Playing airsoft can be a fun and exciting past time. With the right equipment and skill, players can dominate the field of play. If you are looking to up your game, or tend to play with several people at a time, we’ve got the perfect idea. Let us introduce you to the airsoft grenade.

Yes, similar to a grenade in the military, an airsoft grenade is designed to launch multiple bb’s at the same time into a large group of enemy players. If you are wanting to do some substantial damage to the enemy’s numbers, and are willing to take a little time to plan and prepare, the airsoft grenade will become the best weapon in your arsenal. However, there are several ways you can make an effective airsoft grenade. It is up to you to decide which method works for you and your team.

As a disclaimer, never build an airsoft grenade without adult supervision.

Plastic Egg and Firecracker

This method of producing an airsoft grenade is both exciting and dangerous at the same time. As a disclaimer, this method should only be used when every player involved is wearing appropriate eye protection and clothing. Here are the steps:

1. Get a plastic Easter and drill a large hole in the end that already has a hole. Make sure the hole size is big enough to snuggly fit your firecracker.
2. Place a small firecracker (generally a m90 is sufficient) into the newly drilled hole, ensuring the fuse is on the outside of the egg.
3. Fill the second half of the egg with 6mm bb’s. Don’t worry about getting the expensive ammo; the cheap stuff will work just fine.
4. Close the egg and secure it with tape so that the egg doesn’t come apart in transit.

You now have a usable airsoft Grenade. All you do now is light the fuse and throw the grenade. Remember, the fuse will burn quickly so only light it when you will immediately throw it Keep in mind, this is one of the more dangerous types of airsoft grenades so use extreme caution while building, moving, and using the grenade.

Water Balloon

This variation of the airsoft grenade is perhaps the easiest to form. Follow these steps for a quick and easy weapon.

1. Load approximately 50 6mm bb’s into a water balloon. Using a speed load and wrapping the opening of the balloon around the funnel portion of the loader will speed up this process.
2. Add roughly 10ml of water. Using too much water will not allow the ammo to fly through the air.
3. Blow the balloon up with air to nearly the breaking point. It is a good idea to have eye protection on when doing this, just in case you put too much air in it.
4. Tie the balloon off and you are done.

This variation will bust upon impact with the ground, or any structure, causing the bb’s to fly towards the enemy.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Most of us, at some point, have made a “Works Bomb” where you put tiny balls of aluminum foil in a plastic bottle, add in toilet cleaner, and secure the lid to the bottle. The mixture of the foil and cleaner cause a chemical reaction that produces gas that quickly fills the bottle and explodes. This type of airsoft grenade uses the same principal, but is considerably safer.

1. Fill a zip lock bag about 1/3 full with vinegar.
2. Next, add in you 6mm bb’s. There is no limit to how many bb’s you can add. However, do not feel the bag full.
3. Take a paper towel and shake baking soda in the middle of the towel. Then fold the corners of the paper towel to completely cover the baking soda.
4. Complete this step only when you are ready to throw the grenade. Place the paper towel containing the baking soda in the bag, seal the bag, and throw it. The baking soda and vinegar combining will create an expanding gas that will burst the bag, sending the bb’s flying.

The key to this airsoft grenade being successful is ensuring that the seal on the bag is completely closed so that the gas cannot escape and the bag will burst.

Remember, when building your airsoft grenade, always have an adult present and never, under any circumstances, throw the grenades directly at the opposing player. Instead, aim for the ground near the enemy, allowing the grenade to be effective but ensuring nobody gets hurt.

Dating back to the late 1980s, the game of paintball has seen many revisions. However, though the game dates to the late 80s, the idea of a paintball goes back considerably further. Charles Nelson was the first to invent the paintball, using it to help forestry engineers to mark trees and ranchers to mark cattle. Though his plan for invention never took off, paintball had a rebirth in 1989. Since its founding, the paintball has come a long way.

