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