Jordan
03-23-2001, 03:52 PM
Just thought this might be useful........
A
Agitator Paintgun component. A hopper which contains a small battery operated motor connected to paddles which act to move paintballs into the feeder of a paintgun. This gives the gun a constant supply of paintballs without requiring that the gun be rocked back and forth to force the ammunition to feed.
Aluminum A light elemental metal. Aluminum alloys are commonly used in the manufacture of paintball guns, accessories and tanks. Aluminum is notable for its relative lightness, and resistance to corrosion. It is a soft metal, and easy to shape. This means that aluminum parts are inexpensive but also susceptible to impact damage.
Anodization A process for coating metals. The object to be coated is placed in a solution containing metallic salts and an electric current is passed through it.
B
Barrel Paintgun component. The tube from which the paintball is discharged when the gun is fired. Paintball barrels are made from aluminum alloys, brass, stainless steel, and carbon fiber. The major characteristics of a barrel are its interior diameter, length, and effective length.
Barrel, ported Paintgun component. A ported barrel has holes (ports) drilled through its walls for part of its length. Porting serves to quiet the paintgun by venting gas to the sides of the barrel, reducing the explosiveness (and noisiness)of the exhaust from the muzzle. Porting also reduces the effective length of the barrel.
Bleed Valve Propellant system component. Allows the compressed gas in a paintgun and remote to be discharged before disconnecting the gun from it's propellant source.
Bolt Paintgun component. The bolt actually brings the propellant (gas) into contact with the paintball. In both closed and open bolt guns the bolt is brought to rest behind the paintball and gas flows through the bolt to push the ball through the barrel.
Bore The internal diameter of a cylinder, in this context, of a paintgun's barrel.
Bottle See Tank.
Bottom Line Paintgun component. An air fitting that moves the paintgun's gas input to the bottom of the grip frame.
Brass An alloy of copper and zinc. Different proportions of Zinc and Copper in the alloy result in different properties. Brass is most commonly used in the barrels. Brass is denser (heavier) than aluminum and softer than both aluminum and steel. It is therefore easily shaped and polished. Brass parts are inexpensive but also susceptible to impact and scratching damage.
Breech
Burst Disk Safety device and propellant system component. A part of the valve assembly at the top of a CO2 tank, the burst disk ruptures when the pressure inside the tank exceeds the containers pressure rating. The gas in the tank is then vented safely.
C
Carbon Dioxide Propellant gas. A colorless, odorless gas used as a propellant. Carbon Dioxide (CO2), occurs in nature as a gas. In paintball applications liquid CO2 is used to partially fill the player's tank. Some of the liquid boils off to become a gas and that gas is used to power the gun. Each shot fired removes some CO2 gas from the tank and that is replaced by gas from the liquid CO2 in the tank.
See also the CO2 Systems Infosheet.
CO2 See Carbon Dioxide.
Chronograph Field equipment. This is a device that uses radar to measure the speed of a paintball as it is fired from the marker.
Cock v. To position the hammer or other component of the firing mechanism of the paintgun, to be fired.
Cup Seal Paintgun component. This small part is used in blow-back semi's.
E
Effective Length The portion of a barrel's length from the breech to the beginning of porting. One frequently cited experiment indicates that the optimum effective length of a paintgun barrel is between eight and twelve inches.
Elbow 1. Paintgun component. An angled tube (usually plastic), one end of which is fastened to the gun's feed. The other end of the tube is pointed upwards and receives the hopper or agitator. Paintballs are fed from the hopper into the gun through the elbow. Elbows are usually classified based on their diameters (what size feed will the end of the elbow fit?).
2. Air fitting. An angled tube (usually metal) through which gas flows. They are typically used to force sharp changes in the direction of flow in places where a micro-line or steel braided hose would become pinched. Elbows are threaded so that they can be connected to other parts of the air system. Elbows are usually classified based on their diameters, angle (45 degree, 90 degree, etc.), and pressure rating.
Expansion Chamber Paintgun/propellant system component. An expansion chamber serves as a heat exchanger and conducts heat energy from the environment to the propellant system, expanding the gas or (in the case of CO2) converting liquid in the system to a gas. Expansion chambers are useful only in CO2 driven systems since CO2 is very temperature sensitive and HPA and Nitrogen are not.
