Do you paintball?

[DrewKaree]

I went about a week and a half ago for the second-ish time in my life.  When paintball guns were the new kewl thing back when I was many years younger, we'd go farting around in the parks and shoot each other.  The stuff nowadays is WAAAAAAY better and more powerful than what we had.

Do you partake, and if so, what kinda stuff do you use?  I'm really wanting to pick up a mask first, because the rental mask was CRAP.  I wear glasses and the dang thing just NEVER seemed to fit, and fogged up all the time.  I'd also like to pick up a marker, but I'm not looking for something wicked expensive, something like $100 or less that's ok. 

We had Tippman A-5's for our rentals, and I can pick up a Tippman 98 custom with mask, 200 round hopper, 9oz bottle and some other doodad for $200.  From what I've seen, that gun is pretty decent, and is sells for around that price all by itself, so I'm guessing the rest is just throwaway crap.  Would I be well served by shelling out an extra $100 for the few extra trinkets?  I'm guessing the hopper will be the only thing I wouldn't quickly replace, as a 9oz bottle doesn't seem very big at all, and the mask seems like it's SUPER small.

I can buy the gun  alone for $178, regularly $230.  Should I skip that and pick up a DECENT mask and less expensive gun to start with?

Someone tell me there's a mask that works well with glasses too.

[Zakk]

I have a bud that's into it.  He really goes on about the guns.  The trigger, the barrel are his big points of interest.  He has one that has this little rocker trigger that he can fire off like a gazillion shots in a second, and the gun won't stop firing if a ball breaks in the chamber. Stuff like that.  He's always ordering new gizmos for it.  Never mentions the mask.

[mccoy178]

Make sure you wear a mask no matter what.  Even if you're not paint balling, for god's sake, wear a mask.

[DrewKaree]

Make sure you wear a mask no matter what.  Even if you're not paint balling, for god's sake, wear a mask.

yU0r m0mZ s3d i'M haNdS0m3.

I AM NOT AN ANIMAL!

[gprime]

I don't own any paintball gear, so anytime I went.. I had to pay for equipment rental + field usage + paint. With 9 others or so, it still came to like $80 a piece. Incredibly fun, but incredibly expensive.

[pointdablame]

I used to have a Tippman 98 Custom with the Flatline barrel... loved the thing to death.  Upgraded spring, rear bolt, double trigger, etc etc.

Then there was no one to play with anymore, and it suddenly hit me how expensive it was.  Of course now I'm here... so I obvioulsy haven't learned my lesson about expensive hobbies.

The 98 Custom is a GREAT marker.  It's dead simple to field strip and clean, upgrades are simple and usually requires no internal modifications.  There are a lot of upgrade options for it as well.  I've been out of the game for a few years now so god knows what the "hot" marker is now... but that 98 Custom was a blast to use, and a dream to work on.  I wouldn't hesitate getting one again or recommending it.

As for how to buy it.. get the marker by itself if you have an option.  The masks that get thrown in will be garbage and you'll wind up upgrading anyway.  Be sure to get a cleaning kit... oil, O-rings, squeegee.  A hopper is a decent pack in.. it won't be fancy or an auto-feed of course, but they all do about the same.  Even a simple one will be worth it if you get it for free or cheap.  Grab a 20oz CO2 tank... or 2

Other than that, its up to you.  Paintball tubes, carrying gear, upgrades... new barrels...

[mccoy178]

I just found this video of Drew on his little trip:

[psik0tik]

We play paintball alot during the summer...during the winter those little bastard balls hurt worse. You should spend the most on the gun and worry more about the mask and such later. A cheap gun will suck in the long run...the term you get what you paid for applies heavily in the paintball world.

[ChadTower]

There is a tiny little paintball store a few hundred yards from my house.  You wouldn't know it is there unless you drove by it a billion times.  I hear the guy sells stuff at nearly zero profit basically to friends and newcomers to recruit for the local paintball scene.  You buy from him, you use your stuff locally and in their "league", you get the good price.

