Paintball guns can be very loud, which can be disruptive and detract from the overall paintball experience. Fortunately, there are ways to make your paintball gun quieter without compromising its performance.
Choose the Right Gun
Making the right choice of paintball marker can make a big difference in terms of noise. If you are looking for a quieter gun, there are several different models available to choose from.
The two most popular types are mechanical and electronic, both of which come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Mechanical guns use a spring-loaded system to launch paintballs, making them much louder. On the other hand, Electronic models make use of an electric motor instead, making the paintball gun quieter.
Choose a Quieter Barrel
One way to make your paintball gun quieter is to switch to a quieter barrel. Some of the most popular choices include aluminum barrels with integrated sound dampeners (which reduce sound), ceramic, or composite barrels that have been designed to reduce noise.
Use a Barrel Shroud
A barrel shroud is an item of paintball equipment designed to reduce noise output and improve accuracy. It is basically a cylinder that surrounds the barrel of your paintball gun, and its purpose is to help muffle (reduce) the sound that your gun produces when firing.
Barrel Shrouds also come in a variety of materials, and each material will offer a different level of noise reduction. Aluminum shrouds are the most economical, while composite options will provide the best sound dampening.
Pro-Tip:
Keeping your paintball gun barrel clean is important for maintaining accuracy and reducing noise. Before use, you should clean your barrel to remove any dirt or debris that may cause the paintballs to be inaccurate and noisy. To do this, use a cleaning rod and cloth patches soaked in cleaning solution.
Should We Use Silencers For Paintball Markers?
Silencers ( suppressors ), can be a great addition to paintball markers. While they do not completely eliminate the sound of the marker, they are designed to reduce noise levels significantly. When choosing a silencer, be sure to pick one that is compatible with your paintball gun.
But in order to use a silencer, you also have to deal with ATF paperwork and other legal requirements, which also include fees of up to $200. So if you are looking for a quick and easy way to make your paintball gun quieter, then this may not be the best option for you.
Use a Longer Barrel With More Porting
Using a longer barrel with more porting ( holes ) allows for more air to be released, which helps reduce the sound created when shooting. Keep in mind that it can also affect accuracy and range, so it’s important to choose the right size and shape for your paintball gun.
Fine-Tune Your Settings
One of the best ways to reduce noise output and improve accuracy is to fine tune your paintball gun settings.
This can involve
- adjusting the velocity,
- setting the right dwell time (the amount of time the marker spends in a firing position)
- ensuring that all moving parts are properly lubricated.
Upgrade Your Bolt
One of the most important components of a paintball marker is the bolt. A well-maintained, high-quality bolt will help improve accuracy, reduce kickback, and make your paintball gun quieter. When upgrading your bolt, there are a few things to consider, such as size, material, and porting. Smaller bolts tend to be quieter, while lightweight materials reduce vibrations, and porting can help reduce air pressure.
Replace Your O-Rings
Most paintball markers have O-Rings, which are rubber rings that help keep the marker sealed. Over time, O-Rings can wear down or perish and need to be replaced. This is especially true if you are using a gun in extreme temperatures, as the rubber can become brittle and prone to cracking.
Replacing your O-Rings on a regular basis will help keep your marker quieter and improve its performance.
Use Paintballs With The Same Bore Size As Your Barrel.
Using paintballs with the same bore size as your barrel is a great way to help reduce noise levels. Not only are they quieter, but they can also improve accuracy and range.
When selecting paintballs, make sure to choose ones with the same bore size as your marker’s barrel. Finally, using high-quality paintballs (with an accurate shape) can reduce noise better than cheaper ones.
Use A Low-Pressure Paintball Gun
A paintball gun with low pressure significantly reduces noise. These types of guns are designed to use less air, which means they create less sound. Low-pressure guns also generate less recoil, making them more accurate and easier to shoot.
Tune Your Paintball Gun
Tuning your paintball gun can help improve accuracy and reduce the noise output. The first step to tuning a paintball gun is to adjust the velocity. This should be done with a chronograph, ( measures the speed of the paintball as it travels through the barrel). Generally, a velocity between 280 and 300 fps is ideal.
Next, you’ll want to set the right dwell time (the amount of time the marker spends in a firing position before releasing a new round). Too much dwell time can lead to a decrease in accuracy and an increase in noise, so it’s important to find the sweet spot that works best for your gun.
Common Myths for Making a Paintball Gun Quieter
Using Carbon Fiber Barrel
Don’t let myths about making your paintball gun quieter fool you. A carbon fiber barrel won’t make a difference in noise reduction; porting, O-rings, and other components are much more important when it comes to reducing sound.
For the best results, upgrade your bolt, replace old O-rings, and use paintballs with the same bore size as your marker’s barrel.
Adding Rubber Or Cotton Pad To Bolt
Adding a rubber or cotton pad to the bolt of a paintball gun is sometimes touted as an effective way to reduce noise levels. While this technique can help reduce some vibration and may even lead to improved accuracy, it’s not always an effective solution for reducing sound.
The main issue with using a rubber or cotton pad on the bolt is that it can cause pressure buildup. This, in turn, can lead to increased noise and power loss.
Finally, enjoy your quieter paintball experience, it is still sure to be a fun and exciting game! With the right maintenance and tuning, you can make sure your paintball gun remains quiet and efficient for years to come. Have fun out there!