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Paintball is a very safe sport and generally does not cause any long-term injury. Paintball guns are controlled in such a way that the paintballs do not fly fast enough to inflict any long-lasting injury. Additionally, players are required to wear protective equipment, which further reduces the amount of damage that someone can suffer from playing the sport. 

However, anyone who has shot a paintball gun before has wondered, “if you got hit in just the right way, could you die from this?” The short answer is that paintball guns just are not powerful enough to kill someone with a single shot. However, that doesn’t mean that paintball guns are dangerous or that there haven’t been fatal events during paintball games.

How Dangerous Are Paintball Guns

Just because paintball guns can’t kill with a single shot doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable of maiming or seriously injuring someone. Paintball masks and other protective equipment are mandatory on nearly all paintball fields since the misuse of paintball guns and protective equipment can be dangerous. Even while using all of the correct protective equipment, paintballs can still hurt and even leave welts and cause occasional bruising. 

Direct shots to the face and eyes from a paintball gun can cause serious injury. Additionally, direct shots from a distance that’s too close are extremely painful and can cause bruising that lasts for a week or two. However, these incidents usually occur when players misuse paintball markers or don’t adhere to close-range surrender rules. Overall, the sport of paintball is incredibly safe and injuries serious injuries are incredibly rare.

Has Anyone Ever Died During Paintball?

While nobody has died from direct shots from paintball guns, people have died on the paintball field from other causes. In 2008, a 39-year-old man from Victoria, Australia, died from a heart attack after playing paintball. Reportedly, the man was hit in the chest from a surprise paintball shot. After the game, the man collapsed in his car and was later found to be deceased.

While paintball may have contributed to the man’s death, it is likely that there were other contributing factors. Any 39-year-old who suffers a heart attack is generally not a healthy individual and direct shots from a paintball gun, even from close range, should not cause heart attacks. Players who are concerned about dying in a paintball match should make sure that they take care of themselves–avoid eating processed foods, drink sufficient water, avoid vices, and exercise regularly. If the body is regularly placed under cardiovascular stress in a gym or while running, then it is unlikely they will suffer any severe complications on the paintball field.

The Population Bias

As with anything, if a high enough number of people engage in an activity, someone at some point is likely to die doing that thing. Even if it’s just doing something mundane like mowing a lawn or making cookies, someone at some point in time has died while doing those things. This same idea can be applied to paintball. If enough people play paintball, at some point, someone will eventually die during a paintball game or immediately after a paintball game. This doesn’t mean that paintball is a deadly activity any more than mowing a lawn or baking cookies is deadly. At some point, it is just bound to happen.

Paintball May Actually Help To Keep You Healthy

Instead of paintball being a cause for concern for safety, paintball can actually help keep you healthy. Paintball involves a lot of sprinting, diving, and squatting. By the end of a day of paintball, players are generally sweaty, tired, and ready for a hearty meal with their friends. Engaging in the type of exercise that paintball promotes can actually help you stay healthy and lead to a longer life. Of course, if a player is unhealthy or concerned about any condition, he or she should check with their doctor before playing paintball. Some people may be too elderly or have too many risk factors to be able to engage in paintball in a safe manner. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your doctor before playing paintball.

How to Stay Safe and Avoid Injuries While Playing Paintball

The best way to stay safe and avoid paintball injuries is to make sure that you are in good shape. Those who take care of themselves physically will generally be less likely to injure themselves. Additionally, recovery from any injury will take less time than if a player were unhealthy.

Another way to stay safe and avoid injuries while playing paintball is to wear all of the suggested safety equipment. Players should use gloves to protect their hands as well as a mask to protect their faces and eyes. Some of the different masks offer more protection than others, so players should be sure to pay attention to which mask they purchase. There are also chest/torso protectors, which help reduce the amount of shock delivered to a player's chest when they get hit.

CO2 Tanks: The Real Danger

The one conceivable way that someone could die from a paintball gun is an explosion of the CO2 or compressed air tank. These tanks are under extremely high pressure (4500 psi). Scuba tanks, by comparison, are only pressurized to about 3000 psi which is a full 30% less than a paintball tank. If an air tank at full pressure exploded or suffered a catastrophic failure while a player uses it as a stock, that explosion could conceivably kill you. Since the tank is located very close to your head and chest, an explosion could damage critical anatomy and kill a player. This is why it is so important to use an ASA and properly store an air tank after every use. Additionally, if your tank has several years of wear and tear already, it’s important to cycle through tanks and change them out once they’re old.

Conclusion

While it’s almost impossible to die from paintball, it is possible to get injured, which is why players need to take safety seriously. Lone Wolf Paintball has the biggest and best selection of paintball safety equipment on the market to help players stay safe and perform at the highest level. To see a full selection of our products, please visit our online store. Happy paintballing!

What Is A Barrel Kit?

Paintballs are filled with a mix of gelatin, glycerin, and other materials and can easily be affected by environmental conditions. As the temperature and humidity levels within an environment change, so too does the size of the paintballs. Though produced to be .68 caliber, most paintballs fluctuate in size as conditions change. 

