Paintball equipment
The paintball equipment refers to the equipment that is used in paintball to play.
The equipment can be roughly divided into the paintball marker and its accessories and protective equipment such as the mask.
Markers and accessories
Technical variants
A distinction is made between two classes:
- Pump-action markers , where the marker has to be repeated for each shot.
- Semi-automatic machines that trigger a shot every time you pull the trigger and automatically reload the next paintball. Within the semiautomatic machines, markers that have an electronic trigger are called ePneumatics . This designation is sometimes misleading because traditionally only markers are called ePneumatics, where the entire firing sequence is electronically controlled. Cheaper markers, where the mechanical trigger has been replaced by an electromagnetic device, are also often referred to as ePneumatics.
The firing rate of the markers can theoretically be more than 28 balls per second, but is limited by technical devices and rules in tournament sports. The main limiting factor in the rate of fire is that paintballs cannot be fed into the firing channel quickly enough. The reason for this is the insufficient strength of the color balls. These burst when they are pressed lightly and then contaminate the firing channel, which leads to further bursts (chain reaction), which make the shot pattern almost unpredictable.
The marking is done using a paintball, the .68 (17.3 mm) caliber being the most widely used in Europe. In addition to this caliber, the following calibers are also played with , especially in the USA : .43, .50, .55 and .62. The color balls consist of a gelatin shell filled with food coloring. If the ball hits an obstacle, it bursts and leaves a colored blob. Red color is frowned upon in the paintball scene, if not prohibited. Almost all German umbrella organizations of competition events, however, prohibit the use of red color. The main reason is the risk of confusion with blood under the safety aspect of the unquestionable determination of an existing injury. Another reason is of course the martial appearance of “fake blood”, which goes against the desired image as a community-promoting recreational sport.
Paintball markers are subject to the Weapons Act in Germany . They can be freely acquired from the age of 18, such as air rifles or alarm weapons. Information on the correct and safe handling of markers is usually provided in the form of notes on the enclosure.
Special types of markers
So-called real-action markers look like a real weapon. They often have magazines in which the paintballs are stored. This type of marker is often used by amateur gamers. In the past, they were often only played in caliber 43, since there is no space for larger bullets in a weapon that is modeled on the real thing; today the .68 caliber is also used here. Real-action markers are criticized by parts of the paintball scene because they are not in the sense of actual team or tournament sports. Like the use of red paint (see above), markers that look like real weapons go against the desired image of the sport.
High pressure compressed air cylinder
The high pressure compressed air bottle (HP bottle for short, from English High Pressure) stores the compressed air required to accelerate the paintballs. The usual pressure levels are 200 bar and 300 bar with volumes of 0.8 to 1.5 liters. In order to be able to use the compressed air, a working pressure of 30 to 60 bar is generated with the help of a high pressure regulator. The regulator is screwed into the top of the bottle. The bottle is either made of aluminum or a combination of an aluminum core and wrapped plastic fabric to save weight. The bottles are subject to strict security controls and usually have to be checked every five years by a notified body .
HP bottles have now prevailed over the previously widespread CO 2 bottles because, unlike CO 2, the high pressure does not depend on the temperature and a high pressure system is also more cost-efficient in the long term. Furthermore, the seals (so-called O-rings) become brittle due to the cold CO 2 inside the marker, which is why they have to be replaced more often.
Hopper
The ammunition container, which is usually located above the marker, is referred to as a "hopper" or loader.
It exists
- Shaking hoppers, which ensure the ball supply purely by gravity or bring the paintballs to roll by shaking and
- electric hoppers, which keep the paintballs in motion by an internal, electrically driven whisk and prevent clogging.
- A special version of the hoppers are the so-called "force feeders", in which the ammunition is not fed by gravity, but rather the paintballs are pressed into the marker with force ("Force") in order to achieve very high rate of fire. 50 and more balls per second (balls per second, Bps) are possible. This variant is mostly electric, but there are also mechanical variants in which a spring (like a clock) has to be wound (Q-Loader).
protective gear
Protective mask
The kinetic energy of paintball balls is sufficient to add to the players threatening injuries on the face and especially around the eyes. It is therefore compulsory to wear a protective mask on the field. The safety glass (mostly polycarbonate ) used in the viewing window is designed so that it withstands the kinetic energy of the paint balls. The masks vary in shape and color, but always cover the area around the eyes, nose and mouth. Almost all of them protect, at least partially, the ears. The sight glass can be exchanged and replaced with smoked glass, contrast-enhancing yellow glass or mirrored glass.
Running sock
A barrel sock (German: Laufsocke) is put over the barrel and has the purpose of catching an unintentional triggering of a shot. This is how the paintball ball bursts into the barrel sock. All official field operators are required to use a running sock outside the actual field of play. A barrel plug is used less often . These are accepted less and less on the playing field as they can come loose after a shot or two. Running socks are safer and therefore preferred. With this safety equipment it is easy for other players, spectators or court personnel to see whether a marker is secured or not. Outside a playing field, it is very often mandatory to secure markers with running socks, regardless of its actual playability.
Further protective equipment
In addition to the protective mask, other pieces of equipment are often worn in paintball sports that are supposed to help prevent or minimize bruising . Neoprene bandages or simple scarves are used as neck or larynx protection. In addition to genital protection , knee and elbow protectors are often worn, which are particularly preferred by SupAir players on hard floors to cushion pike jumps (called “Superman”) or slipping behind cover. Gloves are also worn by many players because the hands, especially the fingers, are very sensitive. There are also special pants and jerseys with sewn-in padding. They increase the chance of paintball balls bouncing off and, depending on the playing field, protect against rough vegetation. In many places they are made of particularly breathable fabric, are usually cut wide and often have extra pockets for smaller tools and barrel cleaners.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Manufacturer's information on the cadence ( memento of the original from December 20, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Dealer supplementary sheet markers ( Memento of the original from February 21, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF file; 430 kB)
- ↑ Manufacturer's information on the Dye Rotor ( Memento of the original dated December 30, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