Ingredients

Many today believe that a paintball contains paint. After all, it is called a PAINT ball. Though the was true of the original product, today the paintballs are not made of paint. With the environmental standards as they are today, throwing paint on the ground is frowned upon by many. For this purpose, industry specialists began making paintballs to be soluble (able to be washed with water) and biodegradable. The ingredients that make these two characteristics possible include:

• Mineral Oils
• Calcium
• Ethylene glycol
• Iodine
• Food Coloring

The first four products listed give the paintball the “paint” feel while the last gives it the color. The exact mixture of these products is a trade secret, though most companies will use a combination of these five. However, these five ingredients, when mixed, are still in a liquid state. There’s a sixth component that forms the ball.

The Outer Shell

Initially, paintballs were manufactured by pharmaceutical companies. The reason behind this is because these were the companies that made pills the used the capsule method. These companies made paintballs by using the same process to make liquid pills.

Originally, when the paintball was used to mark trees and cattle, this outer shell was made of glass. However, the creation of paintball as a game required a replacement for glass. Now, instead of glass, a shell of gelatin material, similar to that used in medicine, is implemented.

Making a Paintball

Most companies will not let visitors see the process of making the paintball due to most factors of the process being trade secrets. However, the process of making the fun paintballs we all love shooting at our friends is a rather complicated.

A machine first creates dimples into two strips of gelatin. Each dimple forms a half of the ball. Once the device makes the dimple, it then feels one-half with the mixture of ingredients listed above. The dimpled gelatin then continues further in the machine where the two halves are combined, forming one solid paintball.

The two halves of heated gelatin quickly mold together, not leaving much access around the rim of the ball. However, they do no form the perfect circle required for accurate firing. With the gelatin rounds still warm and moldable, they next go into a tumbling drum. This drum turns quickly, causing the balls to bounce around. However, since they are heated, the spinning of the drum caused them to form perfect circles. Also, the drum cools the balls down so that, as they take their shape, they harden and stay in that shape.

The last step of the process is simply to let the balls dry completely. The amount of time they are allowed to dry is another trade secret determined by the formula used to make the paint, as well the amount of time the balls spend in the tumbler. When the drying time is complete, the balls are ready to be fire.

Myths about paintballs

There’s a myth that has been in the paintball world for a long time, and that is the idea of freezing the balls. For most recipes used to create paintballs, the temperature at which they freeze is an astounding -15 degrees C. This fact means that most freezers will not freeze the ball. Instead, the balls will become misshapen and will not fire correctly out of the gun. Chances are, the balls won’t even make it to their intended target.

Don’t worry; paintballs aren’t made with glass anymore. Also, though they are water-soluble, it’s always a good idea to wear clothes you wouldn’t mind getting stained. After all, the paint won’t be the only thing getting on your clothes. Now that you know what that gooey substance is, you can go out and have fun knowing you aren’t damaging the environment.

For a paintballer, there’s nothing worse than getting out in the field and have your gun malfunction. What makes this worse, still, is not knowing how to fix it. If you want to be able to fix the problems your gun may have, then understanding how it works is the first step. We all know that you pull the trigger the paintball goes flying through the air, but what makes that happen? How is the gun able to send the paintball so fast through the air that it can travel the length of a football field or more?

Essential Parts

Though every gun is different, each gun will have specific parts that will remain the same. Ironically, they are mostly the same names used in real firearms. These include:

• Bolt
• Trigger assembly
• Grip
• Slide
• cO2 Cylinder
• Gas lines

Knowing how these parts interact with your particular gun can mean the difference in winning or losing; shooting or getting shot. Study your user manual to discover which parts your weapon has.

Types of Guns

If you are an avid paintballer, then you know there are three main types of paintball guns; spring loaded, gas-fired, and electric. With each different kind, there’s a different method of firing the paintball. Here’s how the three work.

