If you're one of the people that've never before taken part in this sport previously, there's a good chance you will be surprised to learn that getting shot with these innocent-looking balls is going to cause a bit pain and possible injury. The correct  paintball safety equipment will be essential to ensure your body won't be overly injured, but no matter what  it will sting a little when the balls make contact. You at the very least are required to wear a paintball mask. Marks, sores and blisters will likely be left behind. True paintball lovers believe these marks to be combat nicks and scratches, and they are often fun to show off to your friends. You should still wear a cup to protect your bits and pieces as they can be very hurt if your properly protected.

You can't get off to a proper start without the proper equipment though. The single most essential item you'll have to get, evidently, is the powerful paintball gun. There is a large range of different guns online, and these are available in a bunch of atypical textures, weights, and have different characteristics. For the beginner I recommend the tippmann custom 98.

The game of paintball shouldn't be considered a sport anyone should participate in alone, none-the-less. To start out, you'll have to get a group to play the game along side you and against you. If by some chance you're lucky enough to have at your side a gathering of acquaintances that currently participate in paintball or might possibly be involved in beginning to play, then you are able to get a head start. Otherwise, you'll be required to join an established players club. There are normally many of these in your immediate radius, and those groups can very well be found by going to your local retail sporting stores in your area or the internet. A quick search reveals many clubs in most high-population metropolitan locations.

These five questions are important to ask when you're shopping for a new paintball gun. They will help you make the right decision for the right gun.

1. What style or position do you want to play? There are many different ways to play, and many different setups for your gun. Will your style require an electronic trigger and loader to increase the rate of fire? Or will you plan on spending most of your time waiting for the perfect shot, which would require greater accuracy? There are many paintball guns, each with specific styles and positions.
2. Who are you buying for? Are you buying for yourself, a child, a beginner, and expert? Young or inexperienced players will be better off with a less expensive, but reliable, gun. It may not be the best looking gun, but if you decide the sport is not for you, you haven't spent a fortune on the hobby. Remember that a cheap gun will be a waste of money if you have to have it repaired.
3. What air source does your paintball gun need? Paintball guns all operate on either CO2 or High Pressure Air (HPA). Most paintball guns operate on CO2. Tippmann, Kingman Spyder, Tiberius Arms, Ariakon, Warensor, BT Paintball, Brass Eagle, JT USA, WGP, and many others operate on CO2. However, there are some paintball guns that take HPA, so be sure to know the air source of your gun. HPA allows for a greater number of shots when compared to a similar sized CO2 tank. It also is more consistent in performance, because unlike the CO2 tanks, HPA is unaffected by weather. The more experienced paintball players chose HPA, however they are more expensive.
4. What upgrades are available for the paintball gun? If you're on a limited budget, and you know the style or position you want to play, you can still build the gun of your dreams. Research the upgrades that are available and you can slowly build the paintball gun you've always wanted. The Tippmann A5 is a good candidate for this role as it has hundreds of combinations available
5. Are repair parts easily accessible? Lastly, you need to know if parts are available to make necessary repairs on your paintball gun. Even the best maintained paintball gun will need basic repairs. It's a good idea to have a kit with basic parts whenever you play.

Once you've done your research, and you found the perfect paintball gun for you, be sure to read the manual. Don't neglect regular maintenance, and have fun. Paintball is an exciting and thrilling sport, enjoy it!