F
Feed Paintgun component. The tube through which paintballs are fed into the receiver of the paintgun. A gun may have a right-hand, left-hand, or vertical feed. Vertical feeds reduce the overall width of a gun and hopper by placing the hopper directly over the receiver. Right and left-hand feeds allow the shooter to sight over the top of the gun. A right-hand feed slopes down from the right side of the gun and positions the hopper to the right of the gun body. A left hand feed slopes down from the left side of the gun.
See also power-feed.
G
Gas-thru Stock Paintgun component. A stock with integrated air fittings that allow propellant gas to run through the stock to the paintgun's gas input.
Guppies Containers used to carry extra paintballs. VL Attitube, etc.
H
Hammer See Striker
Hard-line Air fitting. A solid metal tube used to transport gas from point to point. Brass, copper, aluminum and steel steel are common materials in the manufacture of these hoses. Hard-line hoses are usually classified based on diameter and pressure rating.
Harness Redz, Unique etc. Used to carry pods or guppies for holding extra paintballs.
High Pressure Air (HPA) Propellant gas. Quite simply, this is compressed air, the same stuff we breathe. In paintball applications it is compressed to high pressures (1800, 3000, and 4500 psi are the standards), in tanks and the output pressure is limited by a regulator. HPA and Nitrogen may both be used in the same containers and so both terms are often used interchangeably when discussing high pressure systems.
Hopper Paintgun component. A plastic bottle which connects to the feeder of a paintgun (often via an elbow). Paintballs are placed into the bottle where they are fed via gravity through a hole in the bottom.
See also Agitator.
HPA See High Pressure Air
L
Loader See Guppy
M
Marker See Paintgun
Micro-line Air fitting. Flexible, small diameter, plastic hose. More easily cut and shaped than steel-braid hose.
Muzzle Brake See Barrel, ported
N
N2 See Nitrogen
Nitrogen Propellant gas. Elemental Nitrogen in the form N2. A colorless, odorless gas used as a propellant. In paintball applications it is compressed to high pressures (1800, 3000, and 4500 psi are the standards), in tanks and the output pressure is limited by a regulator. Nitrogen and HPA may both be used in the same containers and so both terms are often used interchangeably when discussing high pressure systems.
O
O-ring Paintgun/propellant system component. Circular rings of rubber or plastic used to make airtight seals between parts (bolt and receiver for instance), and air fitting joints.
P
Paintball A spherical gelatin capsule containing water soluble paint. Paintballs are approximately .68 inches in diameter although there is some slight variation (on the order of thousandths of an inch) between manufacturers and brands.
Paintgun A pneumatic device for firing a paintball.
Pods See Guppies
Porting See Barrel, ported
Power-feed Paintgun component. A feed with part of the outer wall of the tube cut away to allow gas to vent during firing. The idea is to lower the back pressure from firing which would normally disturb the flow of balls into the breech.
PSI Unit of measure. Pounds per Square Inch. This is a measurement of pressure and is defined as the force in pounds exerted by the substance under pressure against a surface with an area of one square inch.
Q
Quick Disconnect Propellant system component. An air fitting comprised of two pieces that fit together. Its purpose is to allow the player to separate the paintgun from a remote propellant source. The quick disconnect is often used in conjunction with some form of bleed valve.
R
Receiver Paintgun component. The portion of the gun in which flow of gas is controlled, also referred to as the body of the gun. The receiver houses the valve(s) and bolt. The barrel, trigger mechanism, air input, and grip frame are attached to the receiver.
Regulator Paintgun/propellant system component. A mechanical device for controlling the pressure of gas in a closed system. Regulators accept gas at a given input pressure and through an arrangement of piston(s) and springs maintains a lower output pressure. A regulator cannot have an output pressure higher than the input pressure. Some regulators are adjustable and others have fixed output pressures.
Remote Paintgun/propellant system component. A long hose which allows the player to separate the propellant tank from the paintgun so that it can be carried elsewhere on the player's person. Typically a long braided steel or coiled hose is used to connect the gun to a tank carried on the player's back in a harness.
Rupture Disk See Burst Disk
S
Safety Paintgun component. A switch or lever which prevents the trigger from engaging the firing mechanism.
Sear Paintgun component.
