| Paintball wouldn't be much fun without the actual gun; | | | | or even a paintball pistol that has a trigger which is well |
| so you might as well get one that suits your needs. | | | | positioned, preferably in the center of the actual gun. |
| When you are buying a paintball marker (a paintball | | | | You may also want to play as a cover player (a |
| gun), there are many important features which the gun | | | | player who spends a lot of ammo, mainly distracting |
| should account for, including the position of the trigger, | | | | opponents) - for that you'll need a big hopper and |
| the force required to fire the trigger, the loader | | | | automatic or semi-automatic firing. In short, choosing a |
| (hopper) system and many, many other features. This | | | | marker is highly dependant on your playing style. |
| article will guide you through the main features that a | | | | The looks of a paintball marker don't matter too much, |
| paintball marker should have, along with pointers in | | | | except for the position of the barrel and the trigger. In |
| which playing conditions the features are needed. | | | | more expensive models, the trigger is positioned |
| If you want accuracy and only accuracy (e.g. you're a | | | | towards the centre of the gun purely for ergonomic |
| sniper), the most important factor for a marker is the | | | | reasons and to eliminate the possibility of a hopper hit |
| size of the bore. The size of the bore usually is in the | | | | which leads to elimination. Hopper hit is an equipment hit |
| .68 caliber size; however, most of the bores have an | | | | which doesn't count in most of the games, but is |
| offset up to .1 calibers. If you have already bought the | | | | important in tournaments; for the average player, it's |
| gun, you should look for paint that either suits the bore | | | | just utterly annoying and requires reloading. |
| or at least is very close to its size. Some of the guns | | | | Overall, if you know the style you're playing in and |
| come with changeable barrels - choose those if | | | | what are your exact preferences, it shouldn't be hard |
| possible, as they'll save you time finding the perfect | | | | to choose a paintball marker. However, if you're new |
| paint, and, even more important - make you more | | | | to paintball, don't worry; just get a cheap gun. It's easy |
| accurate. The length of the barrel also accounts for | | | | to upgrade parts on the fly; nowadays, paintball |
| accuracy, as long as it's shorter than 14 inches. | | | | markers and their parts seem to become cheaper and |
| If you prefer action (you're more of a front player), | | | | cheaper each day. Just take care - lousy equipment |
| you'll probably want a lightweight gun that fires rapidly, | | | | can ruin your game easily! |