From: robert@isgtec.com (Robert Osborne)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.paintball
Subject: FAQ
Date: 23 Jul 92 14:03:24 GMT

The Charter
===========

     This news group is for discussions of paintball (also known as Pursuit,
Splatball, Speedball). The discussion is not limited to any single part of
the sport and can include topics ranging from the technology used to
develop equipment to game strategies. Other acceptable subjects would
include efforts to sell used equipment and to set up games between readers
of the group.
     It is the goal of this group to provide a source of information for
players new to the game and promote responsible and safe paintball
activities for players at all levels of ability. In keeping with this
goal, this charter encourages reviews of playing fields and paintball
related products by patrons, owners, sales staff, and any one else
involved with the sport. It is believed that the readers of the group are
better served if the discussion includes all points of view from within
the industry surrounding the sport of paintball.  Posters who do post
reviews are encouraged to include a disclaimer which explains any conflict
of interest they may have.

Frequently Asked Questions
==========================

Beginner Questions
------------------

1)  What is paintball?

    It's a sport in which a bunch of adults (loosely defined) go out in
    the woods and relive our childhood by playing capture the flag.
    Only, in this game each player has a gun that fires gelatin
    capsules filled with a water-soluble marking dye. If you're shot
    and marked, you're out of the game and have to wait until the next
    one starts. The most common variation is two teams at opposite ends
    of a 5+ acre section of terrain, each with a flag hung at 'home
    base.' The object is to go get the other team's flag and bring it
    back to your base. When you encounter people on the other team, you
    try to tag them out before they get you. Pretty simple and lots of
    fun.

2)  How can I play?

    Almost all paintball 'fields' rent guns and welcome new players.
    Fields can be found using yellow pages (look under 'Firearms' or
    'Sports Equipment'), local newspapers,  or ads in a number of
    the paintball magazines.

3)  What kind of Paintball Field should I look for?

    For the first few games you should play on a well organized field.
    Size is not the best way to judge the field.  The things to watch
    for are the number of referees on the field for each game and the
    explanation of the rules.  The rules of safety and specific rules
    for the field/game should be clearly stated by a referee before
    anyone steps foot on the field to play.  There should also be a
    sufficient number of referees for the number of players, one
    referee can not handle a field with fifty people on it.  If these
    conditions are not met, you should seriously consider waiting for
    your first day until you find a field better suited to a beginner.

4)  How much does it cost to play?

    The average field in North America will cost approximately
    $15-25+ for 1 day rental of goggles, gun and some, usually 30,
    paintballs.  Extra paintballs are usually 10 cents or less
    each.  Better guns and facemasks are usually available at an
    additional cost.
    
    A beginner should plan on using 100-200 paintballs for the
    first few days with rental guns.
    
    A day of play is usually 9:00am to 3:30 pm.

5)  What do I need to bring?

    The field owner may not supply food or have facilities where
    food can be bought so a lunch and snacks should be brought
    just in case.
    
    Bring water, lots of water.

    Bring old, sturdy, dark clothes and shoes or boots with some sort
    of ankle support.

6)  How can I find out more about paintball?

    Play.
    Read this group.
    Read one of the paintball publications:

	Action Pursuit Games
	Paintball Sports Intl.
	Paint Check
	Paintball

    Paintball is a good magazine for beginners, especially the first
    issue.  APG somewhat resembles a mail order catalog.

7)  What, or who, is the IPPA?

    The International Paintball Players Association.
    
    The IPPA is a non-profit organization set up to watch over the
    sport of paintball.  They have established and published standard
    rules for the game.  They also provide information on the game to
    anyone interested, which is good public relations.
    
    They are also invovled in defeating firearm bills that may include
    paintball throwers. So if you know of bills in your area that my be
    a threat to our wonderful sport please write the IPPA and let them
    know.

    Membership costs $10.00 a year in the US.  Members get an
    information packet, an IPPA patch, and an membership identification
    card. Membership benefits include a warm-fuzzy feeling from helping
    to preserve the sport of paintball on an international scale.  and
    discounts at many fields and stores.
	    
