Paintball Barrels

When it comes to paintball…size really does matter!

In paintball, size does matter when it comes to the barrel length of a gun. It’s the first eight to 10 inches of a barrel that enables a paintball pellet to come flying out at about 200 miles per hour. Some players think that an extra few inches helps to guide the pellet, but the pressure in longer barrels generally drops creating friction, which means it takes more gas to shoot the paintball. If the barrel is shorter than 8 inches, such as with pistols, the gun will have less range and precision than regular markers do. Barrels that are longer than 14 inches don’t really improve the gun, they just require more gas. This is why most players use barrels between 8 and 14 inches long.

There are a few factors you may want to consider when choosing your barrel length. When the weather’s warmer the gas in the tank expands faster, so you may want to use a shorter barrel. When it’s colder the gas takes longer to expand, so a longer barrel is usually better. Low pressure systems shoot the pellets out a little more slowly, so the barrels should be longer.

Some barrels have porting in them, which means the barrel actually has small holes drilled through it to cut down on the noise by releasing air pressure before it leaves the barrel muzzle. Barrels with porting are usually longer, but they also use more gas. Longer barrels do have some good features though, as they let you shoot around bunkers and bushes without exposing too much of yourself. However they do make it harder to hide and maneuver. Guns with longer barrels also tend to be quieter than those with shorter barrels - especially if they have porting.

The inside of your gun’s barrel needs to be smooth. The term “honing” means to smooth and polish the inside of the barrel. Honing is important as the smoother the inner surface is; the lower the friction is. This makes the barrel more air efficient and it’s less likely any pellets will break inside your gun. However, the Tippmann Company makes a barrel called the Flatline, which is designed to be rough so it can put a backspin on the paintball.

The material of a gun barrel is also important as it can make a difference to its performance.

A lot of barrels are made of aluminum , which means they’re lightweight, but they cause slightly higher friction and are easier to scratch. Stainless steel barrels are quite durable, scratch resistant, and have less friction. However they are also heavier and cost more. You can get a good two-piece barrel - which consists of a stainless steel back for less friction with an aluminum front to keep the weight down.

Ceramic barrels are pretty good, as they don’t cost too much. They prove durable, and cause very low friction. They’re also self-cleaning, so if a paintball breaks in your barrel it will clear it self out after you fire a few more rounds.

Years ago, a lot of barrels were made of brass , but it’s pretty hard to find one these days. Brass barrels cause very little friction, but nowadays it’s easy to hone other types of barrels they’re almost as good as brass. Brass barrels are heavier and tend to scratch and dent often because they’re actually softer. They also need to be polished regularly.

Because the sizes of paintballs and barrels vary, a lot of players will use an adjustable bore barrel, which is commonly called a barrel system or barrel kit. These barrels let you adjust the internal size (bore) of the barrel, so they basically match the size of the pellets you’re using. Different barrel materials can be better for specific paintball situations. If you’re a front player, a lightweight aluminum model may be best. However if you want to be a sniper, you should be looking for a heavier barrel that causes less friction.