Paintball Pistols and Sidearms

Paintball pistols are scaled-down markers that use small magazines, CO₂ cartridges, or compact air systems. They are designed for one-handed or two-handed use and are popular in magfed, mil-sim, and scenario environments. Some players use pistols as primary markers in pistol-only events, while others carry them as sidearms in case their main marker runs out of air, experiences a malfunction, or is unsuitable for tight spaces.

Pistol magazines typically hold fewer rounds than standard hopper-fed setups, which encourages careful shot selection and close-range engagements. Many pistols are configured to run on 12-gram CO₂ cartridges that sit in the grip or a dedicated compartment, though some models use remote lines or compact HPA systems.

Using a pistol effectively requires additional gear such as holsters, mag pouches, and retention systems to keep equipment secure during running, sliding, and crawling. Players must plan reloads more carefully and may adopt movement patterns that emphasize concealment and ambush over sustained laning.

Pistols are common in scenario events with role-based missions, building-clearance games, and objective-focused modes where mobility and compact gear are more important than maximum paint volume.