Paintball Gun Parts

Debra Atkins asked:


After a game of paintball it is important to clean your paintball gun or paintball marker as it is also called. The instruction book that came with the gun will help to show you the different parts and how to change these parts. While the paintball guns are made to be very durable, it is common that some of the smaller, working parts may have to be replaced from time to time. And this is a great way to upgrade your parts. 

The paintball guns are designed to be able to up grade so the gun can continue to develop and evolve with the abilities of the players. This will help the player by not having to purchase a complete new gun. There are different barrels for the different type of game scenarios. The sniper paintball gun is a good example. With some of the guns you will be able to exchange just the barrels to change the whole make up of the gun, just by the easy exchange of the barrel. 

The are a lot of the smaller parts that are essential for the proper working of the gun. Just little items such as the o-rings. The manufactures of the guns do not want you on the side lines, not able to use your gun because of a little part that often times will cost less then a cup of coffee. So they try to keep these available and easy to find. The instruction manual will also show which and what is needed to keep the gun ready to use. This will also give a good idea of what can be up graded. 

The paintball gun package is a good choice for the beginning player and the most advanced.For the beginner, parts like to mask and the tanks are often included. But some of the up grades is what the more advanced player will like. Some may include tools, vest and paintball hoppers. All of the packages will differ slightly but most of them will include great up grades. 

Keep in mind if you are new to the game that it is important to use the safety equipment. The masks are important to protect the eyes or course, but also the throat needs to be protected also. While the vest helps to carry different supplies and accessories, it also helps to shield us. Do not forget to wear the pads and clothing so you can enjoy the game.



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Paintball Gear – It pays to do your homework first!

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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Paintball Safety Rules

Mike Mitchell asked:


The rules of a paintball match may vary depending on the rules of the house where the paintball field is located. There are nuances to rules governing the number of players, how a flag is captured, time limits, and other game details.

However, there are universal safety rules that should be followed no mater what kind of paintball game you are playing, and on no matter what kind of field you are playing on.

Plug it up.

Paintball guns come with a barrel blocking device, or plug. Use it. The plug should be inserted into the barrel whenever you are not on the playing field.

Wearing a mask is macho.

Your mask must be worn at al times during the game. There are no exceptions to this rule. Don’t take it off for any reason until all the barrel plugs have been placed back on all the guns. The most severe paintball injuries occur when a mask is removed at the wrong time.

Your gun should be loaded, not you.

This is a simple one to remember – Do not drink and play. Do not play paintball if you are under the influence of any substance; illegal or prescription. You need to be fully coherent to dodge those paintballs whizzing by your head.

Do not blind fire.

Only shoot it if you can see it. Do not stick your gun out and fire without looking. You could accidentally shoot players and other things you shouldn’t.

Offer surrender.

As you can imagine, close-range shots are a lot more painful than shots from a distance. You should offer surrender to any opposing player within twenty feet if you have a shot on them.

Keep paintball velocity in check.

Keep the velocity under 300 feet per second (FPS). A good rule of thumb is around the 280 range. At 280 FPS a paintball can cause a small bruise; a paintball traveling faster than that can cause more damage including severe welts and broken skin.

Common safety takes some common sense.

Finally, most problems can be avoided with the best piece of equipment that doesn’t cost a dime – common sense. It should go without saying, but some people need to be reminded to not shoot private property, don’t shoot from a moving car, don’t look down the barrel of a gun, don’t hand someone else a loaded gun, etc.

Paintball is meant to be fun and exciting. Following some basic safety rules can help you ensure your day ends in good times, and not a trip to the emergency room.

It is interesting to note that paintball is considered to be one of the safest extreme sports in the world. While there are safety hazards and rules that prevent injuries, paintball is actually a very safe sport when compared to others like “running with the bulls.”

Paintball sometimes gets a bad reputation because guns are being used when playing. Don’t let the equipment influence your choice to play the game! Get out there and play!



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The Smart Paintballer Starts With the Equipment First, Then Comes the Fun!

Vaughn Balchunas asked:


Don’t like being called a newbie? Tip number one: don’t act like a newbie. New paintball players sometimes don’t realize that the game is only fun if you’re well prepared. But get the right outfit, the right gun, and have a basic idea of what you’re doing, and you’ll be fine.

