Paintball Guns

There are a lot of paintball guns out there to choose from.  What to buy should be based on your commitment to the game and your purchasing power.

Beginners

A low cost way to get into paintball is to purchase a pump paintball gun.  They are made by Brass Eagle and other suppliers.  You can purchase one of these guns for as little as $20.00.  You will need to also purchase some 12g co2s.  Each time you play, you might use five or six co2 cylinders (about 50 cents each).  You will also, of course, need some paintballs.  Five hundred (around $10.00) would be a good amount to start out with.  

The beauty of these guns is that a bunch of people can start out on a whim and see if they like it.  It is also a great item to have on hand for new players.  For example, when a new player wants to come play paintball with you, they rarely have the equipment.  And, since you don’t want to spend thousands on new people, the low cost pump guns are a great solution.  If someone likes the game enough to keep coming out, then that’s where you talk to them about purchasing a more sophisticated gun.

Amateurs

The Tippman is the dominating force in the market.  They sell an A5 and an X7.  They are basically the same gun.  The only difference is that the X7 is easier to upgrade.  You will pay around $100.00 more for the X7.  The cost increase is significant because the cost of an A5 is around $180.00.  Most people will end up choosing the A5.   

Nearly every gun you see is a modified version of one of these two guns.  You can make them look like many different military guns, sniper rifles, and gangster guns.  Some of the tricked out guns look quite intimidating, but it’s really the same stock gun.  They don’t shoot any faster or better, they just look different.

The amateurs prefer to use a compressed air co2 tank to power the gun.  The tank will cost around $20.00.  It is usually a good idea to get a larger tank.  A tank that is around 20 ounces is a good choice.  The co2 tank screws onto the back of the gun and can also be used as the butt stock.  To refill the tank, you can take it to many hardware or sporting stores to have it filled for around $5.00.  

Pros

There is a gun that is way more expensive than a Tippman.  The brand name is Angel.  They are slightly better than a Tippman, but cost about 6-8 times more money.  You will pay over a thousand dollars for a gun.  The benchmark improvements are so slight that many professionals still prefer the Tippman.  The Angel does look more impressive in the visual design.  For example, you can get a chrome look or style variations.  All stock Tippmans are simply black.    

The professionals upgrade their guns.  For one thing, they use compressed air instead of co2.  Co2 has the disadvantage of not working the best in cold weather.  In addition, you can usually find a place to fill the compressed air tank for free.  You will also get more opportunities to get larger compressed air tanks.  You can then carry the tank on your back in a vest and then run a hose from the tank into your gun.  Many people think this is the best setup.

The other serious upgrade is an Etrigger.  The Etrigger is an electronic trigger that lets you shoot in fully automatic mode or in bursts of 3 or more at a time.  You simply tap the trigger with two fingers and you will put out bursts of three or more.  You will seriously use a lot of paint and be hard to stop in battle.  

One of the other upgrades is a flat line barrel.  Upgraded barrells can make the paintballs shoot around a third farther.  They work by spinning the ball backwards giving it more loft.  One of the limitations of paintball is that the ball itself will break down if too much force is applied.  In addition, you want the sport to be safe. For these reasons, you can’t get a gun that is more powerful than everyone else.  

Final Tip

The final thing to note is that you will want a vest.  At the very least, the vest should be able to carry your pods and a compressed air tank.  If you are a weenie and afraid of the ball, the vest can give you some added protection.  Better yet, how about putting on your old catchers uniform under your clothing.

I always feel like I am picking on women and senior citizens when I stress the importance of both groups needing to secure a means of self-defense for themselves. I often single out women and seniors when discussing self-defense products but it is merely because I find both groups, on average, could use a little extra help when it comes to self-defense. That is not to say that a 30 year old male should not have a means of self-defense at his disposal but simply that the average male is more apt to handle themselves in a physical altercation than is a female. With that said, there are plenty of women who could best the average male in a fight and certainly there are many seniors who could best their 30 year old counterparts in a fight. So when I discuss these issues please keep in mind that I am talking about the “average” woman and “average” senior. Also to reiterate I think any and every law abiding citizen should have the right, if not the obligation, to carry some means of self-defense against attack.

