If your asking your self this question, chances are you do not need a drop forward.  Drop forwards in paintball are really a thing of the past.  Back when N2/HPA paintball tanks first came out they were super huge and super heavy.  When you mounted one on your gun it would really throw off the balance (your gun would point up).  To help balance the paintball gun with the big tank on it, someone thought to off set the tank’s weight by moving the tank toward the center of the gun.  In order to move the tank forward they had to drop the tank down a few inches so it would clear the grip frame.  Thus a drop forward was born.

In todays modern paintball age, big heavy tanks are a thing of the past.  Todays carbon fiber paintball tanks like Crossfire and Nitro Duck are super light so you can mount (screw in) the tank directly to the bottom of the grip frame and your gun will be in pretty good balance as is.  This is why most high in paintball guns like the Planet Eclipse EGO, Angel and even the mid level guns like the Invert Mini do not have a Drop Forward on them.   You might as yourself, “Why do some Spyder Paintball guns have a drop forward on them?”.  The answer is thats the manufacturer trying to get more of your money.  Most kids think they need a Drop Forward so they think they are saving money.  In reality, its the manufacture trying to dazzel you with prettyness.

Of course there are exceptions to every rule, if your that guy who insists on playing with a 114ci tank on your gun then you will need a drop forward.  Some people also like the looks and feel of it.  However, with more and more paintball manufacturers not making drop forwards anymore, its getting harder and harder to find this obsolete piece of equipment.

Please Note:  A drop forward is different than a rail.