Paintball and what I need in a real fighting rifle

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Dave3006

New member
Playing paintball a dozen times or so has given me some interesting observations regarding what I NEED in a fighting rifle. To me, Paintball has simulated some of the situations a person might find himself in during a riot or even portions of combat. I know paintball is a just a sport. It is not real life. Here is what I have experienced:

Key Rifle Requirements:

1. Penetration - Once the shooting starts people hide behind things. A gun that will penetrate cover is a big bonus. Now I know why the old timers like the 30-06 and .308. Shooting through things is important.

2. Accuracy - People rarely stand in the open and beg to be shot. They do, however, expose small parts of their body. An accurate gun would help hitting the foot or leg sticking out.

3. Fast rate of fire - Suppressive fire works! It keeps the other guys head down so you can move. Also, I can't tell you how many times I have rounded a corner and came face to face with a bad guy. You fire lots of bullets real fast. At less than 10 feet, you point shoot. In real life you may have to hit him several times before he stops firing.


You will notice I didn't mention capacity. I always seem to find time to reload. The action seems to come in mad bursts up close and aimed fire at a distance. Paintball is great for teaching you how fast you can die. It teaches you the importance of cover. If you have not tried it, it is a great idea.


P.S. I have been to the gun schools and I realize that paintball is not necessary the best training for personal defense for a beginner. It can teach some things that you will not learn at handgun 101 at a Gunsite type school.
 
Yes, Dave, I agree with you completely. Accuracy is a MUST! If you're 20 yards away from someone and you are both in the open trying to move to cover and your adversary has a more accurate gun, you're dead! Also, possibly camoflage is important-If you're in prone condition behind some low, green underbrush, and you have a bright, anodized red gun like me, you're found out quickly!
 
I could not agree more about camo. I walked right by an opponent in a wooded field who was well camo'd. Last weekend, I had someone walk right past me, then I shot him in the back. Cool.
 
Dave,

excellent post. One thing i would add is to know your weapon! I have played before, and rented a gun. They usually suck! If you know your gun, how it shoots, its limitations, you are usually pretty well served.
 
Sounds like you want an AK-47.

Paintball... the best sport there is. :D

WGP 2001 Autococker, Dye Boomstick barrel & Lapco Autospirit (depending on paint), Low Pressure kit, custom Tommy Gun grip frame, 12V Revvy, ANS Quick Pull Venturi bolt, VForce Shield mask.
 
since all legal rifles are shooting a non symetric, soft, liquid filled capsules, accuracy is pretty hit or miss ;)

to compensate most increase the fire rate

a buddy has an electronic marker with a warp feed conveyor
the dang thing is like a garden hose
you aim the stream at the target

the hopper on most paint rifles holds a days combat load for an AR15...
 
I use an Autococker. My first time, I used a rental. It was terrible. I was ready to just start throwing paint at people towards the end of the day. My Autococker works all the time. I see so many people fiddling with their guns.

One time, I asked the guys next to me to cover me while I sprinted 10 yards to a sand hill. Towards, the end of my sprint, a couple people saw me and started firing. I dove head first behind the hill. Me and my gun were covered completely in sand. At the time, I remember thinking if I were carrying a my old AR15 there is no way that thing would fire. As a matter of fact, I thought the same watching the beach scene on Saving Private Ryan. Kind of makes me happy I got rid of those fragile poddleshooters.

Another thing I learned is that I need to have equipment that will operate in less than perfect conditions.
 
Bought some used AR15 mags and was unpleasantly impressed by how little sand in them would bind the followers. One argument for sticking with a Garand.
 
I think that paintball teaches some very important things, like covering your buddies, leap frogging, shooting and moving, and use of concealment. I hesitate to say cover because it is one thing to hide behind a scrub brush if you are fighting somebody with a Pro-Lite vs. fighting somebody with a FAL! :D
 
Paintball has increased my appreciation for cover one thousand fold. That is actually, in my mind, one the most important aspect once the shooting starts. I don't think I would know this like I do without paintball.

I view cover based on what is shooting at me. Paintballs, .22s, .223s, and .50 calibers all require different cover. I don't think any trained person would use a bush in a real firefight.
 
Oh, and another thing, supressive fire is a wonderful thing!

I was in a game once where the remainder of the other team was pinned down behind a large dirt berm, I was prone on top of another berm, just a bit higher than theirs, but to far away to have much of any kind of accuracy.

However I managed to go through a 250 round hopper, and an extra 100 round tube in a few minutes while I just kept shooting balls all over that berm. None of them dared come out just in case. The rest of my team flanked them and took their lunch money. :)

And it teaches you not to stick in one spot for to long. Somebody will eventually maneuver on you and take you out.

Man, I've got to get back into paintball. What a fun game. It has been way to long.
 
You will notice I didn't mention capacity. I always seem to find time to reload.
Click to expand...
Capacity isn't an issue because a paintball hopper gives you so much. Cut that down to 20-30 rounds in a rifle and you'll be running on empty much more often.
 
George, sounds like you really know your paintball stuff. Ever play on any "pro teams" I used to play up here when we owned some fields years ago. Traveled to lots a tournys stateside and got our A$$ kicked regularly. Maybe we traded some paint before.

Used to play with a Carter built Automag, Dave Youngblood supplied us with the barrels, had a sponsorship from JT Racing and Bullseye paint.

Now those were the days..... (sigh)

WCG
 
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