Spring Loaded

his is perhaps the simplest version of the three. However, this is also the least likely to be shot. Reason being is because the paintballs are not able to travel very far. With a spring loaded gun, the shooter pulls back a slide that compresses a spring inside the weapon. Once the slide reaches a certain point, a paintball drops into the barrel in front of the spring. Then, once the shooter is ready, he/she only pulls the trigger. This action releases the compressed spring and sends the paintball soaring through the barrel.

Electric Guns

Some people prefer to have the added benefit of an electronic gun versus a mechanical one. However, both function very similar to each other. The difference with an electronic gun is that the trigger never actually comes in contact with the bolt. Instead, when the shooter pulls the trigger, it releases a relay switch which then tells a solenoid to release air. Once the solenoid releases the air, it pushes the bolt forward sending the paintball through the barrel.

Some people prefer the electronic guns because some of these markers also come with an auto-load feature. With spring-loaded and gas-fired guns, the ball just falls into place with the help of gravity. With an electronic gun, the autoload feature actuals pushes the next ball into place. The reason this is popular is that it allows for less jamming while in rapid fire scenarios. It also allows the shooter to fire more per minute than a gravity-fed gun.

Gas-powered

Gas powered paintballs guns usually use cO2. However, nitrogen is available, though rather expensive. With gas powered guns, there are mainly two setups. The first uses a 16gram cartridge, usually inserted into the grip of the marker. Pistols often use this configuration. The second uses a large cO2 cylinder (available from 38grams and higher) and has a gas line the goes from the cylinder and into the barrel.

Either setup, however, functions the same. The way a gas-powered paintball gun works is when the shooter pulls the trigger, a small burst of compressed gas enters the barrel and fires the paintball out. The balls feed into the barrel by using gravity to drop the ball from the hopper affixed to the top of the gun. Once the barrel slides back into place, another ball drops and another small amount of gas readies in the gas chamber.

Taking it apart

When in the field, it may become necessary to field-strip your gun to correct any malfunctions. This process, however, is easier said than done. Each gun is manufactured different and will have a process designed by the manufacturer for field-stripping. It is best to practice this while at home using the steps outlined in the user’s manual for your particular gun. Repeating this action, slowly at first and then building up speed, will increase your likelihood to fix problems while in combat.

Paintball guns, while not complicated, are finely tuned machines. The incorporation of mechanics with either gas or electronics is astonishing. And, though we rarely think about it while firing at our friends, it’s always good to know just how these guns work.

For many deciding whether they want to get into the sport of airsoft or not, the deciding factor is the price of the guns. As with any sport, the more you pay, the higher the quality you get. However, with advancements in technology, airsoft guns have come a long way from where they once were. We’ve taken the liberty of putting together an ideal price range for each level concerning how much you might spend on the gun itself. Keep in mind; you must add safety equipment and ammunition on top of the prices we give.

Beginner Guns

When it comes to purchasing a beginner airsoft gun, you can expect to spend anywhere from $5 to $30. Yes, you did, in fact, read that right. For a simple spring-loading, cocking airsoft gun, you can get them online for around $5. Now, what you are getting for that five dollars is the plainest gun possible.

Instead of being powered by a cO2 cartridge or battery, this budget gun simply has a spring attached to the firing pin that compresses when the slide is pulled back. At the same time, a plastic bb is drawn from the small-capacity magazine and placed in front of the pin. Then, when the shooter it ready, they pull the trigger which decompresses the spring and sends the bb going down the barrel.

Though these guns are cheap, they can still fire a bb through the air at about 220 feet per second. That’s enough to leave a welt on the enemy at 25 feet. When you consider the price, there isn’t much to complain about with the purchase of this gun.

Electric Rifles

If you are wanting to become fully immersed in the military simulation aspect of airsoft, getting a replica of the M4 rifle made by Black Ops may be what you need. For a gun such as this, you will be looking at spending between $120 and $150. However, you will be getting quite a bit more features.

