The Camo Kid
11-01-2007, 10:39 PM
Newbies guide into paintball. By Richard Maconochie
So you have played your first game of paintball or have been playing rec ball for a while and you have decided you’re going to take your paintball addiction to a higher level. You’ve searched the internet for all the latest and greatest paintball gear that’s just hit the store in the US and think “Wow I’ve got to get myself that!!”
We have all been there, we have all had to start out at some point in time, and we have all had those really silly questions that must be answered. Well this is hopefully a helpful guide for all the noobs out there wanting to get into paintball.
How do I take it to the next step?
Some fields have field club memberships or training days where more regular players will attend. Find out when the next club or training day will be on as these are great opportunities to find out more information about the costs involved, what is happening in your local area and how to get more involved. At these days you will find players with a wealth of experience and talent, most will be more than willing to help you get into the game and help you gain the skills you will need.
What is the right format for you??
A lot of people out there will give you their opinion as to what style of paintball you should get involved in, spouting the pro’s and con’s of each style, however I will say to all the new people out there, go play both formats and see which one you enjoy the most. Personally my preference is bushball however this still does not stop me stepping foot onto the sup air field every once and a while. Go with the style which you get the most enjoyment out of.
What Mask?
Your first and most important purchase for getting involved in paintball should be your mask. Now many people again will give you their opinion about what they think is best, however this is just their opinion, everyone is different; everyone’s head shape is different, what works for one may not work for another. The best thing for a new player to do is to go down to your local field or pro shop and ask to try on a variety of masks, as it is the only way you can gauge what feels comfortable, what looks cool and what will offer you the most protection.
Things to consider in a mask:
• Cost
• Field of view
• Area of protection…does the mask protect your ears, temple and jaw of your head
• Thermal or single lens?
• Availability and cost of replacement lenses and straps.
Getting your license and obtaining a Permit to Acquire
In every state or territory where paintball is legal to play, you must obtain a current and valid weapons license in the weapon category in which paintball is classed. The process to obtain a license is long and drawn out, and all require you to complete a fire arms safety course before even lodging your application for your weapons license. Approach your local field or pro shop and ask them if they can recommend a company that conducts the firearms safety courses or ask the other players, failing that look through the yellow pages.
Once your weapons license is issued and in your hot little hands you will need to obtain a permit to acquire (PTA), this usually requires you to wait even longer before being able to get your hands on a marker but it is just another hoop in which we paintballers must jump through as the requirements and steps to obtain a PTA differ from each state take a trip to your local police station or contact your states weapons licensing branch.
For further information for each state, and their requirements about safety courses, how to obtain a PTA, the type size and how a safe must be secured contact your local police station or weapons licensing branch
Western Australia
http://www.police.wa.gov.au/Services/FirearmsandWeapons.asp
South Australia
http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/services/firearms_weapons.jsp
Victoria
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=111
New South Wales
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/structure/corporate_services/firearms
Australian Capital Territory
http://www.afp.gov.au/act/firearms
Queensland
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/weaponsLicensing/
What marker is right for me?
While the long and drawn out process of acquiring your license is in effect start looking at markers, do some research on the internet, look at reviews and comments of people who own the markers. Narrow down what style of paintball you are going to play as this will ultimately affect your marker choice.
Along with the style of paintball which you choose to play, how often you intend to play should also be a factor, there is no point spending thousands of dollars on a brand spanking new paintball marker if you only intend to use it once or twice a year. If you only intend to play every once and a while an option is to look into second hand markers or cheaper priced markers.
Look at the price of spare parts and accessories as most markers will need maintenance and accessorizing throughout their lifespan. Go to field training days talk to the people using them, ask if you can have a shoot of their marker, and ask lots of questions, for example does is need a lot of maintenance? Is it easy to strip and clean? How easy are parts and accessories to buy?
Obtain as much first hand information as possible either by talking to the people that use the marker or the people selling the markers. Most important touch, feel and shoot the marker you are interested in.
Can I play on my friends’ property??
The short answer to this is NO! The reason being that in Australia we are bound by a lot of laws which regulate the sport as the markers are deemed to be firearms. In some states paintball markers are more heavily regulated more than “real” firearms. Paintball fields need to be licenced and meet a number of conditions set by the states weapons branch, i.e. Signs put up around the surrounding property, shade cloth type mesh put up around the property near safety areas and property boundaries.