First and foremost, goggles. Wear them. Get the ones specifically made for paintball. Get high-grade ones. Make sure they fit. Because if you get shot in the face and get paint in your eyes because you neglected to wear goggles, you never know how badly your vision could be compromised—and if the resulting injury is bad, you might not be able to play paintball again. After you get the goggles, know how to take care of them. This is true of all of your equipment. Take care of your stuff, and your stuff will take care of you.

Remember to tailor your clothes to the place you’ll be playing. Don’t show up to a dark wooded area in a bright yellow jumpsuit or else you’ll be covered in more paint splatters than a Pollack painting. Get a good pair of shoes that are worn in. No one wants to go home with blisters. Get something to cover your face. A mask, perhaps, or go bandito style with a bandana. Paint can be sticky, and it’s easier to clean if it’s not all over your skin.

Then there’s the weapon-of-choice. Paintball guns, also called “markers,” and they are almost as many different kinds of guns as there are people who play the game to begin with. They generally look pretty similar in shape. If you’re a new player, try a gun that doesn’t require a lot of steps before being able to shoot. Get started with a simple and cheap gun while you learn how to use it, how to load it, and most importantly, how to take care of it. Plenty of new players start off using expensive, tournament-ready guns, but until you can use your gun properly and know how to clean it better than you can wash your own face, stick with something a little cheaper. That way, if you don’t take care of it, you’re not out as much money when you have to replace it.

Talk to people who have been playing for a long time, see what they suggest for someone who has never played paintball before. Or check it out online. There are plenty forums and websites geared towards putting paintball players together. Ask questions because only a newbie is cocky enough to ignore the potential for advice from people who definitely know better. Don’t be a newbie.



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New To Paintball?

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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How to Play Paintball Safely

kevin asked:


 

Apart from having fun, an important consideration when you play paintball is everyone’s safety. Although paintball is one of the safest sports you can play, the safety aspect should not be taken for granted. In paintball there is an important emphasis on putting safety first; being mindful of yourself and other players. Here are some useful tips for keeping safe when you play paintball.

You should wear goggles or a mask at all times during a game. Ideally, the mask should cover the whole head, fit securely and be comfortable. Regular glasses or sunglasses are not sufficient to protect you from fast flying projectiles when you play paintball.

You should always wear thick, long sleeved shirts and full-length pants to fully protect your arms and legs. Better still, cover your vulnerable areas with hard plastic body armour or a padded paintball suit. Collars, boxes and gloves all give added protection.

You should have no physical contact with another player; paintball is a non-contact sport. Keep your distance when you play paintball.

You should not shoot at an opponent within a range of five meters. A paintball can cause serious injury when fired at close range. When you play paintball it is wise to keep a distance of five meters between players at all times.

You should not shoot at a player when he is holding his gun aloft with both hands. A player in this position has either just been marked and is leaving the field or he has surrendered. Either way he is defenceless and is not a target.

You should not consume alcohol before, during or after the game as it will impair your judgement and reactions drastically. You will endanger yourself and other players when you play paintball.

You should have a plug inserted in the marker’s barrel at all times when you are off the field to avoid accidental firing. You should avoid contact with co2 if your gun has leakage as it can cause freeze burns on your skin. Never carry your marker by its co2 supply hose as this could lead to leaking gas.

You should maintain your gun and equipment thoroughly to maximise safe and effective performance. Ideally, you should strip down your gear straight after every game, then clean and lubricate it before you put it away so its ready to go the next time you play paintball.

You should never fire your marker outside of the playing boundaries or at anyone not involved in the game; including the referee!

You should never leave your gear, especially the marker, unsupervised between games. Always ensure it is locked away safely when not in use and kept out of the reach of children.

You should invest in chronographs to control the speed of your paintballs. The maximum allowed velocity required for safety when you play paintball outdoors is 300 feet per second (200 feet per second indoors).

You should avoid blind-firing; this is a dangerous practice as you can’t see what you’re firing at and you could hit someone at point blank.

