kevin asked:


The choices can be overwhelming for a paintball beginner.. So, to simplify, there are two main game types: recreational and speedball. You need to know about these to decide the sort of player you want to be and, therefore, what paintball gun features you will need.

Recreational

Recreational markers are used to play paintball games over a large area, often woods or fields. Scenario paintball is played in an area made to replicate a chosen landscape. Woodsball, as the name suggests, is played in a wooded area. Tactical paintball is a strategic game with a variety of rules.

Sniper paintball guns are for recreational players to shoot accurately over long distances. They often have long barrels that can cause the paintball to spin, thus increasing its distance.

Speedball

Speedball paintball guns are used in more confined areas, often utilising bunkers and obstacles. These games are of shorter duration as the players are within close proximity of each other. Camouflage, therefore, isn’t a consideration, so the markers are more visual and come in a wide variety of colours and designs.

X Ball is a type of speedball game for which any standard speedball paintball gun will suffice.

Recreational and speedball markers have the same internal mechanism; the differences are external only. Recreational guns are generally camouflaged or darker in colours. They often resemble real guns; some have been designed to replicate guns from historic battles. Speedball guns are lighter, smaller and more colourful.

You need a paintball gun that fits the sort of player you are e.g. front, cover or sniper. A front player needs a light, easy to handle gun. A cover player needs a big hopper and air supply. A sniper may need a longer barrel with a scope.

Markers can range in price from $50 to over $1000 depending on quality and features. You don’t need to spend too much money on your first paintball gun. You can upgrade it as and when you need to without difficulty. Try renting or borrowing a range of markers before you make a purchase to find one that is suitable for you and feels right. You should expect to pay around $200 for a gun that will give sufficient performance for a beginner’s needs.

Hawksbill Paintball

Hawksbill Sports was established by players, for players. Our goal is to give you the products you need to enjoy the sport of paintball. We have low prices and fast shipping and promise the best customer service you can find anywhere. For further information about different paintball gun types, features and options to get you started, go to:

Paintball Gun

 



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kevin asked:


1. Don’t rush into buying your gun too quickly. You need to take your time to find out which styles suit you. Try renting or borrowing a range of markers to find out which features are important to you and necessary for the sort of game you want to play. Markers come in a wide variety of types and you need to select one that feels comfortable to you and that fits your specific needs.

2. Don’t spend too much money on your first gun. Prices range from department store at the low end to customized paintball guns, made exactly to someone’s specifications at the high end. The former are not a great quality and the latter are too expensive for anyone other than a pro-player. If you buy a less expensive paintball gun you can upgrade it at a later date without difficulty.

3. Do research on the different types of guns available.You could do this by visiting your nearest paint ball store to see the selection there, use the expertise of the staff and handle the guns. You may not, however, have a store in close proximity and it could turn out to be a time-consuming and costly venture.

4. Do make use of specialized online paintball stores. These sites are a fund of helpful information and the best ones are compiled by experts in the field who are unbiased,well informed and friendly.This way you can browse a wide variety of products and articles in the comfort of your own home to help you determine which gun is best for you.Do make sure there is a money back guarantee if you make a purchase.

5. Do check out the different online paintball package deals; these will include all the basic things you need to get you started at a reasonable price. Most packs will include: a paintball gun, a mask, a hopper (the paintball container on your gun), an air cylinder, a squeegee and a barrel plug. More expensive packages come with additional equipment such as: paintballs, ammo packs and paintball oil.

 A paintball gun is the most important and expensive piece of equipment you will use to play paintball. Don’t rush into a purchase, educate yourself on the different types of guns available and decide what sort of player you want to be.

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kevin asked:


Tippmann paintball guns are amongst the most popular in the market due to their quality, durability, reliability and ease of use. The best players recommend these markers because they help them win. There is a wide range of Tippmann paintball guns to choose from. This article will clarify important differences between the models and highlight their unique features.

Tipmann designed the first Tipmann paintball gun the SMG60. Hot on its heels came the semi-automatic 68-Special which could contain up to 40 paintballs. Here is a breakdown of the Tippmann paintball guns available today.

The Alpha Black, or Army Alpha Black, is the newest model.

