Valve Types
Overview
Valve types define how a paintball marker releases compressed gas during the firing cycle. The most common systems are open bolt, closed bolt, and spool valve configurations.
Key Points
- Valves control the release of compressed gas per shot.
- Common types include open bolt, closed bolt, and spool valve designs.
- Each type balances air efficiency, consistency, and smoothness differently.
- Closed bolt systems pre chamber a ball before firing.
- Spool valve systems use internal air routing for smooth operation.
Details
Valves determine how gas flows from the air chamber to the paintball at the moment of firing. In open bolt systems, the bolt starts in a rearward position and moves forward to chamber a ball and release air in one motion. This design is efficient and simple to maintain, making it common across many mechanical and electronic markers.
Closed bolt systems, once prominent in early competitive play, chamber the paintball first and fire from a stationary bolt position. The ball remains stable before air release, offering slightly different shot characteristics and timing. Spool valve markers route air through a chambered spool component that controls both bolt movement and air release with minimal mechanical noise.
Each design offers trade offs: open bolt markers emphasize reliability, closed bolt designs emphasize precision timing, and spool valve systems emphasize smooth cycling. Regardless of type, all rely on precise sealing and pressure control for consistent performance.
Video References
Related Topics
Linked From
- Blowback Mechanics
- Marker Efficiency & Dwell
- Marker Mechanics Overview
- Marker Platform Architectures
- Mechanical Timing Relationships
- Poppet-Valve Systems
- Spool-Valve Systems
- Trigger Systems
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