In fact, the gelatin or cornstarch shell expands and contracts with corresponding temperature changes. For example, warm/humid air causes the shell to swell and become bouncier than normal. Alternatively, colder conditions can cause paintballs to shrink in size, resulting in brittle shells that are prone to breaking. 

This fluctuation in the size of the paintball can present difficulties when it comes to accuracy, air efficiency, and sound report. For example, if a paintball is too loose, you will lose accuracy as the paintball marker uses excess air to propel the paintball down the barrel. With a less-than-tight fit, the marker will also be louder. At the same time, a tighter fit isn’t always better, as it can cause your paintballs to break before they exit the barrel. 

Barrel kits provide a reliable and flexible solution to the change in paintball size. Most systems will include multiple barrel diameters. This allows you to find the optimal fit without the risk of breaking paintballs. The best barrel kits match the paintballs you’re working with at that time for a better overall experience. 

Most barrel kits come in either a one-piece, two-piece, or three-piece setup. One-piece barrels incorporate multiple inner diameters for the best fit possible. Popular Custom Products Barrel Kits feature a two-piece barrel, comprised of the barrel front and barrel back. The barrel backs come in various-sized inner diameters. Similarly, three-piece barrel kits, such as the GOG Freak Barrel Kit, include a barrel front, barrel back, and inserts/tubes that range in size that set the inner diameter. 

How Do You Use A Barrel Kit?

Most barrel kits don’t require much more than 10 minutes and some light instruction to install.

Using a barrel kit requires you to test the paintballs you’ll be using on the field that day. If you test before a game, you’re likely to get better results than if you were to test days before. Take a few of the paintballs you’ll be using and place one in the end of the barrel kit. 

Notice how the paintball fits in the barrel. If the paintball rolls straight out the other end, the bore of the barrel is too large. If you were to run that barrel's inner diameter, you’re sure to experience issues with air efficiency, accuracy, and the noise level of the paintball marker. 

However, if the paintball doesn’t move at all, the inner diameter of that barrel is too small. Broken paintballs tend to come from bores that are too tight. 

When you’ve found a bore that feels as though the fit is snug but not too tight, you can test it. Simply place your mouth on one end of the barrel and attempt to blow it out the other side. Optimal inner diameters allow you to easily blow the paintball out of the maker while still fitting comfortably against the bore. 

Note that if you are playing with brittle paintballs and/or on a cold day, you should choose a barrel kit inner diameter that is one size up from the optimal bore size. This will help accommodate the paintballs as they get warmer during gameplay. 

1. Freak XL Aluminum 

Complete with a convenient carrying case and color-coded barrels, this Freak XL Aluminum barrel kit makes it easy to choose the right barrel for your scenario. This system comes with a barrel back, a freak tip, and a total of eight inserts you can use to ensure you’re getting the most out of your paintball marker. 

Choose the right barrel threads for your marker to ensure the barrel kit you receive is compatible. Insert sizes include inner diameters ranging from .679 to .695. You can easily store these inserts in the provided carrying case, which features a convenient zipper closure and carrying handle for ease of use. 

2. Dye UL-S barrels 

With a centering two-piece design and plenty of customization to express your unique style, the Dye UL-S barrels pair effortlessly with DYE barrel tips on paintball markers with Autococker Quick threads. The barrel itself features dynamic porting that optimizes harmonics and deadens sound at the same time. Plus, you can purchase the barrel tips and the barrel back in two different colors. 

This kit includes four bore sizes: .678, .680, .682, .684, and .686. These common sizes allow you to adjust your barrel for gameplay conditions and have fun doing it. Take advantage of the precision honing and lightweight construction found in this barrel kit to dramatically improve your gameplay results. 

3. HK Army LAZR Kit

If you’re looking for unrivaled performance, the HK Army LAZR Kit should be your go-to barrel kit. These high-quality two-piece barrels are made from aluminum and come in a variety of colors. Plus, the barrel back grip is available in red, black, grey, and blue as well. 

One of the coolest features of this barrel kit is the included paintball sizer. The Ball Sizer speeds up the process of having to find the perfect inner diameter as we described above. Instead, you simply insert the paintball into the openings of the Ball Sizer until you find a snug fit. 

4. Carbon SS8 

Customization is king with the Carbon SS8 barrel kit from Freak XL. Choose your insert kit, color, and barrel threads to ensure the barrel kit you order fits your particular paintball marker. This two-piece design prioritizes weight, and the back sleeve features injected carbon fiber that sets this barrel kit apart from the rest. 

Again, you’ll have the option of choosing color-coded inserts ranging in size from .679 to .695. Each of the inserts fits within the carrying case that zippers closed for later use. Even when inserted into the barrel, these inserts can be seen through dynamic ports near the center of the barrel. 

Conclusion

Choosing the right barrel kit for your marker and the environmental conditions is key to having a great time on the paintball field. Too much ball breakage or inaccuracy can quickly make the game turn frustrating rather than fun. For a full selection of paintball barrel kits and other accessories, please visit Lone Wolf’s online store.