The 98 Custom is a the popular choice of the players. It has a clam-shell design which can be dismantled for easy cleaning and maintenance.

The Custom Pro is an upgraded model of the 98. It has a double trigger, a drop-forward and is scratch resistant.

The A-5 has a new, innovative loading concept- the cyclone feed. This enables the marker to have a higher rate of fire, a maximum of 15 balls per second, without using after market loaders. Rotating arms in the hopper move the paintballs into the firing chamber. It is one of the most easily upgradeable of the Tippmann paintball guns and is considered to be the best one in the field.

The X-7 has a soft paddle cyclone feed and can fire up to 20 balls per second. It is an upgraded, heavier, more modern version of the A-5. It has a response trigger and an E-grip.

The C-3 runs on propane, the first of its kind. It has a 16 ounce propane tank containing up to 50 000 shots. It is safe and maintains a consistent pressure.

The Triumph marker is one of the more compact and lightweight of the Tippmann paintball guns. It comes in 3 models: XL, XT and EXT. They have a double trigger, center feed neck, in-line bolt system and a 200 gravity feed round hopper.

The TPX is the most recent pistol. It uses a magazine inserted into the grip rather than CO2 cartridges and is, therefore, a lighter weight.

Tippmann paintball guns have a reputation for reliability and are favoured by players of all levels. Their quality and durability should ensure that you get the best out of the sport.

Hawksbill Paintball was established by players, for players. Our goal is to give you the products you need to enjoy the sport of paintball. We have low prices and fast shipping and promise the best customer service you can find anywhere. For further advice about the different gun types, features and options, go to Paintball Guns



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Caroline Smith asked:


Having the right paintball gear is essential not just for putting in a good performance on the field, but for your safety. There’s a huge amount of paintballing gear available, so it’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for before you buy. There are several bits of paintball equipment that it’s absolutely necessary to have before you begin paintballing, such as a mask and a decent paintball gun. It’s worth spending some time researching the various paintball products on sale to make sure you buy stuff that’s suited to your skills and budget. Speaking to experienced paintballers is a great way to pick up useful tips on the best types of markers and accessories. Paintballer magazines are also a good source of information on the latest guns and gear.

Before you play any paintball games, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got suitable protective clothing to help prevent injuries when in the heat of the action on the field. It’s a strict rule that all players must wear their paintball masks at all times during play to protect their head and face from the dangers of speeding paintballs. You can hire the basic equipment at the game, or you might prefer to buy your own paintball supplies, particularly if you play regularly. One of the cheapest ways to get kitted out with all the essentials is to purchase a special gun package, which as well as an entry level paintball marker, should include things such as an air tank and hopper, and other accessories.

Inexpensive but reliable brands of paintball markers include the Kingman Spyder and Tippmann ranges. Piranha paint ball guns are also cheaply priced and aimed at new players. Find out about whether the gun you want can be upgraded as your ability improves, and check the level of warranty you’ll get. If you want to be as inconspicuous as possible, a black or matte model could help you camouflage yourself better than a bright and shiny rifle. Look for gear that’s easy to use and light enough to carry when running and crawling around during the game.

By doing your homework you should be in position to spot the best deals and get yourself some great value equipment to help you splatter your opponents.



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Riley Hendersen asked:


Paintball has become a hugely popular sport, and so it only makes sense that with the dramatic increase in participants and increased demand for equipment, that there would be an increase in paintball supply to cater to this growing market. Paintball supply is a general term that is equivalent to “paintball store” or sponsor. A paintball supply is a store, either physical or online, where one can get any type of supplies needed.

Many paintball supply places will often times have a “package deal” for those just getting into the sport. This can include a gun with ammonition, goggles, or any collection of equipment needed by anyone before going out to join a paintball game. Part of what makes a paintball supply useful is not only do they offer equipment at every level of pricing, from the cheapest paintball markers to the most expensive ones, but paintball markers can often be upgraded in many ways: the barrel, the air tank, the ammo holder, the sights, all of these things can be changed and upgraded, and a paintball supply will have all the necessary parts, pieces, and experience to do so.

