In 2010 Tippmann introduced the X7 Phenom, a pneumatic blow-forward design that could change from electronic to mechanical mode on the fly. It was only natural for Tippmann Sports to take the Phenom’s FlexValve design and engineer a tournament marker body around it. They took the operating pressure down to under 300 psi so it should be gentle for fragile paint and lower recoil. The ability to switch from manual to electronic modes continues with the Tippmann Crossover but the Cyclone Feed does not. It is being replaced by a vertical clamping feedneck threaded into the aluminum body. Since each shot is not individually force fed anymore a set of breakbeam anti-chop eyes are incorporated to keep those paintballs in one piece as they run through the marker. All of these features and more are housed in a tournament style gun that is under 20 inches with the included 12 inch barrel and weighs in at 2.4 pounds. Not too shabby!

So is this really the perfect paintball marker for the ‘hybrid’ player? Pretty close to it! On the woodsball side it has an engine that has proven to work in all adverse conditions, matte black, manual operation option and better air efficiency than Tippmann mechanical markers. On the speedball end it is using a proven low maintanence design, compact and programmed for major tournament modes such as PSP, NPPL and Millenium. Its looking to be the ideal all weather, all conditions, all field style paintball gun. The Tippmann Crossover paintball marker will be an interesting contender when it hits the shelves!

Some of the features incorporated into the Tippmnn Crossover marker include the following:

• .68 caliber electro-pneumatic marker
• New, lightweight compact design
• Integrated break beam anti-chop eyes
• Ability to work in both electronic and mechanical modes
• Low pressure operation under 300 PSI
• Internal gasline
• Magnetic hall effect trigger switch
• Multiple adjustable firing modes, including semi-auto, auto-response, 3-shot burst, PSP, NPPL and Millennium
• Tournament lock switch
• Adjustable clamping feedneck with vertical feed
• Machine-milled upper body
• Bottom regulator with the ability to convert to a front regulator
• Fully compatible with HPA and Nitrogen; for CO2, see owner’s manual for details
• Two year limited warranty
• A-5/X7 threads

You see, because Stiffi barrels are not machined from a tube or metal blank but instead constructed from precision components. There are near endless configurations and while some barrels are regularly kept in stock, the majority of our Stiffi barrels are built just for our orders. Here’s where the problem was. First of all, they are made in nine barrel threads (Tippmann A5, Tippmann 98 Custom, Cocker, Old Angel, Angel 06, Angel One, Shocker SFT, Impulse/ Ion and Spyder… then there are three standard lengths (12, 14 and 16 inches)… then there are three standard bore sizes (.687, .689 and .691 for most barrel threads or .691, .693 and .695 for Tippmann A5 and 98). That right there is already 99 choices of barrels… and thats just for the single barrels, not even taking the Switch Kits into account !

We have been stocking the Classic Finish barrels… those techno-cool looking ones that everyone expects carbon fiber to look like. However, Site Mfg also produces a huge variety of patterns for the Stiffi Barrels as well. Instead of anodizing these are actually a tough wrap applied and then cemented and sealed to the barrel. Because of this process virtually any finish or graphic can be applied to the barrels. For a simple example lets just say that they offer 15 finishes… thats 1435 individual barrels ( again, not including the Switch Kits) we would need to stock ! Don’t get me wrong, we pride ourselves on a great selection but that would take up a huge section of our warehouse… we’d drown in carbon fiber barrels ! There are thousands and thousands of options.

In effort to get our customers access to Stiffi barrels we’ve worked out a program with the manufacturer. When you place an order for any Stiffi Carbon Fiber Barrel or Stiffi Switch Kit marked with double asterisks (**) on our website, we automatically place an order with Stiffi. Your barrel is put into the express production line, built just for you over the next few days. Rather than wait for the barrel to be shipped to our warehouse, received and then reshipped we instead have it delivered factory-direct from the manufacturer to you. If the barrel was part of an order that would have qualified for free shipping then we will eat the shipping costs ! Bear in mind that because of the delay in shipping for making the barrel they cannot be shipped expedited services like Next Day Air.

Check out our line of US Army Paintball Guns, Project Salvo Paintball Guns and variety of Cheap Paintball Guns

Hopefully, you already know that the essential parts of a good set-up are a decent marker, an air tank, a helmet, and maybe a hopper for faster loading. There are lots of places that sell ready-made kits like this, so you’ll want to check out some paintball gun reviews to try and narrow down which kit is right for you.

