In Paintball Today, The Size Of Your Paintball Barrel Does Matter
In 1981 when the first group of paintball players gathered to play a game that was at that time called “Survival”, not one of them truly realized the impact their intimate game would have on the sporting industry in America and Europe within just a few short years.
The History Of The Paintball Marker
The first game of paintball was played with a small pistol that held 10 or fewer rounds. This Nelspot pistol was cocked by tipping the gun to roll the round paint filled gel ball into place. At the time, the paintballs were filled with oil-based paint and were not water soluble, as there intended use was to mark cattle or trees from a great distance away. These pistols were not high-powered weapons and their accuracy level left much to be desired. However, in the original game of survival, it was not the sport of eliminating your opponent by rapid gunfire but rather a test of survival skills and hunting ability.
Today, the rules have changed and the game is based largely on shooting the opponent with water-soluble paint gel caps prior to their reaching your teams flag. It is no longer a game that bases itself upon survival of the fittest but rather, the winner will have the best aim and marker performance on the field. When the marksmanship of the shooter and his marker are on the line, it is time to compare the length of their paintball barrels for an accuracy rate.
The Debate Over The Length Of A Paintball Marker’s Barrel
In the game of paintball, the guns have evolved and paintball barrel length makes a huge difference on the playing field. A paintball gel cap can travel well over 300 feet per second, a safety limit standard that was established by the paintball marker manufacturers. It is the first 8-10 inches of the paintball markers (guns) barrel that causes that response. It is often argued that an additional 1-4 inches can be helpful in guiding the paintball to the desired target, however, many debate that anything over that will deter from the accuracy of a weapon.
It has been established that paintball markers with barrels less that the 8 inches will have a lower accuracy rate and less range than those with more than 8 inches. It is also well documented that paintball markers with barrels longer that 14” take more gas to propel the paint capsule down the chamber and do nothing to improve the accuracy or performance level of the marker itself.
There are two key factors to consider when choosing the length of a paintball marker’s barrel on a market. The first is the expansion rate of the gas; in cold weather, the gas needs an extended amount of time to expand so longer barrels are more beneficial. However, in warmer weather, the gas expands faster and forces the capsule at a higher rate so you can actually benefit from the use of a shorter barrel. When choosing the length of your paintball marker barrel, be sure to examine exactly what your playing needs will be to insure that you are as prepared as possible once you hit the course.