The terms paintball marker and paintball gun are often used interchangeably. A paintball marker is used in paintball games for the purpose of marking an opponent with paint. The gun uses expanding gas to force the paintballs out of the gun with a force of approximately 100 meters per second.

The gun is not made to kill, however, the paint is ejected from the gun with enough force to cause serious damage, though. For example, if the paintball were to hit you in the eye, it could cause permanent blindness. This is the reason why every player must wear protective gear to guard specific parts of the body. If you do not wear the the protective gear, you will not be allowed to play in the field.

A paintball marker consists of the following parts:

•     Hopper – This is also known as a loader. It holds the paintballs and uses gravity to feed the marker. Agitating and force-feed hoppers fire at the fastest possible rate.

•     Body – The main frame where all parts of the gun are attached is called the body.

•     Barrel – The barrel is what the paintball travels through. Larger barrels do not make as much noise as smaller barrels since the gas escapes much more quickly.

•     Tank – The tank attaches to the body and is usually filled with carbon dioxide and nitrate or compressed air.

If you are planning to buy a paintball marker, take note of the following guidelines before making your purchase:

•     In addition to the gun itself, you will need to purchase additional protective gear. Guns can be very expensive, so be aware of the associated costs involved. When trying to budget your money, look for shops that offer low and reasonable prices, and check the internet for great deals.

•     Before actually purchasing your own gun, try to borrow and use as many guns as possible so you become familiar with the various types. You should also ask paintball marker experts on how to best choose a gun. Ask them what they like and dislike about paintball markers.

•     You will need to choose between the two available tanks. The carbon dioxide tank lasts longer because of the constant air, or the carbon dioxide cartridge that runs out every twenty to thirty seconds.

•     Decide between between a bigger and heavier gun that can hold more paintballs versus a smaller size. This will be determined by how many paintballs you will be firing at your opponents.

•     Make a decision about the length of the barrel you want. If you choose a longer barrel, it will be more accurate, but also heavier than smaller barrels. Rifles are very accurate, but they will cost more money.

•     Do not believe all the advertisements you hear about paintball markers. You should purchase a paintball marker that you are familiar with. Also try to research paintball markers as much as possible. The internet and magazines can provide a wealth of information.

•     You should learn how to break the gun down, clean it and reassemble it right away.

By visiting your local paintball marker store, you should be able to obtain all the information you need about a specific paintball marker. Try using it on the practice field to get comfortable with it while learning to master your skills in paint ball games.