Paintball barrels are as important as other gear essentials such as hoppers and loaders. People who are fond of this sport and desire to perform better should consider the quality and effectiveness of the barrel installed in their paintball gun.
The barrel is the only mechanism that provides considerable accuracy players can achieve. Next time you want to buy equipment for your paintball marker or modify it, do consider the barrel mechanism that can make a significant difference when it comes to winning the big game.
This comprehensive guide will help you find the best paintball barrel on the market. In addition, we will also highlight the factors to help you buy the finest equipment and up your game. Let’s get started!
Top 6 Best Paintball Barrels Reviewed (2021)
Image | Name | Price | Best For | Features |
 | DeadlyWind Null Carbon Fiber | Beginner To Pro | Unique 3 Layer Construction. Ultra-Lightweight. Straight-Bore Design. | |
 | GOG Carbon Fiber Freak | Beginner To Pro | True Carbon Fiber. Autococker Barrel Thread. Highest Quality Carbon Fiber Barrel. | |
 | Tippmann Sniper Barrel | Intermediate To Pro | Micro-honed For Precision Accuracy. Greater Accuracy Than A Standard Barrel. Increased Shooting Distance. | |
 | Deadlywind Fibur-X Carbon Fiber | Beginner To Pro | Uni-Direction Fibers. Ultra-Lightweight. Built With 3 Layer Construction. | |
 | Eclipse Shaft FR Back Kits | Beginner To Pro | Customize Bore Selection. Cocker Quick Threads. Compatible With Freak Inserts. | |
 | DYE Precision GF Boomstick Barrel | Intermediate To Pro | Steady Port Pressure Porting. Autococker/Matrix Threads. Glass Fiber Construction. |
Best Paintball Barrel
1- Deadlywind Null (Editor’s Choice)
Pros
- Lightweight and quiet
- Offer the highest level of accuracy
- 3-Layer carbon fiber construction
- Can be easily used without requiring inserts
Cons
- Limited customization options
If you are looking forward to the best paintball barrel that offers real value for money, Deadlywind Null Paintball Barrel is more likely to be your foremost choice. The company boasts a durable straight-bore barrel design built from premium quality carbon fiber.
You will be more than satisfied with the carbon fiber material used in the overall built. The lightweight barrel is highly accurate and quiet. Despite being very lightweight, it is durable enough to withstand rough use. Also, 3-layer construction further enhances functionality and sturdiness.
Every part of this barrel is made in the United States and includes its porting and assembly to ensure the highest level of precision. The only slight drawback is the barrel is not much customizable compared to other expensive models.
2- Gog Carbon Fiber Freak (Most Durable)
Pros
- Offers complete consistency and accuracy
- Features several inserts
- Comes with a unique barrel porting
- Definite pinpoint precision
Cons
- Compatible with paintball guns using auto-cocker threads
Carbon fiber is believed to be one of the most popular materials for the best paintball barrel on the market. Undoubtedly, they are strong and durable. The barrel doesn’t break easily and is pleasantly lightweight so you can carry them around with comfort.
Your shots will hit the target much easier than ever before. This barrel is all you need to take your game to another level. Considering the overall built and durability, you will be happy to know that the barrel comes with all-inclusive carbon weave composite and sturdy aluminum threads.
It’s incredibly tough to break! It has been proved many times in professional paintball tournaments that you are investing money in the right gear. Further, it comes with American spiral ports which are comparatively large and effective than most barrels on the market. This gives the GOG Carbon Fiber a much conclusive edge. The barrel is available in sizes from 14-16 inches.
3- Tippmann Sniper Barrel (Very Accurate)
Pros
- Let users enjoy precise and long-distance shots
- Functions with the minimal noise
- Easy to maintain and clean
- Perfect for Tippmann 98 Custom and Custom Pro Paintball Markers
- Ideal for players who prefer hiding and sniping from a distance
Cons
- Doesn’t offer a large range
Tippmann Sniper Barrel is available in two lengths – 14 and 16 inches. The barrel is nicely designed with exceptionally smooth and perfect finishing on the interior. The external is a durable anodized black surface.
