What Do You Do To Save Money On Paintball?
Monday June 15, 2009
Lots of people are hurting in the current economy, but just because your 401k has dropped doesn't mean you have to drop paintball, too. There are many different ways to save money playing paintball from buying paintballs in bulk to limiting yourself to just your hopper and no pods.
Now is the time to share your money-saving techniques with the paintballing world. What do you do to save money playing paintball? Just post a comment and share your knowledge with all the other penny-pinching-paintballers out there.
Comments
The thing i do is stick to my current gun, which is a Tippmann 98 Custom Pro. I do not use a response trigger or E trigger. I control my paint in small doses. My trigger is sensitive enough that i can push out enough paint. I kept the standard hopper. I just starting paintball am in an ok position, but a bad one too. Bad because i want to play all the time but i have bills to pay. So I’m playing on more private courses with small groups of friends. It saves paint and since paint at courses costs more than paint in bulk, you’re able to save while you play with your friends. Phenomenal sport, nothing i could think of that’s more fun to do with a team. Might be costly, but if you do it just right, you’re good to go.
A: I don’t go paintballing.
Seriously, though, if you want people to comment try throwing them a bone first. You really have no advice of your own to offer us? It’s why I clicked the link. *sigh*
Some Jerk has a point..
Was looking for a read more link below your little baby post.
This isn’t a “what do I do” type post, this is a chance for people to share what they do. I will plan on posting some of my methods, though, if nobody else decides to share.
start playing pump thats what i did buy a few guns so people at your field can see the difference its awsome i like it better then electro and i have a sl8r
I bought a cocker and converted it to a pump. I went from at least a case a day, to less then half a case. It takes a little getting used to, but it’s a lot of fun.
Hopefully I can offer the advice many of you clicked on here to get.
1. I second the writings of Craig. Put paint limits on games. Not only does it save paint (and air,) but it makes a nice challenge and helps even the playing field. Better players and better shots get wins, not just the person who throws the most paint.
2. If you have spare gear, get others into the sport and rent your spares out. We have a bunch of rental gear and it helps offset the cost of our games. Just make sure you’re not imparting any sort of liability should someone get injured while using your gear. Have them sign a release.
***If you wouldn’t take a point blank shot to the face with your rental mask, don’t rent it out.***
3. Buy paint in bulk and split it amongst your friends. If you’re at a private field, sell it to those in need. Make sure you get enough to compensate your time and gasoline. You’re the convenience store of paint, so don’t feel guilty about charging more than you paid for it. (But don’t rip people off or they’ll not be playing with you again.)
4. Air up in bulk. You can rent large (up to 50 lbs) CO2 tanks at your local compresser gas supplier and fill them each spring. Weigh the tank on a scale when you get it and each time you finish using it to monitor how much you have left. You can get fill stations on-line or your local compressed gas retailer may have one to sell.
Like paint, split it amongst yourselves and sell it at fields where you can. Make sure you make enough to cover your time, effort and costs. Warning: compressed gases must be handled with care and respect. Follow all directions and take all necessary safety precautions.
Pay attention to the weather. Do not leave tanks in sunlight or the gases may expand causing your tanks to rupture. This goes for both small and large tanks. Don’t trust relief valves to save your tanks, avoid situations that put your tanks at risk.
This advice goes for CO2 and compressed air.
5. Keep your gear clean. It will last longer and it’s cheaper to clean it than replace it. If it does need replacing, do it. Especially lenses. Saving a few bucks is not worth putting your eyesight at risk.
6. Stop buying the latest greatest thing. Once you find equipment that works, stick with it.
What works for me is an Archon hopper. They’re gravity fed-not electric, yet can keep up with the response trigger on my 98c without chopping. (And also quiet for us wood guys.) They’re best for blow-back markers. That extra puff of air aggitates the stack of paint in the tube, organizing it with each shot.
If you do need to buy gear, check out ebay or craigslist. I’m the last guy who wants to put local paintball shops out of business, but if it comes to playing or not playing, you gotta go where the deal is. Be patient with ebay, only bid what you can afford, there will always be another deal coming up so don’t get into a bidding war over a piece of gear.
Also, make sure you get your money’s worth. Especially when it comes to paint. Buying bad paint isn’t worth it.
7. Car pool to games. It saves gas, duh.
8. Respect your game sites. If you get booted from a free spot you may have to go somewhere that costs you money next time.
9. Play safe. Injuries can be *very* expensive.
I hope this helps those who are looking for some realistic ideas on saving a few bucks this year on paintball.
Joe Dellwo
509th Paintball Brigade
dellwopaintball@comcast.net
Spokane, WA
I agree with the comment about limiting paint. We have played games where everyone gets 20 balls per game and has to make them last. They have been the most fun as you really have to use a strategy beyond spray painting. I’ve been playing paintball since the mid 1980’s and started with nasty Nelspots so I’ve seen a lot. The heart of the game is, like it or not, killing and this occurs on a personal level and not generally with walls of incoming paint. You learn more and have a lot more fun making your shots count.