The barrel is one of the crucial parts of a paintball gun, because accuracy, distance capacity, and sound outburst depend on it. The market has diverse barrel sizes for novice amateur to pro-level players.

But can you put any barrel in a paintball gun? No, you cannot. All paintball barrels don’t use the same thread to connect the barrel with the body. So, putting an unmatched barrel in your marker is not a plausible choice.

But is there any way out to fit any barrel to any gun? Let’s find out.

Are paintball barrels universal?

Though paintball barrels might look the same, they are not universal. You cannot use a particular marker with a different barrel. As we know, the thread is not similar for every paintball marker. That means you cannot use the same barrel for different guns.

Moreover, the bore size of different brands is poles apart. If the bore size of your barrel doesn’t match the paintball size, it will directly affect accuracy. The underbore or overbore barrel won’t be as accurate as the perfect bore size. So it is recommended to get a matching barrel.

But what if you insist on using any barrel in your gun? There is a way to make your barrel universal with a thread adapter.

Can I use a paintball thread adapter?

A paintball thread is a screw used for attaching the barrel to the main body of the gun. A thread adapter is a great device to make your gun universal. This is perhaps the best barrel kit that attaches any barrel with any markers.

If your thread and the barrel don’t match, an adapter will hold the screws of both ends. Then you can upgrade your barrel to a universal level. The fascinating part is this little device is inexpensive and can be purchased anywhere. So, you can use it to get an upgraded barrel.

How do you choose the perfect paintball barrel?

Everyone should choose their barrels as per one’s personal preference. But what to notice before buying a paintball barrel? Well, these are the factors you should remember.

Barrel length

Do barrel lengths matter in paintball? Yes, they matter considerably. A barrel affects the accuracy of your paintball to a great extent. A perfect barrel length should be between 12 and 16 inches long. People with big hands and the defending players of the game can get sniper barrels of 18-21 inches.

Though longer barrels increase the accuracy and reduce the sound, they are inconvenient to carry and fire. Shorter barrels, on the contrary, don’t achieve the best killing shots. So, it’s better to choose medium barrel lengths.

Bore Size

Bore size refers to the diameter of the barrel. There are different bore sizes available today. But the perfect barrel bore size helps the player to increase accuracy. The size available ranges from .674 caliber to .698. The most common bore is around 0.685-0.689 (17.3mm). You should choose such a way that the paintballs match the bore size.

Materials

Most paintball barrels are made of aluminum alloy just because they are cheap and lightweight. Aluminum-made barrels are popular but not sturdy enough. In case you want more rigidity, you can get carbon fiber barrels. They are considered the strongest, as they are five times harder metal than aluminum. Another good choice is stainless steel. Steel barrels are affordable and sturdy. I would recommend getting carbon fiber barrels for the best output.

Ports and Noise Level

We all know that longer barrels are the quietest paintball barrels. The sound mainly depends on the porting near the tip of a barrel. The ports help to reduce the used air and reduce the sound. So, the more the spiral porting in a barrel, the quieter the sound it would make. So, look for more ports in the barrel back.

What barrel thread should You get?

Every marker has its own barrel threading. While purchasing an aftermarket barrel, it is crucial to get the correct threading. Otherwise, the marker and the barrel cannot be attached together. These are the most common threading used in markers.

  • Autococker: Autococker threads are widely used in Automag, Dye, Gog paintball, Empire mini, Planet Eclipse, and in many others.
  • A5/X7: These are used in Tippmann, Valken JT Impulse, and BT barrels.
  • Spyder: These popular threads are used in Piranha, Psycho ballistic, Kingman, and even in JT.
  • Ion/Impulse: Ion threads are common in Luxe models, Gogs, Smart parts, etc.

That means you have to check the compatibility before getting an accurate barrel. Take a look at your marker model and then choose a compatible barrel. Hopefully, you will get the best paintball barrel from now on.

Final Verdict

You cannot use any paintball in your gun. The barrel size should be perfect, and the screw should match both ends. However, if you have different guns with different barrel sizes, you should get yourself an adapter. That’s the best course you can take. Happy Gaming!!

FAQs

What happens if you shoot a paintball gun without a barrel?

Ideally, you can remove the barrel when shooting. But if you do so, you won’t have a precise shot. Moreover, paintball travels faster without a barrel, making it a deadly weapon.