Now I know temptation is always there with the thought of “it’s just a paintball marker” before you gas up your newly purchased pride and joy consider this...you get caught shooting off your marker at trees, empty boxes, whatever you will be charged under the weapons act, lose your weapons license, which you will never see again, have your marker confiscated, and a criminal record.
Importing Paintball Equipment
Now a lot of people are tempted to import gear that they find either too expensive or unavailable in Australia. To save yourself a lot of effort, time and money try and support your local paintball field and pro shop as much as possible, however if they don’t stock it, wont stock it for you or have just never heard of it and you are desperate to have it, you will have to try importing it. People usually see the cost of a marker in the US and compare it to what it costs here and think, hey I can just import it. If it were that easy everyone would do it. Now I’m not saying that it can’t be done, you just have to know what you are doing and go about it in the correct manner, which I believe is a long drawn out process. These days pro shops will be able to get the latest and greatest whiz bang marker a couple of weeks to months after the initial US release.
Importing spares, barrels and other accessories is another area some new paintballers feel uncomfortable doing for the first time. My advice is going to your local pro shop and ask them how it is done in your state. As it was explained to me, anything integral to the operation of the paintball marker requires a B709 importation permit. No before you start to freak out they are the easiest thing to obtain if the parts you are legal. Just type up a nice letter requesting the parts you want, clearly identifying the parts you want ( this way it allows the weapons branch officer to look it up on the net and saves hassle) and just attach your particulars and fax it off to the relevant number. If in doubt ask your local pro shop, police station or even customs. Once you have obtained your B709 permit, order your stuff and wait until you get a phone call from customs.
Now be warned, Australia Post has introduced new laws banning any and all firearm parts being sent through their network. If they find it they will destroy it. If importing from overseas or having things sent throughout Australia request that it is sent by a courier service. This has a great spin off effect, you get to track the parcel, and usually means delivery time is rapidly reduced. DHL’s best is 4 days from time of order to delivery.
So you have played your first game of paintball or have been playing rec ball for a while and you have decided you’re going to take your paintball addiction to a higher level. You’ve searched the internet for all the latest and greatest paintball gear that’s just hit the store in the US and think “Wow I’ve got to get myself that!!”
We have all been there, we have all had to start out at some point in time, and we have all had those really silly questions that must be answered. Well this is hopefully a helpful guide for all the noobs out there wanting to get into paintball.
How do I take it to the next step?
Some fields have field club memberships or training days where more regular players will attend. Find out when the next club or training day will be on as these are great opportunities to find out more information about the costs involved, what is happening in your local area and how to get more involved. At these days you will find players with a wealth of experience and talent, most will be more than willing to help you get into the game and help you gain the skills you will need.
What is the right format for you??
A lot of people out there will give you their opinion as to what style of paintball you should get involved in, spouting the pro’s and con’s of each style, however I will say to all the new people out there, go play both formats and see which one you enjoy the most. Personally my preference is bushball however this still does not stop me stepping foot onto the sup air field every once and a while. Go with the style which you get the most enjoyment out of.
What Mask?
Your first and most important purchase for getting involved in paintball should be your mask. Now many people again will give you their opinion about what they think is best, however this is just their opinion, everyone is different; everyone’s head shape is different, what works for one may not work for another. The best thing for a new player to do is to go down to your local field or pro shop and ask to try on a variety of masks, as it is the only way you can gauge what feels comfortable, what looks cool and what will offer you the most protection.
Things to consider in a mask:
• Cost
• Field of view
• Area of protection…does the mask protect your ears, temple and jaw of your head
• Thermal or single lens?
• Availability and cost of replacement lenses and straps.
Getting your license and obtaining a Permit to Acquire
In every state or territory where paintball is legal to play, you must obtain a current and valid weapons license in the weapon category in which paintball is classed. The process to obtain a license is long and drawn out, and all require you to complete a fire arms safety course before even lodging your application for your weapons license. Approach your local field or pro shop and ask them if they can recommend a company that conducts the firearms safety courses or ask the other players, failing that look through the yellow pages.
