A paintball gun is a lightweight weapon designed to shoot tiny spheres of paint.
The goal in a paintball game is to avoid being hit by these pellets at all costs in order to win the game.
Anyone who has had the pleasure of being struck by a paintball will know the pain that comes when these items make an impact with the body. But are paintball guns capable of shooting more than just paint?
Can paintball guns shoot marbles, for example?
Yes, you can shoot marbles out of a paintball gun. There some requirements for the type of weapon that you can use and the size of the marble, but it is possible to shoot them from a paintball gun.
Here’s what you need to know if you want to load up your paintball gun with marbles.
What Type Of Paintball Guns Can Shoot Marbles?
If you want to shoot marbles of your paintball gun, you’ll need to research the different variations of the weapon.
Some will have the power to fire a marble, while others may not.
Some of the most common types of paintball guns that can shoot marbles include:
Machine Gun Paintball Gun
This is one of the most advanced types of paintball weapons.
While they’re not designed like a machine gun, they shoot very fast and look like the real thing.
Fully Automatic Paintball Gun
This type of paintball gun allows you to hold down the trigger to keep the pellets flying until you run out.
These types of weapons are common at paintball sites but are generally not allowed in tournaments.
Ramping Paintball Gun
If you want your paintball gun to learn how many projectiles to shoot in a second, then this is the weapon for you.
If you fire three paintballs in one second, then the next time you pull the trigger, three pellets will come out.
If you do four, then four will come out.
Electro-Pneumatic Paintball Gun
An Electro-Pneumatic paintball gun will fire three-round bursts with on pull of the trigger.
It’s possible to change the number of paintballs that get fired from the weapon, but the most common setting is three-rounds.
Electronic Paintball Gun
These types of paintball weapons are the most expensive types of guns.
They are battery-powered and support various settings for firing paintballs.
This allows you to change up the number of paintballs being fired with one pull of the trigger to match the game you’re playing.
Pump Paintball Gun
The pump paintball gun is very manual but also very reliable.
You’ll need to pull the handle every time you want to shoot a paintball, which can be repetitive but also help you in managing your rounds.
Each type of paintball gun comes with pros and cons, but it’s worth knowing what kind of weapon you need for projectiles like marbles that you want to shoot out of it.
How Do You Shoot A Marble Out Of A Paintball Gun?
The key to shooting a marble out of a paintball gun is having enough air behind it to push the object out of the barrel.
The marble should be the same size as a .68 caliber projectile.
Any smaller and there will be too much air escaping that it won’t be able to be propelled down the barrel properly.
If the marble is too large, it won’t fit into the barrel and could get stuck.
You’ll also need to increase the pressure of your gun due to marbles being heavier than paintball pellets.
This requires adjusting the gas cylinder so that it can increase the velocity from the marble and shoot it further.
Can Marbles Damage A Paintball Gun?
Paintball guns are not designed to shoot marbles, so there is a possibility that firing one from them can cause damage to your weapon.
The weight and density of the marble may damage the barrel if the measurements are not accurate.
They may also damage the bolt that’s used to fire the projectile.
Due to the additional pressure that’s required to shoot a marble from a paintball gun, it may also impact the springs within the firearm.
If you’re determined to fire a marble from a paintball gun, check with a professional if your weapon can handle it before you load up.
Is It Safe To Shoot Marbles From Paintball Guns?
While shooting a marble from a paintball gun is not likely to harm the shooter, if it’s fired at someone else, then it can cause a severe injury to them.
A paintball is designed to break upon contact.
But a marble is a solid object.
It’s crucial never to shoot a marble at another person, even if they’re wearing protective equipment.
There is a potential that the marble could break through a paintball mask and cause a severe injury to someone’s face.
You should follow the same safety measures as used with firearms if you’re planning on firing a marble from a paintball gun.
How Far Will A Paintball Gun Shoot Marbles?
The most common maximum range for paintball guns is 150 yards.
But there are ways to increase the distance if you need to.
The first is to change how the ball rotates upon firing it.
The flatline and apex barrels allow the balls to backspin, which can enable the projectile to travel further.
Another way is to change the shape of the ball.
Some projectiles will be shaped closer to bullets with fins on the end.
This allows the ball to pierce through the air faster and farther.
You will need to load the paintball gun differently in order to use this type of projectile.
Because a marble is heavier than a paintball, it can’t be shot as far.
Depending on the modifications that you’ve made to your weapon, it is likely to only travel 75 yards at most.
They’re also not as accurate as paintballs, so your aim might seem off if you shoot a marble.
Depending on the grounds that you’re playing paintball on, you may not need to modify your weapon to increase the distance your projectiles need to travel.
What Else Can You Shoot Out Of A Paintball Gun?
In addition to marbles and paintballs, other items can be safely shot out of a paintball gun.
These items include:
Rubber Rounds
Steel Ball Bearings
Glass Breakers
Pepper Balls
Water Balls
If you do shoot one of these other types of projectiles from a paintball gun, then you need to ensure that they are similar to a .68 caliber ball to avoid any damage to your weapon.
You may also need to make adjustments to the gas in order to shoot the heavier balls, or they won’t be able to travel as far when you pull the trigger.
Should You Shoot Marbles Out Of A Paintball Gun?
Just because you can shoot marbles from a paintball gun, it doesn’t mean that you should.
Paintball is meant to be a fun and safe sport, and if you plan on replacing paintballs with marbles, then you can make the game more dangerous.
In addition to the harm that it can do to another person, even if they’re wearing all of the recommended safety gear, marbles can cause damage to your paintball gun.
Almost every type of paintball gun can shoot a marble out of it.
As long as it’s identical in size to a .68 caliber projectile, then it can be fired.
But the weapons were not designed for heavier items like marbles.
This means that you will need to make several adjustments to your paintball gun in order to fire a marble successfully.
But be prepared that you’re not going to be able to shoot it as far as a paintball, and it won’t be as accurate either.
If you want to have a fun and enjoyable paintball experience, then it’s best to stick to the traditional paintball pellets and avoid replacing them with marbles.
