An improved paintball gun classification system.
 

So the old system of saying this paintball gun is a "speedball gun", and that one is a "woodsball gun" is really quite useless since the gun doesn't care what field it's on. So lets try for a more exact system that actually describes the functions and features on the gun instead of trying to force a stereotype.

Sport (better name for what some call "speedball" guns). A paintball gun that looks, well, like a paintball gun. Could be an electro, mech, or pump, but generally has only the parts necessary to function. Generally either no sight rail, or one 3/8 "air gun" sight rail.

Mil-Sport. A sport paintball gun that's styled after the looks of a military gun, but doesn't really function any differently in use. Same old air tank and hopper. The good old A-5 fits this quite well.

Sport-Tac. A sport gun with some tactical rails thrown on, maybe a stock. Angel Ark, AGD Tac-1, or even a SP1 for example.

Mil-Tac. Military looks and tactical rails, but still functions as a normal paintball gun with a hopper and external air tank. US Army Project Salvo, or a Bob Long Mtac for example.

Mil-Sim. Looks like a real steel gun, right down to the functional magazines and no visible air tank. The type of gun you really want to make sure you carry in a case when not playing. RAP4, fully dress up Tacamo's, etc.

And the really rare Sport-Sim. A paintball gun that looks like a paintball gun, but simulates the function of a real steel gun with a magazine feed. AT-85, a Tacamo mag feed gun with all the dress up parts removed, etc.

So, thoughts? Suggestions? Concerns?

I only think of 2 classes:

1. Speedball- Shiny

2. Woodsball- Anything not shiny

Yeah, but that doesn't work. There's tons of "speedball" guns that NEVER get play on the speedball field. And plenty of "woodsball" guns that see plenty of time there.

http://fubarius.com/pictures/wtf/meATS.jpg

I thought you were banned. ^^^

Anyways, leaves many things to be desired, like pump classes.

"Junk" (scope, stock, grip, rail) hanging off a paintball gun does nothing.

ALL paintball markers fire imperfect gelatin spheres at less than 300fps.

The ONLY relevant criteria for classifying guns:
- rate of fire
- amount of paint carried on gun and method (direct feed vs. stock class)
- recocking mechanism (pump vs automatic recocking)

NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.

So where does the entire range of pump guns go into your classification system Fubarius? You seem to be missing that key category(ies) in your system :p.

Actually they fit right in.

Standard Phanom, Sniper, old school trracer as they come out of the box are Sport.

New Trracer is sport plus a few rails, so Sport-Tac.

DSG and that RAP4 job are Mil-Sim.

Space Dildo: Comes in many colors. Has lots of pretty lights and electronics. Multiple speed settings. Needs lots of lube.

Mechanical Lover: Characterized by all mechanical operation. Lots of hoses, valves, regulators, etc. Also needs lots of lube. Careful, they bite.

Sloppy Seconds: Any double stack blow back derivative. If it ain't broke, send it off to China and make gazillions of them.

Manual Labor: All you need is your hand. Just pump.

Old Wood: If it can give you splinters or can club a moose to death.

But VMs don't generally have wood on them....