Compressed air tanks come in many shapes, sizes, and capacities which can influence the way you play paintball. Before you purchase a paintball gun, you’ll want to research and decide which type of air system you’ll use to power the gun. In addition to learning the two main air systems that paintball guns use, you’ll also want to consider cost, both short-term and in the long run, as well as durability and maintenance. 

An Overview of Paintball Air Systems

Paintball air systems are either fueled by CO2 or compressed air. However, more recently most of the paintball markers on the market are shifting to be HPA (high-pressure air) driven.  

Compressed Air VS CO2

For new players, using CO2 can be one of the easiest ways to get out on the field and start playing. Beginner paintball markers such as the Tippmann A-5 traditionally have used CO2 as the propellant. Additionally, paintball pistols almost all use CO2 as the propellant and come in 12 gram CO2 cartridges. You simply load the CO2 cartridge in, and once it’s pierced, your paintball pistol is ready to go! There are many sizes of CO2 cartridges available, from small 12-gram cartridges used in many paintball pistols to the standard 24-ounce refillable tank.

Whereas CO2 paintball guns are cheaper to run, a paintball compressed air tank is often the preferred way to go for seasoned paintball players. The paintball compressed air tank stores compressed air to meter out via the regulator so that each shot can be consistent and less affected by temperature differences.

Tank Size

Paintball compressed air tanks are typically either rated for 3,000 PSI or 4,500 PSI. These ratings describe the pressure capacity, meaning you can have a certain amount of air pressure for that rating. It does not describe how much air flows out of the regulator once the valve is activated. 

Choosing a paintball gun that runs 3,000 PSI of compressed air should get you quite a few shots in terms of overall efficiency. However, the higher pressure of 4,500 PSI is really where efficiency spikes. At the same time, you should consider the compressed air tank size since weight and maneuverability are important considerations for playing paintball. You will get more mileage out of a larger tank, but it can also be more difficult to move around during an intense game of speedball.

Regulators & Adaptors

Many paintball compressed air adapters are hidden within the grip for a better overall appearance. This can also help protect them during gameplay as well as in storage. The adapter itself allows for air to flow between the regulator and the air tank during filling, especially when those fill points are different. Regulators, on the other hand, act as a gauge to indicate how much pressure (PSI) sits within the paintball compressed air tank. As you use your paintball gun, the pressure will drop and so will the regulator needle. 

Materials

Most paintball compressed air tanks are made from durable aluminum that is wrapped in carbon fiber, which helps the metal to stay firm and gives it an aesthetic flare.

Paintball Air Tank Maintenance

Because paintball compressed air tanks hold compressed air, proper maintenance is an issue of safety. Failure to safely maintain your compressed air bottle can cause destructive failure at any given moment.  Most paintball compressed air tanks are filled with an air source adapter (ASA) fitting. External threads can be found on one end, while internal threads on the other are accompanied by an airproof rubber o-ring. These fittings allow the tank to be safely and quickly filled and emptied for maintenance purposes. 

Refilling

Refilling a tank can be done way before it reaches “0” on the regulator's face. In fact, topping off your paintball compressed air tank is often easier to do than draining it to empty and then refilling it.

To refill your paintball compressed air tank, simply connect the air source (such as a fill station) securely to your gun’s fill nipple. Activate the fill lever to allow flow between the fill source and your compressed air tank. Once the pressure has equalized, the actuator level should be shut off. The paintball compressed air tank can be disconnected, most often with a loud hiss.   

For a full tutorial of how to fill your paintball tank, take a look at our helpful YouTube video below:

Emptying

Emptying your compressed air tank can, in some cases, be more dangerous than filling it. You won’t be able to unscrew the regulator from the bottle of compressed air (and you shouldn’t try). 

Instead, you can simply actuate the trigger until all the compressed air has left the tank. If you no longer have it connected to a paintball gun, you can take the compressed air tank and carefully depress the fill nozzle. This will allow a small amount of air to escape, but it requires constant pressure to release. Don’t press too hard, or you could release way more air than you meant to. It could also potentially cause harm depending on how quickly you release the air. 

For answers to the top 5 questions about paintball tanks, take a look at our YouTube video below:

Best 3 Paintball Air Tanks for Beginners

Our top three paintball compressed air tanks for beginners include the HK Army Aluminum Tank, the Ninja Lite Air Tank, and finally, the Empire Mega Lite Air Tank. 

To see a review of our favorite paintball tanks, take a look at our YouTube video review below:

1. HK Army Aluminum 48/3000

For a small investment, you can use compressed air in your paintball gun, which is why we’ve chosen the HK Army Aluminum 48/3000 Air Tank. This air tank can be filled to 3,000 PSI, making it an entry-level option for those of you still new to paintball and/or compressed air. 

This tank features a black air tank rated to an output of 800 PSI. This is plenty of power for most of your beginner paintball guns, especially when you consider you’re likely to get at least 10 shots per cubic inch from this tank. The tank also comes with a fill level gauge and fill nipple. 

2. Ninja Lite Air Tanks

The Ninja brand is well known in the compressed air world, especially when it comes to customization. You can purchase any number of Ninja Lite air tanks in various colors, from a deep red in carbon fiber to a metallic blue aluminum finish. 