You should avoid overshooting; it is unnecessary and potentially dangerous to repeatedly shoot at an opponent once you’ve marked them.

Paintball is safe if you follow all the safety precautions and are mindful of yourself and others. Don’t be complacent when you play paintball. Any sport is dangerous if you play it  irresponsibly. Safety needs to be worked at to ensure you get the maximum enjoyment out of the sport.

 



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Paintball Variety

Mike Lang asked:


Paintballs can be found at many prices all the way from the more expensive, tournament grade paintballs, to the cheaper ones suitable for recreational paintball games and practice.

The more you pay for the paintball, the better it will be. Expensive paintballs will be more accurate and don’t break as easily as the cheaper brands do. The expensive ones have uniform size and shape. They travel farther and don’t curve and the paint shows up better. More expensive paint balls don’t sting as much when they hit you. Cheaper balls are often misshapen and not entirely round. They may have dimples that cause them to drift to the right or left making accuracy an issue. They will sometimes break in the barrel instead of resisting the pressure and breaking on your opponent.

Some of the manufacturers that make tournament grade paintballs are Diablo, Evil, Nelson, and Core. The content of these balls are different than those used for recreational paintball. The shell is made from a very thin shelled gelatin that won’t break inside the barrel of the gun. The paint inside the paintball in these brands is newer and brighter so it can be seen easily even with goggles or a mask on.

There are cheaper paintballs that can be bought but the materials used to make them are not as good as the more expensive ones. The paint is often older and doesn’t show up as well or may *****. The paint is often harder to clean. If you are using paintballs for practice or for recreational games don’t hesitate to purchase the cheaper ones but if you are serious about your game, go for the better balls.

Some manufacturers make specialty paintballs. There ones that glow in the dark for use in night games. These are pretty expensive but worth it if you are going to play in the dark. You can also get winterized and non winterized paintballs. You are starting to find unusual colors in paintballs such as pink. Some paintballs combine 2 different colors.

Core Action Paintballs are a little more expensive than most but boast that the shell breaks on the target instead of inside the barrel. They are sold in a 2000 round box with 4 bags of 500 paintballs each. You can get them for about $45 to $55 per box. Evil Paint balls are a little more expensive at $65. Most tournament grade paint balls will cost you anywhere from $50 to $100 per 2000 round box. Some sell in lots of 500 per box as well.

Monster sells boxes of practice paintballs and you can get a box of 500 for about $15 to $20. Watch eBay for cheaper paint balls as well. There is usually a deal on them there. You will some times see a box of 2000 for $30 or $40.

No one ever said paint ball was cheap. Supplies cost a bit of money but if you are a real enthusiast you can find what you need at a price you can usually afford.



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Paintball Gun Packages

kevin asked:


 

Paintball gun packages are offered by most paintball gun shops, dealers and paintball gun manufacturers. They offer an ideal start up kit for players new to the sport, or players on a tight budget. They give you all you need to get you out there on the playing field. However, are the package deals as useful as they seem on the surface?

Typical paintball packages will include: a paintball gun (or marker), a mask, a hopper (or loader), an air tank, a squeegee and a barrel plug. More expensive packs may have in addition paintball oil, ammo packs, paintballs and other accessories. This covers all the basic kit you need to get you started at a reasonable price.

The greatest advantage of the paintball gun packages is their value for money. Buying piece by piece is expensive; it would cost you a lot more to buy the package items separately. For those of you on a limited budget, new to the sport or just not too fussy, a gun package is a good way forward.

Another advantage in purchasing these packs is a guaranteed compatibility. Every gun needs compatible paintball parts, such as the hopper. Paintball gun packages come straight from the manufacturers and they know what pieces go together. You could end up spending a lot of money on separate pieces which may not even fit your marker if you are not well informed.

Also, buying everything in one swoop is far more convenient. You will save a lot of time, energy and aggravation.

There are,however, drawbacks to paintball gun packages. They are compiled for beginners and although they offer relatively low prices, their quality may not be as good. Also, you may not actually want all of the pieces included in the package.

