Opinions On Safteys On Paintball Guns

[MrBarraclough]

I'm not a big fan of trigger safeties because I worry they may engender a false sense of security. I don't like the idea of ever thinking it is okay to put pressure on a trigger when you don't actually intend to shoot. I think it is easier to teach trigger discipline when people know that a marker will most certainly fire if you pull on the trigger. And I really hate it when I remind some kid to take his finger off the trigger before or after a game and he responds with "It's okay, the safety is on." Aside from that issue, trigger safeties are too difficult to visually confirm, and I've seen too many that can be in a half-engaged position where it looks like the safety is on but the trigger can still be pulled.

With rentals using blowbacks, I wish more fields would teach them to manually decock the markers before exiting the field.

The trigger safety on my Automag has rusted open, so as a second layer of safety (beyond the barrel cover) I twist the power feed plug to shut off paint. Usually I forget to turn it back on until I'm in the middle of the next game. My electros lack trigger safeties, so I just turn them off, along with the hoppers. I also use the on/off ASA on my one marker that has it as an additional safety, though the regulator will hold a shot's worth of air still.

I'm leery of fabric barrel covers and prefer single piece molded rubber/silicone for precisely the reason that seams can give out.

[Altec]

Department of Redundancy Department. On the right combination you could have a barrel bag, on/off ASA, mechanical safety or electronic board, a electric hopper, and a power feed plug.

[Tolgak]

I play with a pump so I clear out the last ball before leaving the field. Safety on, bag on. There's no chance of a shot from that point on.

Really, I'm concerned enough about others that I'm as much focused on personal protection as I am keeping my gun safe. I've seen enough negligent discharges at the field that I'll wear a mask to do everything but eat and go to the head.

[Action Apollo]

Safeties are a redundant safety measure. Use the firearm analogy here if you're having problems with your safety you are not training enough. If you forget to disengage when it's go time that's on you. Make engaging and disengaging your safety part of your routine and you won't ever forget it. If you accidentally engage your safety, adjust your grip or how you manipulate your marker. If you cant adjust your grip, see if you can adjust your safety. I find myself using them without issue on the markers I own that have one.

A typical post-game routine for me is power down/engage the safety, barrel bag, de-gas where applicable. It's the same thing in reverse when I'm back on the field.

Don't let laziness and complacency cost someone their eyesight, you don't what that on your conscious.

[durandal]

Two is one, one is none. Barrel cover and safety for me, always. I don’t usually bother to degas but always clear the chamber. I only own pumps.

Even experienced players can accidentally let one loose, whether it’s an innocent accident or because they’ve had one too many between games: shit happens. Better safe than sorry.