Marker Cycling
Overview
Marker cycling refers to the complete mechanical sequence of firing, resetting, and preparing the bolt system for the next shot.
Key Points
- Includes bolt movement, valve opening, air release, and bolt return.
- Cycle speed impacts rate of fire and consistency.
- Affected by dwell settings, bolt lubrication, and regulator performance.
- Smooth cycling reduces wear and improves shot quality.
- Spool valve and poppet valve markers cycle differently.
- Cycle timing must coordinate with loader feed rates to avoid chops.
Details
Marker cycling is the sequence of mechanical actions that occur each time a marker fires. This includes bolt acceleration, paintball chambering, valve activation, air release, and bolt return to the starting position.
Electronic markers rely on solenoid driven cycles, where dwell and operating pressure dictate how long the bolt remains forward. Mechanical systems rely on springs, valves, and timing rods to regulate the cycle.
The speed and efficiency of cycling determine rate of fire and consistency. A well tuned marker cycles smoothly with minimal vibration, low recoil, and stable velocities.
Cycle performance depends on lubrication, O ring condition, regulator tuning, and synchronization with the loader. If the loader cannot keep up, partial feeds may occur, leading to chops.
Poppet valve markers cycle sharply with a distinctive kick, while spool valve markers cycle smoothly with lower recoil but higher air demands.
Understanding cycle behavior helps players diagnose issues such as FSDO, inconsistent velocity, bolt stick, and mid cycle misfires.
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