    Membership applications can be found in most paintball magazines or
    by writing:
    
	International Paintball Players Association
	P.O. Box 90051
	Los Angeles, CA.
	90009

8)  What does the word  _____  mean?

    12-gram
	a paintball gun that uses 12 gram CO2 cannisters
	(the same that is used for CO2 powered BB or pellet
	guns) and gets about 20-30 shots per canister
    		
    CA
	see constant air

    constant air
    	a paintball gun that uses a large CO2 tank (usually 7-10oz.)
	gets about 250-600 shots per tank

    newbie
	a new or inexperienced player

    pump
	a paintball gun that must be recocked with a pumping
	action after each paintball is fired

    semi
	a semi-automatic  paintball gun, shoots one paintball
	for each pull of the trigger

    squeegee
	a device used to clean broken balls out of the
       	paintball gun barrel
    
Safety
------

1)  How dangerous is paintball?

    Like all action sports (football, basket ball, etc.) paintball is
    very dangerous unless adequate protection is worn and safety rules
    understood and followed.

    Even if adequate protection is worn there are still risks associated
    with running around in the forest or inside a building.

    Bruises and welts caused by ball impact are common place.

2)  What safety equipment do I need?

    The minimum safety equipment necessary is goggles, facemask with
    ear and throat protection, and, for men, a protective cup.

3)  How can I play safe?

    The paintball gun should be treated as a firearm.   The following
    firearm rules also apply to paintball:

        - Always assume the gun is loaded; even if you know otherwise.
        - Always assume safety devices won't work.
        - Do not point the gun at anything that you wouldn't shoot.
        - Unload the gun when not in use.
        - Upon receiving or retrieving a gun check if it's loaded.

    Know the rules of the game and abide by them.

    Never remove facemasks or goggles while on the field.

    Do not play when very tired or hungry.  Bring food or money to buy
    food from field.  Most injuries occur at the end of the day when
    players are exhausted.

    NEVER look down the barrel. Not even with protection.  If barrel
    needs checking remove from the gun and check.

    Notify the field owner or manager of any medical conditions,
    allergies etc.

General Questions
-----------------

1)  What do guns, balls and accessories cost in the North America?

    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+
    |  item   | prices   | notes                           |
    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+
    |Balls    |   4-10c  | 6c average price                |
    |         |          | discounts for quantity          |
    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+
    |Guns     |          | rentable, second hand guns are  |
    |         |          |     cheaper                     |
    |  Pumps  |$100-$200 |                                 |
    |  Semis  |  $300+   |                                 |
    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+
    |Camo     | $13-30   | per item                        |
    |         |          | not mandatory but you will look |
    |         |          | funny without them :-)          |
    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+
    |Squeegee |  $8-15   |                                 |
    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+
    |Goggles  |  $8-50   | Necessary - rentable            |
    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+
    |Facemask | $10-20   | Necessary - rentable            |
    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+
    |CA tanks | $30-60   | refills $1.50-10                |
    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+
    |12gm CO2 |  25-50c  |                                 |
    +---------+----------+---------------------------------+

2)  Where can I buy guns, balls etc. in North America?

    Check any of the paintball magazines for mail-order companies.
    Local stores are difficult to find.  Sometimes sporting goods
    stores will have them.  Places to play and some stores may be
    listed in the back of the magazines.  There is not a separate
    listing for paintball in the yellow pages; typical listings for
    paintball equipment include sporting goods, amusement, guns.

3)  Is a mail-order company which sells also abroad?

    Mail-order companies that sell oversees are also listed in the
    various paintball magazines.

4)  How many paintballs will I need per game?

    Depends on the type of gun used.  Players using semis tend to
    shoot 30-100 paintballs per game,  those with pumps 10-50 per game.
    Players using fully automatic guns tend to use a lot more.
    These assumes games that last 15 minutes.

