How Much Do Paintball Guns Cost In 2023?

Paintball guns typically range in price from around $100 to $1000 or more, depending on the features and quality of the gun. Entry-level guns tend to be less expensive, but they also typically have fewer features and may not be as reliable or durable as more expensive models.

Some of the factors that can affect the cost of a paintball gun include the type of gun (pistol, rifle, or shotgun), the brand and quality of the gun, whether it is electronic or mechanical, and any additional features or accessories that are included.

Let’s discuss it deeply!

Cost of Paintball Guns:

The first thing you should know about paintball guns is that they are generally categorized by price, with the most expensive guns costing thousands of dollars and the least expensive guns costing only a few hundred dollars.

Generally speaking, entry-level guns range in price from around $100 to $300, while mid-range and higher-end guns cost from around $300 to $1000 or more.

The price of a paintball gun will often be determined by several factors, such as how many shots the gun will fire (more shots equals higher price), what type of barrel and hopper it has (a long, thick barrel and a large hopper will usually be more expensive), what type of breech mechanism it uses (blowback or blow forward), whether it is mechanical or electronic, and any additional features or accessories that are included.

Let’s examine each category and take a look at some of the options in each category:

Entry Level Guns:

These are the least expensive guns you can get and still consider them a real paintball gun. Entry-level guns are typically low-priced because they are designed for beginners who just want to have fun with the sport of paintball without getting into the more advanced aspects of the hobby.

Some entry-level guns will only shoot one shot per trigger pull, while others will fire multiple shots without having to be manually reloaded. Entry-level guns also tend to have very thin barrels, which makes them more likely to deflect and wobble when being fired at full speed.

This means that the paintballs will not hit their target squarely, which will cause the player using the gun to lose more points than he would have otherwise.

On the other hand, thin barrels make entry-level guns easier to maintain. The barrel won’t become clogged up with dried paint or go out of alignment as quickly.

Entry-level guns are also generally less expensive because they do not include all of the high-end features available on higher-end models.

For example, some entry-level guns do not include an adjustable hop-up, so they will shoot all the way out to the range limit of the barrel, instead of allowing you to fine-tune the shot to where you want it to go.

Also, electronic entry-level guns do not generally have a red laser sight, which is essential for taking long-range shots.

Mid-Range and Higher-End Guns:

Mid-range and higher-end guns are generally more expensive than entry-level models because they are designed for players who want to get serious about the sport and learn how to achieve maximum accuracy.

Mid-range and higher-end guns will almost always come with a red laser sight, and they will often have thicker sturdier barrels. They will also generally have a mechanical or electronic hop-up adjustment, which allows you to fine-tune the shot to where you want it to go.

Higher-end guns also tend to have a more substantial (and usually metal) trigger guard around the trigger, which makes them harder to manipulate when wet. This is especially true if you are left-handed.

Some players who are extremely serious about the sport choose to use only right-handed guns because they feel that playing with a gun that is difficult to manipulate is a great way to increase their skill and accuracy.

Pistol Guns:

These are the least expensive guns you can get that are still considered real paintball guns. Usually, pistol-style guns will only shoot one shot per trigger pull, but some will allow you to manually reload the chamber after every shot. Entry-level pistols usually have plastic grips, thin barrels, and low-end hop-up settings.

Rifles:

Rifles are generally more accurate than pistols, and they are also the most popular type of gun used by serious players. A rifle has a long barrel, and it is often fitted with a bipod or other stabilizing device.

The stock will often have a cheek piece for better aiming, and many rifles have a telescopic sight for taking long-range shots. Rifles also have the advantage of being able to be aimed with both eyes open.

Of course, a telescopic sight is not necessary if you are only using the gun from a short distance.

Shotguns:

As the name implies, these are guns that are designed to fire a large number of paintballs in a relatively short period of time. They are typically 12-gauge, which means they are designed to hold 14 shells.

There are several types of shotguns on the market. The two most common are the “side-by-side” and the “over-and-under.” With the side-by-side, the barrel is horizontal, and there are two stocks one above the other.

This type of shotgun is very accurate, but it is also difficult to control.

Why Are Paintball Guns So Expensive?

There are several reasons why paintball guns are so expensive.

For one thing, paintball markers are extremely versatile. They are used by both beginners and advanced players, and they are needed by all levels of players at different times in their paintball careers.

This makes them much more popular than other target shooting guns like rifles and handguns, and this in turn causes the supply and demand for these guns to be very high.

Another factor is that most paintball markers are manufactured by only a few companies, which puts a lot of pressure on those companies to produce a quality product.

In fact, many paintball players will not even consider buying a gun from a company other than the two largest makers (L.A. Paintball and Crosman). This limits the options available when it comes to finding a great deal on a new gun, which in turn causes the price to go up.

