| Those familiar with the sport of paintball will refer to | | | | choose between a carbon dioxide or nitrogen tank to |
| the paintball gun as a paintball marker, as that is what | | | | shoot the paintball pellets. Carbon dioxide tanks are the |
| they are technically called. It is often said that the term | | | | cheapest but can be inconsistent with velocity output |
| marker is preferred over the term gun to portray the | | | | and sometimes can damage the internal mechanisms |
| sport as less violent. While this may be true, it is more | | | | inside your paintball gun's barrel and body. Nitrogen |
| commonly referred to as a marker because originally | | | | tanks are more expensive but don't have the negative |
| the guns were invented for forest personnel to mark | | | | effects of a carbon dioxide tank. Nitrogen tanks are |
| trees and stray cattle. | | | | also usually lighter. Always make sure you are |
| The paintball marker consists of four vital parts; the | | | | shooting below 300 feet per second. This speed is |
| body, the barrel, the hopper and the gas system. Most | | | | fast enough to break the paintball but usually not fast |
| paintball markers include the body and the barrel in the | | | | enough to hurt someone (beyond a small bruise). |
| purchase price but the hopper and the gas system is | | | | Please be sure to be careful and if needs be, lower |
| extra (unless it's a packaged deal). More recently the | | | | your pressure as to not hurt any player. Be sure to |
| sport has evolved into scenario paintballing. In scenario | | | | wear the proper safety gear. |
| paintballing, the gun is similar, except for the hopper. | | | | Finally, to make sure you are the best paintball soldier |
| The body, barrel and gas system are enclosed in | | | | on the field, dominating your enemy in every aspect, |
| casing that resembles a real weapon (example: | | | | you'll need to consider what type of marker to get. |
| automatic weapon, sniper weapon, bazooka, etc). | | | | They are produced in several different firing modes. |
| Most scenario paintballing markers use a clip-like | | | | There is pump-action, semi-automatic and fully |
| hopper to hold the paintballs. While this provides for a | | | | automatic markers. Obviously the fully-automatic is the |
| more realistic environment, the player can't hold as | | | | fastest, but uses more paintballs and isn't always |
| many paintballs. | | | | approved for tournament play. Now that you have the |
| An important key to a great paintball marker is a | | | | basics down, you should be able to buy a paintball |
| reliable, accurate and durable gun. You'll also need to | | | | marker like the pro and know what to look for. |