A paintball gun package is not a bad way for a beginner to start off, if the beginner has done enough work to have a vague idea of what they want. The paintball guns often come with gravity-fed hoppers ranging from a hundred rounds and up (and know your style: if you are a sniper, don’t pay an extra $20 for a hopper that holds another 100 rounds of ammo). Paintball supply places will have experts to help you out, but that can only be so helpful. You have to have a basic idea of what you’re looking for or how deep your interest is, and beyond that don’t discount an expert’s advice too quickly. They can save you a lot of grief.

Paintball supplies such as barrels, goggles and safety gear, ball hauling, loaders, gun accessories, clothing and apparel, and even odd ball odds and ends such as paintball mines are often available from a paintball supply. Much of this can be bought online, though if you have a paintball supply in your area, you should visit the store in person, especially if you are a newbie.

A paintball supply is also likely to be the local hang out for individuals who are really into the paintball scene in general. This can help teach you the lingo, you can listen to what products are really impressing, and which ones are falling flat. These players will also have an idea of any major events going on in the area, or might even know about some great get together or paintball fields you didn’t even know existed. If nothing else, it never hurts to absorb wisdom from the experts, so that you will know what you are doing and have more confidence as you go further and further into the paintball world.

A paintball supply is a place that can serve all your needs, both for equipment, and for camaraderie. Don’t dismiss it off hand, because you never know what that one afternoon trip to the paintball supply could turn into.



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Chris Abro asked:


It is important to know the different parts involved in the makeup of a paintball gun. The different elements are crucial to the successful working of your marker, and beginners will often be confused when receiving instructions because of their lack of knowledge of what the basic parts are. Knowing the parts of your paintball gun will also help you have a better idea of what you should be looking at when it is time to clean or upgrade your marker.

The body of the marker is the largest part of the gun. The body refers to the area of the gun that incorporates the trigger frame, the valve, and the bolt. All of these pieces can be detached from each other in order to incorporate new equipment, but only experts on their guns should attempt this. Makers of paintball guns have a fairly standard approach when it comes to the body of the gun, with the main difference being in the placement of the trigger and the barrel. Pushing the trigger frame forward shifts the balance of the gun and thus makes it easier to handle with one hand. It will also cause the body to have a lower profile, which is crucial when players are involved in games where hopper hits count towards elimination. The difference is plain when newbies and pros are present in the field, as the rental guns provided by most outfits have huge and bulky bodies that present a lot of hit potential.

The hopper is the part of the gun that holds the rounds of paint. No matter how high end, manufacturers have not perfected a hopper which prevents balls from breaking in containment. These breaks will often lead to jams of the feeding mechanisms and the gun itself, which in turn may cause more balls to break. Gravity-feed hoppers are especially prone to ball breakage while still in the hopper because of their jamming problems. Aside from gravity-feed, there are also agitation hoppers, force feed hoppers, and stick feed hoppers.

The tank is the part of the gun which contains the type of gas that propels the ball forward down and out of the gun’s barrel. Markers use either CO2 gas or high pressure air as propulsion material. The CO2 gas is the original, but HPA is preferred as it is more reliable than CO2 and does not require an evaporation system in order to fire.

Finally, the barrel of the marker is what the ball travels down when the trigger is compressed. The barrel is responsible for the speed and the accuracy, as well as the distance, at which a ball travels, and is thus arguably the single most important component of the gun. Longer barrels will fire quieter than shorter models, but a marker owner should remember that no matter what length of barrel, the paintball can only travel a set distance in order to break. While really long barrels may look intimidating and offer better accuracy, they also are prone to be ineffective since they require a larger burst of air to propel the ball faster to make up the distance within the barrel itself.



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Taylor J asked:


Don’t be ashamed of being new to paintball. We all had to start somewhere with no experience. I’ve seen a number of new players discouraged by more experienced players pestering and using the phrase “noob”. Rule 1, don’t listen to bastards like this. A good paintball player will help you learn about the sport. Don’t expect players to be nice to you if you are rude to them, but respect them and they will respect you.

The first question I am asked about paintball is “Does it hurt?”. Well, no, it doesn’t feel pleasant by any means. However, it is more than likely less painful than you would expect. Granted, unless you get shot at a short distance (which you’re not supposed to do) which can cause a nice bruise and OCCASIONALLY can cause VERY LIGHT bleeding. All the more reason why not to get shot.

