The Basics of Paintball Gear
Perhaps you have just been invited to go to a paintball field with friends. You’ve never played and you don’t know what you will need. Or perhaps you’ve just played for the first time, you loved it, but don’t want to rent your equipment every time you go and want to purchase your own. If you purchase your own paintball gear, you then have the consistency of the same sense of feel and use every time you play, and you can go to the venue of your choice, even a friend’s back yard, and not have to worry about what the supply availability will be. Whether you’ve never played before or are a recent convert to the game, there are some basic pieces of equipment you will need to purchase if you don’t want to rent.
First and foremost, you need a paintball gun, also called a marker. These come in a huge range of styles and price points, so you will surely find one that suits your wants and needs. There are a number of different types of paintball guns. The “pump” style gun requires you to pump the gun to get a paintball into the chamber. Semi-automatics work like semi-automatic rifles—pull the trigger and they shoot—no extra action is required. Electronic paintball guns are computerized and allow the user a lot of control over his or her shooting—some are automatic, allowing for repeated fire with a single trigger pull. Pistols are small handguns that hold few paintballs and also hold smaller CO2 cartridges. They are not enough, probably, for a full-day paintball excursion.
In addition to the gun, you will need a safety mask. These masks prevent paint from getting into your eyes, mouth, nose, and ears. Though paintball paint is nontoxic, having paint in your eyes will prevent your best performance. These can be purchased in a number of styles and patterns (such as camouflage) and include built-in goggles.
You will also want ammunition—the paintballs themselves. Find out if those you are playing with require a certain color or type. Paintballs vary in quality and price, with the thinner-walled ones more likely to explode on impact (but also more likely to explode if dropped, too).
Optional, but a good idea, is protective clothing (over and above the mask). Vests, gloves, shorts, elbow and knee pads, and other devices can be worn to protect the players. Not only is paintball messy, but paintballs can hurt, and joints can get worn out with a lot of kneeling; shooting can wear on the hands.