For example, the electric powered rifles allow the shooter to switch from semi-auto to full automatic with just the flip of a switch. Also, the stock on most of the rifles is adjustable, allowing the user to determine the shooting stance and point-of-contact to their body.

However, what may make spending this amount money most explainable is the fact that these guns come equipped with an electronic blowback mechanism. This term simply means that the weapon simulates the real thing. Though it is not close to the real-feel of the gun, this allows the user to get an idea of what it’s like to shoot an actual M4.

In Between

By no means do we want you to believe that those are the only two price ranges of which you can expect to pay for an airsoft gun. Rather, you can find a gun, such as the Replica H&K MP7 for roughly $70. Also, you can get a combo Colt M4 and Colt 1911 set for $50.

ON the flip side, you can also pay considerably more than $300 on a high-end sniper rifle built entirely of an aluminum alloy. This particular gun is so close to the real thing that the shooter may feel like he is Chris Kyle, the American Sniper.

The final amount of what you pay regarding your airsoft gun is entirely up to you. Many local hobby shops or airsoft outlets may have a deal you aren’t going to find at one of the big-box retailers. Be sure to include these smaller stores in your search if you want to shop around. You truly never know what you will find.

Also, it may be possible to find an excellent deal on a good used gun. Though it may not be ideal for most, if you are a beginner wanting a good gun but not able to fork out the big bucks, buying a good used gun may be the way to go. If doing so, try to avoid online shops like e-bay. Instead, contact some local airsoft clubs and see if they have any for sale. These clubs and arenas tend to take superb care of their equipment, especially the guns they rent out. Often they will sell their used rental equipment to purchase new for their selves. At this time is an excellent opportunity to find a splendid deal.

Safety First

Paintball is a sport that’s as dangerous as you want it to be. However, there are a few necessities you’ll need to stay safe. Since paintballs can sting a little (though take it from our experience, it’s no big deal) and leave small bruises, we recommend covering up. You don’t need to wear any makeshift armor; we’ve found that jumpsuits work great! Of course, some competitors do prefer to wear protective vests, and that’s fine. If you’re a guy, cups are also a good idea. However, you will need a mask, especially one that covers your eyes. And since you’ll most likely be playing during the day, it may be helpful to get one that provides UV protection.

A Few Basics of the Gun

As for the gun, we live by the adage “you get what you pay for.” A poor performing gun isn’t a safety issue so much as a nuisance. We’ve had many a cheap gun clog itself after only a few shots. And even with a brand new CO2 cartridge, they hardly ever seem to deliver quite the same punch that we get hit with in retaliation. So skimp out on the rest if you want (except the mask), but definitely, consider the gun an investment. Also, be sure to practice with it. Paintball guns aren’t particularly difficult to shoot, but you’ll still want to build a solid reputation once the game starts.

Playing Paintball in the Great Outdoors

Let’s consider the playing field now that you know how to protect yourself. Paintball is exciting, but we find it to be even more so when switching up the environments. We love hosting competitions in the great outdoors. It’s more challenging, more sporadic, and more fun! Both you and your enemies are at the mercy of the elements as well as each other. However, if you’re going to play outside, please be respectful of the environment. There are plenty of biodegradable paintballs that are just as and affordable as their conventional counterparts. Even better, you won’t have to feel guilty about failing to clean up after yourself later.

Paintball Arenas

Sometimes, though, we also enjoy arenas. These tend to offer a little more structure if it’s wanted. Typically, teams start off at their “bases.” The field in between resembles something out of a science fiction movie. You’ll find all sorts of props specifically designed to provide cover and look cool. Some take the combat experience even further by providing makeshift rooms, buildings, and even bunkers. Many vendors also build their arenas outside, offering a taste of both worlds.

