Are you a paintball beginner that’s looking to commit yourself to the hobby? Do you want to give yourself an advantage any time that you go out to play? If so, then you need to buy your own paintball guns!
Doing so will give you a tool for your contests that you can customize to your exact needs. You just need to make sure that you’re investing in the perfect paintball gun.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to do just that. We answer all of your most pressing questions, such as how much paintball guns cost, what you should look for, and so on.
What Are the Different Types of Paintball Guns?
First things first, what qualities make for a good paintball gun? Before we get into the price of paintball guns, you should understand what the different types of paintball guns are.
We’re here to talk about four different types of paintball guns. Specifically mag-fed paintball guns, electronic paintball guns, pump paintball guns, and mechanical paintball guns. See below for more information:
- Mag-Fed Paintball Guns– Carry a particular number of paintballs in a magazine, just like a firearm gun would. Not ideal for games because of the limited number of ammunition that they give you in each mag.
- Mechanical Paintball Guns– Perfect gun for beginners, and a favorite among most paintball players. They have an easy concept to them: simply pull the trigger to fire a paintball at your target. You can also get an automatic mechanical gun, which will continuously fire paintballs as you hold down the trigger.
- Pump Paintball Guns– Fun to use, but not ideal for gameplay. As the name implies, these guns depend on you manually pumping the gun to reload each shot, then fire. They’re entirely impractical when you’re facing people with mechanical paintball guns.
- Electronic Paintball Guns– Relies on the power of a battery to power the mechanics of the gun. Gives you several different options of shooting, such as semi-automatic and automatic. Not ideal for beginners, as they’re the most expensive type of paintball gun on the market. Give it a few years before you invest in one.
Hopefully, this provides you with a bit of intel on each. Be sure to read this article to give yourself more information on choosing the perfect paintball gun.
How Much Does a Paintball Gun Cost?
Now that you have seen a breakdown of the four different types of paintball guns, you can use that information to see what price justifies the purchase.
The price of paintball guns varies drastically. Some paintball guns can be purchased for as low as $60 (which are generally refurbished) or as high as $2,000+.
Please keep in mind that these price ranges aren’t set in stone. The price might differ from these figures based on age (new vs used), brand, make, type, size, etc.
Should you be purchasing a $2,000 gun? That depends on how serious you are about the game of paintball. If you go often and intend on competing in tournaments, then the price is absolutely justified. You might as well purchase the top brands your competition will be using!
However, if paintball is an infrequent hobby, you’ll want to stick on the lower end of the scale. Keep in mind that paintball as a hobby doesn’t get any cheaper after you’ve purchased your paintball gun.
You still have to purchase things like paintballs, CO2 tanks, Mags (if applicable), gear, and most paintball facilities will cost on a per-game basis.
In the end, though… it’s your hobby! Make sure you find something that fits in your budget and makes sense for how frequently or infrequently you play.
Does Renting Make More Sense?
Again, this depends on how frequently you plan on playing. If you play all the time, then renting your gun each time will be a waste of money.
We’d venture to say that if you’re averaging 5 or more outings in a calendar year, it would make more sense to purchase a paintball gun than rent. While it might not seem like it, this will help you save money in the long run!
For all of you beginners or infrequent players—you know who you are—you might want to know what you’re getting into with renting equipment. Just know that it can get pricey quick (which is why we suggest buying your own gear/guns).
The field fees alone average around $25 per outing, but many have season passes to help you cut into that cost if you play often enough.
As far as gear goes, you should expect to pay no less than $30 for all of the essentials, such as:
- Masks
- Gloves
- Low-end paintball gun
- Tank
- Protective equipment (some fields will charge extra for this)
You get the idea. Think of it this way: if you play five times in one year, you’ve spent $150 on renting equipment. For that price, you could get your hands on a great paintball gun that you’ll never have to pay for again.
If you’re just beginning, don’t be afraid to rent equipment for the first few outings. If you find yourself committing to the hobby, it’s time to start investing in your own gear.
Find the Best Paintball Guns for Your Love of the Game
Now that you have seen all of the different things to consider regarding paintball guns, be sure to use this information to your advantage!
As previously mentioned, gauge how often you’ll end up playing. If it’s often enough, then you’ll want to invest in equipment (even if it’s piece by piece) to lower the cost of your hobby.
Be sure to browse our website for more articles on paintball guns, as well as many other topics that you’ll enjoy.