Paintball Guns

How do you chrono a paintball gun? Chronographing a paintball gun means measuring the velocity of a fired paintball in feet per second (FPS) and adjusting the marker’s regulator or velocity screw to stay under the field’s legal limit. Most fields require markers to shoot at or below 280 FPS, and chrono testing happens before every game session and any time a player changes paint or adjusts the marker. Legal Velocity Limits League or Setting FPS Limit Most US recreational fields 280 FPS NXL tournament play 285 FPS Most European fields 280 FPS Indoor fields 250–280 FPS (varies) Low-impact .50 cal fields 250 FPS Youth or family fields 230–250 FPS The 280 FPS standard exists because tests in the 1980s identified velocities above 300 FPS as the threshold where standard paintballs can break skin or cause eye injury through a damaged lens. Fields chrono at 280 to leave a 20 FPS safety margin. For more on safety standards, see is paintball safe. ...

Why is my paintball gun leaking air? A paintball gun leaks when an o-ring seal fails, a regulator lockout valve fails, or a fitting backs out. The five most common leak points are the tank-to-ASA o-ring, the ASA-to-regulator fitting, the bolt o-rings, the valve assembly, and the regulator piston seal. Most leaks are diagnosed by sound and location, and most fix in under ten minutes with a $5 o-ring kit. ...

What is Planet Eclipse known for in paintball? Planet Eclipse is the dominant manufacturer of mid- and high-end tournament paintball markers, recognized for the Gamma Core spool-valve bolt system, machined aluminum construction, and a lineup that scales from the mechanical EMEK to the flagship CS3. Founded in Manchester, England in 1991, Eclipse builds markers for serious recreational players and most NXL teams. For a head-to-head with the brand most players cross-shop, see Tippmann vs Planet Eclipse and Dye vs Planet Eclipse. ...

What is Spyder Paintball known for? Spyder is one of the longest-running entry-level paintball brands, recognized for ultra-affordable mechanical markers like the Victor, MR Series, and Fenix. Originally introduced by Kingman International in the early 1990s, Spyder shipped millions of beginner markers and remains the cheapest practical entry into the sport. For comparisons, see best paintball guns under $200 and the three types of paintball guns. The Spyder Lineup Model Type Best For Price Range Victor Mechanical First marker, lowest budget $80–$110 Xtra Mechanical Slightly upgraded entry $100–$140 MR Series Mechanical milsim Scenario and woodsball entry $130–$180 Fenix Electronic Cheapest electronic marker on market $150–$200 Hammer 7 Mechanical Budget pump-style player $90–$130 Brand History Spyder was introduced by Kingman International in the early 1990s and quickly became the default budget pick in paintball. The original Spyder used a stacked-tube design that became the platform for hundreds of variations and clones. By the early 2000s, Spyder had become the most-sold paintball marker brand globally, even though the markers themselves were rarely seen at tournaments. ...

What is Tippmann known for in paintball? Tippmann is the most recognizable name in mechanical paintball markers, built on rugged blowback designs that survive rental abuse and milsim conditions. Founded in 1986 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the brand has supplied entry-level guns to fields for almost forty years and remains the default starting point for new players. If you are weighing Tippmann against the other major manufacturer most beginners consider, see our breakdown of Tippmann vs Planet Eclipse. ...

Why is my paintball gun chopping balls? A paintball gun chops balls when the bolt closes on a paintball that has not fully dropped into the breech. The five common causes are a slow gravity-feed hopper, dead or disabled eyes on an electronic marker, fragile or oversized paint, a damaged bolt or breech, and rate of fire that exceeds what your hopper can keep up with. Most chops are fixed in under five minutes once you identify the cause. ...

What is the best paintball mask for glasses? The best paintball mask for glasses wearers is the JT ProFlex. Its soft, flexible lower and ear pieces create extra internal space that accommodates most glasses frames without pressure points. The high-set foam sits above the frame line, and the mask has worked reliably for glasses-wearing players for decades. Wearing glasses under a paintball mask creates two problems: fit and fog. A mask with too little internal volume crushes your frames against your temples, and a mask with poor ventilation fogs both the lens and your glasses. Every mask on this list solves the fit problem. The fog problem takes a bit of extra work, which we cover below. ...

What is the best paintball setup for each budget? The best paintball setup depends on how much you want to spend. At $300, a Tippmann Cronus and HK Army HSTL mask get you on the field with reliable gear. At $500, the Planet Eclipse EMEK 100 and Virtue VIO Ascend deliver performance that rivals setups twice the price. At $1,000, the Planet Eclipse Etha 3, Dye i5, and Ninja SL2 carbon fiber tank form a tournament-ready package with nothing left to upgrade. ...

Should you buy the Planet Eclipse Emek or the Etha 2? The Emek is a mechanical marker that costs around $280 to $316. The Etha 2 is an electronic marker that costs around $400 to $430. Both run the same Gamma Core bolt system, so shot quality and reliability are nearly identical. The real difference comes down to firing modes: the Emek is semi-auto only, while the Etha 2 offers ramping, burst, and full-auto through its electronic board. Buy the Emek if you want simplicity, a lower price, and mechanical-only play. Buy the Etha 2 if you want electronic firing modes and anti-chop eyes. ...

Who makes the best paintball guns? Planet Eclipse makes the best paintball guns overall: Planet Eclipse markers lead the industry in reliability, engineering consistency, and performance from the mid-range Etha 3 up through the flagship CS3. Dye, SP Shocker, and DLX round out the top tier, with each brand excelling in different areas of the market. For specific model picks at every price point, see our best paintball guns guide. The Best Paintball Gun Brands, Ranked 1. Planet Eclipse Planet Eclipse CS3 Check Amazon Price Affiliate link Planet Eclipse sits at the top and it is not particularly close. Their engineering consistency across the entire lineup is unmatched. The CS3 is arguably the best tournament marker ever made, the Geo4 remains a workhorse at every level of competitive play, and the Etha 3 gives mid-range buyers a marker that punches well above its price. ...