Velocity Drop-Off
Overview
Velocity drop off is the reduction in FPS during sustained firing, caused by inadequate air delivery, regulator inconsistency, temperature shifts, or inefficiencies within the marker system.
Key Points
- Common during fast strings of fire or low air situations.
- Leads to curved trajectories, poor accuracy, and missed lanes.
- Often caused by reg starvation or insufficient recharge rate.
- Affected by tank pressure, temperature, and dwell settings.
- Identified through chrono testing and live fire patterns.
Details
Velocity drop off occurs when a marker cannot maintain consistent shot speed during rapid or sustained strings of fire. This inconsistency changes shot trajectory and weakens suppression or lane control.
Primary causes: Regulator starvation – Reg cannot recharge air fast enough. Low tank pressure – Insufficient supply to maintain operating pressure. Temperature effects – Cold weather thickens lubricants and reduces gas expansion. Improper dwell – Too short or too long disrupts airflow efficiency. Reg creep or internal wear – Damaged o rings and components disrupt airflow.
Effects of drop off include: Shots dipping low beyond mid field. Reduced ability to hold denial lanes. Increased tendency for bounces. Ineffective suppression and broken firing rhythm.
Technicians diagnose drop off by: Shooting strings over a chronograph. Evaluating regulator recharge speed. Inspecting tank output consistency.
Maintaining stable velocity is a core requirement for tournament level performance.
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