PAINTBALL TERMINOLOGY
- ACTION:
1. The mechanism by which something is operated, as that
of a gun.
2. A military encounter, as a battle or skirmish.
3. Actual combat with enemy forces.
- AGITATOR:
1. A machine or device for agitating and mixing.
2. In reference to paintball, it is a device that is
attached to a paintball hopper or incorporated into the
design of the hopper. It has a shaft that enters the
inner enclosure of the hopper with some type of impeller
attached to the end of it. When activated the agitator
rotates the impeller which moves the paintball around
inside of the hopper allowing them to align with the feed
port, located at the bottom of the hopper, and fall
freely into the hopper feed nipple.
- ASA:
The abbreviation for Air Source Adapter. See "ASA
Adapter".
- ASA ADAPTER:
Also referred to as: CA Adapter. A device that is
designed to allow a constant air tank to screw into it
and let the Co2 gas in the tank pass through it. In most
cases the ASA Adapter is designed with a actuating pin.
When used with a constant air tank that has a pin valve,
the ASA Adapter pin actuator presses in the pin valve's
pin and allows the flow of Co2 gas from the tank into and
through the ASA Adapter. The gas then goes to the
paintguns valve mechanism either directly or indirectly
via some type of gas line.
- AUTO, FULL:
Continuous firing and reloading of paintgun as long as
the trigger is held down.
- AUTO, SEMI:
1. Partly automatic.
2. Automatically recocking of paintgun and loading the
next paintball but requiring a squeeze of the trigger to
fire each shot.
- AUTO TRIGGER:
A trigger and sear design used with pump action
paintguns, that allows the user of the paintgun to have
the gun fire each time the pump handle is pulled back
allowing gun mechanism to be cocked and then pulled full
forward. The gun will fire automatically when pump handle
is returned to full forward position each time the pump
handle is cycled from front to rear and back as long as
the trigger is being held down.
- BACK BOTTLE SYSTEM:
Refers to a constant air system design whereby the gun's
ASA adapter is located at the rear of the paintgun and
that is where the constant air tank is attached. The
constant air tank is used as the gun's shoulder stock and
may or may not have a butt plate attached to it. Pump
action paintguns usually have the ASA adapter in-line
with the barrel and cocking mechanism. Semi Auto
paintguns usually have the ASA adapter in-line with
cocking mechanism.
- BACK BOTTLE ADAPTER:
An ASA adapter which is attached to the rear of a
paintgun, that is used to connect a gas supply to the gun
and is usually in line with either the barrel/cocking
mechanism or just the cocking mechanism.
- BARREL PLUG:
A safety device that is inserted into the front end of a
paintgun barrel to prevent a paintball from exiting the
barrel.
- BARREL, RIFLED, INTERNAL:
A barrel that has internal grooves, either straight or in
a spiral pattern.
- BOLT:
The internal part of a paintgun that is common to Stock,
Pump Action and Semi Auto paintguns. The bolt usually has
a O-ring(s) at the front end of it. The O-ring acts as a
seal between the bolt and the inner wall of the paintgun
barrel when the bolt is in the full forward position. The
bolt performs two functions:
1. It is the device that moves the paintball from where
it is loaded into the chamber of the paintgun, to the
bore of the paintgun barrel.
2. It is the device by which Co2 gas is transferred from
the paintgun valve system to the rear of the paintball
via the front of the bolt.
- BOLT (closed):
One of two design criteria by which semi auto paintguns
are manufactured. The closed bolt design means that the
bolt is in the full forward position with the bolt O-ring
sealing against the inner wall of the paintgun barrel
when gun is ready to be fired via the trigger. This is
with respect to the paintgun being connected to a Co2 gas
supply (constant air tank or remote air system) and fully
pressurized.
- BOLT (open):
One of two design criteria by which semi auto paintguns
are manufactured. The open bolt design means that the
bolt is in the full rear position with the bolt just
behind the feed nipple port (the port that allows the
paintballs to flow into the paintgun body) when paintgun
is ready to be fired via the trigger. This is with
respect to the paintgun being connected to a Co2 gas
supply (constant air tank or remote air system) and fully
pressurized.
