Let's face it, a large part of the fun of paintball is spending ones hard-earned money to invest neat gadgets and toys for their paintball gun.  Many of them make a difference as a performance upgrade; many of them do not.
        I am not writing to this article to tell you what upgrades to buy for your gun.  That is up to you.  However, I will be writing about how to actually upgrade your paintball gun by following this one simply saying. "If you have to ask what you need to buy, you do not need it".  I have heard countless amounts of people asking me what upgrades they should purchase for their gun.  I then ask them in what area is their gun deficient.  Most of the time they say none!  The next upgrade for them should be nothing. Instead spend money on playing, improving your skills, and just having a good time.  I am not saying that upgrades are useless.
        I will agree that most all paintball can benefit from items such as a new barrel as well as upgrades such as an inline regulator.  However, if your gun is accurate enough, you do not need a new barrel.  If your gun is consistent enough at the chrono then you do not need a regulator.  If you have no problems with liquid Co2, you do not need an expansion chamber system or a high pressure air system.  It is really that simple.  I know this article has been short but its message is very clear: While upgrading ones gun can be very fun, do not get caught up in buying upgrades that will attempt improve something that is already working well.  You will save money, which will enable you to get out and enjoy the gun that you are paying so much for!

Brian Speiser
MPN columnist
Team Purple Stuff