How Long Do Paintballs Last?

10 October 2023
Paintball Smoke

Paintballing is one of the most enjoyable sports. There is a risk of mud and mess, but that’s just part of the fun! Here at Velocity Paintball, we get asked a lot of questions about the maintenance of our equipment. We take care of all our equipment, and it’s important for us to keep an eye on paintball stock levels. But, something got us thinking recently – how long do paintballs actually last?

Paintballs last 4-6 months with proper storage. They are made from perishable materials that break down over time, such as the shell and paint. It’s important to check paintballs regularly to make sure they aren’t too soft or brittle, which are signs that paintballs have expired. 

Read on to find out more about how long paintballs last with Velocity Paintball. 

What Is The Longevity Of Paintballs?

With the correct storage, paintballs can last between 3-6 months depending on correct storage. During a game here at Velocity Paintball, the standard amount of paintballs you use for a half day session is about 300, but players often use up to 500 paintballs. As we go through so many paintballs per session, there is a low risk of them expiring. 

It’s important to rigorously check paintballs to ensure they are high-quality and are still safe to use. We regularly check our paintballs for any signs of deterioration or any defects that could cause a safety issue for players. 

Do Paintballs Expire?

Yes, paintballs do expire. They are made of perishable materials that break down over time. Here at Velocity Paintball, we only allow you to play with the paintballs that we provide. This ensures that we have assessed all of our paintballs before the session to make sure our players are safe. We want to ensure that you get the most out of your paintball game. 

How To Tell If Paintballs Have Expired

There are certain signs to look for that will indicate if a paintball is expired. It’s important to recognise these signs so that there isn’t a safety risk when playing a game of paintball. The most common signs include: 

  • Soft, spongy texture. 
  • A brittle texture. 
  • Egg-like shape.  
  • Swollen shell. 
  • Divots in the shell. 

Do Expired Paintballs Affect The Game?

At Velocity Paintball, we don’t allow you to use your own paintballs for safety reasons. As such, expired paintballs should never be an issue with us.

Expired paintballs are a problem and will affect gameplay. They swell up due to the shell absorbing moisture from the paint and may not break on impact This creates a higher risk of injury if they are to make contact with someone. 

Paintballs can also become brittle if they’ve expired which means they won’t fire correctly out of the gun. Expired paintballs can also damage the equipment you are using as they can get stuck in the barrel and jam the gun overall. 

 

How Should You Store Paintballs?

The best way to store paintballs is in a cool, dry place. If the paint gets too cold, the paintballs will become brittle and will get jammed in the gun. If the paint is too warm, the paintballs will become soft and won’t break on impact – causing a risk of injury. 

Here at Velocity Paintball, we make sure that you get to enjoy this fantastic sport with the best equipment available. We’d never allow you to play with expired paintballs and check them regularly. If you want to take on your paintball journey, why not get in contact with us today? 

Enjoy The Fun Of Paintballing With Velocity Paintball

Here at Velocity Paintball, we ensure that we have the highest quality paintballs for all of our games. We have three different locations: Bristol, East Grinstead and Slough. If you’re interested, why not come and check us out for some paintballing action? 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or check out our FAQs page