B - Paintball Terms & Definitions

• Barrel. A barrel is the tube in front of the paintball gun from which the paintball is discharged when the gun is fired. Barrels can either be available by purchasing them as separate items or you may use the one that comes with the marker system. Paintball barrels vary in length, material composition, and the space between the porting holes. Barrels can be made from carbon fiber, ceramic, stainless steel, brass, and aluminum alloy. Carbon fiber barrels are often the most popular, due to their weight and strength.
  
  
• Barrel blocking device. A barrel blocking device is any type of apparatus that inserts over the opening of the paintball barrel. This device is responsible for stopping paintballs that are accidentally fired by a player.
  
  
  
  
• Barrel Sock. A barrel sock is also known as a barrel condom. A sock or a condom works as well as a hard barrel plug at stopping paintballs that are accidentally fired. The Barrel Sock is placed around the end of the gun barrel as opposed to actually having its end inserted inside the barrel like a barrel plug. The barrel sock is a nylon cloth or sleeve that has two chords attached that can be tied around the feet of the gun. If the chords are attached, the barrel sock will be secure enough to stay on even if a shot is fired into it.
  
  
• Barrel Condom. A Barrel Condom is another name for a barrel sock.
  
  
• Barrel Plug. Most barrel plugs are made of the hard plastic with a tube shaped protruding and piece that inserts directly into the end of the barrel. Some barrel plugs are made of metal. In the event of an accidental discharge, the paintball stops when it hits the barrel plug and the plug stays in place. In the last few years, the popularity of barrel plugs has waned and barrel socks have become more popular. Because the barrel socks are tied to the marker with the two chords, they are more likely to stay attached if multiple shots are accidentally fired.
  
  
• Barrel Porting. Barrel porting is both referred to as the process of manufacturing holes through a paintball barrel into the actual holes that are intentionally drilled into a barrel. There is some room for debate in the field over the necessity for barrel porting, when it comes to improving the performance of the marker. Most do agree that barrel porting reduces the noise that markers make when fired. A ported barrel has holes (ports) drilled through its walls for part of its length.
  
  
• Barrel Rifling. Sometimes the terms barrel porting and barrel rifling are used interchangeably, though they shouldn't be. Barrel rifling refers to the spiral grooves cut on the inside of the barrel that cause the paintball to rotate through the barrel and spin in flight. The spinning of the paintball is expected to make the projectile fly longer and straighter.
  
  
• Barrel Tag. The Barrel Tag maneuver is both a safe way to play the game as well as a great way to eliminate your opponent while keeping his dignity. When someone executes a Barrel Tag, he lightly taps the player on the marker to eliminate him from the game. The Barrel Tag move saves your opponent the humiliation of having to surrender.