The best way of Maintaining most airsoft guns is to buy a new one when it breaks because 70% of them are shitboxes mass produced to the same damage resistance as a late 2000s happy meal toy (Kinda sturdy but not what you want from a gun you’re running around shooting people with). Another thing that put me off of airsoft was spare parts were seemingly very scarce and you’d often be seeking out parts sent direct from factory from Asia, and the few that aren’t sourced from there are often sold out.
That's the reason, I kind of preferred Paintball from the start. You have essentially 2 major marker brands: Dye and Planet Eclipse. You can get your hands on a used one from them from 100€ - 1200€. You can even get the flagship ones for 500-600€ with some luck.
And most people play with these 2 brands. Some people prefer some other brands, but these ones are kind of well known.
In terms of paintball costs, The ammo is pricey but you could probably get like 2 years use of a Tippman FT12 at the very least before wanting to upgrade, but that would be because you want More performance and less weight, since those things are built like a cast iron skillet and would probably emerge intact from a nuclear attack.
Tippmans, whilst very reliable are usually not even owned as markers people have at home. They are really more for rental use, because they're just simply reliable and barely require any servicing. And they are sturdy and don't break easily. The first markers I see people getting are usually the Planet Eclipse EMEK or a electronic one in the 200€ used budget.
The ammo is really pricey though. If more people played, the cost would drop immediately...
Immediately yes, But generally if you weren’t spotted as hit you can just rub your hand across the splat for a few seconds and all traces of paint are entirely gone.
It really depends on the paint that is used. Fields generally use a 1-2 star paint. Reason being, that the Tippmanns are just too rough with your regular paint. This is why the paint quite often doesn't splatter as it should. That's why most fields play with the "When you're hit you're out" rule.
The paint we use for tournaments is 4-5 star. It should break when dropping it on a solid surface from the height of your torso without any force applied to it.
Additionally. The paint varies... But tournament paint is made with oil-based edible colours. Not as good for the environment, but it means you can't wipe it off easily and usually requires a towel. Besides in tournaments you also have refs, who will run to you before you can wipe it off.
![[BS] Joshua Bishop](/data/avatars/m/0/944.jpg?1699290597){kind=avatar}