Another factor that affects the cost of a paintball marker is how well it is made. Some manufacturers put a lot of money into research and development to create better products, which in turn allows them to sell their products for a higher price.

However, there are also a number of “cheap” markers that are poorly made and fall apart after just a few games. This can cause problems for the player who buys one of these guns, because he will be forced to buy more paintballs than he would have otherwise needed.

On the other hand, some players feel that paying a little more now will save them money in the long run, because these markers often last longer and need fewer repairs.

The other factor that affects the cost of a paintball marker is how much profit the manufacturer wants to make. Some manufacturers put a lot of money into advertising to get their market into the hands of as many players as possible, and they will adjust their prices accordingly.

Other manufacturers don’t care nearly as much about profits, and they will sell their guns at the lowest price possible without losing money. This usually translates to having the gun marked up by 300% or more.

It is important to keep in mind that the price of a paintball marker does not necessarily reflect the quality of the gun, because there are plenty of poorly made markers on the market.

How Long Do Paintball Guns Last?

Paintball guns are typically sold with an estimated lifespan of one to five years.

However, the lifespan of a paintball gun depends on several factors, including the caliber and brand of a paintball gun, how often the gun is cleaned, the weather conditions where the paintball gun is used, and how the paintball gun is stored.

Because of this, a high-quality paintball gun can last for more than five years. However, if the paintball gun is poorly maintained and not cleaned frequently, it will only last for a few months to a year before it begins to fail.

If you plan on keeping your paintball gun for a long time, it is recommended that you clean it on a regular basis. This includes rinsing the barrel after every use, cleaning the hopper, and cleaning the feed neck.

How to Choose a Good Paintball Gun?

If you’re looking for a good, reliable paintball gun, here’s some tips on how to pick one.

The first thing to consider is the type of gun. There are three main types of guns: pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

For example, pistol-style guns tend to be smaller and lighter than rifle-style guns. But they’re also less powerful and less durable. Shotgun-style guns have the biggest barrels, but they tend to be heavy and difficult to maneuver.

When buying a paintball gun, the features and quality matter just as much as the price. The features you want depend on your level of play. You can get a cheaper gun that’s great for beginners, or you can spend more money on a gun with more advanced features for advanced players.

For example, I’m a pistol player, so I usually opt for a smaller, lighter gun with fewer features. But if I were a rifle player, I’d probably go for a bigger, heavier gun with a lot of features.

The best way to find out what kind of gun is right for you is to ask a pro paintball player.

What Is the Future of Paintball?

In my opinion, the future of paintball is going to be based on the same technology that is currently being used in the automotive and aerospace industries. The main reason I believe this is true is that paintball is a very passionate and loyal follower of the “hockey stick” growth curve.

Paintball has experienced double-digit year-over-year growth every single year since the turn of the century, and this trend looks set to continue into the foreseeable future. This growth has been fueled by an ever-growing number of new players, including both seasoned veterans as well as complete beginners.

The beginner market represents approximately 70% of the entire paintball industry. These newbies are attracted to the sport for the same reasons most people are attracted to any kind of competition; they want to win.

However, once they discover the sheer amount of work and know-how required to compete at the top level, they quickly realize that there is no shortcut to the top.

This discovery usually causes them to abandon the idea of competing right away, but oftentimes they carry on playing anyway for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is because they have friends or family who play and they want to be able to say they are “initiated”.

Other times it is because they are “mentally tough” and refuse to quit no matter how difficult the learning curve is.

In other cases, it is because they are so passionate about the sport that they will do whatever it takes to win, even if that means spending hours and hours every day perfecting their skills. Whatever the reason, these players usually continue to show up at the field time after time, and they usually continue to improve as well.

As far as the seasoned veterans are concerned, the ones who are truly serious about competing at the highest level are usually very private about their efforts. They may attend a few tournaments here and there, but mostly they train alone in secret.

The main difference is that these guys don’t have to teach themselves; they have been doing this for years and have an ensemble of finely tuned skills that make them almost indistinguishable from a robot.

I believe that the future of paintball is going to see more and more of these “super-players” emerging, and fewer and fewer “amateur” players. Eventually, the top players will be so good, it will almost seem unfair to the amateurs. It will be like trying to play “whack-a-mole” with an army of robots instead of human opponents.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while it is possible to get a cheap gun for a little under $100, there are some things to consider before you buy.

First of all, you need to know what you want. Are you just looking to play in a game or are you going to be competing?

If you’re just looking to have fun, a cheap gun is probably not the best choice. But if you want to play competitively, then you’re going to have to pay more money.

Also, you want to make sure that the gun you buy will last. A high-quality gun will likely be more expensive, but it will last for a long time.