The 3 Types of Paintball Guns

The Many Types of Paintball Guns

To many paintball players, buying a paintball gun can be like buying a car. Each paintball gun has its own unique features, some fire 3 shot bursts, and some can even play ringtones. It can be a challenging process to buy a paintball gun, and many of us out there just want to get one right away and start playing. So for those of you that are a little confused about the many types of paintball guns out there, let me break it down for you.

Paintball guns can be divided into 3 different categories...

1. ALL MECHANICAL - These are the notorious Tippmann 98's and Spyder Shutters you hear so much about. Other markers in this category include many autocockers, automags, and BT's. All mechanical markers operate solely on spring and air, which means they do not use batteries or have any electronic parts in them. Usually they come in stacked tube design (i.e. spyders and spyder clones), or single tube (i.e. tippmanns). Velocity on these types of markers is adjusted by either restricting the flow of air, or by adjusting spring tension.

2. SEAR TRIPPER - Sear trippers are paintball guns that have electronic triggers that literally "trip" the sear for you. The electronics are only located in the grip of the paintball marker, and do not regulate air pressure or velocity. Velocity is still adjusted by regulating air flow or adjusting spring tension, the electronics in the gun only control the speed at which the sear is tripped (the ROF), or firing modes. Sear trippers often take 12vlt batteries, which are located in the grip frame. Electronic eyes are now available on many sear trippers, which can dramatically reduce the chopping of paint (something that these guns are known for).

3. FULLY ELECTRONIC - These are the Ego's, Ion's, and BKO's of paintball guns. They are entirely electronic, meaning that the electronic trigger operates the solenoid which in turn fires the paintball marker. Air regulation are key on these types of paintball markers, if the PSI is set too high problems will occur. Fully electronic paintball markers often take 12vlt batteries, and can fire at more consistent velocities/speed than sear trippers. Most fully electronic paintball markers come with electronic eyes, which keep the gun from firing if a paintball is not fully present in the breech.

Each type of paintball gun has its own advantages, which often is the level of work needed to maintain it. One thing you will find is that most players start with mechanical markers and work their way up. Some new players jump the gun and purchase fully electronic markers, which is ill advised. They often end up $700 short and with a marker that they know nothing about. So be smart with your purchase, and buy according to your experience and how often you intend to play.

Kingman Spyders are well known for their ease in customization, and for that they are very popular. Kingman Spyders are generally all mechanical paintball markers. While every Kingman Spyder uses a stacked tube design (a type of all mechanical design), some of their guns have electronic grips. If you look carefully at the description of the gun it will tell you whether it has an e-grip or not, those with e-grips are still stacked tube, but since they have an electronic grip they are considered a sear tripper.

The three types of paintball guns covered above are...

1. All Mechanical
2. Sear Tripper
3. Fully Electronic

Each category of paintball guns above has many subdivisions, but to save you from the complicated mess these are the basic 3 categories paintball guns can be put into.