The barrel design is simple yet has some of the amazing features such as fluting and porting at the end to help with gas release. With this accurate barrel setup, you will surely accomplish great performance. Tippman sniper barrel is built from lightweight aluminum while the interior has a low friction surface.
It’s a one-piece barrel with a simple pattern or the design. As a common recommendation, the barrel length should not exceed 18 inches nor below 12 inches. Here Tippman sniper comes with an optimal length. It will absolutely help you in taking accurate shots!
4- Deadlywind Fibur-X Carbon Fiber (Very Lightweight)
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight and silent
- Optimal accuracy
- Features three-layer built
- Made in the USA
- Exceptional durability
- Looks and feel great
- Shots are straight
- Reduce noise level
Cons
- A little expensive
- The barrel is not perfect for all bore sizes
Deadly Wind is confident about their quality control! This lightweight barrel comes with a lifetime guarantee against any manufacturing defects. The barrel uses a three-layer process and the most important one is the inner layer.
Also known as super slick, its smooth design will surely lead to accurate shots. Many carbon fiber barrels frequently experience issues such as fiber threads coming out of the edges of the porting hole that makes the surface uneven.
With Deadly Wind, you are sure not going to encounter such a problem. These accurate and quiet barrels weigh approximately 45 grams for a 12-inch model while 50 grams for the 14-inch one. In addition to super silk fiber, there is a uni-directional fiber layer featuring a durable multi-vector pattern and two by two twill external layer.
The barrel offers an accurate shot and uses a barrel swab to keep it well protected in the long run. Irrespective of its lightweight, the barrel is durable and remains intact even after rough and tough use.
5- Eclipse Shaft FR Back Kits (Freak Inserts Friendly)
Pros
- Well-matched with freak inserts
- Optimize the bore selection
- Unique design that guides the insert
- The insert keeps intact with a joiner section
- Easy to assemble and disassemble from the marker
Cons
- Somewhat tight
When it comes to the best paintball barrel, one cannot simply compromise on the quality. You want it accurate and fast and this is where Eclipse Shaft FR comes in handy. The barrel has all these qualities with the guarantee of shooting the balls with unmatched accuracy.
When it comes to opting for the right choice, this barrel is certainly a top-of-the-line choice. You can even get them in the freak ready format which can conveniently combine with freak inserts. The design on the barrel is incredibly perfected by the Design Shaft. It will let you shoot some great paintballs and manage to look exceptional.
Further, the barrel is compatible with 3 or 4 shaft tips thus giving you a diverse customization option. Another significant feature is the cocker quick threads that make it stand out. Overall, this barrel is all you need to make those paintball adventures super fun and exciting.
6- DYE Precision GF Boomstick Barrel (Best Performance)
Pros
- 2-piece built that delivers an optimal performance
- Comes with a stable port
- Stainless steel insert
- Features glass fiber technology
- Highly durable
- Color customization
Cons
- Comparatively expensive
Lastly, we would recommend you DYE Precision GF Boomstick Barrel. It is one of the best paintball barrels with a 2-piece built and optimal quality. The built comprises CF and GF structural wrap which guarantees a lightweight and unmatched performance.
Besides, the barrel comes with a steady and stable port pressure porting. The nice design port makes the barrel very accurate and delivers an effective performance. Moreover, stainless steel insert makes sure you will enjoy a sturdy performance and resistance from scratches and corrosion.
This built also guarantees that the barrel features a straight and smooth surface finish. One benefit you must note is the incorporation of glass fiber technology for its incredible strength and durability. What’s more? You can enjoy color customization. Though the barrel is comparatively expensive, yet the quality and features make it truly stand out.
Choosing The Best Paintball Barrel – Buying Guide
Barrel length – What’s The Ideal Length?
Many people frequently ask this question “what should be the best paintball barrel length”. Well, it primarily depends on certain things such as gas efficiency, playing style, etc. Choosing a barrel size is more of a technical selection.
Many people prefer long barrels since they assume it will shoot further. In reality, it doesn’t make a difference in how further it shoots. To some degree, accuracy does depend on the length of barrels. However, it predominantly depends on the paint you are shooting.
In other words, if you want your shots to be more precise, opt for high-quality paintballs. Besides, it is frequently observed that gas-efficiency decreases with the increasing length of the barrel. Short barrels are relatively more gas-efficient and they require less air to shoot the paintballs.
