Paintball markers

Paintball is a popular and fast growing extreme sport. It is recognized as one of the world’s most exciting outdoor sport. Paintball combines the games of ‘hide and seek’ and ‘tag’. As it is one of the safest sports, any one of you can play this game keeping in mind the rules and regulations.

Marker: The primary instrument

Paintball marker is the chief equipment used in this sport. Also referred to as paintball gun, the velocity of these markers is around 300 feet per second which is quite safe for the players of different age groups. Different types of markers are available having various features, from which, you can choose the one which suits you most.

Basic Elements of Marker

Before you start using the markers, you should know about its basics. Paintball markers have four major components: body, hopper, gas system and barrel.

Body of marker

Keeping in mind that this sport has players of average age of 22 years, the manufacturers have tried their best to fabricate the markers light in weight and easy to handle. For reducing the weight of marker, its body is generally made up of aluminum. Body contains the major components of firing mechanism: trigger frame, bolt and valve. Trigger is the means by which you can interact with the paintball marker. The assembly of bolt and valve is used for firing the marker. Valve is a kind of mechanical switch that controls the firing. Bolt controls entry of paintballs into the chamber. It also directs flow of air.

Hopper

Hopper is that component of paintball marker which is responsible for holding the paintballs for firing purpose. There are three different types of hoppers: force feed, agitating and gravity feed.

Force feed hopper uses impeller for holding paintballs and directing them towards marker. These are the dominant hoppers used in various tournaments.

Agitating hoppers have to use propeller which spins within the container for agitating paintballs. Two kinds of agitating hoppers exist; one with sensors called “eyes” and other without sensors.

Gravity feed hoppers are the cheapest and simplest hoppers available. They have a large container and a feed tube at the bottom of it. Paintballs go through this tube into the marker.

Gas system Propellant gas system is a tank which contains gases in compressed form. The function of this system is to propel paintballs across paintball marker barrel. There are two kinds of gases used in paintball markers: Carbon dioxide - used in inexpensive markers as it is supposed to be of lower quality. Compressed Air – used in more expensive markers as they have to accommodate high pressure. Barrel The main function of barrel is to give direction to the paintballs. It also controls the release of gases. Barrel has three different configurations: one piece barrel, two piece barrel and three piece barrel. Firing modes of marker After knowing the basic elements, you must know the different firing modes of paintball marker. Pump action Pump action markers have to be re-cocked manually after every shot. Due to this reason, this configuration of marker is slower than others. Semi automatic This type of markers consists of different designs for automatic cycling of bolts and loading of paintballs. The player is freed from manual pumping. Fully automatic This type of paintball markers fire continuously when trigger is pressed. This mode may be added to an electro pneumatic marker by simply installing logic board. Ramping This is a feature found in some of the electronic markers which changes the firing mode from semi automatic to fully automatic as soon as the trigger is pulled. This mode of firing may be hidden in the software. Popular Markers Paintball markers popular amongst players are: Electrical Markers: Angel, Bushmaster, Shocker and E-mag are some popular electrical markers. Mechanical Markers: Automag, Autococker, Tracer, Tippman and Spyder are some popular mechanical markers.

The sport of paintball is very equipment oriented. The abilities of good players may be strangled if they choose poor quality markers. Hence be careful when you select yours. Play safe!