The next question you’ll probably be asking yourself is what gun to use? Well, this varies on a number of things. Mainly, how often you play and how big your budget is. If you have NEVER played paintball before I would recommend borrowing a gun or renting a gun from a field. If it turns out that you don’t like paintball, your loss would be much less than if you purchased a $250 gun.

This leads me to my next point: buying gear. Although it’s nice to have the best gun in the world, it doesn’t mean anything unless you know how to play the game. In my opinion, starting with a cheaper gun is more beneficial to your skill as well as your wallet. A Tippman 98 Custom is an excellent starting gun for most new players. It may seem a tad pricey at first ($140 – $160), but it is quite cheap compared to other guns, which can easily exceed $1,000. If you can find a “player’s package” with your gun, I would recommend it. This usually includes a hopper, a mask and sometimes other gear. Generally you get a discount on these items. However, when purchasing a mask, I would highly recommend that you make sure that replacement lenses are readily available. If your lens is cracked, has any sort of damage that could compromise its integrity, has been shot within 10 ft. or is over a year old, it should be replaced. This might seem like a pain in the ass, but it beats the lens shrapneling into your eye and you loosing your eyesight.

Your mask, however, is not the only thing that needs maintenance. A paintball gun does require maintenance after it has been played with and periodically when stored for long periods of time. Your CO2/HPA tank usually only needs its O-ring replaced if it is broken. After you’re done playing and you’ve removed your air and hopper, look at your gun. Inspect for any physical damage first. Look for anything out of the ordinary that looks like it could hurt the gun’s performance or safety. Next, REFER TO YOUR GUN’S DISASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS and remove the bolt mechanism. Clean out the breach and barrel with a squeegee until all the paint is gone. Examine your bolt mechanism, remove all paint and inspect the O-rings of the bolt (assuming your bolt has O-rings). As long as your bolt has no damage, you’re good. Oil the bolt with PAINTBALL OIL, as other oils can cause the O-rings to swell (I have, however, had luck with RemOil). Reassemble your gun and test it out with a dry fire or two. For your hopper, as long as it is gravity fed, you can generally just run water through it to clean it. If it is electric, use caution with water. Water and electronics don’t mix. Also, some people simply run water through their guns. While this may work, it can also damage your gun over time therefore I cannot recommend “drowning” your gun to clean it.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you getting into this fast growing sport.



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Kevin Andersen asked:

There are a lot of games that are considered as being absolutely fun to play. One such game is that of paintball. With this game you go around marking various people on the opposing team with paintball guns. The guns fire paintballs filled with non-toxic paint. One of the more popular guns that are used in this extremely popular game is that of Spyder paintball guns.

There are many different paintball gun varieties that you can look into buying. One such of these Spyder guns is know as Spyder Victor II. This particular paintball gun has a long silver barrel that lets you fire balls at a high velocity. The body has a metallic blue finish with a vertical paintball loader.

The Spyder paintball guns are all very popular with various people for their firing accuracy and the reliability that they consistently display. When you buy Spyder paintball guns you know that you are getting a paintball gun that will provide you with the best marksmanship that is available.

Now while many people will tell you that you should buy another type of paintball gun you need to understand that this advice is being given because of the preferences displayed by them. You don’t have to agree or say anything to such people. Instead you can let your Spyder give them ample proof that you have chosen a very good paintball gun.

With a few added extras you can make your Spyder paintball guns even better performing than when they came out of the factory. This way you can drench your opponents with accurately fired paintballs. Some of the extras that you can purchase will be an electronic eye that lets you aim for the targets with a minimum amount of difficulty. You can also see about getting a high velocity hopper.

These little extras can give you the difference between winning and losing. You will need to take care that you maintain the Spyder paintball guns in peak performance condition. For any novice who is unsure about the cleaning procedure you could always ask your local paintball store for help and advice.

In addition they will supply various upgrades that you may want to place in your Spyder paintball guns. The upgrades while they are good are more costly as they have more features to make the paintball guns fire with more accuracy. When you are going to buy Spyder paintball guns make sure that you get one of the better versions that match your skill level and will help you grow into the game of paintball.

