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In 1981 when the first group of paintball players gathered to play a game that was at that time called “Survival”, not one of them truly realized the impact their intimate game would have on the sporting industry in America and Europe within just a few short years.

The History Of The Paintball Marker

The first game of paintball was played with a small pistol that held 10 or fewer rounds. This Nelspot pistol was cocked by tipping the gun to roll the round paint filled gel ball into place. At the time, the paintballs were filled with oil-based paint and were not water soluble, as there intended use was to mark cattle or trees from a great distance away. These pistols were not high-powered weapons and their accuracy level left much to be desired. However, in the original game of survival, it was not the sport of eliminating your opponent by rapid gunfire but rather a test of survival skills and hunting ability.

Today, the rules have changed and the game is based largely on shooting the opponent with water-soluble paint gel caps prior to their reaching your teams flag. It is no longer a game that bases itself upon survival of the fittest but rather, the winner will have the best aim and marker performance on the field. When the marksmanship of the shooter and his marker are on the line, it is time to compare the length of their paintball barrels for an accuracy rate.

The Debate Over The Length Of A Paintball Marker’s Barrel

In the game of paintball, the guns have evolved and paintball barrel length makes a huge difference on the playing field. A paintball gel cap can travel well over 300 feet per second, a safety limit standard that was established by the paintball marker manufacturers. It is the first 8-10 inches of the paintball markers (guns) barrel that causes that response. It is often argued that an additional 1-4 inches can be helpful in guiding the paintball to the desired target, however, many debate that anything over that will deter from the accuracy of a weapon.

It has been established that paintball markers with barrels less that the 8 inches will have a lower accuracy rate and less range than those with more than 8 inches. It is also well documented that paintball markers with barrels longer that 14″ take more gas to propel the paint capsule down the chamber and do nothing to improve the accuracy or performance level of the marker itself.

There are two key factors to consider when choosing the length of a paintball marker’s barrel on a market. The first is the expansion rate of the gas; in cold weather, the gas needs an extended amount of time to expand so longer barrels are more beneficial. However, in warmer weather, the gas expands faster and forces the capsule at a higher rate so you can actually benefit from the use of a shorter barrel. When choosing the length of your paintball marker barrel, be sure to examine exactly what your playing needs will be to insure that you are as prepared as possible once you hit the course.

You need to understand about all the different paintball accessories there are so that you can have the best paintball game possible, and although you should know at least the basics on all of the different paintball accessories, there are some that are more commonly used and therefore more important overall than others, and so you should definitely learn about these.

The Most Major Paintball Accessories Are…

The paintball gun is obviously the staple to the game of paintball, and so it only makes sense then that it is one of the most important paintball accessories to know about. Not many people are aware, however, of all the different types of paintball guns there are and of how much variety there really is in this field.

For instance there are certain paintball guns that work well with certain brands of paint, and this is basically fine, so long as you are going to be able to guarantee that you are always going to be able to get the proper type of paint for your gun. If you are not able to guarantee this, then obviously you may want to go with another type of gun.

You also want to make sure that the gun is going to be light enough for you, because if it is too heavy then you are most likely going to have some troubles once you get out and start playing and are having to lug around a huge gun that is too heavy for you.

Another one of the most major paintball accessories would be the actual paint itself, and again, if you have a gun that works best with a certain type of paint, then you are going to want to go with that particular paint. Otherwise, you are going to want to take some time and check out the different qualities of each, not only with the color, but also the size, as this will greatly impact the speed that the ball itself comes out at.

If you end up having a lot of accessories at the end of all this, then another accessory you may want to consider to top it all off is a paintball bag, which is a bag that is large enough to hold all of your equipment and accessories, but light enough that you can even carry it around on the field on your back so that if you ever need anything you have it right there ready to go.

Paintball is one of the most fun and enjoyable games out there, and there is definitely no other game quite like it. You just want to make sure that you have yourself all set before you get out onto the playing field.

When Paintball originated in 1981, the game was based upon survival skills and the firing of the marker upon an opponent was secondary. In the beginning, the only marker that was available that shot the round paint filled gel caps was the Nelspot pistol. It was never intended to use upon a human target but rather for cattle and tree markings from long distance by farmer and forest rangers. Today with the high popularity of the sport, it is estimated that over 10 million people per year participate in some type of paintball activity in the United States alone. Today, the creation and implementation of new and improved equipment ideas helps to increase the popularity with new players and introduce new challenges to the long-term enthusiasts.

Paintball land mines are an exciting element that was introduced to the paintball world a few years ago. Originally, these “toys” had a minor amount of explosive power but that was quickly discouraged and a newer improved model was created that operated with the same air power as the handheld markers. Many paintball land mines are made of reusable products for the base of the equipment, with this in mind, it is important to determine the size and shape of paintball land mine for the area that your team plays and the purpose of use for the mine itself.

The Style And Size Of Paintball Landmines Vary To Accomplish Specific Tasks

There are small paintball mines that hold 6 or more ounces of paint. These mines generally arrive complete with the mine itself, trip cord and a stake with which to place and hold the mine. A mine of this size can cover 20 feet of area with one blast.

Another type of paintball mine, called the Mini Claymore is very small but has proven to be very effective when used during game play. It holds 4 ounces of paint and is made of latex tubing. This paintball mine is powered by pressure and is not a reusable mine. It will burst when pressure is applied and theoretically destroy your enemy.

The largest paintball landmine available at this time is the M-80 TR Landmine. This paintball landmine is approximately four inches in diameter and four inches high. It is olive in color and weights about 1-½ pounds. It is a military battlefield simulation device that does not disappoint. It is reusable, has a top-action puncture system that has a very loud report or optional explosive simulator attachment. When it does explode, it covers a very large area with one explosion. It is easy to operate and satisfies with great sound effects and paint coverage against the enemy.