On the other hand, short barrels produce a loud pop while taking a shot. When more air surrounds the paintball in the short barrels, it will result in increasing turbulence and less accurate shots.
We recommend you to prefer a 12-inches barrel for optimal accuracy. 7 inches is the minimum length of a paintball barrel while 20 inches is the maximum. Some proficient paintball snipers purchase a 20-inches barrel since there is a lot of hide and seek involved.
Barrel Bore Size
Bore size is one of the most important aspects when looking for the best paintball barrel for accuracy. Most paintballs come with an average diameter of .68 inches.
Owning a paintball barrel with a large size compared to the paintballs will leave more room for the paintball to move in the barrel. Consequently, it can result in less trajectory and of course less precision. Here you should look at the popular concept of under boring which means the bore size should be smaller than the size of paintballs.
Under boring make sure there is no extra room for the paintball to move around within barrel leading to a consistent trajectory and improved accuracy.
Barrel Material
Choosing the barrel material is certainly an important decision you need to make since it will reflect on the quality of the barrel. This influences the weight of your paintball gun and the accuracy of the shots. A few barrel materials are sturdier than others and can withstand rough use. Let’s take a look at some of the commonly used barrel materials.
Aluminum Barrel:
The aluminum barrel offers an excellent balance of weight and durability. They are lightweight compared to steel. Also, the material is reasonably priced which means you can opt for a nicely engineered aluminum barrel even if the budget is tight. The balance feature is simply unmatched.
Stainless Steel Barrel:
Stainless steel barrel comes neck to neck to aluminum and can withstand a serious beating. No matter how rough you are going to use your paintball gun, this barrel will stand the test of time. For this reason, many professional paintball players prefer stainless steel barrels. Though one drawback is its heavyweight. If you are switching from aluminum to steel, it is more likely to add about 2 pounds to your marker.
Ceramic Barrel:
Ceramic barrels are as lightweight as aluminum. However, they are delicate which means they might break if you are using the paintball marker roughly. One major benefit is self-cleaning and therefore you don’t need to get in trouble of clearing out the mess.
Carbon Fiber Barrel:
Carbon fiber is the lightest material available on the market. Yet, the material is incredibly durable. The key benefit is the zero friction on the interior of the barrel. This makes sure your paintballs will shoot as far as possible. However, it is somewhat expensive in comparison to other options.
Vents & Design
The small holes on the barrel are referred to as vents. Their primary purpose is to remove excessive pressure built up in the pipe. If vents are closer to the marker it means the shots are more likely to be silent. You will surely gain an edge over other players. Though remember the speed might be somewhat slow.
On the other hand, vents on the tip of the barrel will be louder yet the shots are going to be powerful. Therefore, choose the best paintball barrel for accuracy which goes perfectly with your playing style.
In an ideal situation, you should own multiple barrels and swap them according to the game. Besides, the interior finishing has a significant influence on the friction of the paint as it goes through the pipe. If the finish is smooth, it is less likely to have friction.
Remember the uneven interior can result in multiple problems such as low speed or breakage of the paintball. In addition to friction, the interior finish will also influence the maintenance. You will want to have something that can be easily cleaned and maintained. Isn’t it? So don’t forget to consider this factor. You never know when you need to clean the barrel right in the middle of the game.
One Piece Or Two
Everything gets better with time. Some things undergo small improvements while others come with massive scale upgrades. When we talk about paintball, you will frequently come across many upgrades. A few of them are very noticeable and one of them is two-piece barrels.
When the paintball sports emerged, only a few people were familiar with the game and one-piece barrels were commonly used. With many advancements in the paintball gear, we have seen two-piece barrels offering superior accuracy.
These barrels soon gained immense popularity and has been quickly replacing single piece barrels. Two-piece barrels are uniquely designed in a way that they let the player select varying pieces for the front and back of their barrel. It’s up to them whether they go for a long piece and want to keep it short.
The choice is yours! These pieces vary in sizes and the addition of an extra piece offers a more customizable option that wouldn’t be possible with single-piece barrels. The front piece is mainly selected depending on how long you need the paintball gun and your comfort level while using it. On the other hand, the back piece mainly depends on the size of the balls you want to shoot.