Most packs will include a traditional gravity feed hopper. If you want a marker with a firing speed of greater than 11 balls per second, you would be better off with a more sophisticated hopper. Packages will generally include a small co2 tank, when a bigger tank or a high pressure air tank may be of more use to you.

The gun and the mask are the two items you should choose most carefully. The gun must be easy to maintain, reliable, hard wearing and perform well. The mask must fit well and be comfortable. You must do your research and select a good quality, sensibly priced gun and mask that you really want. These two items must be your first consideration when browsing different package deals. If the package includes the gun and mask that you want, it is a good compromise to get you started and you might be prepared to put up with the other items in the package with a view to upgrading them at a later date.

In short, paintball gun packages are good value for paintball beginners as long as they include a good cheap gun and mask that you actually want. To settle for less would be an unwise compromise and a false economy.

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 paintball gun packages to get you started, go to: Paintball Gun Packages



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Is a Paintball Kit or a Paintball Package right for you?

Paintball Sniper asked:


If you are thinking about buying a paintball kit to upgrade the paintball marker or gun you currently own then you need to also consider buying a paintball package instead. It may end up being less expensive in the long run. But  we better first explain the differences between a paintball package and paintball kit  so you can make the best decision for you.

A paintball package usually comes with most of the equipment you need to start in your adventure. It will have a marker or gun to the non-PC crowd, and depending on which package you choose, can come with paintballs, a vest, a holster, maybe a mask or goggles, and even possibly a grenade launcher. The kit are usually specific and will have all of the extras for that type of kit but does not come with a paintball marker. For example, you can purchase a kit to make your marker look like AK-47 paintball gun. It would come with an extended magazine,  a barrel kit, the wood kit, and usually a vest or some paintballs. It will not however include the marker.

Now let’s discuss whether the paintball package or the paintball kit is the best choice for you. The whole paintball package will be the obvious choice if you are just starting out and do not have a marker or if your marker is old or damaged. If you have a marker and just want to upgrade it to specialty weapon, such as a paintball sniper gun, then you first need to make sure that your marker is compatible with the kit you want to purchase. There are many different manufacturers of markers and some of them are only compatable with their own kits. The good news is that if you have a versatile marker then you can get kits to make your gun into most any type of weapon from a paintball sniper gun, to an assault rifle or even an M-16 depending on what you like. The versatility of some markers will allow you to try different things such as being a sniper one day or using a machine gun the next. But remember that  you will need to purchase the whole package if your marker is not compatible or if it  is not in the best condition.

You are the best one to judge the condition of your current gun. You need to decide if age and condition will be a factor. You may just be at a point where you are ready to invest in a better paintball marker. If your marker is old or has rust on it or if you are just ready for a better weapon then I suggest  you get a package. The main reason is that you will spend less on the marker by purchasing it with a package than by purchasing a kit now and then trying to replace your marker at a later date.



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Get Some Exercise Through the Game of Paintball

James Hunt asked:


If you’re going to play your first game of paintball there are some things that you’ll want to know to make the game easier for you and less frightening. Sometimes just knowing what to expect can help make the game more enjoyable. One of the first things that you’ll want to remember is to always leave your mask on your face. This is a huge safety factor that you won’t want to ignore. A paintball moves with such great force and speed that you’ll certainly damage your eye if you’re hit. You may think that the paintball will hurt when it hits you and this isn’t true at all. You will, however, feel those paintballs on the next day so be prepared for some soreness and bruising. If you have the opportunity to play with the paintball gun before you use it in an actual game you’ll be able to get a feel for the gun and know just how far you can shoot. Otherwise it will be a guessing game for you the first time around.

Try to wear clothing that is dark rather than light in color. If you wear bright colors, in particular white, you’ll stand out like a sore thumb and be killed in no time! You’ll also want to wear comfortable shoes that give you a great deal of gripping action so that you don’t slide around on the ground. This is especially true when the ground is wet from the rain. Follow the rules carefully and don’t cheat. Experienced paintball players **** cheaters and you certainly won’t be invited back to play another game. Take it easy for the first game or two that you play until you get a feel for the way the gun feels and a bit more experience for feeling like you’re being hunted. The game of paintball is a great way to get some exercise and spend some time outdoors.



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