There are many choices when it comes to self-defense. All with varying degrees of effectiveness and safety but there are very few that can combine the effectiveness and safety of a stun device. Stun devices can be almost as effective (if not every bit as effective) as a firearm in many cases, and unlike a firearm, a stun gun does not have to, nor will it hardly ever, take the life of another. Stun guns are effective because they administer a current of high voltage electricity; they are safe because this same current is low amperage. Many people incorrectly assume that it is volts which kill when it is really amps that do the killing. So a high voltage shock disrupts the normal neurological processes of the attacker’s brain and makes them stop attacking and play nice but the low amps makes sure that attacker lives to hopefully redeem themselves and think twice about attacking anyone else.

I like the cell phone stun gun because it offers its user conceal-ability and won’t stick out like a sore thumb. A woman carrying a cell phone is as normal as the sun rising every day. A woman carrying a stun gun can raise a few eyebrows and potentially make the woman feel a bit uncomfortable. To prevent accidental discharge, two levels of safety have been built in. The safety switch must be in the on position (this will cause an LED warning light to come on) and the trigger button pressed before the unit will operate.

So if you are a woman, a senior citizen or just somebody who does not feel like being the victim of a brutal attack, please consider a device like the cell phone stun gun.

Stay Safe,

Carl Vouer

The cowboy gun holster has a history dating back to the 18th century. Obviously, an entity recognizable to the cowboy established its quota of technological and slang names to enrich its unique recognition. Similarly, the gun holster was associated with the cowboy.

In earlier days, the gun was an important assortment of the cowboy impression; however, the guns owned by cowboys were not actually carried around for the purpose of killing men always. There were a lot of other uses for guns with cowboys rather than using them for the purposes of killing people.

There were a lot of tight spots concerning the cowboy guns like the gun should never be used against a man who did not have a gun himself to fight against. Since, carrying a gun was a part of the cowboy’s need for his life. It became necessary to have a gun holster to hold the gun, therefore the term cowboy gun holster gained slang recognition. A good cowboy gun holster would permit one to take the weapon out of the holster with very less movements.

The old style holster that was in use during the civil war had a small loop that was fixed to the back so that a belt could pass through it; however, with this kind of holster it was difficult to draw the gun out. There were models of holsters that were created with a flap that was buttoned along above the handle of the gun.

The Texas holsters came much later and they were detained pretty firmly versus the side of the person that was carrying the gun. This design permitted the user to take the gun much quickly than in the older models. This particular holster was tied along the leg using a strap or string made of leather. This was done to prevent the gun from slipping when it has been eventually drawn.

There were gun holsters that were open in the bottom in a way to permit a gun with a long barrel to be protruding a few inches. This was actually meant to favor the tilting and firing an “old hip-shooting method” but this is highly impractical and a fabricated story.

The most practical gun holster is the style that was used by officers that were employed to maintain peace. This particular holster was designed in a way to allow the finger to be placed in the trigger and the thumb to reach the hammer and the gun is then tilted a bit ahead and it was possible to take the gun out pretty freely and target it at the prey instantly; the fastest draw from the holster.

Remember, there are a lot of gun free locations where the armed person can be convicted for tress passing with guns. Federal buildings and post offices are strictly off limits for trespassing with guns even if you have a license. The same applies for courts and schools. Before you walk around with your gun with the holster understand what the law states.

The one thing that most airsoft gun enthusiasts want is an airsoft gun that shots faster, farther and is more accurate then everyone else’s gun. While many people want this increase in performance most people are not sure how to increase the performance of an airsoft gun, the article below will briefly go over some common upgrades to help you better understand how to get the most from your weapon.

Stronger Spring Upgrade

One of the best modifications that you can do to your gun is to put a stronger spring in the gearbox. The stronger spring is going to push the piston back much faster which in turn will give more air pressure resulting in great FPS. This will require you to disassemble the gearbox and if you are not familiar with the procedure you may need to find a good airsmith to do the job for you.

