So here are 10 things you should go without when playing paintball:

1. Paintball mask

Not safety goggles, sun glasses or shooting glasses, you need a paintball mask. You just can’t play without this safety gear. A thermal mask is recommended but it you want to save some money get the single lens with an anti-fog coating.

Make sure the mask fits perfectly on your face and that you are comfortable wearing them on. Remember that you will be running and shooting with the mask on so make sure it does not get in the way. A mask that covers your ears is also a good idea, but make sure that your hearing is not impaired by the ear flaps.

2. Barrel cover

Sometimes called as barrel plug or barrel sock, this is simply a blocking device that prevents a misfire from your gun. Remember injuries can result from accidents such as a misfire. No organized field will let you play without one.

3. Spare tank

Your gun is powered by carbon dioxide or nitrogen. For pumps and pistols, a 12 gram cartridge is used. This is good for 15 to30 shots. So it is a good idea to have a spare tank with you just in case you run out of air. A 20oz cylinder or tank is usually good for 1000 shots or more. Get a refillable tank to save money.

4. Squeegee

A barrel break can ruin your momentum and your game. Make sure you are prepared and have a squeegee in hand to clean your gun barrel to get yourself back in the game. It is also a good idea to have a spare squeegee with you on the field.

5. Gun oil

Not just any gun oil, but a paintball gun oil. Before buying one consult your gun’s manual and see if it requires a specific kind of oil. Remember that your gun’s performance depends on its parts. Put a few drops of gun oil in the o-rings and other parts of the gun as recommended in the manual to keep your gun in good running condition.

6. O-rings and cup seals

These tiny parts are crucial to your gun’s performance, but they tend to break easily. Have a few spares in your kit just in case they give in during the game. You will find that most gun problems can be solved by simply replacing these small parts.

7. Safety equipment (neck and shin, elbow and knee pads, gloves)

Remember that Paintball is an aggressive game. You need to be constantly on the move when you are in the field. Safety precautions like neck and shin guards protect your body from unnecessary injuries. Make sure that they are lightweight and anatomical tailored for comfort.

8. Batteries

If your gun or hopper runs on batteries, make sure you have spare ones when you are on the field. You don’t want to be left in a situation where your gun is dead and you have no where to hide. Not a pretty picture.

9. Miscellaneous tools

These tools can simplify your life in and out of the field. Allen wrenches, tweezers, screw drivers even Teflon and cotton swabs can be useful things in your kit. These are your gun’s first aid tools. Remember, this is a game and usually the winners are those who often come prepared.

10. First aid kit

Although relatively safer than golf, tennis, jogging or swimming (according to insurance statistics), paintball is still an active game. Have a first aid kit in your gear, it pays to be ready in unexpected circumstances.

Whether you are a beginner or an expert on the field, your success will greatly depend on the kind of gears you have and how equipped you are from unexpected situations like mechanical glitches in your gun or some paint on your face. Be prepared so you can enjoy your game to the fullest.

The first question I am asked about paintball is “Does it hurt?”. Well, no, it doesn’t feel pleasant by any means. However, it is more than likely less painful than you would expect. Granted, unless you get shot at a short distance (which you’re not supposed to do) which can cause a nice bruise and OCCASIONALLY can cause VERY LIGHT bleeding. All the more reason why not to get shot.

The next question you’ll probably be asking yourself is what gun to use? Well, this varies on a number of things. Mainly, how often you play and how big your budget is. If you have NEVER played paintball before I would recommend borrowing a gun or renting a gun from a field. If it turns out that you don’t like paintball, your loss would be much less than if you purchased a $250 gun.

This leads me to my next point: buying gear. Although it’s nice to have the best gun in the world, it doesn’t mean anything unless you know how to play the game. In my opinion, starting with a cheaper gun is more beneficial to your skill as well as your wallet. A Tippman 98 Custom is an excellent starting gun for most new players. It may seem a tad pricey at first ($140 – $160), but it is quite cheap compared to other guns, which can easily exceed $1,000. If you can find a “player’s package” with your gun, I would recommend it. This usually includes a hopper, a mask and sometimes other gear. Generally you get a discount on these items. However, when purchasing a mask, I would highly recommend that you make sure that replacement lenses are readily available. If your lens is cracked, has any sort of damage that could compromise its integrity, has been shot within 10 ft. or is over a year old, it should be replaced. This might seem like a pain in the ass, but it beats the lens shrapneling into your eye and you loosing your eyesight.

Your mask, however, is not the only thing that needs maintenance. A paintball gun does require maintenance after it has been played with and periodically when stored for long periods of time. Your CO2/HPA tank usually only needs its O-ring replaced if it is broken. After you’re done playing and you’ve removed your air and hopper, look at your gun. Inspect for any physical damage first. Look for anything out of the ordinary that looks like it could hurt the gun’s performance or safety. Next, REFER TO YOUR GUN’S DISASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS and remove the bolt mechanism. Clean out the breach and barrel with a squeegee until all the paint is gone. Examine your bolt mechanism, remove all paint and inspect the O-rings of the bolt (assuming your bolt has O-rings). As long as your bolt has no damage, you’re good. Oil the bolt with PAINTBALL OIL, as other oils can cause the O-rings to swell (I have, however, had luck with RemOil). Reassemble your gun and test it out with a dry fire or two. For your hopper, as long as it is gravity fed, you can generally just run water through it to clean it. If it is electric, use caution with water. Water and electronics don’t mix. Also, some people simply run water through their guns. While this may work, it can also damage your gun over time therefore I cannot recommend “drowning” your gun to clean it.

Hopefully, this guide has helped you getting into this fast growing sport.