Last Updated on October 20, 2022
It has been around 40 years since the first Paintball game was played. Still, more and more people are joining this game and keeping its legacy alive.
However, the constant addition of new players comes with the constant addition of new queries. That’s why I have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions about Paintball aka Paintball FAQs in this article. So, without further delay, Let’s jump straight to the question.
1. What is Paintball?
Paintball is a sport where players compete by trying to hit each other with paintballs. The game can be played outdoors or indoors in a specially designed-arena.
2. Where Can I Play Paintball?
There are many places where you can play paintball, including indoor and outdoor arenas, as well as parks and other natural areas. You can also find commercial fields that offer rental equipment and games for all levels of players.
3. Are paintball guns legal?
In the US, paintball guns fall under the category of air guns such as Airsoft or BB guns. Therefore, firearm regulation laws don’t apply to them. However, certain restrictions can vary from state to state. In some states, it is illegal to carry an air gun in a public area other than an approved shooting range (or in a paintball gun’s case: a paintball arena).
States like New Hampshire and Rhode Island prohibit the possession of paintball guns for minors under 18. Anyway, it is best to be sure of laws surrounding paintball within your state. Contact your state’s local law representative for further info.
4. Are paintball guns dangerous?
Paintball is a fun sport and the chance of injury is less compared to other sports like baseball, basketball, or football, etc. But, paintball guns can become dangerous or even sometimes lethal if rules and guidelines are not followed.
Paintball Gun uses compressed gas (mainly CO2 or HPA) which launches the paintball at a very high velocity. A direct hit on sensitive areas such as the eyes can leave you with severe eye injury or even blindness.
Paintball injury can be reduced drastically with the use of proper safety equipment such as ANSI-approved paintball masks. Skin bruises or welts can be prevented by wearing full clothing with extra padding on the sensitive part, leaving no exposed skin behind.
5. What is inside a paintball?
A paintball is like a super small version of a water balloon, it is filled with biodegradable paint which will explode on impact. The paint inside the paintball comes in many colors, the paint itself is non-toxic and washable which means it can be easily washed off.
6. How paintball gun works?
Most paintball guns aka markers have a similar mechanism. The main task of the marker is to propel the paintball at a high velocity. The hopper is used to store and feed paintballs one at a time into the barrel.
Paintball guns work by using compressed air to fire the paintballs from the gun barrel. The compressed air is stored in a tank on the gun and is released when the trigger on the gun is pulled. This causes the air pressure inside the gun barrel to increase, which forces the paintball out of the barrel and toward your opponent.
7. Speed of paintball guns?
The top speed of paintball guns is restricted to 270 – 300 feet per second for a large arena. For a small space or indoor game, most paintball fields cap the gun’s velocity at around 240 – 250 feet per second.
8. Types of paintball games?
One of the great things about paintball is that there are so many different types of games that you can play. This means that you can always find a game that fits your skills and abilities. Here are some of the most common types of paintball games:
Woodsball:
As the name says, woodsball is a paintball game that is played in a natural environment, it includes a large playing space and the players are camouflaged into the surrounding which makes it even more fun to play. This format of paintball requires a lot of strategic planning because the forest terrain is different for both teams. Therefore, you have to make the best use of your geographical location.
Speedball:
Speedball is played mostly in the paintball arena. This game involves bunkers and barriers for protection and hiding. This format of paintball provides a symmetrical geographical condition for both teams. Speedball is played in a lot more aggressive and fast-paced manner than woodsball.
Scenario Paintball:
Scenario Paintball is the most unique format of paintball. It consists of historic reenactments, military events, role-playing, and oftentimes scenes from movies and video games are recreated. Since it involves scenarios and the players have to act according to the storyline, therefore these games can be a day or a couple of days long.
9. How does it feel to get hit by a paintball?
Short answer: Yes, it hurts.
Long answer: It depends upon a few factors such as the distance the ball covered, the more the distance the less will be the impact. It also depends on where the paintball hits, if the impact is on a sensitive area or bare skin then it will hurt more or can even cause a bruise.
Typically a bruise or welt fades away in a week. It is recommended to use several layers of clothing to protect your soft tissues and vital organ. With proper protection and full clothing, a paintball may feel like a rubberband Flick or may not even hurt at all.
10. Minimum age requirement for paintball?
It usually depends upon the child’s psyche. Also, it is up to parents to determine if their child is old enough to play, but the minimum recommended age for paintball is at least 12 – 14 years old.
The child must be old enough to understand the safety guideline and rules of the game. Guardian supervision is also recommended for children below 16.
Final Words – Wrapping it up
In conclusion, paintball is a fun, safe sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you have never played paintball before, consider giving it a try. You may be surprised at how much fun you have.
These are among the most common paintball questions that I hear. Moreover, If you are looking to buy a paintball gun that matches your playing style and budget, read our buyer’s guide about the Best Paintball Guns of 2022.