Add a Better Hop Up Bucking

The hop up unit in your gun controls the back spin on your BB and keeping it flying straight and not drifting up or down. Often times the stock hop up rubber will start to dry out and also grip the BB unevenly. This can result in erratic flight patterns. An aftermarket concave hop up unit can solve this problem as they use better materials and the concave shape matches the BB contour for more even hop up action. The result will be a very consistent flying shot and FPS.

Add a Tight Bore Barrel

Most airsoft guns have barrels that are 6.05 mm in diameter, which is a fair amount larger then the common BB diameter of 5.95 mm. This extra diameter can cause BB bounce which can lead to flight pattern inconsistencies and reduced FPS. The best way to eliminate this is by adding a tight bore barrel. These are available in 6.03 and 6.01 mm diameters and the tighter seal will increase the FPS of your gun. Each has positives and negatives associated with it so you may want to talk with your airsoft retailer when making your choice.

Use Quality Ammunition

The last thing you want to do is make sure your airsoft gun shoots better is to use a good high quality BB. This is especially critical if you are running a tight bore barrel as many of the lower quality ammunition has irregular sizes, shapes and even air pockets which can cause a wide variance in accuracy or worse yet a jam in your guns barrel.

We started using an Iwata spray gun several years ago at the school that I teach. After using the gun, I loved it. Most students that have no preference choose the Iwata as their gun of choice as well. So if you’re looking to purchase a new gun, I recommend an Iwata spray gun. The Supernova with a 1.3 is my favorite. However, the tips that I am going to share with you can be applied with any spray gun.

1. Adjust The Air Pressure

The first thing that I normally do is to set the air pressure. Be sure to look at the technical data sheet for the product that you will be spraying. This data sheet will give you a recommended air pressure setting. However, pay attention if it states at the inlet of the gun or the nozzle. Big difference. If it says 10 cfm at the nozzle and you set it to 10 entering the gun, you’re going to have problems. You will not have enough air pressure, which will result in the paint not atomizing correctly and spraying excessive orange peel.

Using my Iwata, I use an air regulator on the end of my gun. I set it anywhere from 18 to 24 psi. The air pressure is going to be different depending on the spray gun you have. For Iwata 18 to 24 psi usually works ideal for most coatings. As mentioned, too little air pressure will under atomize the coating (orange peel), and too much air pressure will over atomize, which will cause too much over spray wasting paint and causing the over spray to land back onto the surface causing the paint to look dry.

2. Adjust The Pattern

The pattern adjustment will adjust the pattern from a small ball to a wide fan shape. If the pattern is not wide enough, you are going to have runs and stripes in your paint job. If the pattern is too wide, you may have poor coverage and waste paint materials. With the Iwata spray gun, I open the pattern open all of the way. Then I start closing the adjustment until I start to see the pattern start to get smaller. Once it is to that point, I stop and make my next adjustment.

3. Fluid Adjustment

This is going to depend on the type of product your sprayed. For clear coat, I open the adjustment to maximum to allow a lot of fluid to come out. If I am shooting base coat, I will adjust and close the knob about 3 or 4 turns to allow less fluid to be sprayed.

4. Fine Tuning

I have the gun set, but it needs to be fine tuned to my techniques. First, the additional adjustments may have changed my air pressure, so I will readjust the psi if needed. Next, I will spray a test pattern on our spray cart. If it is running or looks too thick, I will widen the pattern. If it is not covering well, I will narrow my pattern. Lastly, I will adjust the amount of fluid. If it feels like too much, I will adjust for less fluid, and if it does not feel like enough fluid is coming out, I will increase the fluid adjustment.

5. Practice

The last tip that I can give you is to practice. That is what it takes and do not be afraid to make adjustments. Make your spray gun fit your technique, instead you adjusting your technique to fit the paint gun. The spray gun tips were with an Iwata Spray Gun in mind, but any other paint gun that you may be using will follow the same steps.

The stun gun is a device designed for personal protection. Its size is small, but its power is great. Because of its size, you can place it inside your bag or pocket. Because of its great power, you can take down anyone who tries to attack you. Its volts of electricity will cause temporary incapacitation. This is what most adults have today to ensure their safety.

