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Best Paintball Guns Reviewed & Rated for Quality
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Weight
The size and weight of the marker are going to have an effect on how you play. The best thing to do is to try and hold it up prior to purchasing it to see how it feels while you are holding it. You will want to make sure that it isn't too heavy for you to hold the gun steady while you are aiming otherwise it is going to be hard to make an accurate shot. It should also have a stock that isn't too big or too small for you either. A stock that is the wrong size will make it hard for you to hold the gun properly and handle the recoil from firing it.
Size
A longer barrel is going to shoot more accurate shots but it can also mean that the barrel will get caught on obstacles in the course. On the other hand, a shorter barrel lets you move more quickly, but you lose accuracy as the barrel gets shorter so you are going to have to get closer to your target. Most markers allow you to change out the barrels, but you can save if you get a proper length barrel the first time. After you check the barrel, you are going to want to make sure that the grips fit in your hands properly. They should not be too big for your hands where you can't grip the gun and they should not be too small either. You are going to want to look for grips that have a comfortable feel and go from there. This will help you play at your best when you are on the field.
Advanced Features
One way many players get additional value from their markers is to look for ways to customize it. Having the ability to customize your marker will offer you a few different benefits. One of the most immediate and tangible benefits is that you can keep the initial purchase price down by purchasing a basic marker and upgrading it later on. This allows you to ease into the game and provides you with the option of purchasing upgrades for your marker as your skill level improves. Each upgrade will have a lower price than purchasing a new setup so you will be able to spread the cost of your marker out over time which makes the marker usable for longer periods of time.
Another reason people customize their guns is for personalization. Paintball is a sport that has a culture around it and people like to show off their equipment and talk about it to other people. Customization allows you to personalize your marker, but it also gives you the chance to learn from others who play the game and upgrade your marker based on their advice as well. Some people like to build markers that stand out in a crowd while other people prefer markers that blend into the surrounding environment.
When you are looking at a marker that is customizable, you will want to think about the brand and how popular it happens to be. This is because a well-known brand will have more options for upgrades while a lesser known brand may not have as many parts. Aftermarket vendors of marker parts tend to target the widest possible audience so you will want to own name brand equipment in order to make sure you have customization options.
Features
Features are a way to round out the usefulness of a marker to help make sure that you are as competitive as possible. There are a few different common features that you will want to know about when you are shopping for a marker. Some of those features include an internal CO2 and magazine or hopper. When you know about the different features, you will be able to make a better choice about your maker to make sure that you get one that works the best for your needs and style of play.
Many markers have a CO2 line that is external to the marker. The CO2 line is used to connect the marker to a tank of compressed CO2 which is used as a propellant for the ball. The issue with an external line is that it can get caught on things which can cause it to bend or break. You may also experience failure if you happen to drop your marker. Some markers have made this line an internal line which keeps the line protected inside of the body of the marker allowing it to be more robust.
The next common feature is that you are going to need to decide between a magazine or a hopper. Hoppers are gravity fed tanks that go on the top of the marker and let paintballs fall into the chamber. A magazine is a spring-loaded device that goes on the bottom of the marker and pushes ball up into the chamber. Between the two, the hopper is more common because it holds more paintballs and is inexpensive. The downside of the hopper is that it can get in your way when you are aiming. There are other features that you may want to think about as well but these are two common considerations to keep in mind.
10 Best Paintball Guns
1. Dye Proto Rize MaXXed
The Dry Proto Rize is a great way to get into the game without having to go all out. This gun will give you a great advantage on the field thanks to its lightweight design and low-pressure design that still gives you range without exploding the paintball. This gun has a low recoil as well which will help you shoot more comfortably.
Low Pressure
The gun runs at a 140 psi so you will have a smooth bolt cycle on every shot. It also reduces the gun's recoil which will help you shoot easier.
Claming Feedneck
You will be able to use just about any loader with this gun thanks to the design of the feed loader that locks a hopper into place without you having to use tools.
Cost and Value
You will find this marker sold at a price that is much higher than the average price because it is a premium gun that has plenty of tournament features and is of high quality.
2. Empire Paintball Axe Marker
This is another high-end paintball gun that is ready to go for tournaments. You will love how easy it is to clean and maintain this gun and you are free to pick any one of the four different firing modes on this gun. It has an easy to use on and off lever that makes it easy to remove the tanks as well.
Multiple firing modes
You will get a choice between different firing modes. Those modes are NXL, Semi, Millennium Ramping, and finally PSP Ramping. This allows you to conform to the rules of your tournament or just play the way you like.
Push Button Bolt Removal
With just the push of a button, you can remove the bolt from this gun. This will allow you to easily maintain the gun so that it continues to work great.
Cost and Value
You will find the Axe Marker sold at a price that is much higher than the average price due to the fact that it is a premium product with a lot of features.
3. Tippmann Gryphon
If you want a marker that you can show off with, then you might want to consider the Gryphon by Tippmann. This marker comes with skull graphics along the stock of the marker which makes for an awesome look. You also get everything else that you would expect to see in a marker so it's a great gun to have in your collection.
Skull Graphics
There is a pattern of skull graphics along the stock of the marker. They won't make it shoot any differently but it does lead to an awesome look for the marker.
