What are paintball markers, and what should you know about them?

Those who are interested in learning more about paintball will probably come across the term "paintball marker" sooner than later.

What are paintball markers?

The paintball marker is simply the gun used to shoot paintballs at the opponents during the paintball game. Those who play paintball regularly or those who support and endorse it prefer the term "marker" over "gun" in order to minimize the idea that paintball is a dangerous sport with dangerous weapons. Marker is also their original name, as they were initially designed to mark trees and cattle.

How do paintball markers work?

A paintball marker is powered by gas, either in the form of carbon dioxide or nitrogen. Recreational paintball players, or those who just play on occasion for fun, generally prefer the carbon dioxide, or CO2 system, but serious players will probably opt for a high pressure air system (HPA). These use nitrogen instead of carbon dioxide and have a number of advantages for the serious player, including better accuracy, a lighter weight, and increased shot volume. However, not all paintball fields allow HPA systems.

Most paintball markers are made up of four main parts: the body, the hopper, the tank, and the barrel.

What kind of paintball marker should I get?

The serious player's marker will have more to it than a beginner or amateurs. In addition, your marker will also reflect the position you play on the field. Front players can increase their overall speed and mobility with a marker that has a remote air hose, which weighs less. Cover players should use a fast-loading marker with a large air supply bottle and a remote line hose. And finally, utility players would do best with a marker that has a large air system and mounted tank.

If you are a novice or recreational player, a semi-automatic with CO2 cartridges and a standard barrel will be good for your purposes.

How do you maintain a paintball marker?

Properly maintaining your paintball marker is important for making sure that it functions properly. Most markers have simple internal parts and are easy to take apart and clean. However, some are more high maintenance than others. Several markers have a reputation for always breaking o-rings or bending bolts or getting their insides scratched. It's important that every marker owner knows how to properly care for his or her marker, so look for one that is easy to clean.

Cleaning equipment you will use to maintain your marker includes:

• Squeegee. Because the barrel of the marker will collect dust or paintball debris, you should use a squeegee to clean out the barrel. This is done by inserting the rubber end into the barrel. Cable squeegees are another type that are used to clean certain types of markers.
  
• Battle swab. The battle swab is a double-ended stick that bends in the middle. A soft fur which is inserted down the length of the barrel to remove paint debris or paintball shells.

Paintball markers come in all sorts of varieties and prices, starting at around $200 and going to over $1,000. The type of paintball marker you use or purchase depends on how often you play and how serious you are about the game. Your marker will directly affect your game, so make sure you know as much about it and what is needed to maintain it before making the purchase.