• Reasons To Upgrade Your Paintball Marker

    Almost every sport has different levels of gear and equipment. When you are just beginning you usually start out with cheaper equipment. This way you don’t have to put out as much money before you know how serious you are about the sport. However, once you become more experienced, you will likely want better equipment. Higher quality equipment helps you perform better and reach your goals.

    You Have Become a More Serious Player

    When you started playing paintball at AC Paintball in southern New Jersey, you likely just rented one of AC Paintball’s rental markers, the Tippmann Custom 98 or the Valken V-Tac SW-1 marker. These are great overall markers and are one of the best choices for beginner to intermediate level players. If you want a marker that is good at something specific, though, you should look into an upgrade.

    Now you have multiple games under your belt, though you may want to look into upgrading your gun to something that will help you play better. You likely have a position you like to play, a field you like to play on and a favorite game. You want something that complements your playing style and can do what you need it to do. This way you can become a better player.

    You Want To Fire At Long Distances More Accurately

    AC Paintball has multiple wooded fields, including the Black Ops Pentagon Woods Field, the Blue Thunder Woods Field, and the Red Dawn Woods Field. These fields are larger than our other speedball fields. This means that it makes sense to have a paintball gun that can shoot long distances more accurately.

    With an accurate long-distance marker, you don’t have to worry about getting close to your opponents to ensure you hit them. This can give you quite an advantage when playing on a large paintball field. Having a paintball marker that can shoot long distances accurately can also help you conserve paintballs when playing on large fields. Just make sure the marker you choose is still within AC Paintballs safety guidelines.

    You Want To Improve the Accuracy When You Fire Rapidly

    On the other hand, if speedball games are your preference, you may want to focus on upgrading to a paintball gun that can accurately fire multiple shots in a row. AC Paintball’s speedball fields include the Hyperball Field and the Speedball Tournament Field. Games on these fields run fast. You have to be able to think on your feet and shoot your gun accurately and quickly.

    The paintball gun you have can affect your ability to accomplish this. Some guns recoil more when they shoot than others. This means you may have to readjust your aim after every shot or two. It takes more time to shoot and gives your opponent a better chance to shoot back. By upgrading to a marker that is made for rapid fire, you can be better equipped to take on your opponents.

    You Want to Change the Look of Your Marker

    Are you interested in the aesthetics of your paintball marker? Some players like to have camouflage equipment to help them hide when playing on AC Paintball’s wooded fields. Other players like to have flashy paintball guns with bright colors or cool designs that they can show off to their friends. Scenario players also like to customize their markers to fit the theme of their game.

    If you have certain wishes for the look of your paintball gun, you may also want to consider an upgrade. You can personalize your gun to reflect your personality or make it more suitable for the game you are playing.

    Your Current Gun Isn’t Working Right

    Paintball games are intense. Over time, your paintball gun will take a lot of wear and tear. Eventually, it may start experiencing problems. If your current marker is old, beat up, or just not functioning properly, this is one of the biggest reasons to look into an upgrade.

    If you don’t have the funds for a new paintball gun, you can rent a marker from AC Paintball near Atlantic City, New Jersey as well. You can view AC Paintball’s rental guns and other equipment here: https://acpaintball.com/paintball-rental-equipment/.

    May 21, 2018

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  • What Affects the Accuracy of a Marker?

    texture1Accuracy, distance, firing rate, and efficiency are all important in paintball. However, these can not be definitively ranked. Every player is different and values some of these qualities over others. If you’re just starting out, you’ll develop your own preferences as you gain more time on the field. Intermediate or seasoned players will likely have figured out which marker strengths they prefer.

    This blog post will focus on accuracy. What aspects of a marker and equipment affect shooting accuracy and how can a player achieve an improvement in this area? Training and practice can only take someone so far. A player can have near perfect aim nine times out of ten, but still end up a missing the target. Why? Poor quality barrels or paintballs are probably to blame. Check out how these could be holding you back:

    Barrel Length

    The length of the barrel is at the top of the list when a marker’s accuracy is determined. Stock markers tend to come with a barrel length of 8.5 inches. Upgrading to a longer barrel will bring increased accuracy simply because it will be easier to aim.

