Paintball and tippmann markers and guns.

A paintball marker or paintball gun is the primary device used in the game of paintball to mark an opposing player.

It uses a rapidly expanding gas (usually CO2 or compressed air or nitrogen) to force a paintball through a barrel with a muzzle velocity of approximately 300 ft/s (91 m/s).

This velocity is sufficient for most paintballs to break upon impact at a distance, but not fast enough to cause tissue damage beyond mild bruising.

Because a hit in the eye by a paintball can result in permanent blindness or visual impairment, it is important that players always wear proper eye and face protection when around a paintball marker.

Nearly every commercial paintball field has a rule limiting the muzzle velocity of a paintball to 300 ft/s or less, and strictly enforces rules requiring certified eye and face protection while on the field.

A paintball marker has four main components. These are: body, hopper, tank, barrel.

The vast majority of modern paintball markers have the previous components. There is, however, a strong following of stock-class players who use markers with a purposely low rate of fire and ammo capacity.