I tried paintball once... everyone was shocked when I said that shooting people just wasn't my thing.

I'd rather walk up and slap them with a paintbrush Predator style.

[Dartful Dodger]

Be sure to buy one of those baseball banana cups.

[ChadTower]

WTF is a baseball banana cup?

[mccoy178]

[Dartful Dodger]

I don't play baseball, so I don't know the real term.  It's one of those cups shaped like a banana, and it's inthe baseball department.

I saw a guy get without a cup get hit with a paintball.  He was less than happy.

[ChadTower]

A protective cup?  I guess that could be shaped like a banana if you look at it through moving water or something.

[Dartful Dodger]

It's been a while since I've been in HS, but the cups we had protected just the front.  The banana ones wrap under, so it protects you when you're in a crouching stance.

[ChadTower]

Well, the big enhancement since HS is that they're now made of more flexible materials.  I still wear one for football and the one I have now is 100x better than the one I had on that got smashed by a line drive in 1991.  That one just shattered and, while it saved me from major injury, still nearly put me unconscious with pain.

[SirPoonga]

I have paintbaled, but only done rentals.  I've also been looking int airsoft as that seems to have a decent following on this side of the state.

[Dartful Dodger]

Airsoft is the way to go.

[clanggedin]

I played paintball for a while... I spent alot of money in guns and upgrades and such. I eventually sold my equipment and used the money to purchase my first cab.

I do play airsoft though. The guns are cheaper, ammo is cheaper, I don't have to pay for air (I have an Auto Electric Gun (AEG) )., and the guns are much much more realistic looking and cheaper to mod.

[DrewKaree]

Well, we went indoors, and while it wasn't terribly cold, it also didn't hurt me to get hit.  I dunno, to me, I expected to get hit, and wasn't too worried that it was gonna hurt like crazy, and they turned everyone's guns down and did something to the controls to make sure they stayed at that setting, so mebbe I lucked out with the place we went.  260 fps (I dunno if fps is the term, but I know that's the correct number) was the setting everyone's gun was dialed into.

I can also vouch for either wearing a cup or having a dual pod holder sitting in front of you.  We played Civil War and in turning sideways to make a smaller target, I ended up getting a "flicking" that didn't hurt, but it sure didn't put a smile on my face either.

Nobody wears glasses under their mask?  I'd rather spend decent money on a mask that I can see out of.  The gun won't do me any good if I can't see what the heck I'm shooting at, so to me, I've decided the mask is far more important at this point to me than the gun.

I have no clue what airsoft is.

[c64rulez]

I painted my balls once and it itched

[pointdablame]

Nobody wears glasses under their mask?  I'd rather spend decent money on a mask that I can see out of.  The gun won't do me any good if I can't see what the heck I'm shooting at, so to me, I've decided the mask is far more important at this point to me than the gun.

I wore glasses every single time I paintball'd... if I didn't, I'd be shooting at trees for 3 hours thinking they were my friends

[SirPoonga]

260 fps (I dunno if fps is the term, but I know that's the correct number)

260 feet per second, muzzle velocity.

I have no clue what airsoft is.

It's called google, use it  
Basically, instead of paintballs you use 6mm plastic BBs.  Though most fields are now requiring biodegradable BBs which do not contain plastic.

What this means is the guns are more realistic.  For example, you could get a M16 replica.

[Bones]

Here it is commonly known as skirmish.

There is a skirmish field just 5 minutes from my place. It has lots of bushland, old wrecked cars, swamps..... The works.

I have played there a few times and have enjoyed it but very sore afterwards. Not from getting shot (even though that hurts), but from the extreme physical exertion.

We had a bucks party there were we played "hunt the buck". About 30 of us hunted and beat up one poor bastard. It was good value.

They have some pretty serious events there. Dudes running around with night vision goggles and hand grenades etc...

