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Query About UK Paintball Marker Laws

ant290

BOOOOM!
May 15, 2007
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Southampton
ant290.wixsite.com
You could just buy an airsoft RIF.

Lower price than paintball markers, higher velocity, no mess to clean up, less noise, airsoft pellets don't get damaged in transit or break in bags, etc....

Just an alternative, as many paintball players play airsoft.
And reduce the ricochet potential by shooting at paper targets with a towel draped behind them, or into some sort of gallery that you create. The potential mess that is left with paintballs can be a lot... and the benefit of using them is the marking of things... which is maybe not so important in your case.
 

Alex1

New Member
Jun 30, 2020
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And reduce the ricochet potential by shooting at paper targets with a towel draped behind them, or into some sort of gallery that you create. The potential mess that is left with paintballs can be a lot... and the benefit of using them is the marking of things... which is maybe not so important in your case.
Yeah, that is all true!! However I tend to use air guns for shooting paper targets with a trap, and I was looking for something safer for plinking, as air guns can ricochet a bit too much when you're shooting cans and the like, and airsoft guns tend not to be able to knock them over, in my experience.

Am I correct in saying that most paintballs are biodegradable? If so, does it take a very long time for the mess to disappear?
 

Tom

Tom
Nov 27, 2006
4,076
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Salisbury
www.TaskForceDelta.co.uk
Yeah, that is all true!! However I tend to use air guns for shooting paper targets with a trap, and I was looking for something safer for plinking, as air guns can ricochet a bit too much when you're shooting cans and the like, and airsoft guns tend not to be able to knock them over, in my experience.

Am I correct in saying that most paintballs are biodegradable? If so, does it take a very long time for the mess to disappear?
They are biodegradable, (and non toxic)
Note - if you have pets and if they eat enough they will be sick and have rainbow turds. Vet bills are best avoided

One of the following is one of my pics of swept up balls in the corner of a CPPS field, the other is a random one from the Internet
4C654689-E7EC-46C4-B0DE-0E0323A17DB4.jpeg8661DE40-7B0D-4A65-9CD1-83ADF7A5FEF3.jpeg
The CPPS one shows the difference between a fresh ball and ones that have been sat in the rain

If left undisturbed, balls that have not broken will soften and swell up from moisture. Broken ones could leave the shell around until it degrades
The fill can vary in gel thickness and some can seem chalky.
On a surface it can stay a while until washed away, and can sink into a porous surface.

If they aren’t disturbing you then they can be left but could take some time to go.
If you can then hang a sheet background that also lays on the ground in the target area. You can then easily scoop up mess for clearing up
 

BOD

The brotherhood
Aug 1, 2003
747
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YORK
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Yeah, that is all true!! However I tend to use air guns for shooting paper targets with a trap, and I was looking for something safer for plinking, as air guns can ricochet a bit too much when you're shooting cans and the like, and airsoft guns tend not to be able to knock them over, in my experience.

Am I correct in saying that most paintballs are biodegradable? If so, does it take a very long time for the mess to disappear?
Yes they're bio degradable and the paint will eventually disappear but not if you're shooting regularly it won't, any hard backdrop will just become coated in thick sticky mess that you need a pressure washer to get off. Just look at pictures of site game areas and the barricades, even if they haven't had a game played in them for weeks and there's been torrential downpours they'll still be covered in paint.
 

Alex1

New Member
Jun 30, 2020
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0
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It seems like they'll probably make a fair bit of mess, but I'm not too worried about it. I'm not going to be shooting super-often and I'll be shooting up against a piece of plywood in one corner of the garden, so any mess will be quite localised. I'll pick up the worst of the shells after each session and can always pressure wash the area if it comes to it!! And I have no pets, so no worries in that regard.

My garden already has hundreds of airsoft BBs all over it anyway, so it will make a change!!! ;)
 

Tom

Tom
Nov 27, 2006
4,076
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Salisbury
www.TaskForceDelta.co.uk
In this case, I cant understand the difference between airsoft and paintball? What is better?
On a more serious note:
Airsoft is quite like scenario or magfed paintball

Sites vary, but typically paintball is as follows:

Rental - one off or occasional players. Random groups, usually on weekends, but sites may accept midweek group bookings

Walkon - generally monthly date for those who own their own gear, playing separately from rentals. Expect a higher entry and lower paint price (supplied by the case)
A walkon will attract all types of local pl
Not all sites run walkons

Events - Themed scenarios, big walkons or tournaments
Run by organisers across most of the UK

From what I’ve seen, airsoft tends to run at weekends (and some midweek evenings) in a similar manner to paintball walkons
Any rental players tend to be mixed in among the walkons unless a group makes an exclusive booking

It’s said that airsoft is more ‘realistic’ due to the gun style, but there are realistic style paintball guns and some ergonomic ‘speedsoft’ airsoft guns similar to ‘speedball’ paintball guns

Airsofters do generally dress up to match their guns, some paintballers also do so but are less likely to be interested in an ‘authentic’ look

Both airsofters and paintballers could be in camouflage, power ranger or casual

Airsoft BBs hit with a lot less energy than paintballs
 

slowreality

The Dude
Jun 14, 2020
167
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Pelsall, West Mids
Personally I find people who play Airsoft as wannabe soldiers who couldn’t make selection or just didn’t have the balls to enlist. I know this is a bit of a sweeping statement and it is not intended for EVERY person who plays Airsoft.

I used to work with a load of guys who were heavily into Airsoft. You’d think they were living Characters in COD :ROFLMAO:

I like Paintball because in life you’ll always get the ones who take it seriously but with balls of paint you’ll still look like a big kid :giggle:
 

Tony Harrison

What is your beef with the Mac?
Mar 13, 2007
6,518
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You're best going from paintball to airsoft, because the gear is cheaper and when you get shot, you're like "Is that it? It doesn't hurt...."
 

Bolter

Administrator
Aug 19, 2003
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Kettering
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the guidance on firearms licensing law does say that paintball markers "should not be considered to be firearms".
If kept under the limit.

Also, please be safe. I dont advocate shooting in anyones back garden. Im sure you are sensible, Im sure you will be safe, but all it takes is one ball to miss the target, ping over the fence and we all lose out. Just take some precautions please!