Ninja paintball compressed air tanks are made in the USA and feature a carbon fiber finish that looks as good as it performs. 

3. Empire Mega Lite Air Tank

You can also purchase the Empire Mega Lite Air Tank in many colors. This bottle reaches up to 4,500 PSI and has a 5-year retest cycle, meaning you’ll only have to get it hydrotested every 5 years. The aircraft-grade aluminum regulator puts out 800 PSI and is sure to be dependable for you for years to come. 

Conclusion

Paintball jerseys are as much a part of the sport as the paintballs and markers you use to shoot them. Choosing the right paintball jersey can really make a difference when it comes to offering protection, but also keeping you cool as you play. The best paintball jerseys feel like a second skin as you run around the field, vanquishing your enemies. 

Our guide to choosing a paintball jersey helps you to determine which jersey is right for you, from the size you choose to the material it’s made from. We’ll also show you examples of our three favorite paintball jerseys to help you focus more on playing than worrying about what you’re wearing. 

How to Choose a Paintball Jersey

Paintball jerseys are categorized by size, material, padding, and style. Finding the right combination of all four is the best way to find a paintball jersey you’ll want to wear every time you play. 

Sizing

Choosing the right size paintball jersey should be first on your list. A little bit of extra material is fine if you want some breathing room, but if your jersey is too big, it could get in the way and prevent you from making a kill shot. 

At the same time, you don’t want a jersey that’s too small. Like paintball gloves that are too small, tight paintball jerseys can hinder your movement. You might not be able to flex your arms in order to get the best shooting position, which can have a huge impact on your accuracy. 

Paintball jersey sizing isn’t all about fit, though. Tight paintball jerseys can also make shots hurt more. There’s not as much material standing between you and the paintball, which is critical for close shots especially. While you might want to choose a paintball jersey that’s snug for crawling through brush and sneaking up on your opponents, going too snug will just make life even harder. 

Jersey Material

There’s no denying the fact that you’re going to be beating the life out of your paintball jersey as you play. That’s why you need something that’s high quality, made from durable materials that can stand up to mud, sticks, bushes, tree branches, and whatever else you might brush up against as you target your opponents. 

Cotton and polyester paintball jerseys are most common. The best paintball jerseys are those that breathe as much as they withstand impact, so cotton is a common choice. However, you can also buy custom paintball jerseys that are a cotton and polyester blend, for stretchiness as well as breathability. Moisture-wicking materials are key, especially for long gameplay. 

Padding

Padded paintball jerseys are a game-changer for your body. More padding isn’t necessarily always better, because it’s more about placement. The best paintball jerseys pad you exactly where you need it without adding too much bulk. 

Style

The style of your paintball jersey is where you can really add in some personalized flair. It’s also a way for you to help identify your team members, as friendly fire is never a good thing. 

Paintball jerseys can either be short- or long-sleeve. A short-sleeved paintball jersey works best for basic coverage, but if you’re in a colder climate or playing in the winter months, a long-sleeved paintball jersey will not only keep you warm but also provide more coverage when it comes to padding. 

The best paintball jerseys are those that come with a matching pants set. These paintball jersey pants combo sets complete your outfit for a fierce look that lets everyone know you mean business. 

Lone Wolf's Top 3 Picks

HK Army and our own Splash Jerseys are some of our favorites to recommend. These paintball jerseys will keep you moving and protect you during gameplay while still expressing your style.

1. HK Army HSTL Jersey

This particular jersey is one of our favorites from HK Army. Known for superior quality and dynamic styling, these long-sleeve paintball jerseys are hand-sewn from lightweight materials that allow your body to breathe during battle. 

HK Army offers these paintball jerseys in a variety of colors and sizes. Large blocks of color are broken up by black slashes to better hide you as you stalk your enemy. The sides of these jerseys are ventilated, so you can sweat in them all day if you like. 

Padded zones on these particular jerseys are located in the shoulder, elbows, and chest area. These are the most common areas you’ll want to pad, but you can also add any other padded equipment over the jersey, as it’s thin enough to act like a second skin. 

For a full review of the HK Army HSTL Jersey, take a look at our review video below:

2. HK Army Freeline Jersey

Our next favorite pick is also from HK Army. The Freeline paintball jersey lineup provides all the same benefits of the HSTL line, but with additional padding, ventilation, and durability built in. If you’re serious about paintball, this jersey is seriously devoted to giving you the best protection. 

The long sleeves of this paintball jersey end at ribbed cuffs that stretch to fit your wrist. The fabric itself is made from vented material that incorporates mesh zones for maximum breathability to keep you cooler as you play. Reinforced elbows are also a necessity, especially if you plan on ducking and diving.  

For a full review of the HK Army Freeline Jersey, take a look at our helpful YouTube video review below:

3. JT Glide Jersey

The JT Glide Series Jerseys are lightweight, breathable and pay homage to the most classic JT designs! These jerseys are made from top-of-the-line materials and will hold up under the toughest of conditions. Each jersey is made with mesh side pannels to keep you as cool and comfortable as possible while you play paintball! As is the case with most jerseys, we recommend ordering a size larger than you would normally order. This helps take into account any body armor or sweatshirts you may wear underneath so you can remain mobile and move freely. You can either order a size larger than you typically would, or opt for the same size you normally wear for a snug fit.

