No doubt, there are plenty of sniper guns on the market but one of the best is the Tippman A-5 Sniper Paintball Gun with Red Dot.  This popular sniper gun features a 16 “ Smart Parts barrel, adjustable stock, and all the rapid fire power you would expect from the A-5.  The onboard Cyclone Feed System helps give the gun the power to shoot as fast as you can pull the trigger, as fast as 17 balls per second.  And if the need arises, you can completely strip down the A-5 and the reassemble it in just 60 seconds without any tools.  The A-5 is durable, reliable, accurate, fast, and it also looks great.  You can get it for under $260.

RAP4 makes a good line of sniper rifles.  If realism is your thing then check out the MILSIG SRT Desert Ops Custom Sniper.  This may be the most visually appealing of all the sniper paintball contenders and it is also incredibly accurate.  However, it’s not cheap.  The MILSIG sells for $1,000…if you can find it.

Actually, the best sniper paintball guns are often times the ones you modify yourself.  Rather than purchasing a new gun you may be able to modify your existing model to a sniper configuration.  The first step is to procure a 14-16 inches barrel.  Anything over 16” defeats the purpose and actually decreases accuracy.  The Flatline Barrel System by Tippmann is a good choice as are barrels manufactured by Apex or Smart Parts.  You can expect a 16” barrel to boost your accuracy by about 100 feet.  Also, when purchasing a barrel kit, make certain that the threading is an exact match.

Additionally, paintballs must be sized to the proportion of the barrel.  Get it right and you will be amazed at the results.  All paintball manufacturers claim that their balls are .68 caliber but there still remains a very slight difference in size that can make a difference in the performance of your gun.  By dropping a ball into the barrel you can ascertain the compatibility with your gun.  If it rolls out too easily then it’s too small.  If it sticks then it’s too large.

There is a natural temptation to add a scope to a sniper paintball gun.  However, that is not recommended.  Scopes just don’t work well with paintball guns.  All you need is a red dot sight or simple iron sights. With practice you will learn to aim slightly above your long distance targets to improve accuracy.

Another accessory that will beef up your sniper theme is a bipod.  If you really want to go “all out” then swing for a Ghillie suit or poncho.  Just be careful to not over-accessorize which has a tendency to slow you down on the field of battle.

It’s no wonder that sniper paintball guns have become so popular.  They can definitely help you take your game to the next level.

Then the big day arrives, the day of battle.  Like a scene out of a Batman movie you head into your version of the Bat Cave to get dressed for warfare.   Piece by piece you assemble the uniform and gear suitable for this unique situation.  Moments later you emerge as the conquering paintball warrior.

OK, so I got a little carried away with the imagery.  But you get the picture.  It’s not hard to become a paintball fanatic.  So, where do you get all that gear…all that really cool looking stuff?

Manufacturers of paintball guns and gear have made some giant leaps in recent years in providing a wide variety of choices for game preparation.  There are plentiful styles to match just about any taste.

One of the most popular modes of dress is the military look.  Of course, you can make a run for your local Army-Navy store or look to a paintball retailer for the camo look.  Tippman, for example, offers two basic camouflage patterns, the Field Gear Jersey and the Special Forces Jersey.  And of course, both come with matching pants.  Tippman packs a lot of quality workmanship into their paintball jerseys providing optimum comfort, function, and durability.

If you’re going for a little color and contemporary style you can also find some amazing choices.  The Invert Prevail ZE Men’s Paintball Jersey is a big seller.  This lightweight jersey features padded elbows, micro-ribbed cuffs that easily slip over your elbow pads and gloves, and (maybe best of all) breathable mesh side venting. You can get it for a little over $25.

For a few bucks more you can get a sharp looking Valken Fate Paintball Jersey.  These paintball jerseys are constructed much the same as the Invert Prevail ZE but also sports some really cool graphics.  If you prefer more padding then you may find that the Empire Invert SE Paintball Jersey is to your liking.  It, too, is in the $30 range as is the Dye C5 Jersey.

For a hooded jersey, check out the Virtue AWR Paintball Jersey.  This jersey features added padding for your chest and shoulders and is also well-ventilated on the sides and upper chest.  The graphics are really nice and the hood is detachable.  The Virtue AWR ranks at the high end of the price scale at about $80.

If price is an issue then Spyder, as with all their products, can save you some money on a good looking jersey.  You can pick up a Spyder jersey for around $15.  It may not hold up as well as the aforementioned but you can still look the part.

