| Don't be ashamed of being new to paintball. We all had | | | | these items. However, when purchasing a mask, I |
| to start somewhere with no experience. I've seen a | | | | would highly recommend that you make sure that |
| number of new players discouraged by more | | | | replacement lenses are readily available. If your lens is |
| experienced players pestering and using the phrase | | | | cracked, has any sort of damage that could |
| "noob". Rule 1, don't listen to bastards like this. A good | | | | compromise its integrity, has been shot within 10 ft. or is |
| paintball player will help you learn about the sport. Don't | | | | over a year old, it should be replaced. This might seem |
| expect players to be nice to you if you are rude to | | | | like a pain in the ass, but it beats the lens shrapneling |
| them, but respect them and they will respect you. | | | | into your eye and you loosing your eyesight. |
| The first question I am asked about paintball is "Does it | | | | Your mask, however, is not the only thing that needs |
| hurt?". Well, no, it doesn't feel pleasant by any means. | | | | maintenance. A paintball gun does require maintenance |
| However, it is more than likely less painful than you | | | | after it has been played with and periodically when |
| would expect. Granted, unless you get shot at a short | | | | stored for long periods of time. Your CO2/HPA tank |
| distance (which you're not supposed to do) which can | | | | usually only needs its O-ring replaced if it is broken. |
| cause a nice bruise and OCCASIONALLY can cause | | | | After you're done playing and you've removed your air |
| VERY LIGHT bleeding. All the more reason why not to | | | | and hopper, look at your gun. Inspect for any physical |
| get shot. | | | | damage first. Look for anything out of the ordinary that |
| The next question you'll probably be asking yourself is | | | | looks like it could hurt the gun's performance or safety. |
| what gun to use? Well, this varies on a number of | | | | Next, REFER TO YOUR GUN'S DISASSEMBLY |
| things. Mainly, how often you play and how big your | | | | INSTRUCTIONS and remove the bolt mechanism. |
| budget is. If you have NEVER played paintball before I | | | | Clean out the breach and barrel with a squeegee until |
| would recommend borrowing a gun or renting a gun | | | | all the paint is gone. Examine your bolt mechanism, |
| from a field. If it turns out that you don't like paintball, | | | | remove all paint and inspect the O-rings of the bolt |
| your loss would be much less than if you purchased a | | | | (assuming your bolt has O-rings). As long as your bolt |
| $250 gun. | | | | has no damage, you're good. Oil the bolt with |
| This leads me to my next point: buying gear. Although | | | | PAINTBALL OIL, as other oils can cause the O-rings to |
| it's nice to have the best gun in the world, it doesn't | | | | swell (I have, however, had luck with RemOil). |
| mean anything unless you know how to play the | | | | Reassemble your gun and test it out with a dry fire or |
| game. In my opinion, starting with a cheaper gun is | | | | two. For your hopper, as long as it is gravity fed, you |
| more beneficial to your skill as well as your wallet. A | | | | can generally just run water through it to clean it. If it is |
| Tippman 98 Custom is an excellent starting gun for | | | | electric, use caution with water. Water and electronics |
| most new players. It may seem a tad pricey at first | | | | don't mix. Also, some people simply run water through |
| ($140 - $160), but it is quite cheap compared to other | | | | their guns. While this may work, it can also damage |
| guns, which can easily exceed $1,000. If you can find a | | | | your gun over time therefore I cannot recommend |
| "player's package" with your gun, I would recommend | | | | "drowning" your gun to clean it. |
| it. This usually includes a hopper, a mask and | | | | Hopefully, this guide has helped you getting into this |
| sometimes other gear. Generally you get a discount on | | | | fast growing sport. |