For a full review of the JT Glide Jersey, take a look at our comprehensive YouTube video review below:

Conclusion

Until you've had a welt or two on your hands, paintball gloves may not seem like the most essential piece of equipment. However, their benefits go beyond just protecting your hands from being hit. Suitable gloves will also improve your grip on the marker, which is crucial when playing in adverse conditions, such as extreme heat, rain, or snow. There are many gloves to consider when deciding which to buy. So, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you make the best decision for your next glove purchase.

What to Look for in Paintball Gloves

The main reason people wear paintball gloves is to protect against direct hits from paintballs. Others, however, need gloves to also provide insulation and improved grip during the game. The main things that you should look for in your paintball gloves are quality, fit, material, and style.

Fit

The first thing to look for in paintball gloves is the fit. Your glove should fit snugly around your hand, but it shouldn’t be too tight to restrict movement or blood circulation. The paintball glove shouldn’t be too loose, either. Loose gloves can leave excess material at the end of the fingertips, which may get in the way of firing, opening pod packs, and refilling the hopper. The key is to find a glove that fits snugly without being too tight. Pay special attention to hand mobility and ensure you can still operate your gun effectively. With the right fit, you'll be able to play all day without any discomfort.

Material

When shopping for paintball gloves, the material is one of the most critical factors because it affects both your comfort and durability. Nylon is a popular choice because it's both inexpensive and comfortable. However, if you're considering nylon gloves, it's a good idea to make sure they have a non-slip material on the palms and fingers for those rainy fall or spring games. 

Neoprene is another popular choice for paintball gloves. It's thicker than nylon, so it provides more protection in the event that you get hit on the hand. In addition, neoprene offers excellent insulation, so it keeps your hands warm on colder days–if you’ve ever played with numb fingers, you know how important that is. Neoprene is also incredibly durable and has been known to last years without wearing out. Many of these neoprene gloves can be used during other outdoor fall activities. 

Style 

There's no shortage of options for paintball gloves, and sifting through all the options can be time-consuming. Regular gloves can be used for paintball, and something is better than nothing. However, it’s best to use paintball-specific handwear. 

Generic (non-paintball) gloves

These may be lifting gloves, gardening gloves, or even winter glove liners. They're not necessarily designed for paintball, but they’re better than nothing!. These gloves might provide some padding and insulation, but they're not going to offer the same level of protection, durability, and freedom of movement as purpose-built paintball gloves.

Fingerless gloves

Fingerless paintball gloves are a popular choice if you want to maintain excellent grip and trigger control. You can choose between gloves that expose all your fingers or just the first two. We recommend gloves that leave the first two fingers exposed for the best trigger control.

Armored gloves

For maximum protection, you need armored gloves. Paintball can put you into close-quarters combat, and that's when the proper protection really matters. These gloves feature heavy padding or plastic armor on the back of the hand and fingers and usually have reinforced palms. If you're worried they might be too bulky and impede your ability to grip and fire your marker, fingerless armored gloves offer the perfect blend of protection and agility.

Sleeve Gloves 

Sleeve gloves are your best option if you're looking for the closest thing to bare-handed shooting. They have a thumb hole but leave your fingers completely free (and exposed) while protecting the back of your hands, palms, and wrists.

Advantages of Using Paintball Gloves

Not all paintball gloves are created equal (or well made). Ensure that you choose a durable, well-designed glove. After all, what is the point of paintball gloves if they lack the right combination of durability, flexibility, and water/weatherproofing to meet and exceed your specific needs? So what are the best gloves for paintball? Our top 4 picks won't disappoint. Check them out below!

Our Top 4 Paintball Gloves

1. HK Army "Bones" Gloves 

These durable and streamlined padded paintball gloves are a steal at $35. They offer neoprene's lightweight, form-fitting protection with a slip-proof silicone palm grip. In addition, the TPR protective bones design aesthetically protects the back of your hand, while the two-finger-less design allows for split-second firing control.

2. Infamous Spartan Gloves  

At only $10, you might want to grab a few pairs of these minimalist, skeleton-squad-style classics. The dipped anti-slip coating and compression fit protect while preserving dexterity and trigger sensitivity so you can fire freely. While these are a minimalist option, they offer an impact-resistant skeleton hand backing to cushion direct hand hits.

3. HK Army Pro Gloves 

The perfect balance of performance, comfort, and durability, these form-fitting neoprene gloves with a two-finger-less design ensure no firing restriction whatsoever. The silicone grip and aero-mesh ventilation give you a cool and steady marker grip all day long. At $35, these gloves are an incredible value.

4. HK Army HSTL Gloves  

A performance-engineered player-centric design at just $14.95, these paintball gloves offer complete protection and an abrasion-resistant HK Army logo print exterior. In addition, the perfect combination of durability and finger flexibility allows for rapid firing so you can keep your opponents at bay.

