Paintball is a very expensive sport, but it is VERY fun. If you just getting started; look around in magazines, at ads, articles, or look on the web. Try contacting a local store about a great beginner gun. Remeber, make sure you are going to want to play for a long time. About paint. Paint is expensive, the pros go through around 800 balls a game, thats about what newbies use in one day. So dont go out there and rain paint. Use paint control. Try to set a limit on how much paint you are going to use. Equipment is very emportant. Try to get a good mask that will last a long time, and wont fog up on cold days ( like that will happen in So. California) like in the north. For a first gun, try to get a good afordable gun that youve heard wont mess up. Like I said, look around in magazines and on the web.