Wondering Which Paintball Gun Is Right For You?

Most people starting to play paintball start out by renting paintball guns or paintball markers. Incidentally, the term paintball gun or paintball marker can be used interchangeably. Both terms mean the same thing. After playing a few times one quickly discovers that it won't take very long before you could have purchased your own paintball guns and equipment instead of throwing away your money renting. This article will help narrow the choices for your research.

If you are playing at home or at a friends woods area, it is likely that you will need to focus on paintball guns that use CO2. Compressed air is a lot more difficult to find on a home course and you should stay away from compressed air paintball guns in this case. To the contrary, CO2 is easy to find at local paintball shops and you can set up your own fill station for a small investment. Just find a local shop selling compressed gases and rent a CO2 bottle. Buy a CO2 fill station and you will be able to fill your tanks on demand anytime you want.

Knowing what air the paintball guns operate under is the key question. You can quickly destroy your paintball marker by using the wrong gas. CO2 guns need to run on CO2. Vice versa, compressed air guns need to run on compressed air. Many models of paintball guns are made to run both. Be sure to check with the manufacturer and read your owner's manual completely to be sure. Don't just look to see if it runs both. Find out which one is recommended for the model of paintball gun you are considering to purchase. A call to the manufacturer is a great start. Ask if the paintball gun is best suited for CO2 or compressed air.

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.

Once you know if you want electronic or non-electronic, speed of firing can be determined by firing modes. Read carefully to find out about the balls per second and the modes of fire allowed. Also check if your field allows the modes of fire. I have seen players ask for fully automatic paintball guns only to learn that the only place they can play paintball in their local area does not allow full auto mode. So then, why pay for a feature you do not need? Generally the modes are single shot, 3 shot burst, semi-automatic or fully automatic. There are others but these are the main modes of firing. Some are set easily with external switches, others require some changes in internal programming to the board.

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!