Paintball (translated from English - ball with paint) is a team military-sports game, where a special marker acts as a weapon, and a gelatin ball filled with bright paint serves as a "bullet".
The first paint gun appeared in the 11th century and was used to train soldiers in France. And at the end of the 20th century, North American farmers used it to mark livestock and trees.
A little later, in the 80s, pneumatic paint guns (as they were called at the time) were equipped with containers for paint balls and were first used for playing.
In Russia, the first paintball marker appeared in 1992. And the very next year, our team of the first professional paintball players took part in the international paintball competition in the city of Nashville (America).
Despite its youth, the popularity of the military tactical game throughout the world has grown very quickly. Now it ranks third in the ranking of extreme sports, where skateboarding and inline skating competitions are still leading.
Paintball is not only a type of sports team competition in conditions close to real combat. First of all, it is a year-round outdoor activity for extreme lovers of all ages.

There are many options for playing paintball. Clubs for organizing this type of recreation come up with the most original and exciting missions for teams - from protecting the president to capturing a fortress or the enemy's flag at a height.
There is no limit to the size of the team. It can consist of several people or several hundred participants.
Due to the fact that paintball is considered the safest game, everyone can participate in it, regardless of gender, age and social status.
Like any other game, paintball has its own commandments that are binding on all participants in the competition.

In addition, before the start of the game, the instructor conducts a detailed briefing with all participants in the game about the rules of behavior on the playing field. Reminds of the basic conditions for the use of pyrotechnics and weapons in the playing field area. The instructor conducts separate conversations with beginners on the specifics of the game of paintball.

Such a bright and colorful game, where fireworks from breaking capsules constantly appear, cannot take place without special uniforms. It is designed to ensure complete safety of the player on the battlefield and to protect clothing from paint bloopers.
Choosing the right paintball gear is easy, even for beginners in exciting and fun entertainment. The counters of stores selling uniforms for war games are replete with a variety of high-quality and convenient player protection elements.
The main functional component of a paintball player's ammunition, without which they will not be allowed to participate in competitions. Choosing the right mask means choosing the right viewing angle.
An equally significant attribute. Protects the torso from painful sensations after a direct hit of coloring capsules. Lightweight and durable vests do not hinder the player's movements and are excellent protection against bruising.
The dense fabric of outerwear does not allow moisture to pass through, thereby reliably protects household items from paint penetration. They stay clean and dry.
To feel comfortable and run fast while playing, shoes are selected taking into account weather and seasonal conditions, but the main thing in them is comfort, lightness and the presence of an anti-slip protector on the sole.
The weapon is bought depending on the preferences of the player, taking into account the rate of fire and accuracy of the sight. Beginners should pay attention to the mechanical type of weapon, which is perfect at the initial stage of participation in impromptu battles.
To defeat the enemy in the process of "battle", pneumatic weapons of three types of action are used, which are collectively called a paintball marker.
According to the principle of operation, markers are divided into three types - mechanical, electronic and hybrid (electromechanical) type of weapons.
All types of paintball "fire" are focused on firing soft, rapidly bursting capsules with brightly colored liquid. The main difference between markers is the technological method used to fire shots.

The method is as follows: after pressing the trigger, the paint ball under the action of the bolt enters the barrel. In turn, the bolt itself moves under spring pressure. As soon as the ball enters the barrel, the bolt kicks open the valve and releases compressed air. The capsule flies out and the bolt returns to its original position.
The range of semi-automatic and mechanical paintball weapons is wide enough.They are produced by well-known companies in a wide variety of options - ordinary plastic pneumatics at a price of 8,000 rubles and high-precision samples costing over $ 1,000.

The range of popular brands from different manufacturers is no less than the types of mechanical paintball weapons.
The cost of an electronic marker is much higher than a semi-automatic one. As a rule, such weapons are purchased by professional paintball players.

A combination of mechanical action technology and a trigger with built-in electronics. With the help of the signal arriving at the sensor, the shutter is released to take a shot. The electronic board is programmed to select the firing mode: three shots, automatic and semi-automatic.

Since, according to the rules of paintball, the flight range of the capsule, and hence the speed, have limitations, they are practically the same for any marker. Therefore, the accuracy of shooting depends on the cost of the model, the reliability of the aiming device and the skill of the player.
Improved models of a conventional marker allow you to shoot from a distance inaccessible to the enemy. They are equipped with accurate calibrations, improving the quality of the barrel.
Such a weapon has less recoil, a low shot sound and an increased flight speed of a more durable paint ball. For shooting from sniper weapons, specially created capsules are used - seamless and solid, outwardly similar to real bullets.

