A Brief History of Paintball Guns

Ah, paintball the unequalled, exhilarating combination of intuitive strategy, quick reflexes, and fast-moving action that for over 35 years has taken the world by storm. But when, exactly, did it all begin? When were paintball guns first invented? Let's take a look at the history behind these iconic weapons, and more.

Origins of Paintball

In the early 1980s, two different groups of people independently developed the concept of paintball. In May 1981, the first commercial paintball game was held in Henniker, New Hampshire; meanwhile, in June 1981, twelve players gathered in Sutton, New York to partake in the first woodsball tournament in history.

First Paintball Guns Invented by the Nelson Company

In that same year of 1981, midway between these two momentous occasions, the Nelson Company of Wisconsin announced the world's very first paintball gun. Designed by its namesake, Bob Guernsey, and Charles Mcabe, this proto-paintball gun became the blueprint for all future renditions of the tool. Much of the paintball guns released today, in fact, display the same style of valving mechanism as Guernsey and Mcabe's original invention.

Evolution of Paintball Guns

Since the debut of the first paintball gun, the weapons have gone through countless iterations, with more prominent changes occurring near the turn of the 21st century. Around that time, a new breed of paintball gun the semi-automatic took the brand of paintball into uncharted waters of speed and accuracy, giving paintballers the tools to up their game and take it to the next level.

The Current State of Paintball Gun Technology

Today, tools such as poppets, rammer kits, low-pressure systems, and specialized regulators help outgunners maintain extreme accuracy and rate of fire in the game. Further, the advent of auto-jobs, reactive triggers, and airsmith mainstays has significantly reduced maintenance time in the field, allowing players to get back on the field instead of struggling with keeping their equipment running.

Where It All Began: When Were Paintball Guns Invented?

So, to answer our initial question when were paintball guns invented? we can safely say that the world's first paintball gun was unveiled in 1981. This original design was soon improved upon, and has continued to evolve over the years until it reached its current, unparalleled form. And though not all have heard of this remarkable sport, paintball definitely shows signs of increasing relevance, and we can expect it to gain additional fame and recognition in the near future.

In Summary

Paintball has been around for over 35 years, captivating its' participants with a unique combination of skill, strategy, and speed. In 1981, the world's first paintball gun was invented, and since then, major improvements have been made to the equipment. Though a niche pastime to many, paintball is definitely on the rise and more fanatics are joining the cause every day.