Conclusion

There are many types of paintball accessories out there, each with its own purpose. While you might think some of them are just optional accessories, there’s a real purpose behind including them in your lineup of paintball gear. 

Many, if not all, of the accessories you’ll find are meant to increase the safety and fun factor in gameplay. Barrels can help improve accuracy, gloves can prevent injury, and paintball pants are probably one of the most comfortable types of pants you can wear on the field. 

If you’re looking to add a few paintball accessories to your gear, this guide will help you pick out which products you should prioritize. These recommendations will help you build out your gear lineup to dominate on the field and look awesome in the process.  

Types of Paintball Accessories

Paintball accessories can be categorized into three main sections: marker accessories, protective accessories, and miscellaneous accessories. These accessories keep you safe and make you more competitive while making the game more enjoyable.

Marker Accessories

Your paintball marker is your primary weapon, of course, and any of the accessories are meant to improve one of four main factors:

• Stability
• Rate of fire
• Accuracy
• Stealth

Paintball marker accessories are products such as barrels, hoppers, and other modifications/upgrades. Sniper barrels, for example, are a popular upgrade that allows you to increase your accuracy in order to make precise shots across the field. 

One of the most basic marker accessories you can invest in is a reliable hopper. However, inconsistent feeding and jams caused by a faulty hopper can leave you in a vulnerable position. 

Protective Accessories

The goal of any paintball game is to tag your opponents, so it stands to reason that you’d want to invest in some quality protective equipment. After all, most games include running, tripping, crawling, diving, and plenty of other maneuvers, even if you don’t get marked.

These are some of the must-have paintball accessories you’ll want to invest in immediately. Protective accessories typically include items like masks, gloves, vests, pants, etc. Plate carriers and tactical vests could be considered protective accessories, though they serve other purposes. Paintball mask accessories like goggles fall into this category as well.  

Miscellaneous Accessories

Many people like paintball because there’s no end to the customizations and upgrades you can make to your setup. Most paintball setups are modular, meaning you can mix and match as you please until you get the ideal combination. 

There are many types of accessories we’ve categorized in the miscellaneous section, including tank covers, gas valves, regulators, and compensators. 

Our Top 5 Paintball Accessories

Discussions of paintball accessories can go on for days, but we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite gear. Even if you don’t add these accessories to your lineup, it’s a great starting point that will help you move in the right direction. 

1. Upgraded Triggers

An upgraded trigger is one of the most consequential paintball gun accessories you can purchase. The stock triggers on many markers aren’t necessarily the best, especially when it comes to getting serious in the sport. That’s why it’s crucial to find one that you like and works efficiently. An upgraded trigger can improve your rate of fire as well as your precision when it comes to hitting targets.  

Paintball guns can be electronic or mechanical, which describes how the trigger fires the gun. Mechanical triggers release the bolt to load the paintball and press a pin to open the valve, which releases the air that both fires the paintball and blows the bolt backward. Electronic triggers work with a circuit board to fire and are programmable for things like three-round bursts or fully-automatic firing. 

2. Speed Feeds for Your Loader

Reloading takes time away from gameplay, but it’s a necessary evil in paintball. One great accessory you can purchase to help increase your reloading process is a speed feed. 

Speed feeds allow for a faster reload time. Their one-way fins fold in to allow players to load paintballs into the hopper. However, the fins don’t fold out, so the paintballs can’t fall out once loaded into the hopper. The fins on a speed feed are designed to keep as many paintballs captured as possible, though a few will inevitably escape. 

Speed feeds come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Since they replace the cap on the top of your hopper, you’ll want to ensure the size you choose works with the hopper’s aperture. Plus, most of them are made from lightweight materials, so you do not have to worry about extra weight on board. 

3. Freak XL Barrel Kits

A single paintball barrel is good but having the ability to adjust your barrel size to your paintballs is even better. That’s why barrel kits are so popular, especially the ones made by Freak XL. 

These kits allow you to achieve greater accuracy by tuning and adjusting the inside bore. A tighter bore will prevent you from losing paintballs as you move around the field and can go a long way in improving accuracy. 

Plus, many aftermarket barrels look amazing out on the field. Barrel kits can include different size barrels of different colors, or you can order barrels in stealth colors like black. 

Changing barrels out is easy, depending on your marker. Most often, you just need to unscrew the barrel from the marker body. However, some barrels such as the Flatline do require a bit more effort to remove them. Installation, of course, is just the opposite of removal. 

4. Thread Savers for Your Tank

Leaving your paintball bottle threads out in the open is a great way to ruin the threading. It’s best to Invest in a quality thread saver that will protect your air tank’s threads; it’s much cheaper than replacing the entire barrel or tank due to damaged threads. 

Thread savers are typically reverse threads of those found on your paintball air tank. They screw onto the threads as your fittings would, sitting flush with the threads so that the nozzle is completely protected. Other thread savers include silicone, rubber, or plastic that may or may not have matching threads. 

5. Knee Pads and Elbow Pads

Knee and elbow pads are extra weight you’ll have to carry around with you as you play, but you’ll be glad you have them if you have to dive or trip, especially in woodsball. 

