So I wanted a paintball gun.
Christmas shopping came early for me and I was browsing around here at the Power Edge in Kaimuki on a recent weekend. I have walked by here countless times, but never seem to go in, unless I have a purpose. Genuinely a hole in the wall for sure, you wouldn't know it until you stepped in here. I came with a friend of mine and we started to browse through what they have. Power Edge offers more than just paintball guns, but also assorted accessories to make your hobby fun and exciting. Power Edge also fixes guns if they're broken or damaged, which is cool. Much like a sporting goods store, like Sports Authority, they are the real deal and pretty much runs the gambit of all things with airsoft guns / paintball guns. Make no mistake, that these guns do look like the real stuff, so it's always wise to be mindful about carrying these things in public where people can mistake it for the real thing and you can attract a lot of problems that way.
With that said, Power Edge is pretty much the leader when it comes to these kinds of things. Power Edge has two locations: the one already mentioned in Kaimuki and the other near Ala Moana Shopping Center, on Piikoi Street. The Kaimuki location is located on Waialae Avenue in Kaimuki, across the street from Big City Diner and nearby the 7-Eleven at the intersection of Sierra Drive and Waialae Avenue. The website says there's private parking available, but I wouldn't know anything about that. My friend and I just walked from the house and we're just golden. The staff here knows guns and they aren't afraid to showcase it. The store itself is small essentially, but they do pack a lot of accessories here. It's amazing what a world paintball can be if you get into it. My mind and eyes opened up and saw the large assortment of guns displayed on the wall and in the glass cases. Unbelievable. It was pretty crazy how people can get into these things and I can see why.
Yes, you can tell that I am a novice, but I guess for me, having a paintball gun seems to be the in-thing nowadays. I wanted to have one just for a collector's item and not to play around with it. My friend seemed to know what he was doing, so I just followed his lead. I just gazed at the wall of guns and just tried to soak up the ambiance. The prices for any particular gun can range from $250 to $1,000 easily. I was pretty much sticker shocked, but it is what it is. It's an expensive hobby, and I know how that can be. If it keeps us happy, then why not, right? I can tell that this place isn't for the enthusiast, but for the serious gamer, who loves to have a nice time with friends and loves to rack up kills in any random pick up game. Power Edge accepts all major credit cards, so that's a major plus, especially when any weaponry can be as much as an airline ticket or a monthly car payment! The ambiance of the store was nice, although I did get that newbie vibe from the people who was there. All good though.
While I didn't buy anything right away, I got a good glimpse inside of what the world of paintball / airsoft guns was all about and not just the stereotypical stuff you hear from media and friends. While this business does cater to the intermediate and advance players, I have no doubt that I could be one of those people too, if I commit myself to this sport and join in on the fun. I thought these guns would've been priced cheaper, but I was so wrong. The Power Edge has an "All Sales Final" policy, so don't buy anything and try to return it after a day of using it. Once you buy it, you're pretty much stuck with it. Oh, yeah, they do have a small arena to play: the "CQB" arena. That's pretty cool for folks who want to play with their new purchases. The staff is cool, including the owner, although sometimes, haggling and being pushy isn't the way to go about soliciting business. I guess everyone has to make money somehow, right?
Overall, my experience is a good one here at the Power Edge. It's interesting to see this business in Kaimuki, but never been in here until you need the particular goods or service. I guess that's how it works. While the prices can be a real drag, these guns are as realistic as they come. Definitely recommended if you need a paintball gun and accessories.
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