Paintball

[Vlar]

I've got a question that may not have a "right" answer, but I'm eager to hear some opinions on it. I'm tweaking some chainmail barrel cover prototypes and this design decision will make a big impact on it's final look and design.

How important is having a barrel cover that stops all paint from leaving the cover, like a traditional bag barrel cover, versus breaking the ball, stopping all the momentum, but with some paint able to get through holes and spray a little?

Please, let me know your thoughts on both types!

[John Satclaire]

That'll be great for the muzzle crown, not to mention the barrel's finish. I also don't particularly like the idea of small bits of shell and gobs of paint moving at high velocity through the gaps in the links. They won't put out one's eye, but could it up pretty well.

Just compromise: make the funny little cover, and put a felt or leather "cap" inside. Think of it as . . . a reservoir tip

[PJ]

I'd rather have a full cloth cover as it won't scratch up the barrel exterior and will catch any and all paint in it.

[drg]

It's pretty important for it to stop everything it can. A liner of some type would seem appropriate.

[phantom89]

Chain mail over a black barrel sock would look great. It would be just as safe, not harm the barrel and look great. Some fields might not like the fact that some of the paint would still be able to escape from the sock. Especially if there are bits of shell.

[weekendballer]

I agree chain mail over some sort of soft liner would be the best solution.

[pizzaluvr]

could you make it like a barrel sock-barrel plug hybrid? put chainmail all around the sides, and strap it on like a normal barrel cover, but there is a barrel plug in the tip that goes into the barrel. I don't think there would be scratches if there where rubber rings like the tank covers.

[Vlar]

Thank you everyone for your input!

Safety's going to be the number one priority with these. They're never going to see the light of day if they don't work to satisfaction!

I will be using rubber rings like on the tank covers, which should help keep the weight down a lot. Also, they shouldn't be scratching the barrel at all.

I'm playing around with some designs to put a sleeve inside the barrel cover mostly just to catch any paint. The sleeve doesn't have to be as thick and reinforced as a normal barrel cover since it won't take the brute force of a paintball. It's just there to contain the paint and shell fragments.

I'm going to see if I can work on some pictures of them as well as video of them being tested. I'm open to all comments or suggestions for them, so if you've got an opinion on it, I'd love to hear it.

[Harbinger[TG]]

Chain and leather!

[VonOrt]

I would go with a black nylon sleeve, and make it removable. Thus easier to clean up.