| While one should never sacrifice value over the quality | | | | costs a minimum of $350. |
| of paintball safety equipment, paintball guns are | | | | The cost of markers depends primarily on the gun's |
| available today at reasonable prices and with a wide | | | | pressure system as well as its accessories. The |
| variety of interesting features. | | | | most popular system today is the "carbon dioxide |
| When deciding which the best paintball gun is for you, | | | | pressure system" normally used in the less expensive |
| be realistic and determine your "skill level". When just | | | | markers. |
| beginning, and do not know the frequency of your play, | | | | The primary disadvantage is that usually the carbon |
| begin with an inexpensive gun. | | | | dioxide's performance is influenced by the temperature |
| To decide which features you need in a paintball gun, | | | | outside, and changes from its gas state to liquid |
| you can borrow markers from your friends and try | | | | resulting in velocity instability that affects its shooting |
| them on different paintball fields. After you have | | | | accuracy. |
| decided on the features you want then start shopping | | | | Serious paintball players use the "high-pressure air and |
| for your gun. | | | | nitrogen system" markers that are much more |
| When playing for recreation, there is really no need to | | | | accurate because the nitrogen will never liquefy. |
| spend a great deal of money as there are many | | | | Having this characteristic, these markers are more |
| recreational guns of good quality that are not | | | | expensive. |
| expensive. Note that there are also several poor | | | | Extra accessories also increase the cost of your |
| quality markers on the market so you need to your | | | | marker. A loader or hopper is a very popular |
| research before you buy to make certain that the | | | | accessory. It is a container that feeds paintballs into |
| marker that you purchase is dependable and can be | | | | the gun. Hoppers are available in many varieties - |
| upgraded. | | | | some are powered and automated. Fast and |
| When you are making plans to play in tournaments, | | | | lightweight hoppers are more expensive. |
| determine what type of tournament that you will be | | | | Just keep in mind that the any marker that you |
| entering. If you are going to play in small tournaments | | | | purchase will not be perfect and will ultimately have |
| you may use a less expensive marker or upgrade | | | | flaws. So when purchasing your marker, always |
| your old one. | | | | double check the choices offered and purchase a gun |
| However, in the larger tournaments, you will need an | | | | only if you know what you really want. |
| "electro-pneumatic" or a "blow-forward" gun, which | | | | |