Are you a paintball beginner who wants to learn more about paintball as you become more experienced? Or, even “worse”, an adrenaline junkie like me who wonders “How do paintball guns work?”. Don’t worry, because we’re about to go on a fantastic tour to uncover the inner workings of these fascinating devices. Paintball is an engaging sport as it combines fun, strategy, and action. Let’s get started by learning about the components of a paintball gun. Every part of these devices is essential to its operation, from the barrel to the trigger. Once we have a solid foundation, we’ll dive deeper into the mechanisms that enable paintball guns to shoot with impressive accuracy and power.
Furthermore, we’ll explore the choice between HPA (High-Pressure Air) and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) as propellants, sharing my personal opinion as an advanced player. We’ll also address common concerns, such as leaving the tank in the paintball gun, and the ever-popular question: How painful is a paintball gun? Join me on this educational journey as I unlock the secrets of paintball gun mechanics, providing you with the insights you need to become a skilled player.
Paintball Gun Parts
Before I dive into “How do paintball guns work?”, you should first have a better understanding of what a paintball gun is. A paintball gun, or a paintball marker, is the primary tool used in the game of paintball. Paintball guns consist of a lot of different pieces, but the most basic paintball gun parts a beginner should be familiar with, are the following:
- Marker Body
- Barrel
- Hopper
- Airline
- Compressed gas tank
Marker Body
The marker body is the essence of the paintball gun as it houses all the internal parts that make it work.
Barrel
The barrel is the long, cylindrical tube at the front of the gun where the paintballs exit. Most of the time, it comes as a separate part.
Hopper
A hopper, also called a feeder, is a device that holds paintballs and feeds them into the firing chamber.
Airline
The airline connects the air source and allows the paintball gun to receive a constant supply of compressed gas.
Compressed gas tank
A compressed gas tank is a container specifically designed to store and transport gases in a compressed form.
Having a clear image of paintball gun parts can give a beginner paintball player a much smoother first experience. In the next sections, I will show you how a paintball gun does work and shoot in order to get you prepared for your first game.
How Do Paintball Guns Work?
So, you want to learn how do paintball guns work. To start with, paintball guns operate using a simple mechanism, which utilizes compressed gas to shoot paintballs. In paintball, there are two main gases used as a propellant: compressed air (also known as HPA – High-Pressure Air) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
CO2, or Carbon Dioxide, is the first type of gas paintball guns used to shoot. CO2 comes in a liquid state and turns into a gas expanding and creating pressure. Generally, CO2 is the most common and widely available option. However, CO2 can be sensitive to temperature changes, which may affect the gun’s performance.
HPA, or High-Pressure Air, is basically compressed air stored in a tank, similar to the ones scuba divers use. Usually, HPA provides consistent pressure, resulting in better accuracy and efficiency than CO2. However, its main drawback is that HPA tanks can be expensive.
The most important step in operating a paintball gun is to make sure the CO2 or compressed air tank is completely fuelled and properly attached to the gun’s air system. Additionally, knowing how paintball guns work and what gas they need might help you decide which one is the best for you.
How Do Paintball Guns Shoot? The Mechanism
In the previous section, I talk about how paintball guns work meaning how a paintball gun is powered. So, now I have to describe the mechanism that utilizes the compressed gas and makes the paintball leave the barrel. Always remember that in order to work, a paintball gun should have a tank attached. The tank powers the airline with air which passes through the tombstone and ends up inside the valve. At this point, the paintball gun is ready to fire. To better understand the process of how paintball guns shoot, I will describe it step by step:
- As you squeeze the trigger, it activates a sear mechanism, which holds the hammer or bolt in place.
- The sear releases the hammer, allowing it to move forward.
- As the hammer moves forward, it strikes a valve mechanism within the paintball gun.
- When the valve is struck by the hammer, it momentarily opens, allowing a burst of pressurized air to pass through.
- At the same time, air travels backward, also called blowback gas, which pushes back the hammer allowing it to reset.
- As the burst of gas travels through the gun, it propels the paintball forward through the barrel.
The above process is a basic explanation of the mechanism, which may slightly change depending on the type of paintball gun you hold, mechanical or electronic.
