10 Things You Should Have In Your Paintball Kit

Lee Dobbins asked:


All set and ready to go? Got your gun, balls and hoppers with you? Then you are ready to play…But wait, you are going to a fight and you do not go out there without the necessary precautions and tools. You don’t want to be caught in a war zone with your pants down, do you?

So here are 10 things you should go without when playing paintball:

1. Paintball mask

Not safety goggles, sun glasses or shooting glasses, you need a paintball mask. You just can’t play without this safety gear. A thermal mask is recommended but it you want to save some money get the single lens with an anti-fog coating.

Make sure the mask fits perfectly on your face and that you are comfortable wearing them on. Remember that you will be running and shooting with the mask on so make sure it does not get in the way. A mask that covers your ears is also a good idea, but make sure that your hearing is not impaired by the ear flaps.

2. Barrel cover

Sometimes called as barrel plug or barrel sock, this is simply a blocking device that prevents a misfire from your gun. Remember injuries can result from accidents such as a misfire. No organized field will let you play without one.

3. Spare tank

Your gun is powered by carbon dioxide or nitrogen. For pumps and pistols, a 12 gram cartridge is used. This is good for 15 to30 shots. So it is a good idea to have a spare tank with you just in case you run out of air. A 20oz cylinder or tank is usually good for 1000 shots or more. Get a refillable tank to save money.

4. Squeegee

A barrel break can ruin your momentum and your game. Make sure you are prepared and have a squeegee in hand to clean your gun barrel to get yourself back in the game. It is also a good idea to have a spare squeegee with you on the field.

5. Gun oil
Not just any gun oil, but a paintball gun oil. Before buying one consult your gun’s manual and see if it requires a specific kind of oil. Remember that your gun’s performance depends on its parts. Put a few drops of gun oil in the o-rings and other parts of the gun as recommended in the manual to keep your gun in good running condition.

6. O-rings and cup seals

These tiny parts are crucial to your gun’s performance, but they tend to break easily. Have a few spares in your kit just in case they give in during the game. You will find that most gun problems can be solved by simply replacing these small parts.

7. Safety equipment (neck and shin, elbow and knee pads, gloves)

Remember that Paintball is an aggressive game. You need to be constantly on the move when you are in the field. Safety precautions like neck and shin guards protect your body from unnecessary injuries. Make sure that they are lightweight and anatomical tailored for comfort.

8. Batteries

If your gun or hopper runs on batteries, make sure you have spare ones when you are on the field. You don’t want to be left in a situation where your gun is dead and you have no where to hide. Not a pretty picture.

9. Miscellaneous tools

These tools can simplify your life in and out of the field. Allen wrenches, tweezers, ***** drivers even Teflon and cotton swabs can be useful things in your kit. These are your gun’s first aid tools. Remember, this is a game and usually the winners are those who often come prepared.

10. First aid kit

Although relatively safer than golf, tennis, jogging or swimming (according to insurance statistics), paintball is still an active game. Have a first aid kit in your gear, it pays to be ready in unexpected circumstances.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert on the field, your success will greatly depend on the kind of gears you have and how equipped you are from unexpected situations like mechanical glitches in your gun or some paint on your face. Be prepared so you can enjoy your game to the fullest.



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The History of Paintball

Sam Everson asked:


Paintball is a game played with many people or teams. It can be played indoors or out, with as few as two people or as many as 500. Paintball is played at designated fields, back yards or even in the woods. A game can last as little as 4 minutes or as long as hours with all depending on one to take something, find something, or to just be the last person not marked.

Depending on where you play, the spot that you play, the strategy of your game will vary from being quiet and sneaky and choosing your shots carefully, to being loud, fast, and shooting constantly. Paintball is a competitive sport played like any other competitive sport, to win. It is challenging game of tag, hide-and-seek or my favorite, capture-the-flag. Since you are shooting at people, and people are shooting at you, paintball requires safety equipment to be worn such as goggles, special clothing and etc.

An important part of paintball is the paintball itself. As in tennis, the ball is the main element of a paintball game. But unlike a tennis game, paintball has dozens, often hundreds, of “balls” in play at any one time. As the name implies, these balls are actually tiny containers of paint.

Paintballs have a very simple construction. They’re actually a lot like bath-oil beads. They are made of colored liquid enclosed in a gelatin shell and are available in a variety of colors. Paintballs are also non-toxic, biodegradable and are water soluble. They will wash out of clothes, just don’t leave them sitting on your clothes for a week before washing them.

Basically, a paintball is like a small water balloon, weighing only a few grams. The shell holds up if you handle it or drop it from a short distance. When you shoot a paintball from a gun, however, it breaks on impact and leaves large splatter of paint.

The job of the paintball gun, also known as a paintball marker, is to shoot the paintball at a fast rate of speed. In a standard gun, the propulsion system is compressed gas such as CO2, nitrogen or ordinary air, and is stored in small or large tanks that can be attached to the gun. A hopper, which holds the paintballs, is also attached to the marker

Maintaining safety in paintball is important to make the game safe. The power of paintball guns is strictly regulated. Guns in play are adjusted so that the top speed of the paintball is 300 feet per second. A paintball traveling at this speed is not likely to cause serious injury if it hits you, though it will sting and can leave a bruise. Also, since wind resistance starts slowing the paintball down as soon as it leaves the marker, it has a reduced impact when fired from a greater distance. Speeding paintballs can cause serious injury to the eyes and paintball players always wear protection. Get more info about recreational paintball at tips for paintball.

In addition to playing paintball for recreational use, paintball is also part of military and police training. In terms of feel and handling, a paintball gun has little in common with an actual firearm, but paintball is still good training for combat situations. Mainly, it lets soldiers and police practice strategy and the fine art of not getting shot.

There are many paintball leagues around with American Paintball League being one of the largest in the paintball industry. Another paintball league is the National Professional Paintball League. Though they both pertain to paintball, each has their own set of rules for playing the sport.



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