ChoicePaintballGuns

The problem with CO2 is it can convert from gas to liquid and visa versa very easily; this is a problem for paintball players and their equipment.  CO2 is very sensitive to temperature changes.  When rapid shooting, it’s common for CO2 tanks to ‘freeze up’.  Next you will notice the velocity of your shots drop off and starts becoming inconsistent.  When you rapid fire your paintball gun you are use a large amount of C02 very quickly.  Your tank gets cold because the liquid C02 inside is changing into gas to replace the C02 used during rapid firing.  This change from liquid to gas is called a ‘phase change’.  When you fire your gun (with a chilled tank), you are releasing less C02 than if the tank was warm. 

There are also problems if your CO2 tank gets too hot; if you left your gun and tank in the sun for example.  If your tank approaches 89 degrees (F) all of the liquid in the tank will expand and the gas has nowhere to go.  Hopefully you have the right rupture disk in your tank because at this point only two things can happen.  Either your tank’s rupture disk will burst preventing your tank from rupturing or your velocity will rise to very dangerous levels.  Moral of the story…. consider an hpa tank or keep your CO2 tank a constant temperature.

Many paintballers hang up their gear for the winter, but some of the more hardcore fans play all year long.  Playing in the cold, however will require you to use certain paintball equipment.  CO2 tanks tend to freeze up after shooting your marker repetitively; this causes inconsistencies in the temperature of the gas, making your paintball gun’s shooting less reliable. CO2 tanks will freeze up much faster in cold temperatures; so a better choice is to use High Pressure Air (HPA) tanks for winter-time paintballing.  HPA tanks deliver the same temperature air more consistently and your marker will shoot better.  When playing paintball in winter, it’s also important to use ‘winter formula’ paintballs.  These are made by a company called Karnage and make a huge difference in being able to play in the cold. Regular paintballs get warped, become harder to break and may fly inconsistently in cold weather.  Winter formula paintballs act like regular paintballs in normal temperatures.  Playing in winter will force you to dress warmer and heavier too - this will give you more protection for when you get hit.

Paintballing is a fun and relatively safe activity which allows for the creation of realistic combat situations. One of the most fun aspects of paintball is that it can take place in any kind of environment, however heavily wooded areas tend to be the most enjoyable. To create a paintball course, you don’t need much, but a little preparation can make for more excitement.

You will want to have a plethora of covered areas, so move some overturned stumps or trees, or pile up wood.  Blinds used for hunting are great for camouflage, and for serving as cover from paintball fire. There are also specialty products that you can invest in, such as paintball bunkers. When paintballing you also want all of your guests properly protected with headgear and heavy clothing which covers all of the skin.

What’s the difference between the Apex Barrel and the Flatline Barrel?

Both the Apex and Flatline barrel are upgraded barrels for your paintball marker. The Apex is an interesting little attachment; it has a switch on the side that will allow you to curve your shot one way or another. It’s supposed to also increase the distance of your shot somewhat. It has to be used on a rifled barrel though for it to work best. The barrels that come standard on most paintball markers aren’t rifled, so you will first need to upgrade to a rifled barrel before adding the Apex. The Flatline will not curve your shot but compared to the Apex, it should shoot farther and straighter. Whereas there’s more tricks you can do with the Apex, the flatline seems to have a larger ground swelling of testimonials behind it saying it’s the best. The Flatline barrel, however is made specifically for Tippmann paintball guns and may not fit on any others.  Between the two, if you already have a rifled barrel on your gun, you may want to see what the Apex can do.  If you have a Tippmann paintball gun and you’re just looking for more distance and a straighter/more accurate trajectory, try the flatline.  Tippmann markers can use either barrel (the Apex dependant on having a rifled barrel to attach to first of course).

There are lots of people who are interested in the competitive spirit and camaraderie inherent in paintballing. They find friends or clubs that they can join and have target shooting or war games. You will need your own weapon if you want a high caliber weapon and don’t want to rent.  There are pistols, rifles, and even shotguns that are powered by CO2 cartridges.

You will need a variety of paintball accessories to be able to enjoy the sport. Some of the must-have accessories include:

~rifle slings
~shooting gloves
~scopes
~lasers
~flashlights
~mask

After watching and being involved in paintball for over 7 years, I’ve watched the sport grow and advance.  I guess you could say I’m a purist and I dream of advancing paintball technology so the game becomes as close to real war as possible.  Imagine how real the game will be when everyone on the field is using military replica tactical paintball guns fueled by a hidden air tank and loaded through magazines.  Actually, with paintball guns from RAP4 and MilSig, I’ve found out that this is not that far from reality.  In fact the T68 gen6 by rap4 is so close to the real thing it’s scary.  These guns are not only magazine fed, but the flexi-air systems are ultra cool - this is what allows you to hide your air tank inside the buttstock -  it’s by far one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.   It’s also amazing how many different options there are to choose regarding what type of weapon you want…. There are multiple snipers, CQB, AK47 and carbine combination packages available; seriously there’s like 60+ different customized T68 guns to choose from.  If you want to take your tactical game to the next level of realism, get a T68 and I’ll meet you on the battlefield!  This gun is transforming the sport of paintball!  
Matt Kresch,  Team Trinity

What should I look for in a paintball starter package for my two grandsons?  What should it include?  They are 12 and 8 respectively.  Since they are new to the game, what would be best suited for that age bracket and their skill level?

After playing paintball consistently for years, my friends and I are always looking for new ways to spice up the game. We travel all around the Pacific Northwest looking for new fields and competition to provide a unique challenge. This year we decided to make our local matches more interesting my battling at night.

The first couple of attempts to have night matches were a failure; we just didn’t have the right equipment to make it viable. About a month ago I invested in a laser paintball sight, and it instantly transformed the way I play at night. With a range of up to 500 feet, I am easily able to target the enemy, regardless of the conditions. My comrades followed suit and purchased their own, so now our night battles are more feasible.

When I first got into paintball over 10 years ago, I figured that it would be a part-time hobby. After going with my friends a few times, I was hooked and decided it was time to invest in my own set of paintball gear. Naively, I thought all I would need was a gun and some paintballs—boy was I wrong.

As any avid paintball fan will tell you, there is virtually a limitless amount of paintball guns, protective gear and accessories available. Over the years I have built myself a respectable arsenal of weapons and armor. What started out as a simple hobby has evolved into a full-blown obsession.

Paintball could be described as a trial by fire. When live rounds of paint are coming at you from every angle, you’re forced to make quick decisions and execute them in a timely fashion. Beginners make critical mistakes initially, but they soon learn from them or lose interest in the game. One of the most common mistakes a paintball rookie will make involves communication. Good teams keep an open line of communication at all times on the playing field. When you’re playing outdoors, don’t be afraid to shout orders or warnings to a teammate. The only time you really need to button up is when you’re hidden with an enemy bearing down with military paintball guns in close proximity. Aside from that, you and the rest of your team should be keeping each other abreast of the enemy’s whereabouts.