Semi-automatic A class of paintgun. Members of this gun class fire one paintball for each intentional pull of the trigger.
Sight Paintgun component.
Steel-braid Air fitting. Composite hose made of fine steel wire braided around a plastic hose. Its flexibility makes it less susceptible to impact and puncture damage than hard-lines. It is heavy and bulky relative to other options. Steel-braid hose is usually classified based on its diameter and pressure rating.
Striker Paintgun component.
Stock 1. Paintgun component. 2. Paintgun referred to as in factory configuration. 3. A class of pump paintguns using 12 gram co2 cartridges and ten round tubes.
See also Gas-thru Stock.
T
Tank Propellant system component. The tank (or bottle) holds the propellant used to fire the paintball from the marker. Tanks may hold Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen, or HPA. All tanks have maximum pressure ratings, typically measured in PSI. Tanks come in a variety of sizes. CO2 tanks are sized based on the maximum volume of liquid CO2 they are intended to carry. HPA tanks are sized by the total volume of the tank. CO2 tanks vary in size from 12 gram powerlets up to 40oz "bombs". HPA tanks are available in 53ci, 68ci, and 114ci sizes.
All tanks require periodic hydro testing.
Titanium Elemental metal. Titanium alloys are used in the manufacture of some paintball accessories like bolts, valves, regulators. Titanium is notable for its strength, relative lightness, and resistance to corrosion. It is denser (heavier) than aluminum, but much much stronger. Because Titanium is such a hard metal it is quite difficult to work with and components made with this metal and its alloys can be quite expensive.
V
Valve Paintgun component. Valves control the flow of fluids and gasses and appear in several places in a paintgun system. Inside the gun valves control the flow of gas to the bolt. Pin valve. On/Off valve.
Velocity Speed and direction.
VL Attitube A guppy manufactured by CM Support
VL 200 Viewloader 200. One of several models of hoppers manufactured by CM Support
VL 2000 Viewloader 2000. One of several models of agitators manufactured by CM Support
VL 300 Viewloader 300. One of several models of hoppers manufactured by CM Support
VL 3000 Viewloader 3000. One of several models of agitators manufactured by CM Support
VL Revolution Viewloader Revolution. One of several models of agitators manufactured by CM Support
A
Agitator Paintgun component. A hopper which contains a small battery operated motor connected to paddles which act to move paintballs into the feeder of a paintgun. This gives the gun a constant supply of paintballs without requiring that the gun be rocked back and forth to force the ammunition to feed.
Aluminum A light elemental metal. Aluminum alloys are commonly used in the manufacture of paintball guns, accessories and tanks. Aluminum is notable for its relative lightness, and resistance to corrosion. It is a soft metal, and easy to shape. This means that aluminum parts are inexpensive but also susceptible to impact damage.
Anodization A process for coating metals. The object to be coated is placed in a solution containing metallic salts and an electric current is passed through it.
B
Barrel Paintgun component. The tube from which the paintball is discharged when the gun is fired. Paintball barrels are made from aluminum alloys, brass, stainless steel, and carbon fiber. The major characteristics of a barrel are its interior diameter, length, and effective length.
Barrel, ported Paintgun component. A ported barrel has holes (ports) drilled through its walls for part of its length. Porting serves to quiet the paintgun by venting gas to the sides of the barrel, reducing the explosiveness (and noisiness)of the exhaust from the muzzle. Porting also reduces the effective length of the barrel.
Bleed Valve Propellant system component. Allows the compressed gas in a paintgun and remote to be discharged before disconnecting the gun from it's propellant source.
Bolt Paintgun component. The bolt actually brings the propellant (gas) into contact with the paintball. In both closed and open bolt guns the bolt is brought to rest behind the paintball and gas flows through the bolt to push the ball through the barrel.
Bore The internal diameter of a cylinder, in this context, of a paintgun's barrel.
Bottle See Tank.
Bottom Line Paintgun component. An air fitting that moves the paintgun's gas input to the bottom of the grip frame.
Brass An alloy of copper and zinc. Different proportions of Zinc and Copper in the alloy result in different properties. Brass is most commonly used in the barrels. Brass is denser (heavier) than aluminum and softer than both aluminum and steel. It is therefore easily shaped and polished. Brass parts are inexpensive but also susceptible to impact and scratching damage.
