Paintball

Last August, I played paintball for the first time. Friends came over to play in the woods behind my house. It was a good time, despite them playing a few practical jokes on me.

They said, "Eat a paintball. We've all done it. Everyone has to do it their first time. They taste good. And they are non toxic, so nothing to worry about." Damn them.

I have not gone since.

And you?

Yeah, I've eaten a paintball too.. they actually have competitions for who can eat the most paintballs at some places. I think they don't use the standard ones.. some are more edible than others.

I play on occasion up at Skirmish in Jim Thorpe. That might make for an interesting get together for the summer actually. At the very least, you get to shoot someone.. =)

---
Michael Tanczos

I love the game, but im in the UK, DOH!

ace

Quote:

Original post by Michael Tanczos Yeah, I've eaten a paintball too.. they actually have competitions for who can eat the most paintballs at some places. I think they don't use the standard ones.. some are more edible than others. I play on occasion up at Skirmish in Jim Thorpe. That might make for an interesting get together for the summer actually. At the very least, you get to shoot someone.. =)

Interesting. I did not know eating paintballs was so common.

Well, I think paintball would be a lot of fun. I'd be interested in seeing if virtual fragging skills equate to real-life "fragging" skills. I have heard it doesnt, heh.

ace- Welcome to Allentown buddy. Do you know of the paintball field in the UK designed after de_dust from Counter-Strike? playdust.co.uk used to be the website. I wonder if they ever finished building it.

I play every now and then with some friends up in the woods. I have all my own equipment (one extra mask and two extra guns) if you guys want to get together at Skirmish or somewhere sometime.

Ah nice. I have my own marker and equipment as well.. aight cool. We should make it tentatively in July or something (?). Either that or late June works for me as well.

---
Michael Tanczos

I used to play alot with my buddies, but my Tippman has been gathering dust in my closet for a few years, never even got to fire it with my new bolt, but the guns outdated so it probably doesn't even matter.

Cool. Do you have any recommendations for paintball guns and other equipment? This is definitely something I would like to get into.

As for dates, I will be vacationing in mid-June, so late June or July would be best for me too. Weekends preferred. A quick look at the calendar shows we have some dates to choose from:

June 25, 26
July 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31

Are you busy on any of those dates? Vacations, working, anniversaries etc.?

There is a chance the weather might be ugly, so it might be best to choose one of the earlier dates. That way, if need be, we can postpone it a week or two.

Edit: Change of date.

[Edited by - skittleo on May 17, 2005 1:37:03 PM]

Quote:

Original post by McCoy I used to play alot with my buddies, but my Tippman has been gathering dust in my closet for a few years, never even got to fire it with my new bolt, but the guns outdated so it probably doesn't even matter.

I use a Tippman Model 98 if that offers any encouragement to break out the gun. =)

---
Michael Tanczos

Quote:

Original post by skittleo Cool. Do you have any recommendations for paintball guns and other equipment? This is definitely something I would like to get into. As for dates, I will be vacationing in mid-June, so late June or July would be best for me too. Weekends preferred. A quick look at the calendar shows we have some dates to choose from: June 25, 26 July 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 Are you busy on any of those dates? Vacations, working, anniversaries etc.?

July 17th is bring your own gun and play for free day at Skirmish. How about that? It's a Sunday.

---
Michael Tanczos

That works.

I still need to purchase a gun though. Any suggestions?

Update: The Spyder Xtra looks like a good gun for its price.

skittleo:

Well as I've said it's been a few years since I was into it, but I have always heard that Tippman was a very reliable brand. (Which is probably why I bought one, a ProLite, so no Michael, it doen't make me feel better.)

Anyway, it also depends on how much you are willing to spend. My advice though would be to not buy one of them cheap guns you may find in a local retail store, but rather go online or to a speciality shop and get one. Also before you buy one, see what kind of modifications they make for it if any, that way you can upgrade your gun if you stay with the sport and don't have to shell out the money for a new one. I suggest you look in the $125.00-$200.00 range for your first gun, if that is allowable by your budget.

Well that's my bit for what it's worth, but keep in mind it's been many years since I was involved with the game.

Michael:
Damn! So close, yet so far away... I'm only in NJ, but I kinda lost my licence for errr... about 10 years. So unless there is mass transit around you, the chances of me being able to make it out that way are slim. Let me know.