Lots of beginners like Tippmann paintball guns because they are high quality paintball guns and relatively affordable, which is a great place to start. There are a number of great kits that include Tippmann paintball guns, helmets, and air tanks. You can even check out more paintball gun reviews to check out which Tippmann paintball gun sets would be best for you.

You’ll also want to make sure you get some equipment to use to take the best care of your new gear as possible. Depending on which paintball gun you decide to go with, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for cleaning and maintaining your gun. You should probably get yourself a compatible barrel cover and squeegee too, since the barrel cover is typically required on playing fields, and the squeegee will help you play better.

Start with good quality basic equipment that you know how to use and how to take good care of; then you can purchase or invest in upgraded, more expensive gear, like a  paintball sniper rifle, as you become more familiar with what you need to take your game to the next level!

One of the top complaints we hear from ladies that have never played paintball before is that it’s too rough of a game. The first thing to remind your special lady is that paintball isn’t a contact sport. There’s no tackling and no fighting. If your wife or girlfriend is really concerned, you’ll want to start with small games maybe at indoor fields that aren’t as crazy or dirty as playing in the woods or outdoor fields. Regardless of where you go, take plenty of time to go over the rules of the game, and try to get in as much practice as possible before the first game. You want her to feel like she’s has an idea of what she’s supposed to be doing.

Along the same lines of thinking it’s a rough game, ladies can be very worried about the potential for getting hurt. I mean, realistically, they could get shot with a paintball moving at high speeds one or more times, and that’s on a good day. It stands to reason that a well-prepared lady will be suited up with well-padded, loose fitting clothing.  Have her try on a few sample outfits, and make sure she can move and run freely. Next, make sure she has the right paintball accessories, especially a good set of gloves and a properly fitting helmet or head protection. We all know that the most painful places to get hit are the hands and the head, so you’ll want to make sure she’s got high quality protective gear to make her feel more comfortable and less scared.

Finally, try to find a few cheap paintball guns that your wife or girlfriend might like. You don’t want to start with anything too expensive or complicated, in case your experiment doesn’t work out, but you do want to let her pick from a few different paintball guns. That way, she can decide which one she likes best and feels most comfortable with. Don’t forget to remind her about how much fun and exciting the game can be.

You’ll definitely have to be patient and understanding, but if you make sure your special lady is well prepared and excited, it can be a totally rewarding experience for you both!

Next, start researching local tournaments. To minimize the travel costs for your first tournament, it’s probably best to start with one that’s nearby. However, you’ll always want to make sure to do a good amount of research about the tournaments close to you, to be sure all the other elements are in line, such as the level of tournament play, and the number of members per team. If this is your first tournament, it’s probably best to start off with a beginner’s tournament, even if you’ve been playing for a while. Then, depending on the tournament you’ve got your eye on, rally the needed number of friends, and start discussing strategy and costs.

You’ll want to ensure you have enough time to practice as a team and get used to any new gear. If you are planning to splurge for a new paintball sniper or any other new equipment, you’ll want to spend at least a few weeks practicing with it so you know what to expect. You won’t want to be going into your first tournament with gear you’re not used to using; it will just make the whole thing more nerve-wracking.

Spend plenty of time preparing for the tournament by practicing and strategizing with your teammates, arrive early to the tournament grounds, have an idea of how much money you’ll need before and during the tournament, don’t forget to have fun, and you should be well on your way to starting an exciting and wonderful career of tournament play.

[ photo by: magoexperto ]

For the new paintballer, you are always safe getting gear and paintballs as gifts, since they’re almost constantly needed. Paintballs can be inexpensive, and you could even try to get them in Valentine’s Day colors, like red and white. Or get the paintballs in any color, but wrap them in a red heart-shaped box! Make sure your significant other is well protected with a mask and goggles, or some elbow pads. Smaller items like extra parts, paintball harnesses or packs, and gloves are also great gift ideas that are relatively inexpensive and easy to wrap with heart-covered paper.

If you have a bigger budget for your Valentine’s gift, paintball players almost always enjoy the surprise of a new paintball sniper marker or pistol. See if you can gather up some tips about the type of paintball pistols would be ideal, and start your shopping.  If you have to guess, make sure you purchase the paintball pistol or other gear from a seller that allows for returns or exchanges, so your sweetheart paintballer can get exactly what he or she wants!

Should you want to start playing paintball with your sweety, or if you’re looking for a great way to spend some extra time together, lots of paintball fields sell gift cards that can be used for future play. Buy a gift card that will cover a day’s play for two, and you’ve got an awesome date planned.