Hpa (High-Pressure Air) or CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)?
After knowing how do paintball guns work, it is common to ask “What is better CO2 or compressed air?”. As an advanced player, I appreciate the importance of choosing the best paintball marker according to my preferred game style and convenience. My goal is to help you figure out what is better for you, CO2 or compressed air, and reading further will help you make this decision. When it comes to powering paintball guns, there are five major key factors you should take into consideration:
- Performance: Starting with performance, I have noticed that CO2 can provide higher initial velocity but less consistency than HPA. This happens due to CO2’s requirement for warmer temperatures to expand properly into a gas.
- Compatibility: While choosing HPA or CO2, keep in mind that not all paintball guns are compatible with compressed air or CO2. Therefore, it’s essential to check the specifications of your paintball gun before deciding what is better, CO2 or compressed air, for you.
- Maintenance: With HPA is much easier to clean your gun and maintain it in the long term.
- Accessibility: Both HPA and CO2 tanks are widely available and can be easily refilled at various spots.
- Cost: You can find CO2 tanks as cheap as $35 while HPA tanks start at about $50-$60 and can go up to $140, $170, or even $230, due to quality improvements.
Is it Ok to Leave Tank in Paintball Gun?
It kind of surprises me, but newbies often ask me “Is it ok to leave tank in paintball gun?”. Paintball guns are designed to accommodate the tank for extended periods without any issues. However, when you don’t use your paintball gun, it is recommended to remove the tank. But, are paintball CO2 tanks safe? CO2 tanks should always be detached and stored separately to prevent any potential pressure build-up that could occur due to temperature fluctuations.
On the other hand, if you’re using a compressed air (HPA) tank, leaving it attached for short periods is generally safe. Compressed air tanks have more stable pressure and don’t exhibit the same expansion concerns as CO2. However, it’s still a good practice to remove the tank during extended storage periods to prevent any potential issues. To ensure the longevity and proper functioning of your paintball gun:
- Learn how to remove the tank properly
- Store the tank separately when not in use
- Clean and maintain your paintball gun following the manufacturer’s guidelines
In summary, it is generally safe to leave the tank attached to your paintball gun for short periods. That said, it is advisable to remove the tank, especially if you’re using CO2 as a propellant or storing the equipment for an extended period.
How Fast Does a Paintball Gun Shoot?
One of the most common questions asked by paintball enthusiasts is, “How fast does a paintball gun shoot?”. The speed of a paintball is measured in feet per second (fps) because of the short range of the markers. However, a paintball gun’s velocity depends on various factors, including the gun’s design, the air pressure used, and any velocity adjustments made by the player. If you want to know how fast a paintball gun shoots in mph, then this is approximately 136 to 204 miles per hour (mph). Don’t forget that the maximum safe velocity is 280 fps, which is 190 miles per hour (mph).
You may also ask “How fast does a paintball travel km?”. Paintballs are lightweight and aerodynamically designed to maximize their speed and accuracy. When propelled by a paintball gun, they can reach speeds of up to 300 kilometers (km). Additionally, converting the average speed range, paintballs typically travel at speeds between 61 to 91 meters per second (m/s). Generally, understanding the speed and distance capabilities of paintball guns and paintballs is crucial for players to strategize their moves and anticipate the trajectory of their shots. With average speeds ranging from 200 to 300 fps (136 to 204 mph), paintballs can cover distances of 80 to 100 feet accurately.
How Painful Is a Paintball Gun?
Before their first game, a lot of players are concerned with the pain after being shot with a paintball gun. How much does paintball hurt, exactly? Your pain tolerance and the location of the hit are only two of the variables that could affect the outcome. To minimize the risk of injury, paintball rules require participants to wear safety equipment such as masks, goggles, and padded clothing. The pain from a paintball can feel like a sting, similar to a quick pinch, which annoys me because it means I’m out. Also, the closer the two players are, the greater the pain they feel from a paintball’s impact.