The best knee and elbow pads are lightweight and breathable but padded enough to protect you from falls and impacts. These pads are most often the only thing between you and injury, so it pays to protect yourself.

6. Tank Covers 

Tank covers slip over your air tank and protect it just as much as your knee and elbow pads protect you. Most tank covers are impact resistant and keep the tank from being damaged, especially during gameplay. They can also keep the tank stationary in your shoulder when shooting and help increase accuracy. The best tank covers make it easy to clean up as well, as they’re made from durable materials you can easily wash off.

Conclusion

First Strike paintball rounds are quickly gaining in popularity among paintballers who have an affinity for stealth, accuracy, and precision. First Strike paintball rounds are paintballs that allow for increased accuracy and a greater effective range. The First Strike paintball markers are generally magazine-fed rather than hopper-fed, and the markers tend to be more realistic-looking like mil-sim markers and traditional firearms. First Strike is issuing in a new era of paintball where the quality of the shot is more important than the quantity of paintballs a player can put down range. This exciting new development within the sport is an excellent opportunity for players to develop new skills and strategies in paintball.

First Strike Rounds VS Regular Paintballs

First Strike Rounds (FSRs) have a convex leading edge that is similar to regular paintballs. Consequently, the paintball’s shape creates a hemisphere. The trailing edge of the FSR has a cylindrical shape with rifled fins that act as stabilizers as the FSRs travel through the air. In addition, the FSRs have a polystyrene composition that makes them photodegradable rather than biodegradable like regular paintballs.

Traditional paintballs are just regular .68 (generally) spherical rounds that are semi-hard and made with biodegradable gelatin. These standard paintballs are ordinarily hopper-fed, whereas the FSRs are magazine-fed because of their shape. They’re rigid enough to be loaded into a magazine and shot without breaking.

Advantages and Disadvantages of First Strike

FSRs have the advantage of traveling farther than regular paintball rounds. While standard paintballs are traveling through the paintball marker’s barrel, they deform slightly, and this deformation continues even after having exited the barrel. This deformation and lack of rifling in the marker barrel lead to variable paintball flight paths and differential effective ranges. First Strike paintballs, on the other hand, do not deform when they’re shot and have a truer flight. The rigid plastic tailing edge takes the brunt of the pressure of the expanding gasses and doesn’t buckle under the force. This is part of what makes the FSRs more accurate. 

Next, the low-profile fins on the plastic cylinder help to stabilize the paintballs by rotating them so that the flight through the air is straighter. FSRs can be used on smooth bore barrels, but they are slightly less accurate since the rotation only starts after the FSR has been expelled from the barrel. 

Some First Strike markers have a rifled barrel just like traditional firearms, which helps make the shot even more accurate. The rotation of the FSRs starts within the barrel, leading to an even more precise shot. The round can be effective up to distances of 150 yards (450 feet) which nearly triples the effective range of a traditional paintball. 

The disadvantage of FSRs is their rate of fire and the differential muzzle velocity compared to traditional paintballs. Many players are accustomed to shooting several hundred rounds per minute with traditional paintball markers, especially in speedball. This rate of fire can only be accomplished with the hopper-fed system and electric triggers. First Strike rounds, on the other hand, are magazine-fed and therefore the capacity is much more limited. Because they’re more aerodynamic and rigid, they also fly faster than traditional paintball rounds–approximately 25 FPS faster. So if you plan on using First Strike and regular paintballs, you’ll need to chrono your marker at 325 with standard paintballs so that when you switch to First Strike, you won’t be over the limit.

Considerations for Intermediate and Advanced Players

First Strike paintball markers are recommended for intermediate and advanced players. These markers tend to be a little more expensive than traditional markers, and their use is more appropriate for mil-sim events. Mil-sim events almost always require a higher level of commitment from players because of the equipment and travel which is frequently involved. This level of commitment is more common among players with more experience and love for the game.

A caveat to this rule is that airsoft players will find a high level of similarity between airsoft and First Strike paintball. First Strike markers can be modified the way that traditional firearms or airsoft guns can be modified. They’re accurate enough to attach scopes to, and stability can be meaningfully enhanced with a bipod or foregrip. 

First Strike Compatible Paintball Guns

First Strike markers come in both rifle and pistol style markers. This allows players to carry both primary and side arms, facilitating a lifelike mil-sim experience. Our favorite markers combine the best of capacity, accuracy, and affordability. Our favorite First Strike paintball markers are…

First Strike T15 

First Strike FSC Pistol 

Planet Eclipse EMF100 

First Strike T15 DMR 

Tippmann TiPX Pistol (conversion kit will be needed) 

Other First Strike Compatible Gear

Because of the mil-sim nature of First Strike paintball gameplay, appropriate gear is necessary. One of the most important things for players to have is a high-quality vest for carrying extra magazines, as well as for protection. While it is possible to carry pod-packs full of FSRs and reload a couple of magazines, it could be challenging to do so in the middle of a firefight. We recommend carrying as many pre-loaded magazines as space and money will permit. Here are our favorite First Strike extras…

Planet Eclipse Tactical Load Vest

Valken Bravo Tactical Vest 

CF 20 Magazines (compatible with the EMF 100) 

Conclusion

First Strike paintball guns are creating a new wave of paintball enthusiasts and even a new gameplay style. One of the best things about First Strike is the realistic nature of the game. Players can shoot at long distances and therefore more closely replicate what a real battle is like. 