Breech
Burst Disk Safety device and propellant system component. A part of the valve assembly at the top of a CO2 tank, the burst disk ruptures when the pressure inside the tank exceeds the containers pressure rating. The gas in the tank is then vented safely.
C
Carbon Dioxide Propellant gas. A colorless, odorless gas used as a propellant. Carbon Dioxide (CO2), occurs in nature as a gas. In paintball applications liquid CO2 is used to partially fill the player's tank. Some of the liquid boils off to become a gas and that gas is used to power the gun. Each shot fired removes some CO2 gas from the tank and that is replaced by gas from the liquid CO2 in the tank.
See also the CO2 Systems Infosheet.
CO2 See Carbon Dioxide.
Chronograph Field equipment. This is a device that uses radar to measure the speed of a paintball as it is fired from the marker.
Cock v. To position the hammer or other component of the firing mechanism of the paintgun, to be fired.
Cup Seal Paintgun component. This small part is used in blow-back semi's.
E
Effective Length The portion of a barrel's length from the breech to the beginning of porting. One frequently cited experiment indicates that the optimum effective length of a paintgun barrel is between eight and twelve inches.
Elbow 1. Paintgun component. An angled tube (usually plastic), one end of which is fastened to the gun's feed. The other end of the tube is pointed upwards and receives the hopper or agitator. Paintballs are fed from the hopper into the gun through the elbow. Elbows are usually classified based on their diameters (what size feed will the end of the elbow fit?).
2. Air fitting. An angled tube (usually metal) through which gas flows. They are typically used to force sharp changes in the direction of flow in places where a micro-line or steel braided hose would become pinched. Elbows are threaded so that they can be connected to other parts of the air system. Elbows are usually classified based on their diameters, angle (45 degree, 90 degree, etc.), and pressure rating.
Expansion Chamber Paintgun/propellant system component. An expansion chamber serves as a heat exchanger and conducts heat energy from the environment to the propellant system, expanding the gas or (in the case of CO2) converting liquid in the system to a gas. Expansion chambers are useful only in CO2 driven systems since CO2 is very temperature sensitive and HPA and Nitrogen are not.
F
Feed Paintgun component. The tube through which paintballs are fed into the receiver of the paintgun. A gun may have a right-hand, left-hand, or vertical feed. Vertical feeds reduce the overall width of a gun and hopper by placing the hopper directly over the receiver. Right and left-hand feeds allow the shooter to sight over the top of the gun. A right-hand feed slopes down from the right side of the gun and positions the hopper to the right of the gun body. A left hand feed slopes down from the left side of the gun.
See also power-feed.
G
Gas-thru Stock Paintgun component. A stock with integrated air fittings that allow propellant gas to run through the stock to the paintgun's gas input.
Guppies Containers used to carry extra paintballs. VL Attitube, etc.
H
Hammer See Striker
Hard-line Air fitting. A solid metal tube used to transport gas from point to point. Brass, copper, aluminum and steel steel are common materials in the manufacture of these hoses. Hard-line hoses are usually classified based on diameter and pressure rating.
Harness Redz, Unique etc. Used to carry pods or guppies for holding extra paintballs.
High Pressure Air (HPA) Propellant gas. Quite simply, this is compressed air, the same stuff we breathe. In paintball applications it is compressed to high pressures (1800, 3000, and 4500 psi are the standards), in tanks and the output pressure is limited by a regulator. HPA and Nitrogen may both be used in the same containers and so both terms are often used interchangeably when discussing high pressure systems.
Hopper Paintgun component. A plastic bottle which connects to the feeder of a paintgun (often via an elbow). Paintballs are placed into the bottle where they are fed via gravity through a hole in the bottom.
See also Agitator.
HPA See High Pressure Air
L
Loader See Guppy
M
Marker See Paintgun
Micro-line Air fitting. Flexible, small diameter, plastic hose. More easily cut and shaped than steel-braid hose.
Muzzle Brake See Barrel, ported
N
N2 See Nitrogen
Nitrogen Propellant gas. Elemental Nitrogen in the form N2. A colorless, odorless gas used as a propellant. In paintball applications it is compressed to high pressures (1800, 3000, and 4500 psi are the standards), in tanks and the output pressure is limited by a regulator. Nitrogen and HPA may both be used in the same containers and so both terms are often used interchangeably when discussing high pressure systems.