It differs from the usual marker only in its compactness.The principle of operation is absolutely identical. Players use it as an additional weapon if they run out of ammunition or the battery on the main barrel runs out.
Each type of paintball marker has its own advantages, but which one will be most suitable for a particular person is up to the player himself.
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing material: | plastic, aluminum |
| Caliber: | 68 |
| Trunk: | 8 inches. |
| Feeder anchor | collet. |
| Colour: | the black. |
| Cost: | 14 590 rubles. |
| Manufacturer: | USA. |
| characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Pneumatic | semiautomatic device |
| Caliber | 68 |
| Basic barrel: | 10 inch |
| Rate of fire: | 4 balls per second |
| Feeder lock: | plastic collet |
| Pressure: | 13.10 bra |
| Colour: | the black |
| Cost: | 16 590 rubles |
| Manufacturer country: | China |
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Caliber: | 68 |
| Basic barrel: | 10 inch |
| Rate of fire: | up to 5 balls / sec |
| Barrel thread type: | Cocker / Dye |
| Feeder holder | plastic collet. |
| Equipment: | barrel plug, repair kit with a set of keys, lubricant. |
| Cost: | 17 990 rubles |
| Manufacturer country: | China |
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Material: | ABS plastic, aluminum alloy |
| Operating principle: | mechanical spring |
| Caliber: | 0.6 mm |
| Store volume: | 30 balls |
| Rate of fire: | 100m / sec. |
| Mode: | single shot |
| Dimensions: | total length - 110 cm, barrel - 49 cm |
| Weight: | 3500 grams. |
| Rifle complete set: | instruction, ramrod, shop |
| Price: | 5625 rubles |
| Manufacturer country: | China |
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Marker type: | electronic |
| Caliber: | 0.68 |
| Barrel length: | 16 inch |
| Barrel thread type: | Autococker / Invert / Eclipse |
| Sighting range: | 45 meters |
| Weight: | 926 grams. |
| Colour: | yellow |
| Equipment: | plug, repair kit, 9 volt battery, SL2 Shaft barrel set |
| Cost: | 44,027 rubles |
| Brand country: | USA |
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Operating principle: | electronic |
| Shooting mode: | 3 - automatic, three shots and semiautomatic |
| Shot speed: | 20 capsules per second |
| Thread type: | Tippmann a5 |
| Barrel length: | 12 inch |
| Eye sensor | there is |
| Weight: | 1800 gram |
| Colour: | the black |
| Cost: | 15,000 rubles |
| Manufacturer country: | USA |
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Material: | high-strength plastic and aluminum. |
| Caliber: | 0.68 |
| A type | electronic |
| Shooting modes: | automatic, semiautomatic and pressure - three shots. |
| Rate of fire: | 12 capsules / sec. |
| Feeder mount: | lateral, plastic retainer. |
| Battery indicator | there is |
| Basic equipment: | packing case, stock, 9V battery and cap. Repair kit with a set of keys, lubricant. |
| Weight: | 3 Kg |
| Price: | 16 590 rubles |
| Manufacturer country: | China |
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Material: | plastic wood, aluminum alloy. |
| Principle of operation: | electro-pneumatic (AEG) |
| Caliber: | 6.0 mm |
| Muffler: | there is |
| Energy source: | NiMh battery 8.4 V 1200 mAh |
| Store type and capacity: | hopper for 250 capsules. |
| Bullet speed: | up to 130 m / s |
| Shooting mode: | semi-automatic, automatic |
| Dimensions: | total length 93 cm. trunk 43 cm. |
| Weight: | 2,665 grams |
| Equipment: | instruction battery and charger, drive and store. |
| Price: | 9 375 rubles |
| Manufacturer country: | China |
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Material: | plastic, aluminum alloy. |
| Caliber: | 6.0 mm |
| Operating principle: | AEG (electro-pneumatic) |
| Energy source: | NiMH battery 8.4 V 1100mAh |
| Store type: | bunker. |
| Volume: | 350 balls with a diameter of 6 mm. |
| Range of flight: | up to 130 m / sec. |
| Shooting mode: | semi-automatic, automatic |
| Weaver / Picatinny rail: | there is |
| Dimensions: | total length 92.5 cm. trunk - 39 cm. |
| Weight: | 3500 gram |
| Individuality: | telescopic buttstock, RIS-forend, folding diopter rear sight. |
| Price: | 12 375 rubles |
| Manufacturer country: | China |

Airsoft is a type of military-tactical game that is most similar to paintball, with minor but significant differences.
Paintball is, in fact, a fun and gambling pastime with plastic toy weapons in hand. The game is held both in the open air in the forest on specially equipped grounds, and in a closed room equipped for the game.
Airsoft is a reconstruction of real military operations. According to the players: paintball is training, and airsoft is a game for real men.
Marker - detailed reproduction of real military weapons (magazine, weight, volume and functionality), soft balls without a coloring component. The assault rifle is characterized by high accuracy and accuracy of shots, range of sight (over 100 meters).

