WHAT IS A PAINTBALL MARKER ?

       P aintballs markers come in a variety of shapes and styles. Some are stock paint-pistols, powered by small 12-gram CO2 cartridges that have to be changed after 15 to 25 shots. Other paint-guns are rifle-like, with shoulder stocks and longer barrels. These are powered by larger, refillable CO2 cylinders that supply hundreds of shots. Some paint-guns are pump-action, where each time you want to shoot a paintball you first must cock the paint-gun by using a pump and then squeeze the trigger; you must recock the paint-gun before you can shoot again. Other paint-guns are semi-automatic, meaning the first time you want to shoot you must cock the paint-gun, but after you shoot the first paintball the paint-guns action will recock the paint-gun for you; you simply squeeze the trigger each time you want to shoot a paintball. There are also fully automatic paint-guns. Most playing fields do not allow full automatic paint-guns. Stock Class paint-guns are the basic configuration paint-guns, and stock play is in a class of its own. Paint-guns range from simple to sophisticated, but what they all share in common is a limitation on their power and range. Shooting at maximum elevation with the barrel pointed up into the air, a paint-gun can lob a paintball only about 50 yards. Paintballs won't hit hard enough to cause an injury as long as proper safety procedures are followed.