| The Main Paintball Gun Parts: Know Your Weapon | | | | the most sophisticated, reliable and expensive of the |
| If you are involved in the sport it is important to know | | | | hopper types. |
| about the main paintball gun parts. You need to | | | | Another of the main paintball gun parts is the tank. |
| understand the components of your marker to ensure | | | | Paintballs can be propelled in different ways and the |
| its successful working and to facilitate its cleaning and | | | | tank contains the propellant. Markers typically use CO2 |
| upgrading. Beginners can be over whelmed by terms | | | | gas or high pressure air (HPA). The terms "nitrogen |
| such as: bottom line adaptors, quick disconnect feed | | | | tank" and "HPA" tank mean the same thing. |
| necks, CP micro drops and magic regulators. | | | | CO2 gas was the original propulsion material. Early |
| Essentially, most paintball gun parts will fall into one of | | | | guns were powered by small CO2 cylinders which |
| the following main categories; body; hopper; tank or | | | | were good for about 15 shots. These evolved to 12 |
| barrel. | | | | ounce CO2 tanks with a 200 shot capacity. |
| The largest of the paintball gun parts is the main body | | | | HPA tanks can be either high or low pressure. The |
| of the marker. This comprises the bolt and the trigger | | | | regulator on the tank controls the output pressure. |
| frame. Bolts help to reduce the ammo breakage | | | | Some tanks have preset pressure outputs, others are |
| caused by a slow feed. The body parts can be | | | | adjustable. HPA is generally more reliable than CO2 |
| detached from one another to incorporate upgrades | | | | and does not need an evaporation system in order to |
| and accessories. Best not to attempt this until you | | | | fire. |
| have become familiar with your weapon. | | | | The last of the main paintball gun parts is the barrel. As |
| The body of the gun is fairly standard across the | | | | the barrel determines the speed, distance and |
| models. The main difference is in the placement of the | | | | accuracy of the paintball, it is a crucial part of the |
| trigger. The further forward the trigger is placed, the | | | | marker. Barrels come in a variety of types |
| easier the marker is to handle with one hand and the | | | | distinguished by their length, bore and texture. |
| lower the profile of the body. Guns with lower profiles | | | | Generally, the longer the barrel, the more accurate the |
| are more successful in the field; markers with large | | | | shot as the paintball has more space to stabilize |
| bodies provide a bigger target. | | | | before leaving the barrel. Longer barrels will fire more |
| The next of the main paintball gun parts is the hopper. | | | | quietly than shorter models, but they need a larger |
| The hopper, or loader on a marker stores and loads | | | | burst of air to propel the ball. |
| the ammo. Between 40 to 300 paintballs can be held | | | | There are different barrels for different types of game |
| by different hoppers. The speed, weight and reliability | | | | scenarios. The sniper paintball gun is an example. It can |
| of the gun are greatly affected by the hopper type. | | | | be fitted with a scope to put the target in a clearer line |
| Stick feeds are generally used on pump action | | | | of sight and a red dot laser light to add realism. Some |
| markers. They are the least sophisticated and reliable | | | | guns allow you to change the barrels to change the |
| of the hopper types. | | | | whole make up of the gun. |
| Gravity feeds are also a simple and cheap option. | | | | The instruction booklet accompanying your gun will |
| However, they are prone to jamming problems | | | | show you the different paintball gun parts and how to |
| causing ball breakage or blockage in the hopper. | | | | change and maintain them. Although paintball guns are |
| Agitating hoppers have a propeller inside the container | | | | durable, small working parts will have to be replaced |
| which prevents the paintballs from jamming. They | | | | occasionally. Paintball guns are designed to be |
| have a quicker firing pace than the previous loaders. | | | | upgraded so they can evolve with the abilities of the |
| Force feed hoppers are used by professionals or | | | | players using them. This saves the player having to |
| tournament playing paintballers because they can keep | | | | buy a completely new gun as they become more |
| up with the required loading speed. The device is spring | | | | accomplished. Paintball gun packages will include all of |
| loaded, or powered by a belt system. It captures the | | | | the essential paintball gun parts and accessory kits are |
| paintballs and forces them into the marker. They are | | | | also useful. |