Strategies for Beginners

• As far as projectiles go, paintballs lose their velocity pretty quickly. The actual rate at which this happens varies among different guns. So, until you’ve had some time to get used to yours, it’s a good idea to aim a little higher than your target. Also, practice holding it. Some feel more comfortable holding the gun with arms outstretched, but this won’t always be possible. Playing fields get cramped, so ensure that you can adapt accordingly.
• You’ll rarely be able to maintain communication with your teammates. Yes, you could technically try using your phone to text, but this could spell disaster for your $400+ device if it gets shot. Try to plan ahead as much as you can before proceeding, but keep the plan flexible. After all, paintball is unpredictable. It’s usually helpful to anticipate certain behaviors, whether audible or not, that will only make sense to your team (for example, two shots straight into the air means take the base).
• Always try to keep low and, if possible, stay on the move. Plan your moves ahead and scout the area before proceeding.
• Try not to shoot unless you’re confident about hitting the target. The worst thing you can do while playing is running out of ammo. Yes, it may be easy to see how much ammo you have remaining, but when the adrenaline starts pumping and your focus shifts to the game, they can disappear pretty quickly.
• Try to avoid crowding. It’s great if two or three teammates stick together (depending upon actual team sizes), but you don’t want to get everyone hunkered down in a single shed, pit or bunker. It’s tempting and a common mistake among rookies. Ultimately, though, this makes your team a much easier collective target.

Common Paintball Competitions

Although paintball is versatile, a few common game formats have emerged over the years. Here are some of the most popular:

Deathmatch

A deathmatch is probably the game that comes to mind when most of us think about paintball. Two teams go head to head until all players on one side have been marked (shot with a paintball). Obviously, the team left standing takes the prize.

Capture the Flag

This one is a group in teams or as individuals. The goal is to capture the flag before your opponents. Some take it a step further and require you to return the flag to your base before claiming victory.

Free for All

Every man for himself! There are no teams; there are just players. Your goal is to survive the painted onslaught and be the last player unscathed.

Rules of the Game

You probably noticed a lack of “rules” in this guide. The reason why is because you and your buddies will determine any rules. Paintball is a sport to be enjoyed. Therefore, it’s flexible enough to fit whatever crazy ideas you and your teammates concoct. Of course, you will find a few standard rules at most arenas if you choose that route. However, most of them typically just apply to safety, with regulations such as:

• Wear your helmet at all times.
• Time limits are strict.
• Raise your hand after getting hit to let others know you’re out.
• Unless you agree about it in advance, be honest about getting hit.
• Usually, you only have to hit if the paintball bursts after hitting you. If it bounces away, you’re good.

Beyond that, you won’t always find strict measures to keep score or prevent cheating. That’s because even semi-professional arenas are smart enough to leave those details to the players. And that goes for paintball in general. Follow the format of a previous game, or just do what’s the most fun for you and your friends. Make the game whatever you want it to be, and enjoy the heck out of it!

If you and your friends are looking to get as close to military-style play as possible, airsoft is the sport for you. Unlike paintball, where the weapons are called markers and look vastly different from real guns, airsoft rifles are made to resemble actual steel weapons. Though this makes them more dangerous if taken outside of the airsoft arena, it allows for a more military like play.

However, airsoft is vastly different than other amateur shooting sports, such as paintball, in that the airsoft projectiles do not mark the enemy. Instead, the game of airsoft relies on the honor system, meaning that the person getting shot must call out that they have been hit and take themselves out of the match. For this reason, many games of airsoft will have designated referees to monitor the players.

Safety First

Playing airsoft battles can be fun and exciting, as well as dangerous. As with any extreme sport that involves tiny projectiles being shot from a gas-powered rifle, safety is the most important aspect of the game. Safety tips to keep in mind before playing airsoft include:

• Never transport your airsoft guns while loaded. The last thing you want is your rifle having an accidental discharge in your vehicle or while walking to the arena.
• Ensure you have the proper equipment which includes thick clothing, as well as a paintball or multi-purpose rated mask. Goggles, nor shooting glasses, will work due to the lack of full coverage for your eyes, as well as the increased chance of the lenses shattering. Also, while some feel that military-style clothing is required because it adds to the military feel, blue jeans and a shirt are acceptable for beginners.
• Only fire your weapon while in the shooting arena, never in a ready area. Although you will always wear your eye protection when around these guns that does not mean other players will do the same.