Soft balls for shooting, unlike paintballs, are much lighter (0.4 grams) and larger in diameter - 17 mm.
A fighter's outfit - it must correspond to the surroundings of events and the time used in the game. Camouflage, weapons, communications and even technology - everything is subordinated to creating the reality of events.
To protect the face, players wear durable goggles with good visibility or balaclava-type masks.
Games are held anywhere: on the site, equipped for training special forces, in the forest and in the field, the main thing is that it meets the requirements of the battle. Combat scenery created by nature and man, the real weight and type of weapon, contribute to the feeling of reality of what is happening, an atmosphere of real military operations is created.
All information about weapons for airsoft can be found here.

The children's version of the game is not much different from the conditions of an adult paintball. There is no specially designed script here, only a task that the teams must perform. All the actions of the guys on the site take place spontaneously, taking into account the current situation.
Before the start of the competition, the instructor tells the children about the rules of conduct on the site, comes up with a plot and, together with the team, develops the tactics of the game.
And yet there is a difference between children's and adult paintball - these are weapons and mandatory control of the game by parents and instructors.

Teenagers, after the age of 13, are allowed to independently visit the paintball club, but young children 8-13 years old are not allowed to participate in the game without the presence of their parents or their written permission.
The children's version of the paintball weapon is simplified, lighter plastic markers adapted for different age groups. They have the minimum flight speed of a small-caliber gelatin capsule.
The principle of operation of markers - a pump-action shotgun, before firing a shot, you need to cock the spring mechanism.

Thanks to this type of equipment, with due observance of the rules, the risk of getting painful when hitting a rapidly bursting capsule is reduced to zero.

The Valken Gotcha Paintball Shotgun - 50 Cal is a spring-pumped shotgun. The flight speed of the capsule is 42 km / h, which allows its use in the game as safely as possible. The light weight and high quality of the gun provides the material from which the elements of the shotgun are made.The body and container for balls are plastic, and the barrel and mechanism are made of lightweight aluminum.
This marker is equipped with a feeder for small-bore capsules and a Picatinny rail.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| material: | aluminum, plastic. |
| Weight: | 700 grams. |
| Cost: | 5 250 rubles. |
| Manufacturer: | Valken |

Paintball pistol Rental Pistol Z100. Designed for children from the age of five. No air filling required, the gun is ready to use. There are already eight balls in the clip.
| characteristic | |
|---|---|
| 0.50-inch barrel: | one-component. |
| Operating principle: | pump-action. |
| Parameters: | 0.26 / 0.34 / 10 cm. |
| Toy weight: | 1.5 kg. |
| Colour: | red |
| Cost: | 2,400 rubles. |
| Manufacturer country: | Japan |

The pump-action kids paintball marker does not need air and is ready to use. The clips with gelatin balls are enough for 15 shots.
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Operating principle: | pump-action spring |
| Trunk: | one piece, 10 '' caliber. |
| Rate of fire: | 4 capsules per minute. |
| Range of flight: | 20 meters |
| Balls: | 50 caliber |
| Gun weight: | 1.2 kg. |
| The size: | 0,22/0,5/0,06. |
| Cost: | 3 970 rubles. |
| Manufacturer country: | Japan |
Paintballs of 0.50 caliber, suitable for children's markers from the best brands JT and Valken, are available in tubes with a capacity of 10 balls and paper boxes with a volume of 1000 gelatin capsules with water-soluble paint.

The packaging looks like a pomegranate. The convenient neck of the container allows you to quickly fill the JT Splatmaster marker with bright paint capsules that can be easily removed with water.
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Tube capacity: | 200 balls. |
| Ball caliber: | 0.5 |
| Colour: | Orange |
| Price: | 990 rubles |
| Manufacturer: | JT Japan |

The premium balls are ideal for the JT SplatMaster range of kids' markers. Easily washed off with water.
| Characteristic | |
|---|---|
| Ball caliber: | 0.5 |
| Colour: | brown |
| Amount: | 4000 pieces |
| Packing cost: | 4 790 p. |
| Manufacturer country: | Japan |
Buying one box of 4000 gelatin balls will cost 4 times less than purchasing 20 tubes, each of which contains 200 balls.
Paintball is a game for everyone. It does not require any prior physical training. There are no restrictions on gender. Boys and girls, strong and weak, indecisive and sociable, can participate in the game. Paintball will help every young player to develop those qualities that are not yet sufficiently revealed in a child.