    However, barrels that are too long will bring some drawbacks as well. A barrel length between 12 and 16 inches is ideal for improved accuracy and minimum negative effects. Anything above 16 inches will of course have fantastic accuracy, but a lot of potential drawbacks as well. It’s up to the player to decide if these are worth it.

    Potential drawbacks of using a barrel above 16 inches:

    • Decreased distance
    • Increased processing time
    • Increased contact between paintball and barrel
    • Higher potential for frozen or shattered paintballs in cold temperatures
    • Increased mass of marker, adding weight or making it more difficult to hide

    Barrel Bore Size

    The bore size of a barrel is another factor that affects accuracy. A stock barrel usually has a bore size of .690 and decreasing the size will result in better accuracy.  It is recommended to start by modifying to a .688 bore size and gradually decrease from there, depending on preference.

    The easiest way to do this is to purchase a barrel kit that offers modifications of many different bore sizes, ranging from .675 to .691. Note that paintball size used with the modified barrel may need to be adjusted along with bore size for maximum accuracy.

    Barrel Cleanliness

    How well the inside of the barrel is maintained could have an effect on accuracy as well. Over time, paint, mud, dirt and oil can accumulate inside the barrel and slow down the operation, resulting in decreased accuracy.

    Make sure to remove the barrel and clean it occasionally in order to prevent this. Use a squeegee and some water, then wipe it with a dry towel. Polish with a very light coat of oil and allow it to completely dry before reassembling. Do not use soap, chemical cleansers or abrasive wash cloths.

    paintball_packPaintball Quality

    In addition to the quality and modifications of the barrel, the chosen paintballs have a big impact on the accuracy of the marker. The use of high quality paintballs results in a much higher accuracy. It may cost a bit more to purchase a higher quality brand, but it will be worth the investment if accuracy is your goal.

    The reason this works is because better quality paintballs contain a much more dense material that fills the entire space inside the shell. Cheaper paintballs are often only filled partially or filled with a material that leaves room for air bubbles. This then can cause the filler to settle to one side and the ball to curve in that direction from the weight.

    Paintball Size

    Lastly, if ultimate accuracy is the goal, it is very important that the paintball size is chosen to match the bore size perfectly. If the paintballs are too small, they will move around freely inside the barrel and potentially shoot off in all different directions. If the paintballs are too big, they could get stuck in the barrel and slow down operation or eventually shatter.

    To find out if the paintballs match the bore size, try dropping one vertically down the barrel. It should stop up inside, but become easily dislodged with a light blow of air.

    Think about all of these factors when shooting for a higher accuracy with your marker. Make sure to find the perfect barrel length for your playing style and keep the inside clean and polished. Choose a high quality paint that fits the bore size properly. All of this combined with some practice and skill, and your marker is sure to be extremely accurate.

    Play note – sometime facilities require a certain kind of paintball, our “house paint”. They might also check yoru marker for certain industry standards , such as fire rate and power. investigate your play field to determine if your marker is appropriate.

    April 1, 2015

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  • 6 Steps to Getting Started in Paintball

    texture5Paintball has come a long way as a hobby and a sport. Just a few years ago, it wasn’t uncommon to drive multiple hours to play. And it took days of planning to make sure everyone got enough paint and air for that one day. Before rental equipment was popular, all players had to invest in their own or borrow some from a friend.

    In many areas of the US, paintball has now become a mainstream activity and getting started has never been easier. Fields have popped up all over the country and vendors have become much more widespread. The equipment has improved tenfold as well. No more forever fogged up maks or plastic pump markers. Now players have a plethora of gear to choose from and can improve and customize it as they advance skill level.

    That being said, it may not be completely obvious how to get started in paintball if you’ve never played before and don’t have a friend in the sport to show you the ropes. Read on for the steps you should take to get started playing paintball.

    pentagon_smaller1. Find a Nearby Field

    Do a quick google search for paintball fields in your area. In the case of several options, read some reviews and figure out which is more welcoming to beginners. Find out when “walk on” hours are, or the hours that anybody is welcome to drop by and play. If you have a few friends who would like to try out the sport as well, that’s great! Bring them along too. If not, you’ll meet plenty of friends on the field.