Thanks McCoy.

Yes, I have also heard good things about Tippman guns. I'll take your advice and look into them more.

About retailers, I visited Wal*Mart just to see what they have. I brought a friend along and he was able to recognize the guns and notice they were all of poor quality and overpriced. Online retailers definitly seem like the way to go. Maybe even ebay.

I would prefer not to spend more than $200 when all is done. So maybe a $150 gun and the rest for paintballs, helmet and CO2. Doable? Hopefully.

On a different note, what did you do to have your license revoked for that long? Ouch.

Definately look into it onine, thinking back, I bought my gun online as a package deal with a nice JT mask, pretty big CO2 canister (to lazy to dig it out for the size), hopper, gun, barrel squeege and such for around $200-$250. Paintballs on the other had... well we used to go through a lot, plan on spending > $40 an outing.

Edit: A note about masks; get a good one. I spent more than my friends to get a dual lense mask to prevent fogging and it was worth it. Alot of the lesser expensive ones fog up very quickly and it sucks, you can't see a damn thing. My friend took his off 'cause he couldn't see and WHAM! paintball in the eye. He wasn't permanently injured, but had a nice red eye for a few days and screamed like a sonofabitch when it hit.

Well I made some, (O.K. a lot), unwise decisions in my life, mostly in my earlier years (I'm talking like it was a long time ago when it was only like 6 years ago), well to make a very long story short. I was charged with my 3rd DUI just over a year ago. Had to do a bid in county for a few months and my licence got pulled for 10 years.

Moral: Don't drink and drive.

That is in bulk. Most cases are probably like 2000-2500 count and sell for $30.00 - $60.00/case depending on the brand and what they are used for (i.e. special balls for lower temperature). And I have also found that most guns (well CO2 ones anyway) do not like the cold at all. I tried playing in the winter once (thought it would be cool with all the snow, and we were all decked out in white), but the damn guns (and paintballs) don't work to well at low temps.

No, it's not a cheap sport, but neither is snowboarding. You should be out of school soon, get a summer job, and your all set.

*Re-aligns Inter-continental-paintball-cannon*

I'm game [cool].

Totally off topic, but I find BB-guns more fun due to the accuracy of paintball guns going to shit after 3 feet, and they still hurt like hell so there's no fun lost :)

July 17th sounds like a good date. As for paintballs, usually the place will require that you use their paintballs.. just as they will require you to test your gun to make sure it's not firing with too much force..

I actually had a wicked idea today while I was at school:

Dr. Dr. Paintball

I don't know if anyone here remembers playing Dr. Dr. Dodgeball in elementary school. Basically there are 2 teams, each with their own side. One person on each team is the 'doctor'. The objective is to nail everyone on the other team. If a person gets hit, the 'doctor' can drag him/her back behind a specific line at the back of the playing field, in which the player can then be allowed to play again. Just imagine dodgeball, but using paintballs instead [smile].

Speaking of paintball, anyone in the market for some gear. I've got some nice gear I'm looking to sell, since I haven't played in some time and I need the money. I'll probably be throwing it up on ebay sometime soon.

Here's some pics if anyones interested.

http://www.omni-bot.com/_misc/

and stats.

Airgun Designs Mini-mag, with Retro-valve http://www.pbreview.com/products/reviews/386/
body has black powder coating
12 inch dye stainless steel barell
10 inch aliminum teardrop barell
114 3000psi nitro tank
revolution 200 round hopper
heavy duty case

Misc.
Minimag parts kit
barell plug(duh)
aluminum sight rail
Extra stock minimag valve(if you buy an automag/minimag body, with this valve you would have another gun)

6 pack harness with 6 100 round loaders
a few 150 round loaders(dont remember how many)
JT Mask
I believe I have a 2nd harness as well, and some extra loaders. If someone shows serious interest I can pull everything out of the closet and get an exact inventory, and take better pics.

I also have a stock auto-cocker, with a non-stock 8inch(i think) barell, and 86cu 3000psi nitro tank.

Basically it's 2 usable guns, and with minor parts a 3rd gun could be put together by getting a minimag/automag body that you can put the stock minimag valve in.

Anyways, it's all my gear accumulated over the years, played in a few tournaments and a good amount of rec play.

Figured it was worth a shot posting while the subject is up.

Thanks