In fact, this entire process can happen multiple times within the span of one second depending on the paintball gun! Most standard gravity-fed guns can fire around 10 paintballs per second while other paintball guns with built-in circuit boards can fire up to 30 times per second! There are 3 types of paintball guns and they are categorized based on how the paintballs are fired from the marker. The three categories are: A pump paintball gun has the slowest firing rate as it requires the user to manually operate it before each shot. They are very similar to a shotgun in that the shooter must pump the gun to cock the marker and chamber the next round for each shot.


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If you are using a pump paintball gun in a game where everyone else is using mechanical or electropneumatic markers, you are going to be at a huge disadvantage. However, pump markers can be fun to use, as long as everyone else in the game is also using one.

Pump paintball guns require the players to use a little more strategy in trying to attack their opponents instead of just using the spray and pray method of opening fire and hoping you hit someone. Overall though, we recommend staying away from pump-action paintball guns as your first or primary marker because if everyone else is using a mechanical marker, you are going to be at too big of a disadvantage to really have fun.

Mechanically operated paintball markers are the most commonly used paintball guns at commercial paintball venues and in recreational play. They are easy to use and maintain, they hold up well in most weather conditions and they still offer a good firing rate and range. Not only do they hold up great in rough weather conditions, but they also typically have a semi-automatic setting so that you can fire a round every time the trigger is pulled. Many mechanical paintball guns are top quality and have excellent features.

What equipment do I need?

Mechanical markers are the most common paintball guns used for woodsball and scenario games. They can also be used for speedball, but you will certainly be at a slight disadvantage when it comes to firing rate if your opponents are using an electropneumatic marker. Overall, mechanical markers affordable, diverse and tough. These are definitely where we recommend beginners start their search when looking to buy their first paintball gun.

Without a doubt, the biggest advantage of electropneumatic paintball guns is that they have the fastest firing rates as well as other excellent firing metrics.

Newb School, Ep. 1: Paintball Snap Shooting Basics

However, they are significantly more complex and sensitive than mechanical markers. So how are they built that makes their firing rate capabilities so much greater? This makes it much easier and quicker for the user to pull the trigger.

Some of these highly technical markers even allow you to set your own rate of fire with a built in circuit board. To make it fair for other players, however, many game hosts will require a limit to rates of fire for electro paintball guns.

4. Calling out a 'paintcheck'

Electropneumatic markers are primarily used in speedball, but many people do use them in woodsball and scenario games also. The good news is that although electropneumatic markers used to be quite a bit more expensive, the prices have come down quite a bit over the last several years making them more affordable. There are many great, affordable electropneumatic markers out there.

Mechanical markers are very competitive and will absolutely hold up better in the long run with less maintenance.

How to Play Paintball: A Guide for Beginners

If you have done any research in looking for a marker, you know that their features and designs can appear to vary pretty significantly. However, there are 4 distinct parts that all paintball guns have: Most of the marker's functions and aesthetic features are contained in its body, which contains the main components of the firing mechanism: Most paintball marker bodies are constructed from aluminium to reduce the marker's weight, and many feature custom milling and color anodizing.

There are 4 types of hoppers available: The compressed air tank is what holds the compressed gas that is used to fire the paintballs out of the marker. The tank should always be inspected for any defects before being screwed into the air source adapter. The two main types of compressed air that are used are carbon dioxide and high pressure air, also known as HPA. Carbon dioxide used to be the more common propellant used in paintball, but it has been replaced by HPA. The advantage of HPA over carbon dioxide is that it maintains much much more consistent and stable pressure and temperatures.

The most popular tank size used is a 67 cubic inch tank and this delivers on average a range of - 1, shots before a new tank is needed. The barrel is what directs where the paintball goes and subsequently controls the release of the gas pocket behind it. Keeping your barrel clean and in pristine condition is very important if you want y our marker to remain accurate and reliable.

Beginners Guide to Competition Paintball at Spitfire Paintball

The bore size of a barrel is the diameter of the barrel and they are available in several different bore sizes to fit different sizes of paintballs. There are also different lengths and styles of barrels. Most modern paintball markers have barrels that screw into the front receiver while older types slide the barrel on and screw it in place.

It is important to note that your barrel threading must be matched that of the your marker. The most common barrel threads are: Once you get a little more into paintball though, you may want to upgrade the barrel to a different size or length. Most barrels are between 3 and 21 inches long. We have a training field at Spitfire with some minor competitions whilst there are regular big comps and events at a select few of the Outdoor fields in Australia and throughout the world.

Another type of Competition Paintball is Bushball. Bushball is a scenario based game usually held in large outdoor environments designed to replicate a war like scenario. They go for much longer periods of time and can involve hundreds of players at once. Well, for starters, find a field that is into Competition Paintball, introduce yourself and get involved in some training and Paintball activities.

Generally those involved in Competition Paintball are outgoing and fun and want you to join so the sport continues.

Generally the costs to get onto the field are made up of;. Field Fee to get access to the field and ensure the fields can be maintained and remain open. Paintballs these are purchased in boxes of Paintballs or sometimes in bags of However the first recommendation would be to buy your own Paintball Mask.

They come in a range of brands or colours and will usually have Anti Fog Lenses, Adjustable Straps and even carry bags. A good Paintball field will help you with this.