Paintball Gun Guide A paintball gun is what makes the sport of paintball fun – there is nothing better than bursting through some trees and catching an opponent with a splattering of paintballs fired from the paintball gun in your hands. A paintball gun is a non lethal sporting firearm that typically uses a a charge of compressed gas or air to launch a paintball out of the barrel of the gun. Most gas or air powered paintball guns have a muzzle velocity of around 300 ft/s (feet per second). Since they are powered by air and gas, they are completely safe to be used indoors as well as outdoors. After being fired from a paintball gun, the paintball will split open on impact and mark the target with water soluble colored paint and this is why a paintball gun is also referred to as a marker. When choosing a paintball gun you will need to decide on a number of factors before you can pick out the gun that’s right for you. Unless you are buying a pump or spring driven marker, you will need to consider what type of air system you want your paintball gun to use. There are two main types of air delivery system for a paintball gun. The first and most common system is a C02 system which uses carbon dioxide to propel the paintball out of the barrel of the gun. Carbon dioxide systems are usually more affordable and are perfect for beginning paintballers. The other system is called a HPA system which stands for high pressure air. A high pressure air paintball gun is a more expensive gun, but they are also worth the cost. HPA guns are more accurate that C02 markers and they will also give you more shots per tank of air as they are much more efficient. The type of player you are also dictates the type of paintball gun you should purchase. If you are a skirmisher you will need a gun that is extremely accurate with a super high rate of fire. If you are a support player, you will need an accurate gun with a long range and a large ammo capacity. The best way to choose a paintball gun is to get out there and try a few different ones even if you have to rent, as it will save you money and hassles in the long run.

Paintball Tip #1 Educate Yourself! There are a variety of books, videos, and magazines that are availabe to help you improve your paintball game. Whether you want to master the game of paintball or just learn more about it for pure enjoyment, there is plenty of information available. Our favorite Paintball Guide can be found here.

Paintball Tip #2 Don't Buy The First Gun You See! Take your time and learn about the different types of paintball guns and their applications. This will better allow you to invest in a paintball gun that you will be happy with and will fit your needs and budget.

Paintball Tip #3 Protect Yourself! Always wear protective clothing when playing paintball. Its true that paintballs are non lethal, but they can still damage an eye and leave a serious welt. So always wear a full face mask, pants, and long sleeve clothing when playing paintball.