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Riley Hendersen asked:


Paintball is an exciting sport that has a large legion of fans and devoted players. One thing that every paintball player needs to know, from the beginner to the semi-pro, is the essential paintball gear that every player needs to have before any game.

When talking about paintball gear, the first thing that should come to mind is eye protection. Eye protection is the most important piece of equipment you could possibly invest in. Safety is always the primary concern, and eye protection takes care of the one major worry involved with paintball. It doesn’t matter whether you are playing at a field or in your backyard be sure to have your face protection on.

The second most important piece of paintball gear is your paintball gun. Obviously without this, there is no game to play. The paintball gun is also commonly referred to as the “marker” because it “marks” other players. While it is very important to be familiar with your paintball gun, don’t be intimidated. These are made simply and are easy to figure out and maintain. Along with the paintball gun is the hopper. This is a plastic bottle that holds your paintballs and allows them to feed into the chamber. Basically, this is your ammo supply. Some are actually motorized to insure that another paintball will fall into place after one is shot. If you like to spray and pray, these are the ones for you. Some can hold up to 300 balls, others hold as few as 40. All depends on style and preference.

The air tank is also a critical part of paintball gear and can be attached to most models of paintball guns several different locations. On most guns it hangs horizontally off the back, and they are just screwed in. Some players prefer a vertical mount to keep the liquid (bad) CO2 on the bottom and out of the gun. Most rental places can provide the right equipment to keep the games going.

There is an array of other pieces of paintball gear you will want. One is called a remote. A remote is a long tube that allows you to carry your air tank on a back pack or belt. A light tube is attached to the gun. This is useful because it takes weight off the actual gun and makes it lighter, which makes it easier to lift, aim, and use. It is a cheap, but effective addition that usually runs only around $30-$40.

Another piece of paintball gear is the belt pack. A belt pack is usually worn around the belt and can hold extra supplies like extra air and paint. Experienced players know how useful this can be. Also, you will always want a protective mask. As a side note: if you have prescription glasses you need to wear underneath the helmet, find a “Scott mask.” These fit much better and will allow you to be much more comfortable and more effective during the game. As for clothing, anything dark is acceptable.

Paintball is a great game, but you need the appropriate paintball gear to make the most of any afternoon or weekend excursion.



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Jason Whitney asked:


Paintball Marker

Paintballing wouldn’t really be much fun without the gun, but

they can be kind of costly. You could always go for the

Wal-mart guns, but the majority of those are not-so-good quality; on

the other end, you have custom paintball guns, made exactly

to someone’s specifications,but they are too expensive for

anyone except a pro player. So how do you find the perfect

paintball gun?

The first thing to do is to determine what’s perfect for

you.

If you are new to paintball, buy a cheaper paintball gun. You

can always upgrade it when you need something different. Most

paintball markers are easy to upgrade.

If you are a more experienced player or even play tournaments you

need a marker with more features. You should have a gun that fits

the type of player you are: do you play in front, are you a

sniper or a cover player? The type of player you are

determines the size, weight and features of your gun. A

sniper doesn’t have to have a large hopper or big air supply, while a cover player usually does. A

front player needs a paintball marker that’s easy to handle and lightlightweight,

while a sniper might prefer a longer barrel with a scope.

Some people would rather use a paintball pistol than a

longer gun, whereas other people would rather have rapid-fire semiautomatic

and automatic paintball guns.

Let’s say you are a beginner and you want to buy an inexpensive

paintball gun. Where do you go?

The first option would be a paintball shop in your city The problem is that your only source of information

in a shop is the owner and I don’t say all owners are biased, but a lot of them are.

The second option is buying online.The worst thing about buying

paintball guns online is that you don’t really

see what you’re getting until the item is sent to you.

This is specifically true on online auction sites like Ebay.com.

Instead of purchasing on Ebay it’s better to buy your gun at

a specialized online paintball store like Actionvillage.com

Keep an eye out for the too good to be true deal; it

usually is. You should make certain you

have a money-back guarantee.

Also check out the different paintball packages on the Internet.

Paintball packages come with all the basic gear you need for your games, and they usually come at a pretty good price.

Most paintball packages include a paintball gun, mask, hopper, CO2 tank, squeegee and barrel plug.

Check out this blog for some more paintball tips.



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