Drop Forward - Do I Need One?

A drop forward, sometimes called a "cradle", is a special type of mount for your paintball marker air tank. You may or may not need a drop forward, but you probably will want one.

There are several benefits of using a cradle on your paintball gun. For one, it can give you a more compact setup. A compact setup lets you get your face closer to your marker, which makes your sites a lot more effective.

For another, it can help balance the weight, making your marker easier to handle. A balanced setup will let you either use a heavier tank with the same comfort you are used to, or it will make the tank you have a lot less tiring to carry around and use.

Whether you actually need a drop forward depends on your personal preferences and paintball playing styles.

If you are a recreational paintball player, you may not need one (although if you've ever shot a paintball gun that has one, you'll definitely want one!)

Most serious players do have them installed on their guns. People who play a lot of paintball know how tiring it can get hanging onto an unbalanced marker. A drop forward will allow you to play longer without your arms getting tired, and may even improve your game.

A drop forward will not make you an overnight paintball start, but it can certainly help you get there quicker (and more comfortably).

There are a wide variety of different types of drop forwards on the market. Even though their main function may be essentially the same, they do have differences, especially in how they are mounted.

Some mounts may be easily removed, while others may be difficult to remove or even permanent. Make sure to sure to check your air system compatibility with the mounting style of the drop forward.Most cradles are made for the screw-in type of CO2 and nitro tank, but there are other cradles made that can run different air system configurations.

Also, while some mounts have an on and off option that will start and stop air flow from the tank to the gun, some do not. If you are looking for safety features, this is a good one to have on your marker.

The different types of drop forwards vary in how much they bring a tank down. Most will give a downward drop of 1 to 2.5 inches and forward angle of 0 to 8 inches. Many of them will have various mounting holes, giving a player some flexibility in deciding the exact location the tank should be for maximum comfort and gun efficiency.

When you decide it is time to buy a drop forward, it is important to consider your marker setup, your playing style and your personal preferences. The one you choose must work with your marker unless you want an adjuster, which can cost anywhere from $5.00 to $40.00. It must also work with the air system for your marker.

Caution: If your CO2 tank does not screw-in, you may need a special drop forward and might want to ask a professional about it first. Not all drop forward mounts are able to correctly mount large air tanks. If your air tank is large, make sure the mount has enough clearance, yet still provide the balance you need. This is also something to consider if your tank is very small.

A drop forward can cost anywhere from $15 to as much as $100 or more. We always have a lot of paintball Drop Forwards to choose from. if you don't see the one that is perfect for you, feel free to bookmark us and check back in a few days.