How to avoid getting your marker stolen

[lespaul_rentals]

It's all about the buddy system. If you go to a paintball field alone and leave your crap in the loading station, it's risky. But if you have one or two friends with you, they can stay by your bags and clean up while you get more air, etc.

Also, choose your field wisely. If you associate yourself with a field that is filled with a bunch of dishonest thieves, not only will your gear get stolen, but the people there won't take it seriously, or may even help the culprit. However, if you go to a place with helpful, friendly players, they'll keep an eye out for you.

[paintballn29]

oh man would i ever leave my gun out of my sight. when i get my tank refilled, i keep the tank on, and they fill it up with the tank on. i never ever ever ever leave it out of my sight. well, besides school, but i know it's safe in my room. haha how funny would it be if someone stole my gun and then sold it on ebay and i was looking for a new gun one day and looked where he lived, his name, and everything, that would be so hilarious. my ion is worth well over $700. i put a lot of effort into my baby and i am not ever letting it go.

[Omniscient]

Wow. This entire thread needs spell checked. I fried brain cells at the 6th post.

[a_kraker99]

dfas

[stomoflick]

wow i never let my gun outa my site

[stomoflick]

lol

[willy666]

That's it, im gonna be doing some of that stuff, i like the etching idea!

[(SpC)ace448]

Originally Posted by Menohl

OK, either this will get stickyed or this will get deleted. Most people would say that this is all common sense, but apparantly it is NOT because they are the main reasons people are getting their gear stolen.

1. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR MARKER LAYING AROUND WHEN YOU GET AN AIR REFILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2 of the last 3 threads were the same thing "I layed my marker down and went to get an air refil and when i came back it was gone" Pick up your marker and take it with you, its not that difficult.

Look at it this way... Would you leave $800 laying out in front of 2 dozen strangers and simply walk away? NO!!! So why would you leave a $500-$800 marker laying around and walk away?!?

2. Spend $40 and get a good locking Storage container. That way your masks, gloves, markers, parts, tanks, etc... are secure and locked up if you do want to walk away from them.

There are several people at my field that have lockboxes with steel cable lanyards so they can not only lock up their gear, but they can secure it to the picnic tables so no one simply picks up the lockbox and walk away with it.

3. Storing gear in vehicles... If you store you marker gear in your vehicle all the time STOP DOING THIS!!! if people find out, your car will get broken into.

When you have your gear in your vehicle do not put it somewhere that it will not be visible from the outside (on the seat, on the rear seat) If someone walks by and see's that nice shiny timmy or cocker, you are almost always going to come back to a brick through the window and missing gear.

Put the equipment in your trunk, or under a seat where you can't see it. If you have a lockbox with a teather like i've already suggested, teather the box to the seat mounts so the box cannot be removed.

4. Take out a camera and take several pics of your marker with all its gear (aka hopper, bottle, etc...) Take a picture with you holding it, then take a picture of the SERIAL NUMBER!!!! then write the serial number down and store the pics and the serial number in a safe place. That way if your marker does get stolen, you can prove that its yours, and you have pictures to show people exactly what it looks like.

5. Take out a etcher and etch your name or initials on your marker.This doesn't even have to be on the outside of the marker, break it down and etch it somewhere on the inside that isn't going to hurt anyone. This way you have a mark hidden or visible that will once again prove that its your marker. (i have a 98C and i have my name etched on the handle frame under the rubber grips so if its stolen the person won't know its marked, but when i find it and take off the rubber grip there's the proof that its mine)

Hopefully people read this and actually listen. If more people would follow these 5 items there would be alot less posts in this forum, and i'm sure of those who would still post, more people would be getting their markers back.

Heres another, At tournaments we always have and extra person who fills pods between games, they watch our stuff and provide a pressence. Also look out for people who arent regulars, they will most likely be stealing your stuff.

[hardcoreman112]

i only have an ion but im always carrying it around its not the renters that scare me its the people with there pump action brass eagles walking around looking at our guns that we worked hard to get unlike the kids that got theres for chrismas

[buckus386]

thanx for the tips....

[maska99]

I didnt know angels need keys.

learn something new all the time.

[AJsfree2toke16]

man that suck for ur gat 2 get stolen..

[weman]

I live in New Zealand so nothing gets stolen but just in case i have a bike lock
and lock it to the bench at my local field

[JwdenV]

If you know the field owner and trust him like i can you can ask if he wouldn't mind if you left your stuff in the shop where the staff can watch. (i realize this might not work in alot of cases, but for some it is worth a try)

[Noltz]

Definitely going to go and pick up a locking case and cable after reading this. While nothing is theft proof, making mine harder to steal than the next guys is the best defense. Even if it's a entry $200 marker, it's still mine.

[pugads650]

yup yup

[burtonriderx93x]

what i do is use one of the plastic cases dbx paint came in (dont know if you can still get it).. these cases have a lock hole but it isn't big enough for a normal pad lock i drilled the hole bigger and it worked but you can still open it enough to get your hand in and take whats in it so i drilled another hold on the opposite side of the latch into the case through the top that opens and then again through the holder part you can get two locks on it and can't open it then plastic is very hard to crack and you can just use a bike lock and lock the case to a table or whatever

[iGreek]

Pretty much common knowledge.

[ngleichman]

what is an 'angel key'?

[themccannman]

i work at my local field so i know everybody there and we look out for eachother, also you should keep your air tank attached to your gun when you go to fill up, why would you take it off just to fill it?