Building & collecting vs playing

[Jimmydee]

I drive 3.5 hours one way at least once a month to go to the field. All the fields are about 3 hours drive from me one way. I bring the family now and we make a day of it. My wife and daughter swap out

[iamthelazerviking]

I need to get my wife on board lol. My 3 year old daughter knows what paintball is and that daddy does it, if I could get the whole family involved that would be the best

[Jimmydee]

Since I do a lot of buying I end up getting so many soft goods and entry level masks etc and for me that stuff doesn’t sell, so I take it to my field and work a deal out with the owner who gives me store credit for it. That way I don’t ever have to “pay” and he gets a lot of stuff he can cheaply sell to new players. Neither of us are making money on rather getting it to those who want to get into playing but can’t spend all that money

[Psycho91]

Jimmydee I love that you do that, iv given away alot of gear to newer players that I wasn't gonna use the excitement you get from them is priceless, also loving the old school proteus I have a modded all clear one I rock as my main mask

[Melrosejedi]

when i started playing i really didnt have play money to buy or build extran guns,so i had one gun i would upgrade when i could.i build guns now but really dont like a gun that sits around and i like being comfortable with a gun and that comes from frequent use.i also get attached to my builds and then i cant part with them,so its not beneficial for me in the long run. Do what makes you happy,but please get out and play with those guns as this is what we really love isnt it?

[Chuck E Ducky]

I’m a player 1st, collector 2nd.

I live for the battle. I love the adrenaline dump “10seconds” before that buzzer goes off at the start of a match. The rush of a bump while streams of paint flying past your face like you’re in a matrix movie. The thought process while you wait for your next move. The Art behind learning your opponents play styles while you try to out think them in this high speed game of chess. That feeling of a well place shot. The Hunt, the Battles and the Friends I have made along the way. This is what keeps me coming back.

Collecting for me has always been about having the means to get the things I always wanted as a kid. I like cool unique mostly practical setups. I don’t just have a lot of paintball stuff. Maybe to an outsider it may just be paintball Stuff. But to me they are cool unique pieces I really enjoy using. Each one has a story, or a memory behind it. This is why I collect.

Paintball is part of who I am. I hope to one day teach my boys how to play. They are just now getting to the point they are almost ready. I don’t want to rush or force it on them. But I’m truly blessed to have a Family that is fully supportive of my Paintball Lifestyle.

So if it’s something you truly enjoy, make time for it. Life is too short for regrets.

[Melrosejedi]

Amen ,Life is too short. Play

[Chappy]

At this point my collecting has switched from getting the cool stuff I had as a kid to getting a pile of gear that is reliable and user friendly and furthers my ability to play with multiple people. I am in a situation where I have the land to play on. Being able to play with my kids and their friends as well as invite the people I play with here has been my goal with equipment for the last year and a half.
I still enjoy the collection aspect. I do enjoy rebuilding my montneels occasionally and getting some liquid co2 action going for the fun of it. But the goal is always to play with it.
Last game I of the day yesterday, it was just BretG vs me left on the field. He was upstairs in a container with only one way out. I was downstairs creeping up. Holding my gun lefty, pointing into the shadow, waiting, does he know I’m coming? Of course he does I’m the only one left and he knows I’m not one to wait around. When he came around and we ahot each other it was amazing. Moments like that recharge my batteries.
Dont get discouraged because you can’t play much now. Things change , just find the time when you can. When I haven’t played in a long time I plan something, prepay and take vacation

[Cyberpyr8]

I don't really collect. But I buy and resell a ton. If I want a marker I buy it and use it until I'm good and then resell it. I don't make a lot of money but I look at it like not having a marker I paid for and have it sitting in a box or mounted to a wall unused. If I lose a few hundred a year, It's probably still cheaper than collecting 5 or more markers a year. Plus I get to pass it on to someone else to use and enjoy. I don't want markers just sitting unused. It's a waste to me. But I get to try whatever marker I want to use. It's a win win for me.

[homerj]

I mostly only buy guns/gear that i intend to use. Whether or not i ever actually use them is a different story. I have bought packages because i only really wanted one or two things they were selling but i don’t think that really counts.