    2. Rent Equipment

    Don’t go out and buy full gear before you’ve tried the sport out. It can be a sizeable investment, so you first want to make sure it’s something you really enjoy. The good news is, most paintball fields offer complete equipment rentals included with the price of admission. Do a little research on the field beforehand to confirm this. Ideally, you’ll just show up and be completely outfitted with a mask, other safety equipment, a marker (gun), air, and paint. No advance planning or investments required!

    3. Do a Little Research Beforehand

    While you won’t need to buy or bring anything with you the first time you play, it helps to be a bit familiar with the game. Find out what type of fields and play styles the facility offers and read up on them. The most common is woodsball and capture the flag. If you’ve ever played capture the flag as a kid, you basically already know how to play that style. Just imagine shooting other players with paint instead of tagging them out!

    Find out if the facility recommends a specific type of clothing. It’s a good idea to at least wear long sleeves and long pants, depending on the weather. Check out some paintball etiquette and safety tips as well.

    4. Buy Equipment

    paintball birthdaySo, you’ve survived your first game and can’t wait to play again. The competition, adrenaline rush, strategy, teamwork–it’s all in your ballpark. It’s time to buy your own equipment when you plan to start playing fairly regularly. The options for markers (paintball guns) are endless and it can be a bit overwhelming to choose your first purchase.

    The best thing to do is choose a simple and durable stock marker that you can customize down the line (Tippman A5/X7 or 98 are good starting points). Consider investing in a good mask for your first purchase. These can be pricey, but are very important to safety and comfort. A quality, durable mask will be comfortable, vent better, and last a long time.

    5. Don’t Make Marker Upgrades Just Yet

    Once you make your first purchase, you’ll probably be itching to make upgrades and modifications based on recommendations from other players (magazine attachments, response and e-triggers, barrels, grips, sights… the options are endless).  Don’t commit to any changes just yet. First you’ll want to get more experience playing. Take your new marker out on the field as it was originally designed and get a feel for it to figure out what you like and don’t like.

    Every player is different and this will become clear with the customizations you choose. For example, you buddy may swear by the distance upgrades he’s made to his marker, but you find that you prefer accuracy. Your choice modifications will also depend on the game type you prefer (woodsball, speedball, military, ect.) which also takes time to figure out.

    6. Find an Online Community

    You’ll probably have a ton of questions about getting started and how to improve your game. Check out some message boards (PB Nation, Tippmann forum, Reddit) for a great source of unbiased knowledge. Ask questions about gear, upgrades, safety, experiences, or anything else you’re interested in learning about. This community is actually full of players who are looking to share their knowledge to get more people excited about the sport.

    March 17, 2015

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  • 3 Marker Upgrades for Intermediate Paintball Players

    texture1So you’ve been playing paintball for quite some time now and you’ve got the basics down, but aren’t quite an expert yet. You’ve practiced and nearly perfected some skills like hitting a target, but know that a stock marker can only fire so fast or so accurately. Even if you play at an intermediate skill level, your equipment might be holding you back.

    The unique thing about paintball is that it is a sport that allows varied equipment upgrades to customize and individualize it to the player’s strengths and preferences.  It’s very easy to make easy, often affordable upgrades and changes to a stock marker  that can make a huge difference in your performance.

    The stock marker allows the player to pick and choose which modifications will work best for their game style and skill level. There are several customizations and upgrades you can make to a marker when you’re ready to step up your game.

    1. A Barrel Upgrade By Length or Bore Size

    Recommended if:

    • You want an affordable, accessible upgrade
    • You want increased accuracy OR increased distance
    • You aren’t sure what to upgrade first

     

    texture2A barrel upgrade is the most common and basic upgrade to marker. If you aren’t sure what to improve first, start by upgrading your barrel. There is one question you must ask when doing so: Is increased accuracy or increased distance more important? For example, if you often play woodsball, distance is probably your preference. But if you more often prefer speedball, accuracy may be more important.

    Accuracy: Increase Length of Barrel

    There are barrel upgrades of all types and sizes. Upgrade your barrel to 12 to 16 inches for a marker much easier to aim, resulting in increased accuracy. However, it will not add distance and may actually decrease it. Also note, a longer barrel increases the time that the paintball is in contact with it, so it could be more likely to break when playing in cold temperatures.

