Guide to Buying Your First Paintball Gun
So you’ve played a couple of rounds of paintball and you’re ready to go all in and buy your own paintball setup. But what are the things that you should be looking for in your first paintball gun? More importantly, if you’ve already started looking at paintball guns, you’ve certainly come across some that cost well over $1000.
For those who want to test the waters with makers that won’t break the bank, there are several great options available for under $300 and in this guide, we’ll be taking a look at the best. Read on to see our top first paintball gun picks and take a look at our explanation video below as well!
HK Army SABR
The HK Army SABR retails for around $130 and is a great option to just get you into the game. The SABR will run on both CO2 or high-pressure air and comes stock with a 12” barrel and one of the easiest bolts to remove and maintain that you’ll find on any marker. The marker also has dual ball detents which keeps the balls from falling out of the front of the barrel before you pull the trigger. With the SABR, you’ll notice that there is no hose or macro line outside of the marker which is impressive since other, more expensive markers, don’t even have this feature.
For a full review of the HK Army SABR, take a look at our YouTube video below:
Tippmann Cronus
The Tippmann Cronus is another great option at $120 and is the cheapest marker on the list. The Cronus basic is a Tippmann product that comes with all of the durability that many paintballers have come to know and love from other Tippmann markers. The marker does come with a basic 10” barrel but also comes with the hardware to put a stock onto it. Towards the top of the marker, players will notice a clamping feed neck that can be adjusted with an allen wrench. Compared to the SABR, the Cronus only has one ball detent, but this should be enough to get you through most games without losing any paint. The Cronus is also widely known as one of the most customizable guns on the market, with many people turning them into “sniper rifles” and adding on other equipment to modify their markers.
To see how the Cronus performs while shooting, take a look at our shooting video below:
Tippmann Stormer Elite
The Tippmann Stormer Elite is the next step up from the Tippmann Cronus and is one of the most versatile markers for beginners. In fact, many advanced players also keep a Tippmann Stomer Elite in their closets for mil-sim events since it can go from mag-fed to hopper-fed almost instantly. Coming in at $200, the Stormer Elite comes with a 6-position stock and comes with the same threads as the Tippmann 98-Custom. The one downside of this marker is the difficulty of maintenance. Because of the many aesthetic features of the marker, there are several different screws that must be loosened before you can access the bolt and other parts of the marker. Players should also note that this marker will not fire First Strike rounds.
For a full review of the Tippmann Stomer Elite, take a look at our helpful review video below:
Empire Mini GS
The Empire Mini GS rides the line between high-end beginner markers and low-end advanced markers given the fact that it is an electronic marker. It is also one of the favorite markers for newer paintballers and, at $300, is one of the best “bang-for-your-buck” markers out there. This little marker is extremely efficient and also comes with auto-cocker threaded barrels which are perfect for upgrades and inserts. Players will need an allen wrench to use this marker effectively, both for the feedneck clamp and for bolt maintenance.
What most sets this marker apart from the other ones on this list is it’s fully electronic and fully programmable. This means that you’ll be able to use the marker on traditional woodsball fields as well as speedball fields where you will need at least 10 balls per second to compete with other players. Perhaps the most important part of this marker is that it will allow you room to grow as a paintballer as you buy upgrades and learn more about your own playing style.
Take a look at the videos below to find out why the Empire Mini GS is one of our favorite guns out there:
Final Thoughts
There are a lot of different considerations when purchasing your first paintball gun and your other accessories. Above all, make sure that you give yourself some room to grow and upgrade your paintball gun before you end up purchasing a professional paintball gun. Being able to upgrade different parts of the marker and accessories will help you develop your own playing style and preferences. That way, when you’re ready for a professional paintball marker, you know exactly what to look for.
Whether you’re looking for your first speedball paintball gun or any other paintball outfitting, head on over to our online paintball store. At Lone Wolf Paintball, we have the best selection of markers and accessories you’ll find anywhere. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable team who will point you in the right direction.
Happy paintballing!