New to paintball and looking for your first marker?
You have a number of options to consider in buying the gear that suits your skill level and usage. A good starting point in selecting the gun -or "marker" as the sport prefers to call it, along with a variety of safety equipment, paintballs and accessories is to browse the Buyer’s Guide.

HOW TO CHOOSE A PAINTBALL MARKER

The marker you will need is dependant on your skill level and usage;
What sort of paintball do you like to play e.g. bushball, speedball
What is your budget?

Rec-ball Player

Look for a marker which is easy to maintain
You can upgrade your marker as your skill level and requirements increase.

Scenario Player

Look for markers with more features and more realism.
You can always upgrade your marker as your skill level and requirements increase.
Stealth is very important so choose a ported barrel.

Tournament player

Your marker should be purchased to fit the position you are most likely to play:eg: front, mid, or back
Determine your usage

Front players
Speed, weight and size are critical since your main goal is to draw fire vs. shooting
If you don't want to mount your air supply on your marker, you can purchase a remote air hose to decrease weight and to increase your mobility
When you do shoot, accuracy is a must, so find a marker that allows you to mount the air supply bottle so it can be used as a stock

Mid players
You'll be shooting lots of rounds so choose a high pressure system
You will want a system that allows you to load and shoot from multiple angles

Back players
You need to be able to aim a stream of paint at someone at any given moment
You need to be able to see everyone on the field so high visibility goggles are very important
Buy a large air supply bottle to get the highest shot capacity
Determine the right pressure systems:

CARBON DIOXIDE OR AIR?

Pressure, or propulsion, systems give your marker the air it needs to propel a paintball. All tanks are shipped unfilled because of shipping restrictions.
Two styles are offered:

Carbon dioxide
The most common pressure system
The tank size determines the rounds that you will be able to shoot
The main drawback is that carbon dioxide can be either a liquid, gas or both, depending on temperatures, especially when they dip below 50F. This causes fluctuations in velocities and therefore in shooting accuracy.
For most recreational players, this system is more safe and reliable plus, most fields offer stations to readily fill your carbon dioxide tanks.

High-pressure air (HPA) and nitrogen systems
These always operate as a gas so your marker doesn't fall prey to changing velocities. This then further ensures accuracy. If you are serious about the sport, consider this option.
Some fields, though, may not be able to fill your system so check before buying.

ACCESSORIES

Once you decide on a marker and air system, you need to consider a number of accessories.

Hopper
A hopper is a plastic container that holds your paintballs and gravity usually feeds them into your marker
You can also buy a motorized hopper which should be considered if you need to shoot rapidly
Hoppers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, holding from 40 to 300 paintballs
Mobility and weight become a factor in selecting the hopper that meets your needs and playing ability

Air System
If you don't want to mount your air supply on your marker, you can purchase a remote air hose to decrease weight and to increase your mobility. This long tube allows you to then carry your tank on a backpack or belt.

Belt Pack or Harness
A belt pack holds your supplies, primarily extra paint and loaders
The amount of ammo it can hold varies

Squeegee
A squeegee keeps your gun barrel clean
You can purchase either a stick squeegee or a pull-through
Both work well but make sure the system you buy works on your gun's barrel
A squeegee holder is also recommended so that you will always have it on you

Barrels
Most markers are sold with a stock barrel that can be changed
If you want to buy an extra barrel consider several factors Low-pressure systems can use longer barrels
Length improves accuracy but the barrel should be matched to the paint you are shooting-small, medium, or large. Most use .68
Materials provide a weight difference. If you need mobility, a lighter barrel may be just the thing for you.

PROTECTIVE GEAR

Eye Protection
Paintball goggles aren't an option; these are a must
Paintball goggles are designed to withstand the impact of a paintball, and give you front, top, and side protection
These goggles are also designed to increase your peripheral vision, giving you a wider field of vision
Most also come with face shields and eye armour to further protect you. These cover the forehead, ears and jaw. Full masks are also available.

Vest
Provides protection in the critically sensitive areas, including your kidneys, heart and back

Pads
Elbow, knee, and shin pads preserve those areas that get roughed up when you're sliding, crawling, falling, or getting hit in sensitive areas
Gloves are another good investment

PAINT

The outside of a paintball is a gelatine, with the paint inside. The gelatine has to be tough enough to fire through your marker but soft enough to break when hitting your target. While paintballs used to be oil-based, today's water soluble replacements make clean up a whole lot easier.

Diameter
Paintballs come in several sizes between .67 and .69 inches
When selecting paintballs, make sure it meets the specifications for your barrel diameter

Colour
Paintballs are biodegradable and non-toxic
Non-toxic dyes are used to provide colour
The colour you select should be determined by playing conditions
You may want a bright colour in densely wooded areas so you can see where your paintballs are hitting

Freshness
Age and humidity are the two biggest enemies of paintballs
Keep a fresh supply and store them in a cool, dry place
Never use dirty paint balls. They can harm the barrel or prematurely explode and clog the gun.

Now that you have read through the Buyer’s Guide, email us at info@paintballnz.co.nz and we'll help answer any questions, and narrow down a choice of options based on your needs.