Do you wish to know how to use a paintball gun like a pro? If yes, don’t skip this post!
But first, you deserve to know the truth: paintball is easy to use. You might not play like a pro in the first few weeks. However, if you practice consistently, you will.
We’ll discuss how to use a paintball gun in this post so that you can start to get it right from the first shot you’re going to fire.
So are you ready to become a paintballer? Or do you want to start using paintball the right way? This post is for you, then.
Now, let’s get down to business.
A Guide On How To Use A Paintball Gun:
We’ll start from the basics in this guide to ensure you get all the details. Well, it will be a comprehensive post, so rest assured you’ll find everything you need here.
Step 1: Assemble batteries, sight, and barrel:
When you purchase a paintball gun, it will come with the components apart. Then, you have to attach the various parts before you can start using the paintball marker.
It is advisable to dismantle a paintball gun and store it properly after use. If you have yet to do so, it is important to start doing it for safety.
You have to assemble your paintball gun to start using it. That’s the first step you have to take.
Two paintball gun types exist. These include electronic and mechanical paintball guns. Furthermore, the electronic paintball gun uses batteries. You can either use AAA batteries or AA-9 volts batteries in the gun. So, if your paintball gun uses batteries, attach them.
On the other hand, the mechanical paintball gun doesn’t use batteries.
After attaching the batteries, fix the barrel, sight, and other components that make the gun function as it should.
Once you have attached all the components, move on to the next stage.
Step 2: Mount the paintball gun tank:
What type of tank is your paintball using? Is it the HPA or the Co2 tank? Please attach it to the paintball gun right away.
Markers cannot shoot without compressed air. So, attach the tank to the paintball marker and ensure you mount it tightly.
How do you mount a paintball gun tank?
The ASA (Air source adapter) is underneath the gun’s handle. Check the image below. Just put the tank’s mouth into the ASA and turn it a few times. You have successfully attached the tank.
Step 3: Mount the magazine/hopper:
Step number three is simple! All you have to do is mount the hopper or magazine where it should be.
You’ll find a feed neck at the top area of the paintball gun. Attach the loader to it.
For mag-fed paintball guns, check for a compartment at the bottom to attach the magazine. a
A Handy Tip: The hopper holds the paintballs and is on top of the gun. It feeds the balls into your gun’s breach using batteries or gravity.
After mounting the hopper or magazine, you into them.
Note that the hopper can take around 150 to 200 paintballs. But then, wouldn’t it make the gun heavy? The simple answer is no! Quality paintball guns are well-balanced and comfortable to move around with.
Step 4: Get your paintball marker activated:
You have done so much at this stage. You attached the batteries, barrels, sights, hopper, or magazine and loaded paintballs into the hopper.
The next thing you have to do is activate the paintball marker. You’ll find a safety button and cocking knob on your mechanical paintball marker.
To activate the gun, have the cocking knob pulled and press the safety button. Bravo! You have just activated your paintball gun’s shooting mechanism.
Where are the paintball marker’s cocking knob and safety situated? A good question!
The paintball marker’s safety is on the top of the trigger. You’ll find it on the paintball marker, as it’s commonly around that area in most guns.
On the other hand, the cocking knob is situated on the paintball marker’s frame.
A Handy Tip: Activating the shooting mechanism on the electronic paintball gun differs from brand to brand.
On some brands, you’ll find the button used for activating the shooting mechanism located at the top or grip.
What’s the purpose of the safety button on the paintball marker? The work of the safety button is to prevent the paintball gun from accidentally firing when you pull the trigger.
Now, note this. Before firing the paintball marker, you must push the safety button out with your trigger finger. Push the button until the red line appears.
When you see the red line, know that the paintball gun is ready for you to shoot. However, remember that some electronic paintball guns don’t have a safety button. What they have instead is a power button.
Step 5: Hold the paintball gun appropriately:
After learning how to assemble a paintball and load it, how to aim and shoot accurately is another thing you must know.
