Great Paintball Setups for Beginner Players

28 02 2011

Gryphon Semi Automatic Paintball MarkerSo you think you’re ready to get your own paintball gear and step up your game?  There are definitely some general rules to follow for your first set of gear and we’re here to help!

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!





Woodsball Tips and Tactics

26 01 2011

Woodsball FunIn case you don’t already know, woodsball is a paintball game played out in a natural, wooded setting. The playing field is typically large and provides lots of natural cover. If you’re getting ready to venture out for your first woodsball game, there are a few tips and tricks you’ll want to have beforehand.

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]





How to Customize your Paintball Gun

6 12 2010
An upgrades for one of the Tippmann Paintball Guns

Tippmann A5 Sniper Upgrade Kit

If you want to change the look of your stock paintball gun, you have numerous options for customization.  You can make simple changes, like painting the exterior of the gun, or you can purchase and add upgrade parts.

Should you own a Kingman Spyder paintball gun or one of the Tippmann paintball guns, you have quite a few upgrade options.  One of the easiest and most popular upgrades is adding an automatic loader to replace the stock elbow loader.  Attach your new automatic loader according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Another fairly easy option is to install a laser or non-laser (depending on your preference) scope or sight to your paintball gun.  Depending on the scope you purchase, you should be able to either glue the scope onto the top of your paintball gun, or install it with a scope rail.

The least expensive option is usually painting your marker. To paint your paintball gun, start by removing any loose parts and parts you do not want to paint.  Cover any fixed parts you don’t want to paint with paper and/or tape, and make sure any openings in the gun are also covered.  Then spray paint away, let the paint dry thoroughly, and reassemble the gun.

Beyond these basic upgrades, you can research customizations specifically for your marker. Depending on the manufacturer, there may be dozens of alterations available. For instance, in our online store we carry 215 parts and upgrades just for Tippmann paintball guns.





Top Paintball Guns for the Casual Player

20 10 2010

kingman spyder paintball gunThere’s a lot to think about when you’re buying a paintball gun: your skill level, how much you can spend, your playing style, and whether the marker feels good in your hands. People often ask what the best paintball gun around is, and I always have a hard time answering that question because it truly does depend on the type of player you are.

That said, there are some markers that are so well made, so outstanding for their price range, that they rarely disappoint. Here’s a look at some of the top paintball guns available in the casual player price range:

Tippman Paintball Guns

Tippman is an industry leader when it comes to making high-performance paintball markers. They’ve been in the game since 1986, and their guns are favored among new and experienced players alike for being easy to handle, tough as nails and super reliable. Tippman paintball markers have a tactical look and feel, with lots of room for upgrading. They range from the Tippman 98 Custom, a basic cheap paintball gun that’s great for beginners, to the Tippman A-5 which, fully decked out, is the semi-automatic rifle of choice for many experienced scenario paintballers.

One of the best things about Tippman guns is their reliability. You’ll have fewer paintballs breaking in the marker, and the gun’s performance remains steady even in cold weather.

Spyder Paintball Guns

Spyder paintball markers are some of the most popular around. They look hot, they’re dependable, and you get a lot of performance at an affordable price. Although Spyder guns are not as as simple as a Tippman — and often require some customizations in order to get up to tournament-level performance — they’re consistently known for being top guns for the money at various price points.

Invert Mini Paintball Gun

When it comes to tournament play, the Invert Mini offers high-end performance with a mid-range price tag. While some players are put off by the Mini’s diminutive size, size is also one of this marker’s greatest assets: small, compact and lightweight, it’s great for both speedball and woodsball. While there aren’t a lot of upgrades available, this gun doesn’t really need many. It’s fast, consistent and doesn’t chop paint.








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