• Pros and Cons of Playing Pump Paintball

    pump paintball gunWhat is pump paintball and how do you play? If you’ve ever asked around about how to save money when playing paintball, pump was probably a big recommendation. Or, maybe you’ve heard the term on the field and are just wondering what is is. Let the following satisfy your curiosity of all things pump paintball:

    Pump Paintball Basics

    To “play pump” means to play paintball with a gun that includes a pump. This type of gun is much more simply designed than other mainstream markers used today. To use it, you must pull a handle back to load the paint into the firing chamber and cock the gun before every fire.

    The humble beginnings of the sport can be traced back to pump paintball guns. Pump was the original and first marker design and the only option back when paintball first started. Today, pump paintball has gained somewhat of a cult following. Though it is not played widespread, there are those that do enjoy the unique benefits and challenges it presents.

    You can use a pump paintball gun on most fields whenever you would like. You won’t need to get special permission from the referee or other players. You may be the only person playing pump and you can choose to do so based on some pros and cons.

    Pros and Cons of Playing Pump Paintball

    The simple design of a pump makes it a reliable, lightweight, and fairly accurate option that can achieve a reasonable distance. However, they were not intended for a fast-paced sport and offer a slow rate of fire and smaller tank.

    A little history: These guns were first made to mark trees and cattle, so there was no need for rapid fire. As a result, the guns offer a slow firing rate and must be pumped before shooting. This is the main drawback of the gun, but it can also be a positive aspect depending on your goals.

    For example, if you are trying to save on paint, a slow rate of fire would certainly help. It would also motivate you to improve your personal skills such as accurate shooting, because you will have less chances to make your mark.

    Reasons to Play Pump:

    • Save on paint and money on equipment
    • Would like low maintenance and simple equipment
    • Prefer a lightweight marker and tank for woodsball
    • Don’t need to shoot rapid fire
    • Possess good accuracy or would like to improve your accuracy
    • Would like to focus on skills with gun
    • Can be careful, cautious, and patient on the field
    • Play as a hobby and for quality experience
    • Play above a beginner level and already have solid communication and strategy

     

    Pump paintball is not recommended for speedball or those that need to shoot quickly. Anyone that is particularly competitive or wants the best in marker technology will also not benefit from playing pump. If you often shoot a bunch of paint in a general direction without paying much attention to aim, it’s definitely not a good idea.

    Should I Play Pump?

    Think about your goals on the field when choosing to play pump. This basic and inexpensive gun comes with challenges that are enjoyed by some and loathed by others.

    Are you just learning the ropes? You’ll want to focus on other aspects of the game before bringing a pump gun into the mix.

    Do you play to win rather than for the experience, and prefer paintball technology over a chance to improve your skills? There’s nothing wrong with this, but competitive players probably won’t find any benefits in pump.

    Are you an intermediate player with solid communication and strategy that is looking to focus on your skills and have a quality experience while saving money? If this sounds like you, definitely give pump a shot.

    March 30, 2016

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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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  • 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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