Barrel Accuracy
There are certain factors that determine the accuracy of the barrel. Here you go:
Keep Your Barrel Clean: It’s important to clear your barrel from any debris or dirt. At times, paint or dust gets stuck on the interior of the barrel which consequently increases turbulence and slows down the speed of paintball.
Appropriate Barrel Bore Size: Accuracy of the barrel significantly depends on its bore size as we have discussed above. Consider a bore size that doesn’t allow free movement of the paintballs in the gun neither stuck inside. Both can considerably affect the accuracy of shooting paintballs. Opt for the right size.
Use Quality Paintballs: Paintballs with low quality are not accurately spherical with a poor surface finish. They will not come out straight to the target. Go for quality paintballs to make your shots accurate.
Correct Barrel Length: As we have already discussed you don’t need to select too long or too short barrel. The ideal barrel length is somewhere between 12-18 inches. A long barrel probably slows down the paintball shots while short a short barrel adds up more turbulence resulting in less accuracy.
Proper Barrel Porting: Barrel porting eliminates any additional air pressure and help in stabilizing paintballs for smooth and accurate shots.
Proper Barrel Porting
The best paintball barrel for accuracy has porting features such as little holes in front of the barrel. These holes have major significance. If you own a good quality paintball gun, you will see the porting on it. When the paintballs come out of the barrel, it will not affect the accuracy and therefore we strongly recommend a barrel that’s ported.
Porting not only help in improving accuracy but minimizes the shot sound. When shooting a paintball, air pressure is produced in the gun and provides it the required momentum and high velocity. Porting on the barrel removes the additional air before when paintball leaves the barrel and subsequently makes the marker a lot quieter.
The second major benefit is improved accuracy. One cannot deny the fact that porting plays a major role in determining the precision of the gun. When you pull the trigger, the pressure is generated in the gun and any added pressure can increase turbulence.
It can frequently result in spinning or shaking leading to a wrong trajectory. Proper porting dissipates the extra energy and pressure so the paintball stays stable and straight. Some players find that porting can result in a less powerful shot as it eliminates excessive air pressure. Though remember there is a thin line between over porting and under porting.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best paintball barrel length primarily depends on your game and playing style. Though the recommended barrel length is between 12-16 inches.
A short barrel makes a great choice in close combats while long barrels are more suitable for sniper situations. Short barrels are gas efficient, offer quick shots and are easy to maneuver. However, they are loud. On the other hand, long barrels are not as efficient, yet they are quiet and optimal for long-distance battles.
Ideally, you should prefer a barrel that comes with a moderate size. It should neither get stuck in the paintball gun for being too short or move around freely for being too long.
You may consider choosing .684 or.685. Remember the bore size is an important consideration to ensure smooth and accurate paintball shots.
This is going to be your personal preference, though we strongly recommend you get something between 12-16 inches. If are an active paintball player and prefer playing on the front, you may want to go for a shorter model. On the other hand, a longer barrel may be suitable when playing at the back of the paintball course.
Cleaning your paintball barrel is not a difficult task. All you need is a squeegee. Get your paintball marker and remove its barrel. Set one end of the squeegee into the barrel and push it throughout the gun. Keep pulling it unless the tail gets into the barrel. Now clean the exterior and repeat the steps for thorough cleaning.
Final Thoughts:
If you have read this far, choosing the best paintball barrel for accuracy will be easier than ever before. Paintball is a sport that requires you to experience different qualities such as leadership, teamwork, and coordination. Also, this active sports will keep you energized and fit.
We recommend you opt for a ceramic paintball barrel since they are smoother and accurate. Though do your in-depth research and compare the pros and cons. Also, consider your budget. While it’s very much fun to play, it can get somewhat confusing for beginners learning the new rules and concepts.
Even they successfully past all of it, there comes another challenge when choosing the paintball gear. If you confused and unable to figure out which paintball barrel is suitable for your playing style, consult the guide above and you will find most answers you are looking for.
We hope this comprehensive buyers’ guide will help you pick the best paintball barrel. Without an effective barrel, a paintball game is simply not possible!
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