[SithMaster]

not sure where but they have d-day, cold war crisis, one based on starcraft, and tanks and helicopters and tons of stuff.  when you guys upgraded did anyone use scopes?  i played once and it was fun way better than laser tag but its expensive and the guns were not so good.

airsoft also can get hardcore ive seen people make their own anti armor rockets and someone mentioned something about a turret.

try and hit up the respective forums for paintball and airsoft depending on which youd prefer.

pointdablame were you selling your paintball gun on that townwide yard sale day?

[SirPoonga]

airsoft also can get hardcore ive seen people make their own anti armor rockets and someone mentioned something about a turret.

Some people go overboard on airsoft, like some people do with arcade cabinet, NO WAY!
http://www.pipersprecisionproducts.com/m134_6mm.htm
 

[Dartful Dodger]

I have an airsoft gun that's the exact replica of my Glock.  It's nice because it weighs the same as a real one and the sights are the same.  "They" claim if you practice with it you can be a better shot with a real gun because by practicing with the airsoft your muscle memory forgets about the recoil, so you don't anticipate it when you fire your real gun.

I'm not sure if that's right, I just like playing with a gun without having to worry about cheney'n my friend.

[RetroACTIVE]

I went through the paintball phase... I had a lot of fun with my stepson... he was more into it than myself... still go out now and then.

I have a spyder that I customized with an electronic auto trigger (really cheap)... basically it shakes itself apart. Every time I go out... something pops off the gun.  I was told putting the automatic trigger on the cheap spyder frame was like putting a big-block V8 into a Civic...

BTW: As far as glasses under the goggles... my stepson had a similar problem.. we tried everything "anti-fog" spray and we even got a really nice "no-fog" mask... and "no dice".  Depending upon how much you perspire you may be sol...  We actually stopped going because of it... he has since had lasik and it is better without the glasses in there... don't ask me why...

[SirPoonga]

I have an airsoft gun that's the exact replica of my Glock.  It's nice because it weighs the same as a real one and the sights are the same.  "They" claim if you practice with it you can be a better shot with a real gun because by practicing with the airsoft your muscle memory forgets about the recoil, so you don't anticipate it when you fire your real gun.

I'm not sure if that's right, I just like playing with a gun without having to worry about cheney'n my friend.

I heard some of the brands are exact replicas of glocks, and you can get real replacement parts like new grips.

[markrvp]

I have an airsoft gun that's the exact replica of my Glock.  It's nice because it weighs the same as a real one and the sights are the same.  "They" claim if you practice with it you can be a better shot with a real gun because by practicing with the airsoft your muscle memory forgets about the recoil, so you don't anticipate it when you fire your real gun.

I'm not sure if that's right, I just like playing with a gun without having to worry about cheney'n my friend.

I've got one of those, too.  I have a friend who has spent thousands on Airsoft replica guns.  The expensive ones that are $300 to $400.  He lives and breathes that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

[ChadTower]

Forget Glocks.  If I'm going so far as to make real looking replicas I'm going to design my own and make it look way cooler than that.

[SithMaster]

Some people go overboard on airsoft, like some people do with arcade cabinet, NO WAY!
http://www.pipersprecisionproducts.com/m134_6mm.htm

yeah really

thats a really nice vulcan though buying ammo for it must hurt the wallet which could be said with some of you and cabs.  now i want a couple of these assorted weapons of fun but i doubt anyone i know would want to play since they arent into shooting each other.  but does a real vulcan sound like the one from the link? sounds muffled

[clanggedin]

Some people go overboard on airsoft, like some people do with arcade cabinet, NO WAY!
http://www.pipersprecisionproducts.com/m134_6mm.htm

yeah really

thats a really nice vulcan though buying ammo for it must hurt the wallet which could be said with some of you and cabs.  now i want a couple of these assorted weapons of fun but i doubt anyone i know would want to play since they arent into shooting each other.  but does a real vulcan sound like the one from the link? sounds muffled

All I know is that if I hear that sound next time I play airsoft I'm quitting.