While paintballs can cause temporary discomfort, they are generally not considered lethal weapons. Paintball guns are designed to shoot small gelatin capsules filled with non-toxic, water-soluble paint. Their primary purpose is to mark opponents rather than inflict harm. Even so, playing paintball still carries a degree of risk no matter how careful you are. Additionally, direct impacts on specific areas can be painful. For example, beginners usually ask me “What happens if you get hit in the head with a paintball gun?”. Headshots can be painful and even hazardous since they can cause face or eye injury. In most cases, paintball shots are generally manageable and not considered overly painful.
Do Paintball Guns Jam?
Those who enjoy the sport of paintball frequently ask the following question: do paintball guns jam? This is a valid concern for anyone who strives for flawless performance and continuous gameplay. Like any mechanical device, paintball guns are susceptible to jamming occasionally. So, how do paintball guns jam? When the trigger is pulled, a burst of compressed air propels the paintball forward. However, if there’s an obstruction in the barrel or the feed system, the ball won’t exit smoothly, leading to a jam.
More specifically, jams in paintball guns can be caused by a number of different things. For example, low-quality or poorly maintained paintballs are a major contributor. Poor-quality paintballs tend to break more easily, perhaps clogging the barrel or jamming the internal parts of the gun. Also, dirt and paint inside the barrel can be another reason for a paintball gun to jam.
Preventing paintball gun jams involves regular maintenance and care. Firstly, keeping your marker clean is crucial. Regularly clean the barrel, hopper, and internals to remove any accumulated debris. Secondly, use high-quality paintballs that are less likely to break inside the gun. Additionally, ensure that the O-rings and seals are in good condition to maintain proper air pressure.
Do Paintball Guns Kick?
Do paintball guns kick as well? They do, indeed. When you fire a paintball gun, you feel a kick because the gun’s internal gas expands and forces the paintball forward. This expansion causes a little backward motion, or “kick,” due to the force it generates. The paintball gun’s design, operating mechanism, and air pressure all contribute to the kick’s intensity to varying degrees. While some players may find the kick to be part of the exhilarating experience, others may prefer guns with reduced recoil for improved stability and accuracy.
However, it’s important to remember that the kick of a paintball gun is significantly less powerful than that of real guns. While some players might find the recoil satisfying and exciting, it is not comparable to the force exerted by real weapons. Therefore, if you’re concerned about the level of kick, rest assured that paintball guns do not kick like real guns.
How Much Does It Cost To Fill Up a CO2 Tank?
Filling up our gas tanks brings up the age-old question, “How much does it cost to fill a tank?”. Several variables, like the size of the tank and the type of gas it uses, determine the answer. To begin with, paintballers often choose CO2 tanks since they are cheap and easy to get. Let’s have a look at how much it costs to refill a CO2 tank and a compressed air tank. The price for refilling a CO2 tank varies from $3 to $5, depending on the size of the tank and the location. CO2 tanks come in sizes: 12oz, 20oz, and 24oz. It’s important to note that CO2 tanks offer fewer shots per fill compared to compressed air tanks. For some paintball fields, as well as for paintball players, CO2 feels like an old tech and that’s why most fields are equipped only with air compressors.
On the other hand, HPA (High-Pressure Air) tanks, which store compressed air, have earned a stellar reputation for their reliability. Usually, compressed air tank refills often cost between $5 and $10. The more expensive price is largely due to the complex nature of the air compressors needed for this type of tank. A lot of fields let you fill your compressed air tank for free as long as you play. Additionally, they offer membership options that can reduce the cost per refill.
Conclusion
Understanding how do paintball guns work is essential for enthusiasts and beginners alike. By exploring the various parts of a paintball gun, we can appreciate the intricate mechanisms involved in propelling those colorful gelatin capsules. Whether you choose high-pressure air or carbon dioxide, both options have their advantages and considerations. It’s crucial to take care of your equipment, including removing the tank from the paintball gun when not in use, to ensure its longevity.
Additionally, the speed at which paintballs are launched depends on the gun’s settings and can vary between markers. As for the burning question of pain, paintball guns deliver a sting-like sensation, but the intensity differs for each individual. With this newfound knowledge about how paintball guns work, you can now step onto the field with confidence and enjoy the thrilling experience.