Paintball

[Lanshark]

DS is 12 and enjoys paintball. He wants to buy his own stuff like the gun and protective gear. He has saved his money for a long time but I would like to make sure he gets the most "bang" for the "buck". I know the stuff is expensive so I don't want him to buy something he won't be happy with.

Any info would be wonderful. Being a Mom, I am especially interested in the protective gear. Being a kid, he is especially interested in the gun.

 

[helenabear]

bump

 

[Tiggeroo]

My boys did alot of research and got paintball set ups when they were that age. They bought Tipmann and we have been very happy with the choice. The guns are at least 5yrs old and have been used alot and are still in great shape. There cousins got Spyder's at the same time. They are equally happy with theirs but needed a few more things to get started with theirs. Also, almost every accesory is made to fit Tipman's. Spyders accesories seemed to cost more. You need to go to a good book store and buy the newest PaintBall magazine. Inside there are very good package deals, complete with masks, air canisters, and sometimes a case of paint. National PaintBall is I believe who we went thru. Just go thru the magazine, mark all the add pages, and compare packages, and the gun without the packages. Be sure that when he buys a mask he gets one with ear protection and if possible a bill on the front. To save money, go with a good company but not necessarily the newest model. Tipman has been outstanding for service. Both guns needed a repair after they were over 4yrs old. They fixed them for less then the cost of the part, and shipped them to me for free. Also, if he can, he should get a semi-automatic. Manuals are harder to use and it is hard to keep up. You don't need the high speed automatics, I don't think unless you get really serious, although my sons have some friends with them. These are big $$$. I will be away for Easter break, but if you pm me I can ask them specific questions.

 

[Wagamama]

i went "paintballing" this summer. my biggest advice to your son:wear a LOT of padding, long sleeve shirts and pants. This is a very painful sport (although TONS of fun!). You can still see some of the bruises from where i was "shot". Keep in mind, this was almost a year ago.

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by Wagamama
i went "paintballing" this summer. You can still see some of the bruises from where i was "shot". Keep in mind, this was almost a year ago.

Methinks your friends were using you for Target Practice.

My friends and I laugh about the time I gave a friend what looked like a third, uh, nipple in a friendly fire incident. We still laugh about it years later. What fun!

 

[Belle1962]

My DS (20 ) has been into paintballing since we moved to GA (6 years). We have owned/purchased guns from $200. to well over $1600.00. (no that is not a typo---he got mom at a week moment one Christmas and that WAS the last gun mommy ever bought!!!) He worked part time as a ref at the paintball field and has had his picture in some national magazines.

Protective gear: make sure your son gets a full face mask not just goggles. Don't let him tell you he can't see as well with the full mask, etc.--get him one with a good protective shield and he will still be able to see!!! Those balls are HARD and you don't want one landing on his cheek!!! Knee pads, elbow pads, etc. are also a must (he will be diving around trees, over dirt mounds and over all acting like an army commando in his best Schwarzenegger imitation); good shoes (actually my son wears boots) are a must. Running through the fields/woods he can easily twist an ankle so good support is necessary--plus sneakers on wet leaves is very slippery.

Gun--Tippmann 98 is around $200.00 and practically indestructbale according to my son and is a good beginners gun--it is also semiautomatic. (I just called my son--I did get him before he left for the paintball field and this was the one that popped right out of his mouth)

I don't know where in GA/Atlanta you are at but Georgia Paintball (north loop in Marietta) sells used gear and guns!!! I highly recommend buying used if you can before investing in new. Start him slowly to see if he sticks with it or it's a fad. There is also a field called Arkenstone Paintball--family owned and operated and really nice people. Lots of youth groups go there.


PS The $1600.00 gun is now for sale because my son does not do as much paintballing as he used to and owns other guns he can use (do you think Mom can recoup any of her crazy splurge???? )

 

[DisneyBen]

I would suggest going to http://www.thepaintballstore.com . This is where I bought my first equipment. I bought a Spyder Xtra Level 2 package. However, for a beginner, I would suggest a Spyder Xtra Level 1 package, which can be had for the very good price of $129.75.

I also have to agree that the Tippmann 98 Custom is a very good entry-level marker. The Tippman 98 Custom Level 1 package is $194.95. (Be careful, the Tippmann 98 and the Tippmann 98 Custom are not the same marker.)

You also might want to check out these links: www.888paintball.com , www.paintballwizard.com , and www.paintballgear.com

Hope this is of some help!!!

 

[Lynn CC]

My DH got DS a whole paintball setup when he was about that age for over $1000, that's with the gun and protective gear. Although he still has all this, (he got an autococker) I don't think he uses it enough to justify the cost, but when he does he plays with his Dad, Uncle, Cousins and they have a great time in the back woods. Of course DH got the same setup as DS. I looked at it as we could have stayed at the Grand Floridian for that price! LOL

Hope your DS to enjoys!

 

[Lanshark]

Thanks for all the great info. We went to Galyans just to look today and it certainly can be confusing. DH want's to get a setup to play with DS also so we're doing a bunch of research now. DS wears glasses so I want to find headgear that fits. Same with DH, he has a very large head so he needs to try stuff on before we buy.

 

[mulgar]

try www.worrpig.com
for info they even have a page for beginners.
As an adult who has played for 15 years make sure you stress safety as a main concern.
As for the pain of getting hit it feels about like getting stung by a heavy rubberband.

Have fun
Shawn