[pa_dweller]

muzzle velocity approaching that of a 45

I didn't know they traveled that fast. I think that would sting some! Seriously though, I've seen film of people doing that and they always have eye/face protection on. At the least, it should certainly leave a nice welt on unprotected skin.

[zandtar]

If you play on a field run by professionals, they'll have a radar station set up and you'll be required to have a much lower velocity before you're allowed on the field. 250 ft/s seems to be a standard. However, some of the custom jobs get much higher, in the 350ft/s and high range. A .45 it about 425-450 ft/s. Of course the projectiles are much different, but I've seen some really nasty injuries with paintball guns. Even with protection they can leave welts.