[SirPoonga]

but does a real vulcan sound like the one from the link? sounds muffled

Uh, no.  Considering a real vulcan uses big ammo that makes a big boom instead of compressed air....

I do like the company's gatlin gun, which they made an airsoft version of that.

[SithMaster]

thats what i thought if i bought a vulcan even a replica i would want at least some fx sounds but considering that would hurt battery life it doesnt really seem necessary just an afterthought.

something about spinning bullet hoses makes me happy.

[grumble]

I used to play all the time. I actually have a pretty sweet gun (excuse me, *marker*). It's an Automag with a DYE boomstick barrel, venturi bolt, LCD grip, power hopper and Nitro tank. The best thing is the grip since it allows you to fire semi-automatic, fully automatic or in configureable bursts of between 2 and 10 shots with each trigger pull! I also have a PT enforcer paintball pistol. It sucks though because the good fields in Dallas have all closed and most of my friends that played have moved away since then. Still it's a blast to play, especially if you like bruises! 

[brophog]

I've paintballed for almost 14 years now. What do you need to know, Drew?

[DrewKaree]

Do you partake, and if so, what kinda stuff do you use?  I'm really wanting to pick up a mask first, because the rental mask was CRAP.  I wear glasses and the dang thing just NEVER seemed to fit, and fogged up all the time.  I'd also like to pick up a marker, but I'm not looking for something wicked expensive, something like $100 or less that's ok. 

We had Tippman A-5's for our rentals, and I can pick up a Tippman 98 custom with mask, 200 round hopper, 9oz bottle and some other doodad for $200.  From what I've seen, that gun is pretty decent, and is sells for around that price all by itself, so I'm guessing the rest is just throwaway crap. 

Would I be well served by shelling out an extra $100 for the few extra trinkets? 

I'm guessing the hopper will be the only thing I wouldn't quickly replace, as a 9oz bottle doesn't seem very big at all, and the mask seems like it's SUPER small.

I can buy the gun  alone for $178, regularly $230.  Should I skip that and pick up a DECENT mask and less expensive gun to start with?

Someone tell me there's a mask that works well with glasses too.

I've since gone back, but this time just to the range.  I hate the damn masks with a passion.

I wear glasses.  These damn masks just seem to either beat the hell out of my glasses, feel too loose, fog up, or a combination of fogging and poor fit.  I know I need one, but there doesn't seem to be any place that has recommendations for those who wear glasses.  This one factor alone is enough to bug me bad enough not to buy a damn gun simply because it doesn't MATTER what gun I might buy if I can't see anything I'm shooting at.

Masks - what or where can I find out what will work well for someone with glasses?

I tried the "spit clean", that didn't work. 
I tried the "toothpaste", that didn't work.
I tried some anti-fog paste crap.  That worked the best, but still not good enough.

[HaRuMaN]

Drew, maybe this will work for you:

http://www.pevs.com/optical.asp

[brophog]

This is why I switched to contacts!

One of the better brands for glass wearers are VForce masks, particularly their shield and morph lines. The lens bubbles out giving you room for your glasses.

(Stay away from the vantage and armor masks. The lens doesn't bubble out. Also, don't get a profiler, it's more expensive than you'll need at this time.)

They have good anti-fog too, especially when new. However, you'll probably still want to put a commercial anti-fog product on your glasses. The best one I can recommend is FogTech. It's made for motorcycle riders and is sold as a wipe. Runs about 5 dollars for 5 applications.

You don't want less than a tippmann marker. Go to ebay and pick one up used. A Tippmann 98 can be had for around 70 bucks, sometimes less if you get a good deal. It is a product that is very well built, and you have almost no concern for buying used in this case. I've seen tippmann 98's that were run over with van's, beat against rocks, burned down in houses......and they all work!

Right there is a gun and mask that should run about 100 dollars together.