Paintball pistols are one of the most trusty sidearms you can have at your disposal for an intense game, but buying a new one may get confusing because of all the different options available on the market. What are the best paintball pistols to consider?
The best overall paintball pistol in 2023 is the First Strike Compact Pistol because of its high-quality design and excellent construction, customization options, and its smaller frame and grip. However, in some situations, other pistols may be a better fit.
However, this pistol isn’t the best option in all cases. The only instances in which I wouldn’t recommend the First Strike Compact Pistol are if…
- You’re a beginner. In this case, I suggest the Tippmann TiPX .68 Caliber Delux Paintball Pistol.
- You’re an experienced player. Go with the Umarex T4 Smith & Wesson M&P .43 Caliber Training Pistol.
- You’re on a tight budget. For the best bang for your buck, choose the GI Sportz Menace .50 Caliber Paintball Pistol.
- Your main focus is training. In that case, you should consider the Umarex T4E Walther PPQ .43 Caliber Trailing Pistol.
In this article, I’ll take you through some of your best options for paintball pistols and highlight the pros and cons of each so you can make an informed decision about which one to buy. Let’s get started!
Best Overall: First Strike Compact Pistol
Best Paintball Pistol Overall
First Strike Compact Pistol
My favorite paintball pistol is this sleek and compact .68 caliber option from First Strike. This pistol is special because it has a smaller grip frame and shorter length, so it won’t slow you don’t or be a burden as you fight against your enemy. The grip is 20% smaller than the standard pistol, so you’ll definitely notice the difference during gameplay without losing any functionality.
One of the best advantages of having a smaller overall weapon is that it’s more easily concealable while you’re playing, making all the difference in a close game. Furthermore, this pistol’s construction is sturdy, as long as you take proper care of it. It should last you a long time and become a trusted paintball weapon. Check out my article on how to care for paintball equipment for tips and tricks.
Additionally, this pistol is one of the most customizable options available, as it accepts 8.1/9.1 barrels and 8-gram or 12-gram (0.28 or 0.42 oz) cartridges. It’s also compatible with many T8.1 and T9.1 accessories, so you can really make it your own and improve your gameplay with customized grips and more.
There aren’t many downsides to this pistol, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the one glaring problem I see with it: because the magazine’s design serves as a CO2 cartridge too, when you release the magazine, some CO2 escapes.
Bottom Line: If you want a small, sturdy, and customizable pistol, look no further than the First Strike Compact Pistol. As long as you don’t mind the carbon dioxide leakage from the magazine, this pistol is an excellent option that is sure to last you a long time.
Pros
Smaller and more lightweight than most pistols
Sturdy construction
Compatible with T8.1 and T9.1 accessories
Accepts both 8-gram and 12-gram (0.28 or 0.42 oz) cartridges
Highly customizable
Easily concealable
Cons
Expensive
Magazine occasionally leaks air
Unsuitable if you want a larger paintball pistol
Product Specifications
| Rounds | 6 |
| Caliber | .68 |
| Weight | 1.75 pounds (0.79 kg) |
| Cartridges | 8-gram or 12-gram (0.28 or 0.42 oz) CO2 cartridges |
Best for Beginners: Tippmann TiPX .68 Caliber Deluxe Paintball Pistol Kits
Best For Beginners
Tippmann TiPX .68 Caliber
The Tippmann brand has an excellent reputation in the paintball community, and this model is a great one to get beginners started because it’s so easy to use, load, and carry. I also think it’s a fantastic option for a beginner because it has a more ergonomic grip than alternative pistols, which minimizes the amount of force and effort needed to get a response from the gun.
In my opinion, it wouldn’t take a beginner more than an hour to figure out how to use this weapon.
You may have already used a Tippmann paintballing weapon at some point as a beginner, as many rentals at paintballing venues are Tippmann models.
This model is a .68-caliber, magazine-fed, and semi-automatic model meant to mimic the feel of a real handgun. It offers plenty of additional features, including the following:
- 2 Tru-Feed magazines
- A threaded barrel
- An under-barrel CO2 air system
- An external velocity adjuster
I also appreciate the aluminum trigger, which hardly ever jams, so you won’t be left high and dry in the middle of a paintball game.
Furthermore, this is a great purchase for beginners because it includes the pistol itself, a reversible holster, and three magazines, so you don’t have to spend more money on accessories to be ready to go.
If you’re a beginner, you may also have questions about what to wear for paintball. If so, check out my head-to-toe guide.
Once you have a better feel for your preferences during gameplay, you can adjust your Tippmann and add accessories and customizations to improve your game. Paintball pistols can be expensive, so it would be a shame to spend a lot of money on something you outgrow too quickly. Luckily, because this Tippmann model is so customizable, you wouldn’t have to worry about replacing it too quickly.
The most noticeable downside to this weapon is its size. This pistol is bulkier than other options on this list, which may be beneficial to those first learning to use paintball pistols, but it can be quite cumbersome to those who already have a good grasp of the game. Another potential downside is buying specific magazines tailor-made for this model.
Bottom Line: If you want a pistol that’s easy to use and understand and comes with magazines and a carrying case, the Tippmann TiPX deluxe pistol kit is a fantastic option. I also appreciate that this pistol is customizable, so as you improve your game and get more acquainted with your playing style and preferences, you can adjust the gun to suit your needs.