Finally, you must understand that injuries will occur. Though these injuries are often minor, such as small bruises or cuts to exposed skin, severe injuries can occur if the proper steps aren’t taken. The tiny airsoft pellets have been known to shatter upon impact, which causes the victim to either swallow shards of plastic or can be blinded by shrapnel.

Try it out

If you are new to the game of airsoft or have never played an extreme sport such as this, we recommend trying it out before you invest any money. Whether you are borrowing a friend’s equipment or renting from the airsoft arena where you are playing, spend a few dollars now to see if you like it. Doing this will save you hundreds in the long run. Also, renting the equipment instead of immediately buying it will give you the opportunity to get acquainted with several different styles of weapons before settling on which you prefer.

Methods of Playing

As with any sport, there are several different variations of play that are possible with airsoft. To get the most out of your experience, choose the method that is best for you and your friends. Though some may seem strange, if you have ever played multiplayer shooting games such as Call of Duty, you will be familiar with most. The different variations include, but are not limited to:

• Free for all-Simply put, this game-mode is every man for himself. Victory is decided simply by who is the last player standing.
• Team Death Match– The rules are the same as a free-for-all, except you have teams instead of every player battling alone. The teams are split evenly, depending on how many players you have. However, teams should not be more than four or five individuals. Therefore, is you have several people wanting to play, having more than two teams is common.
• A wingmen-one team consisting of two players versus everyone else. Usually, the two-person team will be given a few minutes to hide and set up before the mob is released. This simulates a sniper/spotter type of situation.
• Capture the flag-Perhaps the most commonly played on the list requires at least two teams who have each placed their designated flag secretly and away from the enemy. Then, once play commences, one or more team members stay and guard the flag while the remaining members attempt to capture the enemy’s flag. Victory is simple; the first team to capture the enemy flag wins.
• Close-Quarter Combat/Urban Fighting-One style is becoming more popular today, especially as the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continue, is Urban style, or close-quarter combat. A setting like this is usually set up on a massive arena where makeshift buildings and other structures are constructed for concealment. Then, similar to today’s wars, teams clear buildings one by one while the opposing team conceals themselves in an attempt at an ambush. This style of play is typical for those players who desire a more tactical training approach to airsoft.

These are just a few of the game types you may play. Keep in mind, because the nature of airsoft is to simulate military combat, the variations are truly limitless. Let your imagination and creativity flow as you play round after round.

Rules while in the field

As with any sport, there are a few rules you want to keep in mind, though they may be unwritten. Remember, airsoft is more of a military simulation than anything else so let’s call these our “rules of engagement.” They include:

• No physical contact – Simply put, let your weapon and tactics do the talking. Never, under any circumstances, get physical with another player. Doing so is the quickest way to get banned from any airsoft arena.
• Always wear eye protection – Even if you are merely standing on the side of the field of play, always wear your eye protection. The leading severe injury from airsoft is an eye injury.
• Call your shots – As we previously stated, airsoft pellets do not mark their target. Therefore, if you are on the receiving end of a hit, you are honor-bound to call it out and walk off the field of play or sit if this is the arena rule. Not calling your shots out will not only get you banned from the facility, but your friends won’t be so happy either.
• If hit, don’t talk – “Dead man talking,” as the phrase goes, is frowned upon to the highest degree. If you are out of the round, then don’t talk. Talking from dead men is taken as a sign of cheating by the other team as you could be signaling teammates to enemy movement. Most referees will give only one warning before punishment follows.
• No close-range shooting – Though they may be considered toys by most, the plastic bb’s that fly around on an airsoft field move through the air quickly and accurately. If shot from close range, there is more pain felt. Most arenas have a minimum shooting range (usually 10-15 feet.) If you come upon an enemy closer than the minimum range, the field rules should dictate what you do (some arenas will say that both players are “dead”).
• Obey FPS limits – FPS stands for “feet per second.” Most arenas will have a maximum FPS rating that they allow for weapons on the field. If you show up with a higher-than-allowed FPS, you will not be allowed to participate.