    Playing style, terrain, and number of opposing players will
    influence the amount of paint used.

5)  Do I need to be physically fit to play?

    Not really, but it will helps.  As with all strenuous exercise
    participants should stretch and warm up before playing.  Since
    typical games require quick sprints followed by a rest having good
    an-aerobic fitness is benefit.
    
    Players should gauge their play to their level of fitness.
    
    All players in poor physical condition or with physically limiting
    conditions should consult a physician before playing.
    
    Proper footwear is very important. Some players find that
    lightweight canvas topped army boots or leather workboots protect
    feet and ankles in the woods. Other players prefer the support that
    sneakers give as paintball does involve running.
    Personal preferences vary, but footwear should not be overlooked.

6)  Can I get the paint out of my clothes?

    Paint is water soluble and should wash out as normal.
    California Magnums (a brand name) contain iodine which may not
    wash out completely.


Technical Questions
-------------------

1)  What is the difference between a pump and a semi?

    A pump gun works much like a pump action shotgun, working the pump
    loads a paintball into the gun and prepares the gun for firing.
    After this pulling the trigger will fire the gun.  Some pump guns
    have an option called an auto-trigger.  This means that, if the
    trigger is held, the gun will fire every time the gun is pumped.
    This allows a greater rate of fire.
    
    Semi-automatic guns use the CO2 that shoots the paintball to also
    re-cock the gun.  This means that after an initial manual cocking
    that the gun will re-arm itself upon every shot without needing to
    be pumped.  This allows a greater rate of fire than an
    auto-trigger.

2)  Do head shots count?

    Some fields allow it, some don't.  Regardless of whether it is
    allowed or not, it will happen, and not infrequently either.  So be
    sure to wear goggles and face protection at all times during play.
  
3)  How do I stop my goggles from fogging?

    There are various methods:

    	1) Spittle.  Spit onto the lens and rub with finger to cover
    	   the lens.
    	2) Dish soap.  Put a drop on the lens and wipe over lens with
    	   soft cloth.
    	3) Commercial anti-fogging products.  Follow instructions on
    	   bottle.
        4) Buy a bunch of little fans ...

    It is suggested that spittle and dish soap be tried before the
    commercial products as they work fine for most people.

4)  When I shoot I get a big cloud that obscures my vision,  how do
    I stop this from happening?

    Got me I've never seen it happen :-)

5)  What is the range of paintball-guns?

    Varies highly with the gun.  Most plastic barrelled guns are
    accurate to maybe 10 feet.  Most decent pumps can get 20-30 yards,
    while some very accurate guns can get 30 yards+.  Of course due to
    velocity/air resistance paintballs drop, so account for that when
    aiming.

6)  Do silencers work?

    Yes, they do.  But they only silence the sound of the ball and CO2
    leaving the gun; the gun action will still make noise (and on some
    guns they make A LOT of noise).  Some silencers are not BATF
    (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms) approved  making them
    illegal to sell or own.  NOTE: some areas have banned silencers
    out right - call the local police to ensure their legality.

7)  Does a silencer/muzzle brake improve accuracy?

    Usually.  The silencer or muzzle break allows the gases pushing
    the paintball to disperse gently instead of buffeting the ball.

8)  Does 'rifling' improve accuracy?

    Many people swear it does.

Contributors: (voluntary or otherwise :-)
    Allan Wright Jr.     	aew@unh.edu
    Bryan Ebersole	 	igor@engin.umich.edu
    Dave McCarty		mccarty@earth.eecs.uic.edu
    Donald W. Wieber 		wieber@utkvx2.utk.edu
    Geoff Bronner	 	geoffb@Dartmouth.EDU
    Rich Henderson-Gragg 	richhg@fernwood.mpk.ca.us
    Robert Osborne	 	robert@isgtec.com
    Wes Gilpin		 	wwg2101@zeus.tamu.edu
--
Robert A. Osborne   ...!uunet.ca!isgtec!robert or robert@isgtec.com