Buying The Right Marker

Buying The Right Paintball Marker

by Sean Takeda

Publication Date: June 2000

One question that many first-time players are faced with isWhat kind of paintball marker should I buy? Many players are concerned about spending too much money, and some are worried about maintenance costs. To some players, money seems to be no object, especially when their parents are buying (not in all cases however). Either way, there are a few guidelines that you should follow to ensure that whatever your decision might be, it will be one that you are completely satisfied with.

Looking At The Store - Reading The Magazines:

When starting out on your quest for the right paintball marker, do your research. There are quite a number of paintball markers on the market today. With different paintball manufacturers trying to target all players, there have been a substantial amount of lower priced guns, all the way up to the high-end "electropnuematic" paintball markers. Fortunately for you, the enthusiastic paintball consumer, high competition is forcing prices down, making paintball markers more affordable.

When visiting your favorite paintball store, don't be afraid to ask questions. Be sure to ask questions like: How much maintenance does this marker require? How difficult is it to maintain this marker on the field? How does this marker compare to others in it's class? Most stores are more than glad to give you their honest opinion on the markers, especially when they know that you are interested in buying one.

If you should happen to receive a truly "biased" response such as, "That gun sucks," or "I wouldn't buy that one, because it's no good," be aware that these are strictly the opinions of the people who work at the stores and may not be true in many cases. If you are still interested in a gun that has not been rated quite as high as others, see if you can rent one at your local paintball field next time. Or perhaps, ask a fellow paintball player if you can shoot theirs if they have one. This will give you a true "hands on" experience with the marker so that you can test it for yourself.

Another suggestion would be to write to gun techs, magazines, or even call the manufacturer of the marker. In many cases, all these sources of information are usually more than willing to send you material about their products. All you have to do is ask.

Looking On The Internet :

Thanks to modern technology, it is now possible to find and buy just about anything on the internet. You have websites from manufacturers and players that are an excellent way to research a variety of markers and learn about them without actually having to go to the stores. Another excellent resource is paintball newsgroups, that usually have an assortment of opinions, stories, etc. from players all over the world who have something to share. Finally, you have email. Almost all of the sites that I have visited have some sort of contact point when you have questions. Feel free to use them; that's what they are there for.

Many of the "online" paintball stores offer very reasonable prices. Some of them even offer special packages when buying through the internet. Be sure to pay close attention to these. They are normally a good buy because you can usually get everything you need to play for one low price. Another excellent source to look for "used" equipment is online resources such as Warpig, Ebay, Newsgroups, and the MPN. Most of these sites have classified sections where you can buy and sell at great bargains. But, check the math before purchasing online how much will the marker cost after shipping costs? And if something should go wrong, where can you take it to be repaired?

When buying from sources such as Warpig, Ebay, etc., be careful that you get to know the person whom you are interested buying from. Ask around if you are not sure. I'll be honest, I have heard some horror stories about people receiving bricks, rocks, old magazines, or whatever holds weight, instead of what the buyer was supposed to be getting. On the other hand, I have personally found some awesome deals on guns, air systems, you name it, for excellent prices! If you are still not sure about buying from a particular source, make a mutual agreement to send it to a store where the transaction can take place. This way there can be some comfort and trust between both parties.

On a final note, some legal information I think many of you would find useful: When shipping packages, most shipping companies (Fed-Ex, DHL, etc.) won't let you open the package until after you have signed for it. If you are going to use COD, be sure you trust the sending party. Get information such as their phone number, and physically speak to them if possible. Even though it might be a long distance phone call, it's better than getting ripped off $500 for a rock.

Another safe bet is the US Postal Service. The limit of a COD they will accept, unfortunately, is only $600. So, if it is over, you might want to send the check to a mutual party and have the sender send the gun to the same party as an exchange. The benefit of sending through the US Postal Service is that it is a Federal offense to rip someone off through the mail. It is also Grand Theft if the package is worth more than $500, which means you go to jail if you get caught.

Buying The Marker:

So, which is the right marker for me? Here are a few important factors to keep in mind when looking:

· How much maintenance is involved with that particular marker? Is it more than you want to deal with?

· How much will it cost should you want to upgrade the marker? What's the total cost to completely trick it out?

· Are parts available should a problem arise?

· Is the gun popular enough so it won't be discontinued?

· Is it something you will be happy with?

Another very important question is, "How much are you willing to spend?" You don't have to spend hundreds or even thousands (in some cases) to get a decent shooting marker. Yes, nicer markers usually come with higher price tags. However, just like high end cars, the higher the price, the higher the maintenance cost when something goes wrong. If something should go wrong that isn't covered under warranty, it might be a pricey repair. I usually recommend that people first shoot the markers they are interested in purchasing. From there, find out how much it will cost to do any upgrades you may be planning. From there, choose what you like.

Bought The Marker, Now What?

Congratulations! Buying your first gun is a very exciting ordeal. Pat yourself on the back and be happy with your purchase. Just remember, you can always upgrade the gun to enhance the performance. You can always sell it when you are ready to move on. Another suggestion is try and find an owners group for the marker you purchased on the internet. They are always a good source to give you ideas on how to upgrade, maintain, and service your marker should something go wrong.

Sean Takeda is the founder & president of The Monthly Paintball Newsletter, a "free" web-based paintball webzine. He is an avid amateur player on Southern California-based Team Broken Arrow. Sean has been involved in the sport/industry of paintball for about 15 years, with experience in the machine, retail, and competition-side of paintball. He donates a lot of his free time to help with local teams, players and events, as well as, competes in tournament series across the US. For more information on The Monthly Paintball Newsletter, go to their web address: www.thempn.com