Paintball Journal

Dangerous Power has just released news of a new gun that should be available to the European market within the next few months. By almost all accounts this is the “officially rumored” mass produced Threshold. It definitely at least has a similar bolt design and body shape.

The Threshy definitely held its own on all accounts except resale, and if this gun performs similarly, then expect a $300-400 price tag if it comes to the US. The European-market-only release is due to Dangerous Power’s location: the UK.

This looks absolutely insane in terms of size and weight. I’m just flabbergasted that anyone ever shot guns with trays and extended foregrips when I see things like this come out. Seriously, this is one tiny gun.

Right now, the only store that I can find selling this DP “IQ” is in France. It’s 499 euros, which is close to $730 USD. Of course, you have to take into account that a F8 costs $880 in France, so all paintball things are a bit inflated there. That has to do with the EU’s general high taxes and price of petrol.

I look forward to this coming to the US. Honestly, Dangerous Power has always made quality products that never get the attention that they deserve. Every one of DP’s guns can compete with guns far more expensive than themselves, and always put guns in the same price class to shame.

The only thing that worries me is the lack of both RAPS and a clamp feedneck on the IQ. Those were both very big selling points for me on the original Gen2 Fusion.

Good evening. This is Dana Granholm reporting from Paintball Journal HQ.

Here’s what’s happening in your world today.

On a side note, these paintball briefs just happen to fall on Valentine’s Day, there’s nothing particularly romantic about them. Unless you’re into paintball as much as I am, that is.

First up is a new line of carbon fiber barrels. They look really great, and I’ve hear some good things about them. Unfortunately, you don’t get the performance specs of the real carbon fiber barrel company (Stiffi), but it’s a price effective way to get an incredibly light and accurate barrel kit. These are available in many different colors for both woodsball and tournament players, but only come with three backs: .689, .692, and .695, which seem too large to be effective for some paint preferences.

Next is PA’s X-37 Series Harness, which is pretty much a standard pack just like any other. I’d say about middle of the road in looks, function, and price. Buy it if you want something that works and looks good. Interestingly, Edmonton Impact will be sponsored by Paintball Assassin this year, so look to them for examples of what’s to come with the company.

This is the Reaper. It looks lamer than it sounds, which is quite a feat. Definitely the rental and noob mask of the future. Ugh, I can’t imagine wearing one of those.

Anyway, moving on…

Here are the masks that actually matter to you. They really aesthetically screwed this one up. These look as solid as ever, but lean more toward the Proflex look than the Flex series look, which is a mistake on the fashion side of things. That matters a lot when you’re marketing to a bunch of teenagers who want to look as cool as possible on the field.

And lastly for today, I leave you with the trailer for Ego Maniacs: Part Deux

I love girls who play paintball. Seriously, my two favorite things all wrapped up in one? I’ll take that any day of the week.

That means I do pay attention to the all-girl teams that show up from time to time, like the Femme Fatales and some of LTZ’s former rosters. Today that means a look at Destiny, an all-girl team captained and owned by Bea Youngs-Paxson. (-Paxson sound familiar? It is, Mike Paxson, her husband, plays for the LA Ironmen.) Joining her for the 2008 season is this awesome all new roster:

Angela Manfrate, 20
Abby Becker, 19
Becky Raikles, 18
Kim Ma, 22
Jackie Lon, 19
Breanna Rinaldo, 18
Brittany Wagoner, 15

Detailed biographies and information are available on the Destiny website.

Destiny’s website is actually one of the most interesting paintball team websites that I’ve ever seen, with a comprehensive gallery of the many different paintball photographers who have captured the team in action, as well as links, sponsors, and a history of Destiny.

In 2008, Destiny will be playing D2 NPPL, CFOA, 7 (Wo)man AM NEPL, and SPPL, as well as possibly some Millennium. All of the girls are experienced players who have played Xball and PSP with a variety of teams.

It’s tough being an all girl team, because most teams are composed of guys who hate being beat by girls. It’s just the way life is, as no guy wants to get shown up by girls, and so will often play harder when they see teams like this that are actual contenders. Destiny is definitely a contender.

I wish the best of luck to Destiny in the upcoming season, though something tells me their opponents might need more luck than them.

Disclaimer: This article is written in an entirely facetious manner and does not reflect the views of Dana or his employer 451 Press. Actually, Dana really doesn’t know what 451 Press thinks about the state of cheating in paintball, or if they know that Dana works for them. However, he is sure that they would not condone cheating in paintball if they knew what it was. Paintball, that is.

Cheating, contrary to popular belief, is a great thing for paintball!

First of all, it evens the playing field so that everyone can compete on the same level. I mean, who wants divisions of players by skill level? In all the professional sports there are already established and enforced rules, professional refs, and instant replays so players have to resort to steroids and enhancements that put them at risk! Why do that, when cheating does the same thing, without the bodily harm that anabolic steroids can cause?

Secondly, there are more paint sales because it takes more paint to shoot someone out these days. One ball doesn’t cut it anymore. When you’re shooting a hopper full just to put one ball on your opponent, just think about how much you’ll have to shoot when they’re wiping! Cheating is the biggest boon for paint sales since the semi-automatic was invented.

Things really should just stay the same in paintball. There should be no negative stigma attached to cheating, and wiping should be just another part of the game just like it has been for the past few years. Paintball can do nothing but benefit from all of the wonderful side effects of cheating.

You know… everything except grow to become a legitimate sport. But who wants that, anyway?