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There is a common complaint among many in our sport about the realism of the weaponry used, it just isn’t very realistic. Even some of the best tactical markers keep missing the mark on realism, leaving players still hungry for a more authentic experience. In most cases, it is quite easy to spot a paintball marker due to the large hopper at the top to hold your ammo. This is problematic for at least two reasons: 1) it takes away some of the realism from your weapon, and 2) the hopper can easily reveal your position on the field if you’re trying to hide behind cover – this piece sticks out! This can defeat the purpose of “low-key play”, which means stealthy and subtle movement styles during play, sometimes consisting of a complete lack of exposure of the player and their position on the field.
Fortunately, there is a viable solution to this problem in both realism and profile: magazine-fed bookmarks. Similar to a real rifle, magazine fed paintball guns are equipped with a functional magazine that holds paintballs and uses spring pressure to push them into the marker. This makes the gun look and function much more like “the real thing”, adding more realism and excitement to the sport of stage paintball. These new markers provide a much desired change to the traditional hopper-fed paintball gun. While there is some cost associated with upgrading to this type of marker, many players are proudly making the switch. The best brands of magnetic feed pistols include the Rap4 468 and MK5 series, Honorcore, Tiberius Arms, Spyder and even Tippmann offers a new version.
There are many benefits to having a good magazine fed paintball marker. The most obvious is that it looks completely real. For many players, this is a very important factor. Some of the best brands of magazine fed tactical paintball guns are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Removing the hopper also improves low-profile play, making your gun smaller and much easier to handle. A large, fully loaded hopper on top of your marker gives it a different balance, making it harder to be more accurate compared to a good magnetic feed system. Once you attach the clip, your weapon is a closed system that won’t spill paintballs everywhere. It is common for a hopper to come loose during gameplay or lose ammo when removed. Compared to the sleek profile of newer magazine-fed paintball guns, hopper-fed systems are clunky, bulky, and make your marker look like a toy.
However, Mag-powered markers are not without their criticism. Opponents of the magazine-fed movement make some valid claims against this change. The biggest of these is that a magazine cannot hold as much ammunition as a traditional hopper. For lengthy scenarios that may require many shots, you should enter with as much ammo as possible. With the standard hopper holding at least 200 rounds, it will take at least ten 18- or 20-round magazines to equal the same capacity; this is a lot to go. Fortunately, there are other realistic accessories that offer ways to wear these accessories like tactical vests. Like its real life counterpart, a tactical paintball vest fitted with multiple magazine pouches is a great way to pack numerous loaded magazines in a very balanced way, close to the body. A good vest not only offers a great help in carrying your magazines, but also adds a fresh look to your stage outfit and adds extra protection against incoming bullets.
Another valid complaint about magazine fed paintball guns is the magazine clips themselves. Most magazines for tactical markers rely on a spring and mechanical actions to feed the ammunition, creating a greater chance that the marker will jam, fail, or break completely. While this was more of an issue at first, most magazine fed paintball guns have been out long enough for these bugs to be fixed, however some brands are definitely better than others. Rap4’s Dmags are some of the easiest to use in both durability, function, and price. While most paintball gun magazines cost between $ 25- $ 40, Dmags cost around $ 10 and even less if purchased in a bundle. The best paintball gun magazines are also compatible with shaped projectiles like First Strike ammunition; Dmags will also work with this precision paintball bullet.
If you’re just starting out in the sport, keep in mind that a hoppers-based system will be your cheapest, easiest, and most common route. If you’ve been in the sport for a while and are considering switching to a charger-powered system, weigh the pros and cons before you commit. Do you play in a position where you need a lot of ammo quickly? Will you have time to recharge if you run out? Is stealth essential in your scenario? Do you long for a realistic setting but feel like you are using a “toy”? All of these are valid considerations. So the debate continues, and probably will from now on. Players have made it clear that they want options and want to step up the reality factor in their game. Manufacturers have heard this request loud and clear and magazine fed markers are definitely moving in the right direction to become the top choice in paintball.
