Cheap paintball guns worth your time

If you're in the market for a paintball gun, you may have noticed there are many cheap paintball guns available. Perhaps you've heard the phrase, "you get what you pay for," and in many cases this is true. Many of the cheap paintball guns are only a waste of money and will not perform or last on the field.

However, there are a number of cheap paintball guns that are worth your time. (In paintball, "cheap" is considered anything under $200.) The following guidelines will help you determine which cheap paintball guns are worth your time and money.

Check the action
For paintball guns, you will want to check out the pump actions, semi-automatic blow back, and hybrid blow back. These types of action determine various ways in which the paintball fun will work, including how quickly you want the gun to shoot and how much you have to do in order to make it fire.

Construction
One of the most important things you will want to look at when considering purchasing a cheap paintball gun is the way it's constructed. More often than not, you are saving money because something was cheaply made. Your paintball gun needs to be durable as possible, as it will get a lot of mishandling while you play. Opt for a gun that has a metal body and grip as opposed to plastic, and make sure the bolts that hold the gun together look sturdy. If the gun is shaky or un-sturdy, skip it.

Air supply
Another thing you will want to check is the gun's air supply. Paintball guns are powered in a number of different ways. Guns that are powered by carbon dioxide are considered cheap and should be avoided if possible. Most guns, no matter how expensive they are, don't run as well on carbon dioxide. If you do opt to go for a CO2 gun, you will also want to purchase an anti-siphon, x-chamber, or regulator so it will work better.

Looks
Many people, especially first-time gun buyers, will buy a paintball gun based solely on its looks without taking other things into consideration. It may just be that it's good looking and nothing more. Also, it's important to keep in mind that a flashy, good-looking gun might make you stand out more, and in paintball, you don't want to stand out. It might be tempting to buy a good-looking gun if the price is right, but remember that your gun will need to be more than good-looking to do well on the field.

Performance
The performance of your gun is very important as well. This includes the rate of fire, range, and accuracy. Make sure your gun works well consistently and will last for more than just a couple of games. Ask around to see which cheap guns you should stay away from.

Do your research
It's always important, no matter what your budget for a gun is, to research before you buy. Read as many reviews as you can, and ask around at the supply store. If the employees notice there have been a number of complaints about a certain type of gun, it's best to avoid it. You will also want to ask other paintball players and enthusiasts if they can recommend a good gun that won't break the bank.

A paintball gun doesn't need to cost a fortune to be good. Just be sure to do your research before buying.