[ photo by: floodllama ]

One of the most obvious tactics is to take one or more of your favorite paintball magazines, circle the gear you would like, perhaps even write some helpful messages like, “I would like this paintball sniper gun very much,” and leave the magazine(s) somewhere your sweetheart is sure to find it. One important and beneficial point: make sure you consider your significant other’s budget when making your selections, and be sure to indicate your desired size if needed. If you’ve hinted to your sweetheart that you want a paint ball gun, make sure to also hint if you’ll need any new paintballs or other accessories too.

An even more fun way to give hints is to start by going to your favorite online paintball swag site. You can use the tactics outlined above to indicate exactly the gear or paintball sniper gun you’ve got your eye on; maybe even use a separate tab for each item. If you need to make it even easier, select the exact items you want, then go ahead and put them in the site’s shopping cart. Finally, leave the pre-set computer screen right on the shopping cart page.  All your sweetheart has to do is complete the order, and your ideal Valentine’s gift is on its way to you! It’s a win-win for everyone!

First, check out some paintball gun reviews and make sure you have a marker that’s designed for woodsball play. There are specific types of markers made especially for woodsball games, including many varieties of Tippmann paintball guns. Tippmann markers are typically military replica styles and have tons of modifications available, so you can customize your gun with items such as an electronic loader or a scope; both very helpful. Tippmann paintball guns are also known to be extremely reliable, durable, and comparatively low cost. Again, find some paintball gun reviews, and you’ll see this is true!

With your woodsball marker in tow, be sure to bring along your camouflage gear. Dark colors can be extremely helpful in the outdoor arena. You might not need a full ghillie suit right off the bat, but do prepare by selecting dark colors, lightweight clothing (to help you move more easily), and a good pair of boots. Don’t wear boots that are too heavy, because you want to be able to move quickly and quietly around the field. And of course, don’t forget your protective mask.

Once you reach the field (or even before) meet up with your teammates and get organized. You’ll want to come up with a plan to cover the playing field and each other. It’s important to determine who will be positioned where and who will be providing cover for the team runners. You should also discuss hand signals to use so you don’t have to make any extra noise.

Lastly, try to come up with a few methods for keeping yourself calm and alert while you anxiously wait for your opponents to cross your path, or while you’re cruising through the woods looking for your targets. Be prepared for the surprise and keep your paintball marker ready at all times!

[photo: West Point Public Affairs]

Spend time getting used to your equipment. Get used to the feel of your marker. Practice looking through your scope.  Some paintball facilities even have practice shooting yards, where you can grab some paintballs, all of your gear, and a few cheap paintball guns, and spend some time practicing your shots.

Get in shape and practice your movements. You must be ready to sprint, and depending on the game, you might have to run fast for long periods of time.  To prepare for the field, run some wind sprints, or go to a local track and run a few laps with short sprints every other lap.  You have to get your stamina up if you’re gonna play with the big guns.  Though it’s a good idea to get used to the weight of your paintball guns while running, it might be wise to leave your guns at home so you don’t freak out the other track runners.

Once you’re in shape, head out to any spot that resembles the playing field, like the forest or a park.  Figure out how to carry yourself to move quietly.  You might even want to try a few belly crawls or rolls to see how quietly you can do it.  Without looking like a goon, you should also wear your paintball gear so you can practice in the same outfit as you’ll wear on the field.

If you want to go to a paintball field but don’t have anyone to play with, don’t let that stop you.  Be a spectator.  Watch how other players move, where they go, and what works or doesn’t work.  Check out the entire field, if you can.  But make sure you bring at least your cheap paintball guns and some paintballs just in case someone needs you on their team!

[photo: Clauz Jardim]

Some players mistakenly bring paintball accessories like glow sticks, or flashlights they leave on for more than a few seconds.  These players might as well have targets and spotlights on them.  The goal of night paintball, just like regular paintball, is to go unseen.  On the other hand, it’s not a bad idea to bring a spotlight to use in case you’re in a pinch. For instance, if an opponent is approaching, you can shine the spotlight directly toward him or her, and then peel out while you wait for the opponent’s eyes to adjust to the dark again.

Should you want even more of an advantage over your night paintball opponents, get yourself some paintball accessories made for night play.  For example, you might acquire paintball accessories, such as night vision goggles or night vision scopes.  Even the smallest bit of light will shine bright with night vision goggles.  Though the experience can feel odd at first, you’ll get used to it in no time and trust us, it’s pretty cool.