When it comes to paintball jerseys there are hundreds of good choices.  There’s bound to be something for you.  Keep in mind that by the time you add on a vest and a bunch of other gear, the jersey is kind of lost.  You may be able to accomplish your preferred look with something so simple as an old t-shirt.  Most important, get out there and have a good time doing what you love!

Many people will argue the case for best inexpensive gun, best automatic, best single shot, best mid-priced gun…etc.  Certainly there is no problem with that kind of thinking but what would you buy if money was not an object.  A Breda M37?  To be honest I can’t imagine having fun on the paintball field while hunkered down in a machine gun nest.

So, let’s do a little dreaming and pretend for a moment that we have all the money we want for buying the best ever paintball gun.  What’s that?  It hasn’t been built yet?  You’re probably right.  Technology keeps getting better and better.

Since this site’s focus is on Tippmann products it’s only fair to see where they fit into this “best paintball gun” scenario.  The Tippmann A-5 has a bunch of fans.  With its cyclone system you can fire as fast as you can wiggle your trigger finger. And you can dismantle it and then put it back together in 60 seconds without a single tool, all while on the battlefield.  No, it’s not the most expensive.  Not even close.  But it gets the job done over and over again.  However, it could not be classified as the best paintball gun.

Angel guns are awesome.  They certainly come with a price tag to prove it.  For about a thousand bucks you can get an amazing gun but is it really the best?  “For sure, one of the best…but not THE best.”

The Bob Long G6R Gen 6 Intimidator Paintball Marker is a winner.  It’s similarly priced to the Angel.  For about half as much the Empire AXE gets high marks as does the Planet Eclipse Etek 3 LT Paintball Gun, and the Proto Reflex Rail.  The Rap4 T68 T-68 M4 Gen7 Paintball Marker Gun is also worthy of mention as is the Tiberius Arms T9.1 CQB FS Paintball Gun Rifle.

Somewhere on that list we have probably arrived at something that you would love to buy.  Surely there are some paintball guns that I haven’t mentioned that would be on your wish list.  But have we really arrived at the ultimate “best paintball gun?”

When I was growing up my dad collected guns.  He kept his prized trophies in a gun cabinet.  Occasionally he would take them out and clean them and tuck them away for safe keeping.  Once in a while he would actually take a gun out and shoot it.  His hobby was more about having than using guns.

I remember one time I asked him, “Dad, which gun is best?”  His reply, “this one, this one, and this one over here.”  So, I tried again.  “Dad, which gun is your favorite?”  He smiled and reached for a simple single shot 22.  “This one,” he said.  “It has soul!”

So maybe that’s the key.  Maybe the best paintball gun is the one to which you have a very personal attachment.  You can’t really explain why accept to say, “It has soul.”

Tippmann lists only one paintball mask in their gear catalog.  The TP420 Goggle generally gets favorable ratings and can be picked up for a modest price of around $15.  For the newcomer to paintball this is a good starter mask although it has been reported by some users as being rough on the ears.  The manufacturer claims that the mask features a thermo cured anti-fog lens that promotes visibility and easy cleaning.  However, some users complain that the mask fogs up quickly.   The highest marks on this mask are given for its wide range of visibility…which is essential for competitive playing.

For whatever reason, Tippmann has elected not to produce a varied line of goggles/masks.  However, there are a number of manufacturers who have got the territory well covered…which simply means that you can find just about anything you want.

No doubt, style sells masks, which by the way, doesn’t necessarily translate into function.  Sometimes, when looking at the variety of masks available it’s easy to forget that the number one function of a mask is to protect your face, eyes, and ears.

There are plenty of masks in the low price range but with the lesser price also comes lower quality.  If you are going to be playing frequently and spend substantial time on the field of battle then you are going to want a mask that is comfortable, lightweight, doesn’t get unbearably hot, not subject to fogging up, gives good protection, and that provides a wide field of vision.  In the heat of battle the least of your concerns is how intimidating, cool, or fashionable you mask looks.

If you insist on the importance of cool just don’t forget the greater importance of function.  A mask that successfully accomplishes both is the VFORCE GRILL Thermal Paintball Mask Goggle.  It’s about as cool as it gets and it gets rave reviews from players who have come up with the near $80 to buy it.