O
O-ring Paintgun/propellant system component. Circular rings of rubber or plastic used to make airtight seals between parts (bolt and receiver for instance), and air fitting joints.
P
Paintball A spherical gelatin capsule containing water soluble paint. Paintballs are approximately .68 inches in diameter although there is some slight variation (on the order of thousandths of an inch) between manufacturers and brands.
Paintgun A pneumatic device for firing a paintball.
Pods See Guppies
Porting See Barrel, ported
Power-feed Paintgun component. A feed with part of the outer wall of the tube cut away to allow gas to vent during firing. The idea is to lower the back pressure from firing which would normally disturb the flow of balls into the breech.
PSI Unit of measure. Pounds per Square Inch. This is a measurement of pressure and is defined as the force in pounds exerted by the substance under pressure against a surface with an area of one square inch.
Q
Quick Disconnect Propellant system component. An air fitting comprised of two pieces that fit together. Its purpose is to allow the player to separate the paintgun from a remote propellant source. The quick disconnect is often used in conjunction with some form of bleed valve.
R
Receiver Paintgun component. The portion of the gun in which flow of gas is controlled, also referred to as the body of the gun. The receiver houses the valve(s) and bolt. The barrel, trigger mechanism, air input, and grip frame are attached to the receiver.
Regulator Paintgun/propellant system component. A mechanical device for controlling the pressure of gas in a closed system. Regulators accept gas at a given input pressure and through an arrangement of piston(s) and springs maintains a lower output pressure. A regulator cannot have an output pressure higher than the input pressure. Some regulators are adjustable and others have fixed output pressures.
Remote Paintgun/propellant system component. A long hose which allows the player to separate the propellant tank from the paintgun so that it can be carried elsewhere on the player's person. Typically a long braided steel or coiled hose is used to connect the gun to a tank carried on the player's back in a harness.
Rupture Disk See Burst Disk
S
Safety Paintgun component. A switch or lever which prevents the trigger from engaging the firing mechanism.
Sear Paintgun component.
Semi-automatic A class of paintgun. Members of this gun class fire one paintball for each intentional pull of the trigger.
Sight Paintgun component.
Steel-braid Air fitting. Composite hose made of fine steel wire braided around a plastic hose. Its flexibility makes it less susceptible to impact and puncture damage than hard-lines. It is heavy and bulky relative to other options. Steel-braid hose is usually classified based on its diameter and pressure rating.
Striker Paintgun component.
Stock 1. Paintgun component. 2. Paintgun referred to as in factory configuration. 3. A class of pump paintguns using 12 gram co2 cartridges and ten round tubes.
See also Gas-thru Stock.
T
Tank Propellant system component. The tank (or bottle) holds the propellant used to fire the paintball from the marker. Tanks may hold Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen, or HPA. All tanks have maximum pressure ratings, typically measured in PSI. Tanks come in a variety of sizes. CO2 tanks are sized based on the maximum volume of liquid CO2 they are intended to carry. HPA tanks are sized by the total volume of the tank. CO2 tanks vary in size from 12 gram powerlets up to 40oz "bombs". HPA tanks are available in 53ci, 68ci, and 114ci sizes.
All tanks require periodic hydro testing.
Titanium Elemental metal. Titanium alloys are used in the manufacture of some paintball accessories like bolts, valves, regulators. Titanium is notable for its strength, relative lightness, and resistance to corrosion. It is denser (heavier) than aluminum, but much much stronger. Because Titanium is such a hard metal it is quite difficult to work with and components made with this metal and its alloys can be quite expensive.
V
Valve Paintgun component. Valves control the flow of fluids and gasses and appear in several places in a paintgun system. Inside the gun valves control the flow of gas to the bolt. Pin valve. On/Off valve.
Velocity Speed and direction.
VL Attitube A guppy manufactured by CM Support
VL 200 Viewloader 200. One of several models of hoppers manufactured by CM Support
VL 2000 Viewloader 2000. One of several models of agitators manufactured by CM Support
VL 300 Viewloader 300. One of several models of hoppers manufactured by CM Support
VL 3000 Viewloader 3000. One of several models of agitators manufactured by CM Support
VL Revolution Viewloader Revolution. One of several models of agitators manufactured by CM Support