Internal Lines
The marker uses internal gas lines rather than external ones. This is nice since you won't have to worry about your gas lines getting caught on brush or other obstacles in the course.
Cost and Value
The low price of the Gryphon turns it into a bargain buy. You will get a marker that has an excellent look to it and it is great to have in your collection.
4. Tippmann TMC MAGFED
This is a great gun to get if you can't decide if you want to have a hopper or a magazine feed. You are free to choose later on which kind of feed that you want which makes this gun versatile. Some of the other nice features are the military style look and a high-performance bolt system that helps you get the most from your game.
Dual Feed
This gun gives you a choice between having a hopper or a magazine. This will allow for additional customization which can give you more choice when you use this gun.
Molded Grip
The grip on the handle has been fully molded for your fingers. This will help you maintain a great grip on the gun while you are aiming and firing with it.
Cost and Value
You will notice that the TMC MAGFED is sold at a price that is average for these products. This turns it into an excellent value since you will get a high-quality gun without spending too much on it.
5. Empire Paintball Mini GS Marker
If you are looking for a premium gun then you may want to take a look at the Mini GS by Empire. This marker has all of the features that you would expect to find in a tournament grade marker. It has different firing modes, an ergonomic grip, and a venting ASA regulator. You will be able to play at your best with this marker.
No External Hoses
This marker does not have any external hoses which is a great feature since that means there aren't any hoses that will get caught on brush or other obstacles while you play.
Secure Grip
The grip on the marker features rubber that wraps around the entire grip. This will help you keep a firm grip on the gun so that you can aim and fire more accurately.
Cost and Value
You will notice that the Mini GS is sold at a price that is much higher than the average price due to the fact that it is a premium marker that is intended for tournaments.
6. Tippmann TiPX Paintball Pistol
While many markers are full length, this one has a pistol design that allows you to use it as a sidearm. This can be useful for when you empty your barrel and need to do a quick draw to keep playing while you stall for time. Other people may just prefer to play with this style of gun as well.
Pistol Design
This marker has a handgun design so it is small and lightweight. You can use it as your primary marker or as a secondary marker depending on how you like to play.
Magazines
The gun is sold with a pair of magazines each of which holds seven rounds in the magazine. You can switch between different magazines quickly and easily with this gun.
Cost and Value
The TiPX is a great value since it is sold at an average price which means you will get a great gun without having to pay a premium price for it.
7. Azodin Kaos Semi-Auto
The Azodin Kaos is a great choice for an entry level marker. It offers features such as 12-inch barrel and a semi-auto action which allows you to fire quickly and readily. You can easily use this marker to lay down some covering fire for your teammate's thanks to the semi-auto action. There are plenty of other professional grade features that come with this gun as well.
Single Piece Barrel
The barrel is 12 inches long and is made of a single piece so you won't have to assemble the barrel from more than one piece which can disrupt your shots.
Twist Lock Neck
The feed neck has a lock that you twist so that you get a secure lock on the hopper. This lets you change your hopper quickly so that you can get back into the action.
Cost and Value
You will find this item sold at a price that is lower than the average price. The lower price turns it into a great option for people who are just getting into the sport.
8. Tippmann 98 Custom Marker
The 98 is a great option by Tippmann if you are looking for something to get into the sport. This is a great gun for beginners because it allows for plenty of customization options. You can easily upgrade the barrel, hopper, and other parts of the marker as you decide that you want to get into the sport and purchase better equipment.
Semi-automatic
It has a semi-automatic action that allows you to fire quickly and rapidly. This is great for people who are just starting out in the game and need a marker that is easy to use.
Upgradable
The inner workings of the marker are accessible which allows you to replace the starting components with higher quality components as time and budget allows which lets you ease into the game.
Cost and Value
You will find this marker sold at a price that is lower than the average price. The lower price makes it into an excellent value since you don't have to spend a lot to get started.
9. JT Sports Tactical RTP
This is a lightweight marker that is perfect for anyone who is getting into the game. You will love the cast aluminum body that makes it durable and lightweight at the same time It has a semi-automatic action so that you can focus on firing and there is even a sight rail that is raised so that you can fire easily.
Versatile Air
The Tactical RTP will work with compressed air or CO2 so you will have some choice when it comes to powering this marker and makes it easier for people to get into the game.
Cast Aluminum
The body of the marker is made of cast aluminum. This allows the marker to maintain a lightweight while also remaining durable at the same time in case you drop it.
Cost and Value
You will find this marker sold at a price that is lower than the average price. The low price turns it into a bargain buy since you get a great entry-level option without spending much.
10. Tippmann Cronus
The Cronus is a great gun for people who are looking to get into the game of paintball. It has a body that is strong and will resist high impacts. The inline bolt system is solid which means that there is less chance of a failure in the gun. You will love the collapsible stock as well because it is fully adjustable.
Integrated Sights
The gun has a sight that is integrated into it. A sight is helpful because it will help you aim the gun properly so that you can make your shots count.
High Impact Body
The gun has a body that is designed to resist impacts. This means the gun can handle a hard fall in the event that you lose your balance or drop the gun.
Cost and Value
You will see the Cronus sold at a price that is lower than the average price. This makes it into a great choice for people who are looking for a good gun to get started with.