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The best paintball barrels
Is paintball season coming up?
Paintball is one of the most fun games you can play. For many people, there’s nothing that brings more joy than strapping up to hit the paintball field and playing with friends. In fact, even some people take it to the next level and play the game competitively!
But whether you’re a casual enthusiast or a dedicated player, you need good equipment. And while there’s a large debate on the best paintball guns, you also need to pay close attention to your paintball barrel.
A good paintball barrel takes you places. Depending on the model, it can improve speed, distance, accuracy, and more.
With that said, to get the best results, you need to find the right paintball barrel.
That’s why we’ve compiled this comprehensive list of the best paintball barrels on the market today, where we explain what makes them great and which types of paintball players the barrels suit.
You’ll know exactly which barrel to get for your next game by the end of this list. So, if you’re looking to give yourself an edge when you hit the paintball field, then you’ve come to the right place.
Best overall
Smart Parts Freak Carbon Fiber One Piece Paintball Barrel
Smart Parts Freak Carbon Fiber One Piece Paintball Barrel
This is one of the only paintball guns available that can give you a true competitive edge. Since it’s made out of carbon fiber, it’s lightweight and durable while also using advanced technology to enhance the flight of the paintball.
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Whenever we rank products, we always start with our favorite option on the market. And if you’re looking for a top-tier paintball barrel that’s lightweight, accurate, and durable, this is the option for you. This Smart Parts barrel is designed for serious paintball players, and with the right gun, it can give you a significant edge when on the battlefield.
The thing that makes this barrel standout is that it’s made out of real carbon fiber. Sadly, a lot of the budget-friendly carbon fiber models on the market only sport a carbon fiber printing and are made out of a cheaper material. But with this option, you can rest assured that you’re getting a high-quality paintball barrel with real carbon fiber.
This barrel also sports the True American Porting. This technology allowes the paintballs to fly out properly. The Porting technology allows the gas to equalize before exiting the barrel, which can make a huge difference in your paintball’s flight.
We couldn’t find that many complaints with this barrel. This is designed for .68 caliber paintballs (the standard size) and fits most guns. However, if you have a paintball gun like the Kingman Spyder Fenix, you may have to buy an adapter to be able to install the barrel.
Best premium
Smart Parts Freak XL Carbon Fiber One Piece Paintball Barrel
Smart Parts Freak XL Carbon Fiber One Piece Paintball Barrel
This is one of the most-complete kits you’ll find on the market. With barrel inserts and advanced paintball technology, this kit can surely give you a slight edge whenever you hit the paintball field.
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If you’re willing to spend a bit more money to get a fully-functional barrel kit, this smart parts option could be just what you need. One of our favorite parts about this model is that it’s a full kit with a tip, back, and various barrel inserts so you have the perfect bore size for your paintballs. While this is a fairly expensive option, you’re sure to get your money’s worth if you’re a serious paintball player.
This is an upgrade over the original Freak system, which is already popular in the paintball community. Many players have said that using this barrel allows your paintballs to fly much faster. In fact, the brand claims that paintballs fired out of this barrel traveled an average of 6 feet per second faster than other barrels.
This particular kit comes with the 14’’ tip. Now, if you play a sniper-type role and require more accuracy, we recommend going for a 16’’ tip which is also available. However, if you charge the battlefield, this is a great lightweight and balanced option that can make your paintballs fly faster.
Another cool factor with this model is that it comes with barrel inserts. While 0.68 caliber is the standard for paintballs, many players choose to use different sizes. And with the inserts, you can ensure that your bore size is the right one for your paintballs, allowing you more accuracy and speed.
Best affordable
GOG Paintball Freak Paintball Barrel
GOG Paintball Freak Paintball Barrel
This is a paintball barrel insert designed to improve performance. If you want your paintballs to perfectly fit inside the paintball barrel, this is a great option for you.
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This next option isn’t a stand-alone paintball barrel. However, we chose to feature it on this list as there are many times when players actually need a new insert instead of a completely new barrel. This paintball gun insert is designed to change the bore size of your barrel so that the paintballs fly out faster and more accurately.
Not everyone likes using the 0.68 caliber standard. However, if you choose to use a different paintball size, you have to change your barrel. This insert looks to eliminate the need to buy a new barrel as you can just put this in your current barrel to improve performance.
This is a pretty durable barrel available in various sizes. On top of that, it’s very affordable. So, if you’re a new paintball player on a budget, this could be a great way for you to try out different paintball sizes without having to invest in a brand new barrel right out of the gate.
Best for accuracy
Tippmann A-5 Sniper 14″ Paintball Barrel
Tippmann A-5 Sniper 14″ Paintball Barrel
This barrel has micro-hones inside it which allows the paintballs to travel much more accurately over long distances. So, if you’re a dedicated sniper on the team who shoots opponents from long distances, this is the right barrel for you.
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The last option on this list is specifically designed for accuracy. This is a sniper barrel, so it’s longer than a standard paintball barrel. This makes it heavier and bulkier. However, it also allows paintballs to travel much more accurately, making it easier to hit distant targets.
We’ll start by saying that this isn’t a paintball barrel for assault-type players who charge right out fo the gate. Instead, this is designed for patient players who enjoy waiting in a single, secure spot on the battlefield while slowly picking their targets. With this sniper barrel, you won’t have to worry about your paintballs not reaching far enough.
