Did you know that the paintball gun was originally invented to help foresters mark trees that needed to be cut? They were also used by farmers and ranchers to mark cattle that had already been bred. As a result, paintball guns are often called "markers."
It wasn't until the late 1970s that these tools were used for sport. And since that time, paintball has exploded in popularity across the globe.
Today, paintballing is a competitive team sport that simulates combat in a safe and friendly way. People of all ages can get in on the fun. There are even high-level competitions for individuals and teams looking to prove their abilities.
Most people try the sport by renting paintball guns and gear from a local paintball park. Once they fall in love, as most do, it makes more sense to buy your own equipment.
If you are ready to buy your own gear, you are probably wondering how to choose a paintball gun. There are a lot of factors that go into buying a paintball gun.
There are many types of paintball guns available. Keep reading to see how to choose the best paintball guns for you.
Understand the Different Types of Paintball Guns
When it comes to paintballing, there is far more required than the paintball gun itself. While the gun is the most important gear, you can't use it without all of the required equipment, which is listed below.
So what are the types of paintball guns available? There are 3 main types of paintball guns, each available in a variety of subcategories. What you need to know is that there are mechanical, electric, and manual paintball guns.
All paintball guns require the use of compressed air in order to fire. The difference between each type of gun is how paintballs are loaded and released from the gun.
Mechanical Paintball Guns
Mechanical paintball guns are the most popular. They are easy to use and can be very affordable. If you've rented gear before, you likely used a mechanical paintball gun.
Most are semi-automatic, meaning all you have to do is pull the trigger and a paintball is fired. You can also get a fully-automatic marker, allowing you to hold down the trigger for a continuous release of paintballs.
If you are new to the sport, getting a mechanical paintball gun is probably the best option.
Electronic Paintball Guns
If mechanical guns are the most affordable, electronic paintball guns are usually the most expensive. Contrary to what you might think, these still require the use of compressed air.
But the gun also uses a battery and circuit board to program the gun. You can typically choose the type of shooting you'd like the gun to utilize; semi-auto, 3-shot burst, ramping, and automatic.
When the trigger is pulled, it's more like clicking your computer mouse than pulling the trigger of a gun. It's an easier trigger pull, allowing you to pull, or press it more times per second, so you can shoot rounds faster and more effectively.
Pump Paintball Guns
Pump paintball guns require you to manually pump the gun, reloading each shot before you can fire. The gun offers much more reliability and accuracy, but obviously decreases the amount you can shoot.
This makes pump guns suitable for paintball experts looking for a new challenge. You have to be intentional with every single shot you take.
Mag-Fed Paintball Guns
Magfed paintball markers like the Tippmann TMC hold a limited amount of paintballs in a magazine similar to a real firemarm. Mag Fed drastically limits the amount of paintballs you can shoot for a more realistic game play.
Who Is Going to Be Using the Paintball Gun?
Now that you know what type of paintball guns are available, you'll want to consider who is going to be using the gun. As a father, for example, you might want a different gun than your 7-year old might need.
A gun for an experienced player will be different from a gun for someone brand new to the sport. Age and experience level are very important factors.
What Type of Paintballing Will You Be Doing?
There are many ways to engage in the sport of paintball. The type of gun you buy will depend on how you are going to play most often.
Woodsball or recreational paintball is the most common. It is played in natural environments with trees, hills, and man-made objects like bunkers or huts.
Large groups of people can play at any given time, depending on the size of the playing field. This involves general military-type tactics. Experienced woodsball players may opt for pump paintball guns for greater accuracy in larger fields.
Speedball is the most competitive form of paintball and is the type of paintballing that professionals compete in. Courses are much smaller. They are flat and filled with man-made objects, such as wooden spools or inflatable obstacles.
Fast, close-range shooting is the name of the game. Most players opt for electronic guns for speedball.
What Else Do You Need in Order to Play Paintball?
If you are new to the sport of paintball, you're going to need the other gear required to use your gun and play with others. You'll need a mask to protect your face. You may want a vest, and you'll probably want gloves as well.
You need a CO2 tank to power your gun. You'll need a hopper, which holds paintballs and feeds them into your gun. It helps to have a cleaning kit for your gun as well as pods, to hold extra paintballs while on the field.
What Are the Top Paintball Guns?
For novice paintballers, the best gun to get is going to be a mechanical paintball gun. They are versatile, affordable, and super fun to use.
If you don't already have all of the required gear, the most economical option is to get a paintball gun starter kit. You can get all of the gear you need to start playing right away.
When bundled together, kits cost less than buying every item separately. You can get starter kits with guns from the top brands, such as Tippman, Empire, or JT.
For those who have experience and want the best paintball guns, you can also get electronic paintball gun kits.
Competitive, Outdoor Fun
Everyone needs to paintball at some point. It's an incredible experience. For those who plan to go more than once or twice a year, buying your own paintball gun is the best option.
Paintball is a great way to spend time outdoors and engage in friendly competition. Sure, it can hurt a little, but that's all part of the fun.
Need a more specific recommendation? Feel free to ask us any questions today.