So, you love paintball but are sick and tired of the problems with CO2? Have you been the victim of a “hot shot” one too many times? Are you tired of watching the weather because CO2 gas contracts in the winter and expands in the summer? Of course, low atmospheric pressure is also a problem. Do you think about this every time you shell out thirty bucks for a large canister? Consider an ion paintball gun as an option.
What is an Ion Paintball Gun?
An ion paintball gun is an electropneumatic paintball marker (gun) that uses NO2 or compressed air rather than CO2 gas as a means to propel the ball forward. The appeal here is that compressed air is not a gas; therefore, weather conditions do not affect its overall performance from one day to the next. Additionally, it will not accumulate in the ion paintball gun the way it can in a CO2 powered version for the same reason.
This lack of accumulation means that when you set your gun to fire with a certain amount of pressure, then that is what it will shoot. Virtually gone are the days of being surprised by a “hot shot” or a ball powered by accumulated gas that has inadvertently raised the pressure enough to leave a reminder that a victim will remember for several days.
Are There Any Other Advantages?
The ion paintball gun is available in some vibrant colors: red/black, lime/black, orange/black, and many others. In some cases, as found on Smart Parts, the paintballer can change the colors of her gun to match an outfit or the mood of the day. It works a bit like the cover on a cell phone, or the clip-on cases for Ipods.
While the colorful ion paintball guns do not evoke images of Navy Seals patrolling darkened beaches, they do appeal to those who are not as interested in military-like adventures. In addition, these guns are constructed of lightweight aluminum and plastic, which opens up the field of play not only to those desirous of more dependability, but also younger or less muscular body types.
Other Considerations: Alongside benefits like weight and dependability, the ion paintball gun is also open to alterations. There are a variety of upgrades a paintballer can make relating to barrels, triggers, regulators and too many others to list.
Indeed, as is the case with many CO2 driven paintball guns, the ion version can be easily transformed from a good gun to a great one with a few minor after-market improvements. The smart paintballer can then join the rest of her team without concerns of “hot shots” or weather-related malfunctions.