With that said, this barrel really isn’t for every player. For many people, this barrel is a bit too bulky and can get in the way of the game. So, if you prefer speed over accuracy and distance, you’re better off with the other models on this list.
Compared to other sniper barrels though, this one is still pretty short. It still measures in at 14’’ but can also reach far distances because of the way the barrel itself is designed. One complaint, however, is that this barrel isn’t the most durable option, which is a shame considering how well it can perform.
What to look for in a good paintball barrel
There’s some debate when it comes to the exact origins of paintball. However, most people agree that the first official paintball game was held in 1981. And since then, the game has blown up and is now a fun activity that people worldwide enjoy.
Paintball has gotten so big, in fact, that people are now paying much closer attention to their gear. That way, they can give themselves a slight advantage over the competition, whether that’s in terms of accuracy, speed, or shooting distance.
And one of the best ways to optimize your paintball guns specifically for your needs is with a good paintball barrel. However, two completely different tasks are saying you need a good paintball barrel and actually finding one.
But to make it easier for you, here’s a quick list of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a paintball barrel:
Good materials
The first thing you need in a good paintball barrel is quality materials. The material of the barrel determines the weight, balance, look, and durability. So, if you get a paintball barrel with cheap and subpar materials, you can’t expect it to last you too long.
In today’s paintball world, many people consider carbon fiber to be the best material for paintball barrels. This is a strong, durable, and lightweight material that works incredibly well in various situations. With that said, carbon fiber is fairly expensive, so if you aren’t looking to invest in these materials, there are other alternatives available.
Alternatives to carbon fiber include aluminum and more. If you’re shopping for a budget-friendly paintball barrel, we recommend testing it out yourself first. That way, you can check if the material feels and looks sturdy in person.
But if you have the money for it, we highly recommend a carbon fiber paintball barrel. While they may be expensive, you can trust us when we say that it’s worth every single penny you spend on it.
Length
Once you’ve found the right material for your paintball barrel, we recommend looking at the length. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to the length of the barrel. So, to figure out the right size for you, you need to compare it to your own playing style and needs.
What kind of role do you play on the paintball field? Are you more of an attacker, or do you sit back and patiently wait for opponents to shoot?
These are all huge determining factors when it comes to barrel length. However, a great rule to follow is that the longer the barrel, the more accurate your shot is. So, most experts recommend a paintball barrel between 6-8 inches for the best balance between quickness, size, and accuracy.
With that said, if you’re looking for the best accuracy, we recommend longer barrels. However, if you want to be more efficient in your consumption, you might be better off with a shorter barrel. While longer barrels give you more accuracy, they require more gas, and you don’t want your gun to run out of juice on the battlefield.
Adaptability
Ideally, you want paintball barrels for every situation. That’s why if you’re shopping for barrels, you might be better off with a complete barrel kit. That way, you get different options for any game and situation.
The more adaptable your paintball barrel, the better. With that said, it can be hard to find a barrel that fits every situation. So, there’s a high chance that you need to build a barrel collection slowly over time for the best results.
Bore size
Another thing to consider is the bore size of the barrel. To find the best bore size for you, you need to look at your paintballs. You want the paintballs to fit as snugly as possible in the barrel. That way, when you shoot, the gun gives off more power, and you can easily hit the targets.
Why you need a good paintball barrel?
You may be wondering why you need to pay such close attention to your paintball barrel in the first place. Well, the answer is actually fairly simple: a good paintball barrel can improve performance. If you’re a casual player who rents paintball guns and only plays every couple of years, you won’t need to put that much effort into finding a paintball barrel.
However, if you’re a serious player with a competitive spirit, then you need to give yourself the biggest advantage possible. And if you install the right paintball barrel on your gun that fits your needs and playing style, you’ll instantly notice the difference.
If you’ve been struggling to hit the target or haven’t been performing as well during your paintball matches, it might not be you. It could just be your paintball barrel. So, we recommend trying out a different barrel for some time to figure out if you just need to mod your gun.
With that said, equipment isn’t everything. When you want to win on the paintball field, you still need good skills and intuition. So, while a good paintball barrel can help you, keep in mind that it isn’t a solution to all your problems as a paintball player.
How do you install a paintball barrel?
Installing a paintball barrel is as easy and simple as screwing it in. With that said, most paintball barrels will come with instructions that we highly recommend following. Additionally, if a paintball barrel doesn’t fit, we don’t recommend forcing it.
Remember, certain paintball barrels are designed for specific guns. So, when shopping for a paintball barrel, we recommend finding models that are meant for your gun. That way, you won’t run into any compatibility issues when the barrel actually arrives at your door.
FAQ
What paintball barrel should I get?
You need to get the right paintball barrel for your gun and playing style. This may require some research, but if you find a barrel tailored to your needs, all of it will be worth the effort. With that said, we recommend getting a paintball barrel of at least 6-8 inches, as this is a great balance between efficiency and accuracy.
Does bore size matter in paintball barrels?
Yes, you want the paintballs to fit snugly into the barrel. If it’s too loose, your paintballs may not fly out properly or strong enough. And if it’s too tight, you might find your paintballs exploding inside the barrel. With that said, for the best results, you need to get high-quality paintballs as well.
What’s the most common paintball size?
Most paintball guns are designed for .68 caliber paintballs. While there are some larger and smaller paintballs available, .68 caliber is the most common option you will find on the market today.
