subject: Know About Your Options For Paintball Guns [print this page] Paintball is a sport that has gained in popularity in recent years and if you are among those millions of weekend warriors, you want to have the best equipment available when you go into battle. Selecting from the many paintball guns that are currently sold is the one of the first things you will want to do if you decide to get serious about your participation. Your gun should be reliable, durable and accurate and the type you choose will have a lot to do with personal preference.
The paintball gun evolved from a tool used by forest rangers when they needed a way to identify trails and mark trees. Farmers also used these markers to have a way to distinguish between free roaming cattle. These tools eventually became adapted for maximum safety and speed and adopted by those involved in paintball.
Compressed air or nitrogen in a tank attached to the gun is used to propel tiny plastic balls that are filled with a water soluble solution. This solution is not toxic and comes in different colors. The plastic is thin enough to break apart on impact but strong enough to maintain its integrity while being fired from the gun.
The first guns that were designed worked like a pump action shotgun. The user had to cock the gun to chamber the round before each shot and this made for a pretty slow game. As players became more skilled, they started demanding a gun that would load and shoot faster and more consistently.
The modern paintball weapon is much more sophisticated with automatic or semiautomatic feeding mechanisms for rapid fire capabilities. There are some that can release up to twenty balls per second. Barrels are elongated to give the shooter better accuracy. The most expensive models have gone electronic with fire modes that are programmable and LCD panel readouts.
Weight and purpose are two things that should steer your decision when choosing a weapon. If single shot accuracy is your goal, take a look at the various sniper rifles that are sold. These guns provide the ultimate accuracy and many have a magnified scope to help you improve your aim. The automatic AK-47 is so similar to the real thing, that professional law enforcement personnel use them for training sessions. This gun is best for a blitz attack when you want to fire as many rounds as possible. The smallest option is the pistol, which is lightweight and easily toted in a pistol vest or leg holster.
If you are buying your first paintball weapon, you can consider getting a more basic model that has accessories that can be added at a later date. A bigger hopper will allow you to carry more ammunition at one time. A laser sight will improve your accuracy.
The best approach to purchasing a gun is to try out as many as you can ahead of time. You will be able to rent various weapons at most paintball facilities and decide which one you are most compatible with.