However, you might be hesitant to use one especially if you are unsure of its voltage capacity and effectiveness. If this is your first time to use the safety device and you want to test its voltage and effectiveness, you must learn about the following methods. These are simple ways on how to safely test the device. You will be able to see whether it emits the exact voltage of electricity and also conclude that it will be effective in taking down the attacker.

Before you decide to purchase the device, you can gauge its effectiveness by asking the sales representative to test it for you. You can look at how it is done. Make sure that as they measure the voltage, it matches with what they placed on the label of the device. You can also learn from them on how it is used so that you will know whether it is the most effective weapon that you can get for your safety.

You can also test the stun gun voltage and effectiveness by yourself. However, you must remember to exercise caution. You would not want to get hit by one because you will surely experience mild shock. You must not come in contact with the probes. It is safe for you to touch the following parts. The first one is the switch that allows you to turn on the device. The second one is the safety zone plate that is about one and a half inches.

If you have a voltmeter, you can use it to do the measurement. You must still exercise caution since you will be handling electricity. You just need to attach the measuring equipment to the leads of the device so that you will be able to find out about the volts of electricity that the device emits. It can reach to about a million. With such powerful device, you can protect yourself from harm.

You can also try to test fire the device by preparing a sheet of metal. First, you must press the switch on. If you will see an arc formed in between the two electrodes, this means that the device is functional. Instantly discharge it by pressing it on the sheet of metal. You will know that your device is now safe to use when a spark is emitted.

These are the methods that you can do to test the effectiveness of the stun gun and its voltage as well. They are very easy to perform. However, you must take extra caution when doing such because you would not want to become a victim of your own carelessness.

For powering a paintball marker, you can choose between CO2 or high pressure air, with most players choosing CO2 as these are the cheapest tanks to purchase. While most paintball guns can use either CO2 or compressed air, the more expensive tournament style markers must use high pressure air as CO2 can damage these guns. While ultimately cheaper, CO2 can be hard on any paintball gun however due to its nature. Compared to compressed air, CO2 is more volatile as it converts from gas to liquid (and vice versa) as its used in little spurts each time you pull the trigger of your gun. CO2 is also greatly affected by temperature changes. A properly filled C02 tank will have an internal pressure of about 850 pounds per square inch (psi) in 70 degree (F) temperatures. A temperature increase of one degree will cause the pressure in your tank to rise by 11 psi.

This means the temperature of your playing environment or storage area can affect how your marker will perform with CO2. If you’re playing in an environment of about 70 degrees, when the hot afternoon temperature comes your tank pressure can rise 400+ psi fairly quickly. Without a regulator, this will often cause your gun to shoot hot, possibly even dangerously high. In most cases, CO2 tanks will not overheat as long as they’re in use. Leaving them in the hot sun or in your car while you take lunch during a summer day is often how this happens. If a CO2 tank does overheat, it has a special mechanism (called a ‘burst disc’) that will keep it from causing a dangerous explosion.

The burst disc is a safety pressure relief valve that will rupture if a CO2 tank builds up too much pressure from getting too hot. The result is a spray of CO2 vapor that may cause the tank to spin around a bit until enough pressure is released. If this happens, the best thing to do is get away from it and wait for it to empty or at least stop making hissing noises; after which, the tank is safe to handle again. At this point, you can take the tank to any airsmith at a paintball shop or commercial air tank supply company. The burst disk can be replaced and he can set it to the proper torque, however this is something a professional airsmith should handle to make sure it’s done correctly. If you can’t find a professional airsmith, it may be easier to simply purchase a brand new CO2 tank as they are cheap and easy to find.

Compressed air is the other most common power source used for paintball guns. Compressed air tanks are more expensive than CO2, however their performance is much more consistent. They have built in regulators which reduce the pressure of air fed to the paintball gun to keep it below 800 psi. Most high pressure air tanks for paintball markers range from 3,000 to 5,000psi. When using high pressure air tanks, it’s important to read and follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions regarding usage and storage. Unlike CO2, compressed air is not as sensitive to temperature gradients; this is the main reason why they perform more consistently on the paintball field and are not as volatile to heat. If the burst disk ruptures or a component leaks on a compressed air system, follow the same protocol as with the damaged CO2 tank. The best thing to do is get away from it and wait for it to drain before taking it to a professional for inspection/repair. The leaking high pressure air from a broken gauge can cause serious injury by injecting air under the skin if a body part is held next to it.

