Paintball marker

In electromagnetic designs, the trigger, instead of being mechanically linked to the action of the marker, simply activates an electronic micro-switch (or more recently, a magnetic or optical sensor).

While agitating and force-feed hoppers facilitate a higher rate of fire, they are subject to battery failure, as well as degradation if they come into contact with moisture.

Other propulsion methods include the combustion of small quantities of propane or electromechanically operated spring plunger combinations similar to that used in an airsoft gun.

Cold weather can cause problems with this system, reducing the vapour pressure and increasing the chance for liquefied gas to be drawn into the marker.

Anti-siphon tanks have a tube inside the cylinder, which is bent to prevent liquid carbon dioxide from being drawn into the gun.

On the other hand, a number of paintguns were designed with specific valves to operate on liquid CO2, including some early Tippmann models and the Mega-Z from Montneel – thus solving the problem caused by phase changes.

The most popular tank size is 1,100 cubic centimetres (67 cu in) at 31,000 kPa (4,500 psi) providing 800–1100 shots.

Users are warned not put any type of lubricant in the 'fill nipple' port of a HPA tank, as petroleum may burn when subjected to highly compressed air, causing an explosion, like in a diesel engine.

Carbon dioxide regulators must also prevent liquid gas from entering the marker and expanding, causing a dangerous surge in velocity.

Regulators used with carbon dioxide often sacrifice throughput and accuracy to ensure the marker operates safely.

After the firing pressure is decided, tournament-oriented markers use another regulator to supply gas to a separate pneumatic system, to power any other functions, such as bolt movement.

Many players favor longer barrels as they permit them to push aside the large inflatable bunkers commonly used in paintball tournaments while still staying behind cover.

This results in either a dry fire in the event that the ball fell out of the barrel, or a lower velocity shot.

For example, software may allow the marker to fire more than once per trigger pull, called shot ramping.

Semi-automatic markers use a variety of designs to automatically cycle a bolt and load a new paintball into the chamber with each trigger pull.

With the popularity of electronic trigger frames allowing players with such frames to achieve very high rates of fire, tournament leagues began placing limits on the maximum rate of fire of electronic markers used in their events.

Manufacturers also often place their own limit on the maximum rate of fire the marker will support, to ensure reliable cycling.

The fully automatic mode can be added to any electropneumatic marker by installing a customized logic board, or buying a completely new electronic trigger frame.

Some leagues allow a specific ramping mode to prevent problems with enforcement, and to provide a more level playing field with regard to technical skill and marker quality (and price).

The main manufacturers of paintball pistols are Tippmann, Tiberius Arms (now called First Strike), and Kingman.

These paintball markers are built to match the weight, action, and feel of the real gun.

However, the damage depends on the paintball's velocity, distance, its impact angle, whether it breaks, and which part of the body it hits.

A good paintball mask is one which has an anti-fog, dual-pane, scratchless, and UV coated lens.

Before making a buying decision, the mask must be checked for its glasses comparability, internal space, and ventilation.

[10] Among documented cases, protesters in Iran, Chile and the United States have suffered catastrophic eye injuries as a result of being shot directly in the face at close range by paintball guns.