    Accuracy: Decrease Bore Size of Barrel

    paintball_pack3Another option for increased accuracy is to decrease the bore size of the barrel. The smaller the barrel bore size, the higher the accuracy.A stock barrel usually has a bore size of .690 and an initial decrease to .688 bore size should be sufficient.  As you become a more advanced player, you can decrease gradually, often as low as .675. Note that you may have to adjust your paintball size as well, depending on the bore size. The most common paintball is the size of a .680 bore, which the stock barrel can easily fit. However, if you plan to go below .680, you will probably need to adjust your paintball size.

    Another option is to purchase a barrel kit. These come with multiple barrel sleeves that allow you to adjust the bore size. That way, you can use any size paintballs you have and adjust the barrel bore size as needed. These can be more expensive, but will increase your accuracy and allow you to use any size paintballs you have.

    Distance: Decreased Barrel Length

    Look for a shorter barrel of 8 to 12 inches if distance is important. Specialized barrel modifiers can also be found for those that really want to maximize distance and shoot your target before they come within normal range. The specialized modifiers are more expensive, but can increase your distance by 100 feet. These are designed to cause the paintball to curve in order to shoot further, faster. Your accuracy will be lowered, however, as a number of factors such as wind, pressure, and the general distance. Because of the general distance, anything like wind, pressure, can cause the ball to curve a little.

    2. Trigger Upgrade to Double, Response, or Electronic

    Recommended if:

    • You want to shoot more paintballs at a quicker rate

     

    Beginner’s Upgrade: Double Trigger

    A higher firing rate is obviously a huge advantage on the paintball field because you will be able to shoot more paintballs quicker than your opponents. The easiest and most affordable way to obtain this is to upgrade to a double trigger. A double trigger simply operates by making it easier to pull the trigger and as a result, increase your firing rage. You will simply need to swap your old trigger and guard out for this one, without any complicated mechanical upgrades.

    Intermediate Upgrade: Response Trigger

    The next step up is a response trigger, and you can use it simultaneously with a double trigger, or on its own. The response trigger  has a slightly more complicated installation process, but is still simple enough to do at home. It is a small cylinder and piston installed behind the marker’s trigger that is powered by your marker’s air. You can adjust a response trigger from a normal firing rate to a very high rate.

    Advanced Upgrade: Electronic Trigger

    An advanced upgrade is the electronic trigger, or e-trigger. It requires some understanding of how the marker operates because you will need to disassemble parts in order to install it. This is the trigger upgrade with the highest range and also the ability to switch between semi-automatic, fully-automatic, three-round bust, and other firing modes.

    3. Upgrade: Co2 Tank to HPA Tank

    Recommended if:

    • You live in a cold climate or often play in colder weather
    • You want to increase your firing rate
    • You want increased accuracy and efficiency

     

    airsoft_new_jerseyAn upgrade to an HPA (high pressure air) tank will bring increased efficiency and accuracy when shooting in any climate or temperature. However, this upgrade is especially recommended to those who frequently play paintball in colder weather because low temperatures easily cause Co2 tanks to function improperly.

    The main reason for this is that the stock tank simply requires more effort from the marker than a HPA: Co2 starts as a liquid and must be converted into a gas in order to  to function correctly. Warm temperatures cause the Co2 to expand quickly, while colder temperatures cause it to expand slowly. When the environmental temperature is lower or your firing rate is very fast, a delay in the conversion of Co2 can take place.

    Firing too quickly won’t allow the Co2 adequate time to convert, which will cause the paintball spin or curve as it comes out with too little gas Co2 and traces of liquid Co2. The result is a much slower firing rate as the marker delays its cycle to process to catch up the Co2’s conversion. The marker may temporarily stop working and make an extended stuttering sound (similar to a machine gun). Add in a freezing temperature, and the maker could freeze and form a thick white vapor at the barrel.

    This is a concern that does not exist with HPA tanks because these use a regulatory system that ensures the cleaner gas remains in that form at all times. The end result is steady, constant pressure every time you fire a paintball. The negative side to a HPA tank is that there are fewer places to fill them up, and it can be a high upfront cost.

    February 27, 2015

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