All compact CO2 and high pressure air tanks used for paintball guns have a limited life span. CO2 and air tanks have an expiration date stamped on them, usually with 3 to 5 years from the time of purchase. After that the tanks must be tested and re-certified by a hydrostatic testing facility before they are deemed safe for further use. Unfortunately, the cost of testing/re-certification generally exceeds the cost of a new tank, so most players just opt to buy a new one. It is wise to regularly inspect your air tanks before each time you play. Check for leaks, dents, damages or other questionable signs of wear. Also check the tank’s valve or regulator to be sure it isn’t loose in the tank. Never remove or try to install the CO2 tank valves; this should only be done by a professional that has been trained in maintaining high pressure compressed gas equipment. As a general rule, if your tank springs a leak, get away from it until it empties; then take it to a professional for repair or simply buy a new one. If you are ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer or distributor of the product for advice.

The history of “airsoft” originated in Japan during the mid-1970s, mainly because it was illegal to own firearms by private individuals. The first airsoft guns available were spring-powered replicas of firearms that fired 6mm, plastic pellets or BBs. The gun then spread to China, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines and became very popular chiefly because of firearm restrictions in these countries.

The first airsoft guns were those air driven pellet guns, cap-type guns and spring driven pellet guns. The early Japanese air driven pellet guns were based on semi-automatic pistols. They were spring powered. The plastic pellet was propelled by air when the spring piston was released. In the cap-type guns, powerful an explosive cap was used to make the sound of gunfire and to eject the spent cartridge. In spring driven pellet guns, a spring was used to propel the pellet held between two small locks and released when the gun was fired.

Mattel, the famous American toy company had already marketed a product called “Shootin Shells” way back in the 1950s. These guns were identical to the spring driven pellet guns and had Stik-M-Caps that explode to emulate the sound of gunfire. In the 1980s, Daisy BB Gun Company manufactured spring gun models called Replisoft and Soft Air shot at each other by opposing players.

The popularity of airsoft guns in the United States and Europe began in the mid-1990s. There is continued growing interest in the west. In 2003, Daisy started manufacturing and marketing airsoft guns once again in the United States. “Powerstrike” is the brand name used by the company. Other manufacturers are following in Daisy’s footsteps and a host of different models have entered the United States airsoft gun market.

For tournament play, you will find some of the most expensive paintball guns on the market costing upwards of $2000. For woodsball, the most expensive markers are by far the magazine fed. The high price is for the different internals of these guns but mostly the external details. For some players, the fun is found within the details of using only the most realistic paintball guns and gear possible. These players are often ex-military, law enforcement and scenario enthusiasts who love to get lost in the game and become totally immersed in their mission. Magazine fed paintball rifles and pistols do have an actual use besides recreational play. Conflict simulations are important for military and police training to prepare these peace keepers for real life situations. These exercises must use the most realistic gear possible to mimic actual potential events and these realistic markers definitely fit the bill. For recreational players however the extra realism comes at a cost that extends beyond the pricey initial investment. Using a magazine fed paintball gun demands changing the way you play and also requires other accessories for additional costs.

While they may look much cooler and more realistic, magazine fed paintball guns are lucky to hold a tenth of what standard markers carry. While most standard markers use hoppers that contain up to 200 rounds, typical magazines generally hold about 20. This is a significant reduction in ammo capacity leaving the mag fed player at a distinct disadvantage. This means mag fed players must have good shooting accuracy so every shot counts. Beginners who are anxious to shoot their guns often use up all their ammo in the first few minutes of action and end up hiding behind cover until the game is over. Magazine fed paintball guns are best for experienced players who are better at shooting and have more patience to last through an entire game. The reduced ammo capacity may also have to be taken into account for the role you play on the field. If your job is to provide copious amounts of cover fire so the front players can make maneuvers, perhaps this type of marker is not the best tool.