Though rules can seem tedious, they are there to keep every participant safe. Listen to the referees on the field always and remember, the safer you are, the more fun that will be had by all included.

The key to being successful at playing airsoft is always to have a good time. It’s a great way for a large group of friends to get together and relieve stress. After all, what could reduce stress more than shooting at your buddies? In fact, the more people you have, the better your experience will be. Just remember, always be mindful of the rules for the facility you are playing at and don’t take getting shot too seriously. After all, your friends may feel the need to shoot you, too.

If you are looking for a fun and exciting alternative to shooting sports, paintballing may be your game of choice. Similar to battles involving actual firearms, a game of paintball consists of teams fighting to be the last one standing. However, no real shots are fired. Instead, balls of paint, hence the name paintball, are shot out of cO2-powered guns towards the enemy. Once marked with paint, the person is out for that round.

Though it can be a fun, and action-packed, hobby, anybody looking to get into the game of paintball should ask themselves this question; how much does paintball really cost? Depending on the situation, this may be difficult to answer.

Renting vs. Buying equipment

Before you spend tons of hard-earned money on the sport of paintballing, you should look at how much it costs to rent the necessary equipment. Especially if you don’t have the money to invest in purchasing equipment, renting may be the course you take.

Renting Equipment

Most venues that host paintballing events will have equipment for rent. When renting, there are specific pieces of equipment you want to have included. These include:

• The Paintball gun (these range from sharpshooter style guns to fully automatic heavy-shooter style)
• Mask (In most instances, no other body armor is included with a rental)
• cO2 Tank
• paintballs

Depending on the type of gun you choose to rent, you can anticipate spending between $60-80 for low-end equipment to $100 plus for high-end accessories.

Buying Equipment

If you are deadset on becoming a paintballer, purchasing equipment may be the best option. If that is the case, let’s break down just how much you could be looking to spend. Remember, as with anything you buy, the more you spend, the higher the quality.

• Gun– $50-150 and up
• Helmet/Mask-$25-60 for the low end
• Body Armor (optional)-$70 and up, depending on the style and amount of protection
• Paintballs-$20+ per 2000 rounds
• cO2 Tank-approximately $30

As with anything, your overall cost will be solely determined by the quality and style of equipment you purchase. Every piece of equipment you can buy has different styles and protective abilities. For example, when looking for the right gun to acquire, you may want to check with the other members of your team to determine what their needs are from you. However, if you will be going solo, just determine the type of gun (sharpshooter, heavy gunner, etc.) that you want to man.

Entry Fees

Depending on the location of your paintball battle, there may be rental charges for the facility. If you know someone who owns a big field or arena, this may not be an issue. However, if you don’t, you could be looking at fees of $10-25 per person.

Also, when picking a facility to hold your battle, determine if you are required to use “field paint only.” Under these circumstances, you must purchase your paintballs from them onsite. These prices can range from $30-60 per 2000 round box, depending on the facility.

Membership Dues

If you and your team are avid paintballers, joining a range may be best for you. Simply put, you pay a yearly fee and have complete access to their facilities. Just remember, these dues are set by the facility’s owners, though they can be anywhere from $175-300 per year.

There’s no doubt about it; paintball if an extremely active and exciting sport to play. If you are looking for it to be a hobby or a full-time sport, paintball can be expensive, but incredibly rewarding. With that knowledge in mind, take up your arms, divide and conquer. May the best man, or woman, win.