An air source adapter, also known as an ASA, is the little nozzle where the compressed air tank attaches to your paintball marker. This little nozzle normally sits right at the base of the grip and is covered with a reinforced braided metal tube. The actual nozzle is threaded and has a rubber o-ring at the base to keep air from escaping. When you screw the air tank onto the paintball marker, a small pin within the air source adapter depresses a plunger within the air tank. The o-ring seals the contact between the air tank and the air source adapter, allowing the air to flow freely between the air tank and the rest of the marker. 

Paintball Air Systems Overview

Since paintball guns are pneumatic, the compressed air drives the entirety of the gun’s function. When a player pulls the trigger, a small amount of compressed air releases into the marker’s breach. As the compressed air contacts the ambient air, it expands rapidly and pushes the paintball down the barrel and out the muzzle. As the air flows down the barrel, a separate smaller tube containing a piston is pushed by the compressed air. The piston is forced backward which drives the bolt action back and loads a new paintball into the breach. 

Some paintball guns also have a pneumatically driven hopper system. These hopper systems agitate the paintballs within the hopper so that they load more quickly and fall into the breach faster than a gravity-fed hopper. These sorts of hoppers are more common in speedball games where the rate of fire is high and the quantity of paintballs is more important than the accuracy. 

Different Types of Paintball Air Tanks

There are a couple of different types of air tanks that players can use when they play paintball. First are the traditional steel/aluminum alloy tanks. These tanks can hold several thousand PSI which is more than enough air to last a round of paintball. These tanks were initially built from metal because of their durability and resistance to cracking. 

Many companies also make tanks composed of a woven carbon fiber shell. This shell is glued together with a resin that makes the air tank as strong as a steel tank. The advantage to using these kinds of tanks is that they are quite a bit lighter than a metal tank is. When playing scenarios like speedball, every ounce counts. Those who can shave off a little weight are faster and more agile, making them more likely to win the game.

Finally, the most important thing in any paintball game is safety. We want to make sure that we can enjoy today safely so that we can come back and play tomorrow. Exploding tanks can be hazardous, so only the strongest materials are used. If you notice a fissure or crack in your tank, make sure that you err on the side of caution and opt to purchase a new air tank. 

Using ASA Adapters 

Air Source Adapters are a necessary part of the paintball gun. Without adaptors, it would be impossible to attach the air tank to the marker. 

ASAs can also be coupled with regulators to control the muzzle velocity of your paintball gun. Many fields throttle the maximum feet per second to prevent injury to other players on the field. Air source adapters can fit onto regulators, which can change the muzzle velocity of your paintball gun to a safe speed.

On/Off ASA Adapters

On/Off ASAs have a unique double thread characteristic to them. The air tank will screw on snugly to the ASA, but there is a separate screw along the outside of the ASA. This screw controls the degree to which the pin comes out of the adapter so it can be fully extended (air flowing) or fully retracted (air not flowing). With an on/off ASA, a tank can still be physically attached to the paintball marker, but the airflow can be restricted to be inoperable. This variable option adds an extra layer of security to the paintball markers to prevent any accidental discharges. If no air is flowing to the rest of the marker, then there is no chance for a stray paintball to be fired.

ASA Thread Sizes

Thread sizes for the different air tanks and regulators have been more or less homogenized for the past six years, which is longer than the average life of a paintball air tank. Modern tanks are threaded in .825-14, and the companies that manufacture ASAs are aware of that. Therefore, female-ended ASAs should be universally a good fit for modern air tanks.

Our Favorite Paintball ASAs

1. Custom Products Direct Mount

The Mini Direct Mount On/Off ASA is a super strong ASA system that’s been slimmed down and streamlined. This technology allows the screws to attach directly to the ASA body and mount directly on the grip frame without using any rail systems.

2. Planet Eclipse POPS ASA

The Planet Eclipse POPS On/Off ASA is one of the best purging ASAs in the game. All that’s necessary to engage or disengage the gas is a simple push of the button. It fits the Eclipse 2-Hole rail and the low-profile cuts enhance the aesthetic of any paintball marker.

3. Inception Designs EZ ASA

The Inception Designs EZ ASA uses a lever action to ensure easy tank filling. When disengaged, the lever allows for easy tank bleeding. The EZ ASA fits all guns that work with a t-slot rail systems like Planet Eclipse and Empire.

Conclusion

An ASA is an often overlooked piece of machinery on the paintball gun. However, this little nozzle is absolutely crucial to a paintball marker’s proper functioning. Many people buy aftermarket ASAs to ensure the air is flowing as smoothly as possible. The ASAs can also add a little bit of length to the gun, which is helpful for those people who have larger frames. Lone Wolf Paintball has one of the largest selections of paintball equipment in the country. If you’re looking for the best ASA for your paintball setup, head on over to the Lone Wolf website for the latest in ASA nozzle hardware and happy paintballing!