VFORCE must be onto something because they also offer another highly rated mask that sells for under $40.  In fact, as far as value the VFORCE Paintball Pro Vantage Goggles may be one of the best deals available.

If money is a serious issue then the cheapest mask with high ratings is the Rival Force Painball Mask.  For just over $10 this mask will last until you come into money or retire early from paintball.

Of course, we all have to have a dream list.  You know, the “what I would buy if money wasn’t an object” list.  In that case you can set your designs on a Dye I4 Special Edition Paintball Mask that is about a sweet as it gets.  And…it can be yours for about $135.

It is estimated that there are about 45 injuries per 100,000 paintball participants per year.  That’s lower than baseball, basketball, hockey (of course), and racquetball.  Eye injuries from playing paintball usually occur where protective equipment is not required or when a player has removed his mask on the field of play.  Most regulated paintball facilities strictly enforce a ‘masks-on’ policy, and will eject players who refuse to adhere to the rule.

The bottom line is…you really need a good mask.  We’ve covered a range of masks from $10 up to $135 and talked about what should be most important in finding a mask.  The best paintball mask does not have to be the most expensive but…you should give it some serious thought.

Tippmann A-5
The most popular gun is the A-5.  The basic version lists for $179.  Other A-5 versions include the A-5 Power Pack ($239), A-5 with Response Trigger ($229), and A-5 Selector Switch E-Grip ($279).  Even if you get the basic model it is easily modified.  Get what you can afford now and the upgrade as you can.  Tippmann makes it easy.

Tippmann Gryphon
If you are looking for an affordable starter model that is reliable and durable then the Gryphon fills the bill.  The Gryphon marker is lightweight and features an internal gasline for a cleaner look, a rigid and ergonomically-designed front grip, a center-feed design to maximize mobility, a high-impact body, a blade trigger for a smoother trigger pull, a high performance and ported barrel for reduced sound and improved accuracy, and a reliable inline bolt.  It lists for just under $70.  For $20 more you can get the Gryphon Powerpack upgrade.

98 Custom Platinum
A step above the Gryphon is the 98 Custom Platinum.  The basic gun is considered to be incredibly reliable and makes an especially good choice for the player who likes to upgrade his/her marker.  At $139 thisTippmann paintball gun features split receiver design, which provides easier access to internal components for simplified installation of grip upgrades and modifications.  This model comes with a half dozen modified upgrades including: 98 Custom Platinum with Response Trigger, 98 Custom Platinum with eGrip, 98 Custom Platinum with Power Pack, 98 Custom Platinum Custom Pro, and the 98 Custom Platinum Basic.

TiPX Pistol
The TiPX™ .68 Caliber Paintball Pistol features a compact design and has been engineered to be lightweight, easy to maintain, customizable, and incredibly dependable. The TiPX includes two Tru-Feed Straight Stack magazines that use a straight feed, low tension spring system which allows a wider variety of paint and is less affected by hot or humid conditions.  It lists for $219.

SL68II .68 Caliber Pump Action Marker
Tippmann has brought back a paintball legend and added few modern updates, including a redesigned integrated feed neck that fits most current standard hoppers, as well as a redesigned ergonomic grip for enhanced comfort and control. Just like the older version this model features a smooth short stroke design, 11-inch performance aluminum barrel, solid cast aluminum receiver, breech port for easy cleaning, all-metal trigger, external velocity adjuster, built-in sight rail, integrated tank adapter with built-in gas line, and front and rear sling mounts. A 50 round hopper is included.  The list price on this model is $169.

X7 Phenom
Go top-of-the-line with the X7 Phenom.  Your opponents will definitely feel your presence as you open fire with this electro-pneumatic paintball marker. The FlexValve operates below 300 PSI for improved air efficiency allowing you to get over 1,400 shots from a 68 cubic inch 4500 psi tank.  Of course, top-of-the-line comes with a higher price tag.  The X7 lists for just under $400.  However, compared to other high end markers the X7 Phenom is a bargain.

U.S. Army Marker
If you’re interested in a superior military style marker then Tippmann has a line of guns that you will love including the Carver One, Alpha Black Tactical, and Project Salvo.  These guns are built for a realistic military experience and range in price from $99 to $150.

Conclusion
Tippmann’s popularity has come from their ability to tap into designs that the public really wants.  They have a tremendous grasp on the needs of the paintball market and consistently come up with innovations that keep them on top of the industry.  From guns to gear Tippmann is on top of their game to put you on top of yours.