Paintball is an exciting, action-packed sport built around safety, strategy, and teamwork. However, as interest in the mechanics of paintball guns grows, many players and enthusiasts find themselves asking unusual questions, like:
“Can paintball guns shoot metal balls?” While it may sound like a straightforward question, the answer involves technical, safety, and legal factors that shouldn’t be overlooked.
In this blog, we’ll dive deep into whether metal balls can be fired from a paintball gun, what the consequences could be, and why this practice is generally discouraged.
What are paintball guns designed to shoot?
Paintball markers (commonly known as paintball guns) are specifically engineered to shoot gelatin-based paintballs. These are soft, water-soluble capsules filled with non-toxic dye that burst on impact to mark a target.
- Standard caliber: Most paintball markers use .68 caliber paintballs, though.50 caliber is also popular for younger players.
- Air propulsion: These guns rely on CO₂ or compressed air to propel paintballs at regulated speeds (usually under 300 FPS).
- Soft impact: The goal is to deliver a non-lethal, low-impact experience that’s thrilling but safe.
Due to their design, paintball guns aren’t designed to handle heavy or hard projectiles, such as metal balls.
Can paintball guns physically shoot metal balls?
In theory, metal balls of a comparable size can be fired from a paintball gun that has been modified. However, something is not necessarily safe or appropriate just because it is physically possible.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Metal balls of .68 caliber may fit in the barrel.
- When fired using the same pressure settings, metal balls will travel much faster and hit with significantly more force than paintballs.
- This added stress can damage the internal components of the gun and even warp or crack the barrel.
In short, yes, it’s physically possible in some cases—but doing so can seriously damage the marker and endanger others.
The dangers of shooting metal balls from paintball guns
Using metal balls as projectiles in paintball guns introduces extreme safety hazards, including:
- Severe injuries: Unlike paintballs, which break on contact, metal balls can cause broken bones, eye injuries, and deep tissue damage.
- No protective gear is rated for this. Even professional-grade paintball masks or padding cannot withstand the force of a metal projectile.
- Unintended ricochets: Metal is more likely to bounce off surfaces unpredictably, potentially injuring players or bystanders.
- Weapon-like behavior: At that point, your paintball marker is no longer a sporting tool—it’s a dangerous projectile weapon.
Conclusion
So, can paintball guns shoot metal balls? Technically—yes. But should they? Not.
Shooting metal balls from a paintball gun is dangerous, potentially illegal, and highly irresponsible. Paintball markers are designed for soft, breakable projectiles that promote fun and safe competition, not for turning into weapons.
