decided that CO2 paintball guns are what you need to focus on, your attention can shift to the makes and models. For non-electric models we recommend the Spyder Victor, Xtra, Sonic. If you are looking for electronic models you can choose from the Spyder Pilot, Electra, VS1, VS2. Smart Parts has excellent mid range CO2 models designed to run on CO2. New technology and easy to maintain are the Smart Parts Vibe.
CO2 paintball guns with a military look are the Spyder MR1, MR2, MR3. Smart Parts has the SP1 model designed to run on CO2 and a military scenario look. New releases from Tippmann are the Tippmann Alpha Black Series. These paintball guns are packed with features at competitive prices. Tippmann also has its more rugged and upgradeable Platinum Series Custom 98, A5 and X7 paintball guns. They are all great brand names backed with good warranties.
If you decide on compressed air, you will have so many choices. The features desired and the reliability, quality of parts and weight of the gun all play a factor. The high end paintball guns can sell for $2000.00. Is that what you need or want? Take a look at the main features and decide what it is that you really want. Some people choose an entry level budget paintball marker that is really cheap. Then they use it for a while until they know what it is that they really want. Then they set that paintball gun aside, or sell it to upgrade to a more feature packed gun.
One of the main features on the market is if a gun is electronic or not. Electronic guns have modes that allow you to set the marker to firing modes. Electronic triggers or “egrips” often allow you to change the paintball marker from single firing mode (one shot one trigger pull) to 3-shot burst (one pull, 3 paintballs fired), to semi-auto (one pull one shot to ramping up to auto if you pull the trigger within a set time period) to full auto( one pull multiple firing). There are various features that help enable the gun to rapid fire such as anti-chop systems (ACS), electronic eyes etc. The key statistic to key on is the balls per second or bps.
The next consideration is what kind of player are you? Ease of maintenance can be a key to keeping a paintball gun performing at its best and lasting a long time. Choose paintball markers that are easily maintained, if you are not very mechanically inclined. The Smart Parts Guns are very easy to maintain as are the Tippmann Platinum Series with a split receiver. Be sure to use the proper lubricant recommended. If you have no fear, you can buy any paintball marker and learn how to maintain it. There are several help manuals and videos on manufacturer’s websites. Youtube is also a great source for self maintaining paintball guns.
Paintball gun upgrades are the next question. Are you going to make a one time purchase for recreational play? Or are you going to be adding equipment as your skills improve. Frankly, it is fun and keeps the sport fresh to add new ways to improve your paintball gun. Do some research and see what upgrades are available for the particular model of paintball gun you are considering purchasing. The most upgradeable paintball marker is the Tippmann X7 with many replica looks and feel. You can change back and forth with this paintball gun. It won’t be cheap but you won’t get bored!
This article was the beginning of the fun involved in finding out what you really want and need. Decide on the air you have access to and match your style and type of play to the paintball guns you are interested in. Compare features and price ranges. Narrow in on your choices and finally buy a paintball gun and take out your friend or enemy in style!