Paintball Frequently Asked Questions

What is it? Paintball is a heart pounding action sport requiring every ounce of your ability, strength, patience and courage. You face off against other players using your skill, wits and firepower to defeat your foes. Your equipment includes a paintball marker (gun) with which you mark (shoot) opposing players eliminating them from the game to help achieve your team’s objectives.

What do I need to play? The basics are the paintball marker/gun, paintball mask, a barrel cover/sleeve, CO2 tank or other power source and paintballs. Additionally you will need paintball gun oil to lubricate the gun, and a squeegee to keep it clean. Most players also carry extra paintballs in plastic tubes (called guppies or pods) in a pack or harness.

What types of paintball markers (guns) are there? The three basic types are pump guns, semi-automatics and full automatics. The pump gun requires that the player individually chamber (pump) each paintball before firing. Semi-automatics fire each time the trigger is pulled without pumping (one shot for each trigger pull). Full automatics keep firing as long as the trigger is pulled. Most players today use Semi’s. Most tournaments and many fields do not allow full automatics. Many guns are adjustable and can be set for semi automatic, full automatic, or other modes of fire such as a three round burst, six round burst for each pull of the trigger.

Why do some guns cost more than others? There are many reasons but, generally speaking, more expensive guns are more durable, more reliable, are made with more expensive materials and have faster rates of fire.

How are the guns powered? Paintball guns use either CO2 (Carbon Dioxide, an inert gas) or compressed air/nitrogen. CO2 is offered in disposable 12 grams (small metal cylinders) or refillable tanks. In the long run refillable tanks are less expensive than disposable cartridges. Compressed air/nitrogen (nitrogen is commonly referred to as “nitro’) tanks offer some advantages – especially in cold weather play but are more expensive than CO2 tanks. X Fire Paintball and most fields offer refills for both CO2 and compressed air. CO2 tanks are most commonly made from aluminum. Some are also made from chromium molybdenum steel or “chrome moly” for short which is a heavier material.

Compressed air/nitrogen tanks are made from aluminum, fiberglass wrapped aluminum or carbon fiber wrapped aluminum. The aluminum tank are generally cheaper but much heavier and limited to a maximum pressure of 3,000 psi (pounds per square inch). Fiberglass wrapped tanks are more expensive but can be able to hold up 3,000 or even 4,500 psi and are much lighter. Fiberglass wrapped tanks have to be hydrotested every three years. The carbon fiber wrapped tanks are a little more expensive but in addition to being able hold 3,000, 4,500 or even 5,000 psi they can have a life of up to 5 years before they have to be hydrotested (a test that is required by law to insure the tank is safe to use).

What is a paintball? A paintball is a gelatin capsule (like a gelcap for medicine) that is filled with a dye containing liquid. Standard paintballs are .68 caliber. They are non-toxic and environmentally degradable. Better paintballs provide the player with rounder, more consistent balls that will allow for improved accuracy and less in-gun breakage. Usually the more expensive paintballs are manufactured so that the quality of the balls are better than their less expensive cousins. You will find that better balls have fill that is usually thicker and brighter, their weight, from ball to ball is more consistent and they are more consistently round.

Will they stain? Paintballs generally will not stain clothing but a little common sense is required. Wash any painted clothing soon after being hit, and do not trust paint on delicate fabrics. Red paintball dye is more difficult to remove than other colors. Paint can penetrate porous materials like masonry and wood so do not hit objects that you do not want painted.

Does it hurt? Yes, it does. Many say it is the equivalent of a pinch or a sting. You can expect that, if you are hit, a bruise will develop. The force of the impact is, of course, dependent on the distance from the opposing player, the velocity of the player’s gun and any protective clothing you are wearing. One common field rule is that if you are too close to your opponent, you may not shoot tthem, you must ask for their surrender.

What about safety? There are three things you need for safe play. First, a paintball mask (not shop glasses, not ski goggles) a paintball mask – and it will not work unless you are wearing it. Second, a barrel sleeve/cover. Keep it in or on the barrel of your gun whenever you are not playing against other players (who must be wearing their paintball masks). The barrel sleeve/cover will help prevent injury if your gun accidentally discharges. Finally, common sense, your gun is not a toy. Treat it as if it is a firearm. Treat it as if it is always loaded and charged. Never point it at anything you do not want to shoot.

What do players wear? You can play in any comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear - keeping in mind that play may involve running through woods or crawling on the ground. Even in warm weather, most players wear long sleeve shirts and trousers (rather than shorts) for the protection that the clothing provides. You will also find that many players wear camouflage clothing to aid in concealment. Players can also wear other protective clothing.

Tell me about X Fire Paintball? We think we are the best paintball store in New England, offering a wide variety of paintball guns, paint, barrels, parts and other accessories. We are a refill station for CO2 as well as compressed air/nitro (up to 4,500 psi). Most of the new guns we sell come with a one-year free in-store labor warranty (parts extra). We have three locations: a store in Auburn, MA at 850 Southbridge Street (Routes 12 & 20) in the West Side (Subway) Plaza and another store in Nashua, NH at 295 D.W. Highway in the Sun Plaza. Our phone numbers are (508) 721-0003 (Auburn) and (603) 891-8300 (Nashua). We are open seven days a week in season and are open many holidays but we have reduced hours during the winter months of January, February and March – call for our hours of operation or for detailed directions. We offer gift certificates and lay-a-way programs.

Additionally we operate a field in Leicester, MA. It is available for use by reservation only.

Where can I play? We suggest using regular paintball fields. In particular, Friendly Fire in Upton, MA is a great field with walk-on games every Saturday and Sunday. Get there before 8:30am for an orientation and safety briefing followed by play until 3:00pm. Friendly Fire has acres of wooded terrain with forts and bunkers. They have rental guns and equipment. The games are well organized with referees to help insure safe and fair play and lots of fun. Call them at (508) 529-7400 for details. P&L Paintball in Bridgewater, MA is another good choice – they have a great Ghost Town. They can be reached at (508) 697-5808. Both of these fields are worth the trip – even for our New Hampshire customers.

What about a Paintball Party? We operate West End Paintball in Leicester, MA for paintball parties for all occasions; birthdays, bachelor/ette, church, scout, company or any other type of group. For details see www.westendpaintball.com or contact the store.

Got more questions? Just come to the store, give us a call or check out other parts of our website at www.xfirepaintball.com