Once your weapons license is issued and in your hot little hands you will need to obtain a permit to acquire (PTA), this usually requires you to wait even longer before being able to get your hands on a marker but it is just another hoop in which we paintballers must jump through as the requirements and steps to obtain a PTA differ from each state take a trip to your local police station or contact your states weapons licensing branch.
For further information for each state, and their requirements about safety courses, how to obtain a PTA, the type size and how a safe must be secured contact your local police station or weapons licensing branch
Western Australia
http://www.police.wa.gov.au/Services/FirearmsandWeapons.asp
South Australia
http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/services/firearms_weapons.jsp
Victoria
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=111
New South Wales
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/about_us/structure/corporate_services/firearms
Australian Capital Territory
http://www.afp.gov.au/act/firearms
Queensland
http://www.police.qld.gov.au/programs/weaponsLicensing/
What marker is right for me?
While the long and drawn out process of acquiring your license is in effect start looking at markers, do some research on the internet, look at reviews and comments of people who own the markers. Narrow down what style of paintball you are going to play as this will ultimately affect your marker choice.
Along with the style of paintball which you choose to play, how often you intend to play should also be a factor, there is no point spending thousands of dollars on a brand spanking new paintball marker if you only intend to use it once or twice a year. If you only intend to play every once and a while an option is to look into second hand markers or cheaper priced markers.
Look at the price of spare parts and accessories as most markers will need maintenance and accessorizing throughout their lifespan. Go to field training days talk to the people using them, ask if you can have a shoot of their marker, and ask lots of questions, for example does is need a lot of maintenance? Is it easy to strip and clean? How easy are parts and accessories to buy?
Obtain as much first hand information as possible either by talking to the people that use the marker or the people selling the markers. Most important touch, feel and shoot the marker you are interested in.
Can I play on my friends’ property??
The short answer to this is NO! The reason being that in Australia we are bound by a lot of laws which regulate the sport as the markers are deemed to be firearms. In some states paintball markers are more heavily regulated more than “real” firearms. Paintball fields need to be licenced and meet a number of conditions set by the states weapons branch, i.e. Signs put up around the surrounding property, shade cloth type mesh put up around the property near safety areas and property boundaries.
Now I know temptation is always there with the thought of “it’s just a paintball marker” before you gas up your newly purchased pride and joy consider this...you get caught shooting off your marker at trees, empty boxes, whatever you will be charged under the weapons act, lose your weapons license, which you will never see again, have your marker confiscated, and a criminal record.
Importing Paintball Equipment
Now a lot of people are tempted to import gear that they find either too expensive or unavailable in Australia. To save yourself a lot of effort, time and money try and support your local paintball field and pro shop as much as possible, however if they don’t stock it, wont stock it for you or have just never heard of it and you are desperate to have it, you will have to try importing it. People usually see the cost of a marker in the US and compare it to what it costs here and think, hey I can just import it. If it were that easy everyone would do it. Now I’m not saying that it can’t be done, you just have to know what you are doing and go about it in the correct manner, which I believe is a long drawn out process. These days pro shops will be able to get the latest and greatest whiz bang marker a couple of weeks to months after the initial US release.
Importing spares, barrels and other accessories is another area some new paintballers feel uncomfortable doing for the first time. My advice is going to your local pro shop and ask them how it is done in your state. As it was explained to me, anything integral to the operation of the paintball marker requires a B709 importation permit. No before you start to freak out they are the easiest thing to obtain if the parts you are legal. Just type up a nice letter requesting the parts you want, clearly identifying the parts you want ( this way it allows the weapons branch officer to look it up on the net and saves hassle) and just attach your particulars and fax it off to the relevant number. If in doubt ask your local pro shop, police station or even customs. Once you have obtained your B709 permit, order your stuff and wait until you get a phone call from customs.
Now be warned, Australia Post has introduced new laws banning any and all firearm parts being sent through their network. If they find it they will destroy it. If importing from overseas or having things sent throughout Australia request that it is sent by a courier service. This has a great spin off effect, you get to track the parcel, and usually means delivery time is rapidly reduced. DHL’s best is 4 days from time of order to delivery.