• The Parts of Your Paintball Marker

    When it comes to any sport, the quality of your equipment and your ability to use it can contribute to your success during your game. This is very true when it comes to your paintball marker. 

    There are many different models of paintball markers and many customizations you can add. With this in mind, it is good to know the basics of the different parts and the choices you have. This way you can customize your marker to complement your skills and help you be more successful during your AC Paintball game. To help you do so, AC Paintball has compiled this guide to paintball guns and their parts.  

    The Body

    The body of your marker is pretty much a frame for all of the other components and helps hold everything together. It also makes up most of the aesthetic aspects of your gun. This is an aspect you will want to pay attention to when choosing a marker for your AC Paintball game. Bright colors look cool, but they also stand out more if you are trying to hide. Therefore, if stealth is one of your main goals, you may want to opt for a camouflaged marker or at least a dark color. 

    The Hopper

    The hopper holds the paintballs. When it comes to paintball guns, there are three types of markers, force-feed, gravity-feed, and agitating loaders. If you want a high firing speed, force-feel or agitating loaders might be what you are looking for. However, it is worth noting that these types are also more prone to battery failure and moisture damage. The gravity-feed hoppers, on the other hand, are more durable, but also may experience more ball breaks which can jam the barrel. 

    The Tank

    The tank is what propels the paintball out of the barrel when you pull the trigger. There are two types of tanks, CO2 and compressed air. Sometimes you have a choice between the two and other times you have to use a specific one if you don’t want to risk damaging your gun. Most paintball players choose CO2 because it is cheaper. However, compressed air tanks have a more consistent firing power than CO2 tanks. This means that you can be more precise and get better velocity when firing. 

    The Barrel

    The barrel guides your paintball out of the gun after you pull the trigger. The barrel can affect how far the paintball flies, how accurately it flies, how fast it flies, and the loudness of your marker. For instance, longer barrels help make your shot more accurate and are quieter for players who are trying to be stealthy. On the other hand, shorter barrels can fire more rapidly and are typically a better choice for close combat. Be sure to keep these aspects in mind when choosing what marker to use for your next AC Paintball game. 

    Bolt, Sear, and Hammer

    The bolt, sear, and hammer work together to fire the paintball when you pull the trigger. The bolt controls the paintballs falling into the barrel. The hammer controls the release of the CO2 or compressed air in the tank. The sear is the part of the trigger that holds everything back until you pull it to command the gun to fire. 

    To cock the gun before firing, you have to pull the bolt back towards the hammer. Then you have to push the two forward together. When you pull the trigger, everything will move in tandem to help propel the paintball out of the barrel. 

    Barrel Cover

    Last, but not least there are barrel covers. Barrel covers protect the barrel and keep it from firing when you don’t want it to. You should always have the cover on when your marker is not in use. This way you can help ensure the safety of other AC Paintball guests. 

    Questions? Contact AC Paintball

    If you have any questions or would like to schedule an AC Paintball game, you can contact us here: https://acpaintball.com/schedule-paintball-game/. You can also call us at 609-561-3883. We look forward to seeing you at our facility near Atlantic City, New Jersey!

  • 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/.

  • Tippmann Custom 98 Marker vs. Valken V-Tac SW-1 Marker

     

    98customtippmann valken_paintball_gun1

    One of the biggest choices you have to make after deciding to play paintball is what type of gun you want to use. AC Paintball in Southern New Jersey offers two types of guns for rent: the Tippmann Custom 98 Marker and the Valken V-Tac SW-1 Marker. Both are great guns for beginners, but how do you choose which one is right for you?

    Size and Weight

    If you are planning on playing for a long time, it is better to choose a smaller and lighter marker so you can keep up your drive and momentum throughout the entire period of play. If you choose a heavier model, your arms will likely become tired faster, causing you to sacrifice your accuracy. Although the Tippmann Custom 98 and the Valken V-Tac SW-1 are both a decent size and weight, the Valken V-Tac SW-1 is a bit lighter and shorter making it more manageable for long periods of play.

    Aesthetics

    Some players care about the appearance of their gun while others only care about power and accuracy. The Tippmann Custom 98 Marker has a unique design that differs from the average paint gun. It is longer than the average model and has a sleeker design. The Valken V-Tac SW-1 has a more traditional look than the Tippmann model. It is shorter and has a rugged look.

    Durability

    When you are playing in Southern New Jersey, the weather is constantly changing. It can be hot and humid, cool and rainy or even cold and snowy. Varying weather conditions call for a durable gun that won’t malfunction easily. The Valken V-Tac SW-1 is a fairly sturdy gun with a corrosion-resistant aluminum and polymer construction, but the Tippmann Custom 98 Marker has a reputation for unparalleled durability. Some players claim that you could run over it with a car and it would still function properly. It is made of high-quality metal and can withstand extreme conditions. If you consider yourself a rather reckless paintball player, the Tippmann Marker may be the best choice for you.

    Shooting

    Shooting is probably the most important aspect of a marker. Different players use different techniques and if you want to be successful, it is good to find a gun that works well with your technique. As for the Tippmann Custom 98 Marker and the Valken V-Tac SW-1, they are very similar. Both are semi-automatic, have an effective range of 150+ feet, run on CO2 or compressed air, can shoot up to 8 balls per second and have little to no problems with chopped paint or jams.

    The two models do have slight differences, however. Some say the Valken model is a bit stiff and tight while shooting while the Tippmann is looser, but has more of a recoil which can affect the aim when firing consecutive shots. If you are the type of person who likes to fire rapidly, the Valken V-Tac SW-1 may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, the careful player who likes the conserve their paintballs and takes their time to aim may prefer the Tippmann Custom 98.

    Reputation

    While both Tippmann and Valken make some quality gear, Tippmann has a better reputation in the marker department. Tippmann Custom 98 markers have been in use since 1998 and are legendary for their durability. Many paintball facilities across New Jersey, including AC Paintball, offer the Tippmann Custom 98 Marker for rental because it is an easy-to-use quality gun for beginners as well as a popular choice for seasoned players.

    Field

    The AC Paintball field you decide to play on may also affect your gun choice. If you plan on playing the Hyperball Field or the Red Dawn Woods Field, you may want the Valken V-Tac SW-1 because it can shoot rapid shots with more precision. If you decide to play more strategy-based fields such as the Speedball Tournament Field, the Black Ops Pentagon Woods Field or the Blue Thunder Woods Field, you may want the Tippmann Custom 98 because it is durable for tougher games and terrains.

    Whether you choose the Tippmann Custom 98 or the Valken V-Tac SW-1 Marker, you are sure to have a fun time playing at AC Paintball. Both choices are quality guns that are sure to set your friends and family ablaze in colorful hues. For more information and opinions visit AC Paintball in Southern New Jersey.