Pros
Tippmann is a reliable and well-known brand
Ergonomic grip
Simple to understand and use
Two magazines
External velocity adjuster
Customizable
Purchase comes with a holster
Fast reload
Cons
Costly
Slightly bulky
Have to purchase specific magazines
Cartridges can freeze up in extremely cold conditions
Small magazine
Product Specifications
| Rounds | 20 |
| Caliber | .68 |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) |
| Cartridges | 12-gram (0.42 oz) CO2 cartridges |
Best for Experienced Players: Umarex Smith & Wesson .43 Caliber Training Pistol
Best For Experienced Players
Umarex Smith & Wesson .43
This pistol is a bestseller for a reason: it’s highly realistic, versatile, and works great. Experienced players will likely have a marker with them too, so what they need from their pistol is a reliable and fast sidepiece, which this model absolutely is. A popular feature of this model is the Picatinny rail above the gun body. This allows you to add your chosen accessories and to customize it.
One of the best things about this pistol is its high quality. The robust metal and polyester construction are sturdy and long-lasting, even through intense games. Another benefit is that it accepts paintball rounds and rubber balls as long as they’re .43 caliber, so it’s versatile, and you can use it for various reasons.
Most experienced players probably already have a holster, and the good news about this pistol is that it fits into any standard-size holster, so you won’t have to go out and buy a new one.
Bottom Line: Most experienced players probably won’t use a paintball pistol as their primary weapon, so this Smith & Wesson pistol is a great option because it’s the best sidekick for those who already have the game all figured out. The pistol is lightweight and fast, so it won’t be a burden to add to the professional’s gear, and it can be a great asset in a pinch.
Pros
Made with high-quality materials
Accepts paintballs and rubber balls
Realistic feel
Lightweight
Trigger safety mechanism
Customizable
Affordable
Durable
Cons
It may be unsuitable if you’re on a tight budget
Unsuitable for beginners
Complicated to take apart (however, this shouldn’t be a problem for experts)
Product Specifications
| Rounds | 8 |
| Caliber | .43 |
| Weight | 1.69 pounds (0.76 kg) |
| Cartridges | 12-gram (0.42 oz) CO2 cartridges |
Best Value for Money: GI Sportz Menace .50 Caliber Paintball Pistol
Best Value For Money
GI Sportz Menace .50
This pistol from GI Sportz Menace is significantly less expensive than some of the other options on this list, so if your budget for a new paintball pistol is a bit smaller, this is a great option. The lower price doesn’t mean less quality, and thanks to the ambidextrous safety design, it works just as well for left-handed players as it does for right-handed players.
This pistol features a 7-round magazine with no blowback. I also appreciate the grip frame window, which allows you to see how many paintballs you have left in the magazine so that you can use them wisely.
Another great quality of this pistol is how lightweight it is. If you have a lot of gear already, this pistol is the perfect sidearm because it won’t add too much extra weight or bulk. However, just because it’s lightweight, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t durable and long-lasting. This pistol’s construction is sturdy and made for longevity.
Bottom Line: Having a smaller budget for your paintball pistol doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice functionality and quality. The GI Sportz Menace Paintball Pistol comes with a lower price tag, but it’s a great, 7-round, lightweight option for those who still want to add a pistol to their play setup but don’t want to break the bank.
Pros
Affordable
Lightweight
Easy to handle
Helpful grip frame window
High-quality construction
Balanced design
Cons
Experienced players may find this model too basic
Not as many impressive features as more expensive models
The 7-round magazine may be insufficient for players without a marker
Product Specifications
| Rounds | 7 |
| Caliber | .50 |
| Weight | 1.75 pounds (0.79 kg) |
| Cartridges | 12-gram (0.42 oz) CO2 cartridges |
Best for Training: Umarex T4E Walther PPQ .43 Caliber Training Pistol
Best For Training
Umarex T4E Walther PPQ .43
For some people, the most important feature in a paintball pistol is a realistic appearance. If that sounds like you, I highly recommend this Umarex model because it’s highly realistic in weight, size, and controls, and the trigger feels the most similar to a real pistol of all the other options on this list. This pistol also only costs 9 cents per round, so if you’re focused on training, you can do so affordably.
I also appreciate the build quality of this pistol. Its components comprise premium-quality metal, and allow you to use it as often as you like without worrying about wear and tear.
Additionally, the piece’s frame is made of polymer, which is sturdy and well-balanced.
This pistol is .43 caliber, powered by CO2, and averages 300 frames per second. If you’re a good shot, you’ll most likely experience high accuracy with this pistol.
Furthermore, while this pistol isn’t the most customizable option in the world, it can still be tailored to your preferences. For example, you can adjust the rear sight, but the front sight isn’t adjustable. While this may seem a disadvantage at first, it will ultimately improve your accuracy in the long run, which should be the main goal of owning a training pistol.
Finally, while this may not be the most important part of choosing a paintball pistol, the gorgeous appearance of this model is a fantastic benefit. It looks realistic, and the design is beautiful, so you’ll be proud to carry it at your side.
Bottom Line: If you want your paintball gun to be realistic and aesthetically pleasing, this option from Umarex is the best choice. With this pistol, you get an authentic feel and look, which is ideal for training.
Pros
Highly realistic appearance
Cheap per round
Great for training
Impressive build quality
Good for target practice
Customizable in some ways
Cons
Unsuitable for beginners
It may feel slightly bulky to some
The
Product Specifications
| Rounds | 8 |
| Caliber | .43 |
| Weight | 2 pounds (0.90 kg) |
| Cartridges | 12-gram (0.42 oz) CO2 cartridges |
Key Takeaways
There are many impressive paintball pistols available, and the right one for you depends on your skill level, budget, priorities, and preferences. Ultimately, my top recommendation is the First Strike Compact Pistol, but a different pistol may be more suited to you.
Don’t expect that pistol will be as accurate as the most accurate paintball guns. Unlike classic paintball guns, paintball pistols come with a minimal barrel, affecting their accuracy.