What is the best paintball pistol? The best paintball pistol is the Tippmann TiPX. The TiPX fires standard .68 caliber paintballs, feeds from 7-round magazines, and runs on a single 12-gram CO2 cartridge. The .68 caliber matters most: it is the size nearly every field sells, so the TiPX works anywhere a full-size marker does.
Paintball Pistols Compared
| Pistol | Caliber | Feed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tippmann TiPX | .68 | 7-round magazine | Field play, scenario sidearm |
| Umarex T4E Walther PPQ | .43 | 8-round magazine | Realistic training, backyard use |
| Umarex T4E S&W M&P M2.0 | .43 | Magazine | S&W owners who want a matching trainer |
| Umarex T4E Glock 17 Gen 5 | .43 | Magazine | Glock owners who want a matching trainer |
| Umarex T4E TR50 Gen 2 | .50 | 6-shot cylinder | Revolver fans, low-impact fields |
| JT ER4 RTP Kit | .68 | Small hopper | First pistol on a budget |
Check the caliber before you buy. Most fields sell only .68 caliber paint, and low-impact fields sell .50 caliber. Very few fields sell .43 caliber, so a .43 pistol is a training and backyard marker, not a field marker.
1. Tippmann TiPX
The TiPX is the standard sidearm in scenario and magfed paintball. The magazine holds seven .68 caliber paintballs, and the 12-gram CO2 cartridge sits under the barrel instead of inside the grip. That layout keeps the grip slim enough for a normal pistol hold.
Pros
- Shoots the same .68 caliber paint as your primary marker
- CO2 cartridge is pierced on the first trigger pull, so you can carry it loaded without leaking gas
- Accepts a remote line adapter for players who want more shots per fill
- Large aftermarket for holsters, magazines, and barrels
Cons
- A 12-gram cartridge lasts roughly 25 to 30 shots
- Larger and heavier than the .43 caliber replicas
- Seven rounds per magazine means frequent reloads
Buy the TiPX if you plan to use a pistol at a field. No other pistol on this list gives you full-caliber paint and a real parts ecosystem.
2. Umarex T4E Walther PPQ .43
The T4E line is built for training, and the Walther PPQ is the most popular model in it. The pistol is a licensed replica with a blowback slide, an 8-round magazine, and a CO2 cartridge housed in the grip. The size and controls match the real handgun.
Pros
- Realistic size, weight, and slide action
- Drop-free magazines make reload drills practical
- Fires paint, rubber, and powder balls in .43 caliber
Cons
- .43 caliber paint is not sold at most fields
- Smaller paintballs carry less paint and mark less visibly
- CO2 use is high because the slide cycles with every shot
Buy the PPQ for target practice, reload drills, and private-property games. Skip it if your only goal is field play.
3. Umarex T4E Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 .43
The M&P M2.0 uses the same T4E .43 caliber system as the PPQ in a licensed Smith & Wesson frame. The choice between the two comes down to which grip and controls you prefer, or which real handgun you already own.
Pros
- Licensed Smith & Wesson design
- Blowback action and magazine feed
- Shares .43 caliber ammunition with the rest of the T4E pistol line
Cons
- Same .43 caliber field limitation as the PPQ
- Magazines are specific to this model
4. Umarex T4E Glock 17 Gen 5 .43
The T4E Glock 17 Gen 5 is the licensed Glock version of the same .43 caliber platform. Glock owners pick it because the grip angle and controls carry over to their real pistol.
Pros
- Licensed Glock 17 Gen 5 frame
- Magazine feed and CO2 power
- Shares ammunition with the other .43 caliber T4E pistols
Cons
- .43 caliber paint is hard to find at fields
- Magazines are specific to this model
5. Umarex T4E TR50 Gen 2 Revolver
The TR50 is a .50 caliber revolver with a 6-shot cylinder and a 12-gram CO2 cartridge in the grip. The .50 caliber size gives it one advantage over the .43 pistols: low-impact fields use .50 caliber paint. See our .50 cal vs .68 cal comparison for how the two sizes differ.
Pros
- Simple revolver action with few parts to maintain
- .50 caliber ammunition is easier to find than .43
- Compact enough for a holster
Cons
- Six shots per cylinder
- Reloading a cylinder is slower than swapping a magazine
- Many fields still do not allow outside .50 caliber markers, so ask first
6. JT ER4 RTP Pistol Kit
The JT ER4 RTP is the lowest-cost way to own a .68 caliber pistol. The kit includes the semi-automatic pistol, a goggle, 12-gram CO2 cartridges, and a small hopper. It is built for casual backyard games, not competitive play.
Pros
- Complete kit: nothing else to buy for a first game
- .68 caliber, so standard paintballs fit
- Light and simple to operate
Cons
- Plastic construction will not survive hard field use
- Included goggle is basic, so serious players should buy a better paintball mask
- Limited upgrade options
Can You Use a Paintball Pistol at a Field?
Yes, if the pistol meets three conditions:
- Caliber: It must shoot the paint the field sells. That means .68 caliber at most fields.
- Velocity: It must chronograph under the field limit, which is usually 280 to 300 feet per second. See how to chrono a paintball gun.
- Barrel cover: It needs a barrel sock or plug in every safe zone.
Most players carry a pistol as a backup to a primary marker. Players who want a larger self-contained backup should look at the best paintball shotguns. A pistol-only player gives up range, capacity, and rate of fire, and some scenario games run pistol-only rounds for exactly that challenge.
How to Choose a Paintball Pistol
Caliber
Choose .68 caliber for field play. Choose .43 or .50 caliber for training and private games where you bring your own ammunition.
Feed System
Magazines reload fastest. Revolver cylinders are simple and reliable. Small hoppers hold more paint but make the pistol bulky.
CO2 Efficiency
Every pistol here runs on 12-gram CO2 cartridges. Blowback slides use more gas per shot than fixed-slide designs. Carry spare cartridges and store them at room temperature. Our CO2 vs HPA guide explains why cold weather reduces CO2 performance.
Paintball Pistol FAQ
Are paintball pistols worth it?
Paintball pistols are worth it as a backup marker for scenario and magfed players, and as a training tool. They are not a replacement for a full-size marker because they hold less paint and less air.
What caliber are paintball pistols?
Paintball pistols come in .68, .50, and .43 caliber. The .68 caliber is the standard field size. The .50 caliber is used at low-impact fields. The .43 caliber is used mainly for training.
How many shots does a 12-gram CO2 cartridge give a paintball pistol?
A 12-gram CO2 cartridge gives a Tippmann TiPX roughly 25 to 30 shots. Blowback pistols get fewer shots per cartridge because the slide uses gas on every shot.
Do paintball pistols hurt more than regular paintball guns?
No. A .68 caliber pistol set to the field velocity limit hits the same as any other .68 caliber marker. Smaller .43 and .50 caliber paintballs carry less mass and generally sting less. See does paintball hurt for pain levels by body part.
