Many customers ask us why we don’t fill CO2. The reason is that the fill stations themselves constantly freeze up, and that compressed air is better for your paintball gun. So why the whole paintball compressed air vs CO2 beef?

CO2 is stored compressed in a liquid that is super cold (very scientific, I know…). This liquid has to expand into a gas before it can properly propel your paintball. Getting liquid CO2 into your gun is devastating as it can freeze up your seals. This happens very often on horizontally mounted bottles, which are the most popular setups. Also, CO2 is not regulated coming out of the bottle. Depending on the temperature and rate of fire, there can be significant spikes and drop-offs in velocity.

Compressed air is stored compressed as a gas! the tanks actually heat up when filled. There is no chance of freezing seals, and no oil in the gas. Your seals last longer. The air is also regulated out of the tank, unlike CO2. You will get more consistent shots with fewer velocity spikes. the gas pressure will be the same in super cold and super hot weather with compressed air. It is the exact opposite for CO2 as it is very temperature sensitive. Compressed air tanks also have gauges that show you their capacity, you can always tell how much air you have left.

Compressed air tanks are more expensive (we sell 48ci 3000 psi tanks which hold about 600 shots for $55) and hold less shots per fill, however, the air tanks are only $4 to fill up while co2 is usually $6+, and they will save you tons of money on seals and shop labor, not to mention saving you the worry of on-field equipment failure.

Can’t afford an air tank? We rent them for $10, filled!!!

The secret to understanding paintball accuracy is CONSISTENCY!

This involves having a consistent paintball marker and most importantly consistent muscle memory.

Your paintball gun is relatively easy to make consistent. Use compressed air with a good regulator and a high flow valve. Use a multi-bore barrel kit to fit any paint, or buy paint that is a good fit to the barrel you own. When you’re buying paint, consider whether the extra $5 is worth having a round ball with an evenly distributed fill, or saving $5 and buying the other stuff. Sure this takes money and time, but if you come to Danbury Paintball Sports Headquarters, we will let you know what  the best upgrades are on your budget, and provide them at competitive prices.

Consistency of muscle memory takes a lot more work. Tuning and timing an autococker, perhaps the most time consuming procedure in marker teching history, is nothing compared to the number of repetitions, at different angles and distances, that you need to perform and teach your muscles to acquire accuracy perfection.

The eventual goal is to combine the consistency of your marker with the consistency of your bodies muscle memory to instantly acquire and hit a target, without thinking about it. True consistency will allow you to know exactly where that ball is going when it leaves the barrel, and properly adjust your line of fire compared to previous shots, subconsciously.

Play safe, play fair, play hard, but most importantly, play smart.