With magazines only carrying up to 20 rounds, this also means players will have to carry numerous full clips during a game. These accessories are bulky and should be carried so they are easily accessed for quick reloading when empty. The best way to carry these ammo cartridges is with a tactical paintball vest customized with as many magazine pouches as possible. This is an added expense but a must-have if you choose this type of realistic marker. Specialized leg harnesses are also available for carrying magazines however only hold 2-4, but offer another option for packing the most ammo to extend game play. Standard hopper fed paintball guns are easily reloaded by dumping a pod of balls in for a fast refill; this can generally be done in the middle of a game without issue. Magazine fed guns are as easily reloaded by simply popping in another loaded clip, however they must be loaded one ball at a time and must be done before the game starts.

Another expense that must be considered before buying a magazine fed paintball rifle is the type of ammo it requires. These guns are particularly hard on paintballs and must use a certain grade. Paintball ammo comes in different grades separated/classified by the hardness of their shell. Premium grade is used for tournaments and has very brittle shells so they break easier upon impact. This grade of paintball tens to break inside magazines causing a mess in your marker leading to more maintenance procedures. Recreational grade paintballs are the lowest class of paint and has the firmest shells. This is the best grade to use for magazine fed guns however some brands work better than others. Valken’s Graffiti and Redemption brands work well; Rap4 also makes a paintball specifically for this type of gun that’s also very consistent. While most commercial fields sell recreational grade balls, it’s smart to call ahead to first find out if they allow mag fed guns on their field, and second to find out if they have the right kind of ammo for your marker.

You can also expect a bit more maintenance with magazine paintball guns. While every type of marker that shoots paint will require some amount of cleaning and maintenance, these guns have a few extra parts that need attention. Not only are the internals a little different but the magazines themselves sometimes require cleaning or pieces that need replacing. Fortunately, magazine fed paintball markers have been out for more than ten years and prototypes have come and gone. When they were first introduced, most models were riddled with problems and it seemed like the movement would never get off the ground. Now there are only a few magazine fed brand names but all of them have very finished, reliable products that shoot accurately and are fun to use. Despite this, it’s smart to read product reviews, check the company’s history and study their warranties/return policies before buying any new paintball gun.

Although there is a multitude of weapon choices for non-lethal self defense, the specific weapon you choose is a matter of personal preference. One can find everything from pepper spray to steel batons advertised on the internet. A great choice for self defense is a cell phone stun gun.

These stun guns are easy to carry, easy to conceal, they pack a real punch and they look completely innocent so an attacker is caught off guard. They can be carried on the belt, in a purse or anywhere a cell phone can be carried. With almost everyone carrying them today, they are so common place we hardly notice them anymore.

An attacker will truly be shocked, no pun intended, to find that your harmless camera cell phone is actually non lethal weapon. The bad guy will be worried about a gun, knife or something threatening. A cell phone will not likely be identified as a weapon he needs to fear. It is small, the size of a regular cell phone, and probably won’t even be noticed in the palm of your hand.

The cell phone stun gun works like any other stun gun. You press the end of the weapon against the attacker’s body, pull the trigger and it applies a high voltage, low amperage charge to the attacker. This shock will temporarily incapacitate an attacker. The attacker feels pain and can be temporarily paralyzed.

While the attacker is immobilized it is time to make your get away. When we choose a non lethal weapon our goal is to stop the attack and get out of harm’s way. Whether your weapon choice is pepper spray, personal alarm or steel baton always run away from the attack if possible. Remember the attacker may only be immobilized temporarily.

These effective non lethal weapons are available in several styles, sizes and prices just like any other stun gun. Some operate on batteries and some like the rechargeable Pretender 4.5 Million volt cell phone stun guns are rechargeable. The Pretender comes in pink or black, has a 6 LED built-in flashlight and comes with a holster and charger.

Why buy a cell phone stun gun? They are easy to conceal, they are easy to carry, they look harmless, they are reasonably priced and they are very effective. They also just look cool.

Just remember you first goal is to remove yourself from danger. Use your weapon if it is necessary and then remove yourself from the area of danger.