So, how and where should you place the gun to shoot? Check out the tips below.
Ensure the paintball tank is pressing on your shoulder. Again, ensure the tank is on the side of your dominant hand.
The dominant hand is the hand that you’re using to write. The dominant hand is the hand you’ll use to pull the trigger.
A Handy Tip: Alternate the position of the paintball tank pressing on your shoulder when practicing. Why? The reason is to ensure that you can shoot with both hands.
The benefit of shooting with both hands during a paintball game is enormous. It will increase your chances of winning games.
In other words, no matter your enemies’ direction, you’ll be able to shoot at them without exposing yourself to returned fire.
Step 6: Aim the gun:
You need to know how to aim a paintball gun. It is an important step for every player.
Keep this in mind: your ability to aim your gun and shoot accurately will determine the level of success you’ll enjoy as a paintball player.
So, how do you aim and shoot a paintball gun? We have discussed the process before, but let’s have a second look at it.
When aiming, don’t close one of your eyes. Instead, keep both eyes open and place the paintball gun below your eyes. This way, you’ll be able to see with both eyes and get perfect aims.
Why should you not close one eye when aiming with your paintball? The simple reason is that closing one eye will block your peripheral vision.
Not only that. You’ll be exposed to the enemies, who may be in hiding. So, as we mentioned earlier, keep both eyes open. It’s the proper way to aim a paintball gun.
A Handy Tip: A pro tip you may consider adopting when aiming and firing at enemies during a paintball game is to fire the paintball in the direction the enemy is running.
When you fire toward the direction the enemies are running, there’s a chance that one or more of them will run into your paintball.
This technique looks simple on paper but requires a lot of practice. You also must be able to concentrate fully and pull the trigger at the right time.
So, be that intelligent and smart paintballer. Experience is another factor that comes into play.
Step 7: Start shooting your paintball gun:
We have talked about how to hold the paintball gun and aim, and now, we want to talk about the final stage: firing the paintball gun.
However, firing a paintball gun should be easy for you at this stage. But there are technicalities and ideas you need to have about shooting paintball guns.
First, you need to understand that paintball guns can cover an average distance of around 300 feet when shot.
This is just the average distance the ball can travel and maintain its accuracy. Paintball can cover more than 300 feet when fired. Unfortunately, the ball won’t be accurate.
Most paintball fields require players to put their paintball guns to chronograph test and ensure they stay within 240 – 280 fps.
The reason is, at 240 – 280 fps, the paintball won’t break one’s skin when it lands on it.
Another tip you should know when firing paintball is the distance between you and the enemies. Ensure you don’t move too far from the enemies so your shots will be within range.
Step 8: Fix your paintball gun problems:
Picture this: you’re in the middle of a paintball battle, and shockingly, your paintball refuses to fire a single shot. What can you possibly do in such a scenario?
The first thing to concentrate on is the safety trigger, located at the top or side of the paintball. Now check the safety trigger’s button. If it’s out, you can push it back in.
Can paintball marshals help you?
Yes, they can. If your paintball stops working properly or stops shooting as fast as it used to, beckon on the marshal to help you.
The marshal can offer you another paintball gun so that you can continue your game. They can also help you fix the problem making the paintball unable to function to its actual capacity.
A Handy Tip: Whenever your paintball gun stops working or you run out of paintballs, raise your two hands.
This sign indicates you’re out of action and that the other players shouldn’t shoot you.
One more thing that you should consider when playing paintball is this: you can only load the hopper with around 150 – 200 paintballs. So, shoot wisely.
In other words, don’t waste your paintballs by shooting without aim. Instead, wait until you’re already well-positioned to hit your target. Then, you can use your shots to draw your enemies out of their hiding.
The Conclusion
This is a guide on how to use a paintball gun. This post aims to help beginners lay a better foundation for their paintball journey.
We explained how to assemble a paintball, load the hopper, hold the paintball gun, aim, and shoot.
We hope you understand the various processes and can use your paintball appropriately. The process is also easier than it seems.