- BOLT, VENTURI:
A bolt with a concave face. The face of the bolt will
have multiple holes in it. These holes are known as
thrust ports.
- BORE DROP LOADING:
Guns using bore systems load into a receiver the same
size as the barrel or directly into the barrel itself.
This keeps the ball from having to load over any large
seams or steep angles.
- BOTTLE:
1. Slang for tank.
2. A portable container for holding liquids or gases,
having a neck and mouth.
3. In Paintball it is the container part of a constant
air tank.
- BLOW BACK:
Paintball gun's leakage of Co2 gases between the bolt and
the inner barrel wall and/or leakage of Co2 gases from
the cocking mechanism between the gun's hammer and inner
wall of the gun's housing. Blowback may occur for two
reasons. First, and easiest to fix, is that the O-rings
on the gun's bolt and/or hammer need to be replaced. The
second reason for blowback is more complex. It has to do
with the positioning of the gun's components at the time
that the Co2 gas is released into the gun's barrel.
- BOTTOM LINE:
A style of constant air system where the ASA adapter is
located at the bottom of the paintball gun's grip frame.
This ASA adapter is where the constant air tank is
connected to the paintgun. The ASA adapter may be
designed into the grip frame so as to be part of the grip
frame or it may be a after market ASA adapter that is
mounted to the bottom of the grip frame. If it is a after
market ASA adapter it will have to have a gas line
connecting it to the paintgun in order to allow gas to
flow from the tank into and through the ASA adapter to
the gas line and then to the paintgun.
- BREECH DROP LOADING:
Guns using breech loading systems load into an area
larger than the inner diameter of the barrel. The ball
must then be up into the barrel.
- BREECH LOCK SYSTEM:
A design that prevents the paintgun from being
accidentally pumped twice before it is fired once. Breech
locking guns MUST be fired before the gun can be pumped
again.
- BUTT PLATE:
A device that fits on to the end of a tank allowing it to
be used as a shoulder stock.
- CALIBER:
With respect to a paintball: the diameter of a circular
section. With reference to a paintgun: the diameter of
the bore of a gun taken as a unit of measurement.
- CALIFORNIA STYLE:
A style of constant air system developed in California in
the late 1980's that consisted of a paintgun, a 'L' shape
shoulder stock with a constant air tank holder located on
the bottom side of it, a constant air tank of either 7 or
10 ounce in size with a Thermo on/off valve that would be
held in the shoulder stock's tank holder and a hose with
fittings that would connect the tank to the paintgun.
- CARBON DIOXIDE:
Also known as: Co2. A colorless, odorless, incombustible
gas that has many purposes such as: dry ice, the
carbonation in carbonated beverages, and in fire
extinguishers. Co2 is present in the atmosphere and
formed during respiration. Co2 is a compound gas made of
oxygen and carbon. Co2 stores it's energy when it is in a
liquid state and releases it into a usable force through
expansion into a gas. Used in paintguns as a pressurized
gas (power source) for shooting paintballs out of the
paintgun's barrel. With respect to semi auto paintguns,
Co2 is also used for recocking the paintgun.
- CGA:
Denotes Compressed Gas Association. Usually used to refer
to a cylinder valve outlet connection detailed in the CGA
pamphlet V-1.
- CHECK VALVE:
Allows substance (such as gas, liquid or solids) to flow
in only one direction. Once passed the check valve the
substance cannot flow back through check valve.
- CHRONOGRAPH:
Electronic device that measures the speed of an object
directed across it.
- Co2:
The abbreviation for Carbon Dioxide.
- CONSTANT AIR:
A terminology developed in California in the late 1980's.
It refers to the use of a refillable gas tank that is
connected to a paintgun and supplies the Co2 gas
necessary to power the operation of the gun. The term
"Constant Air" was derived from the fact that
the paintgun would have a prolonged supply of gas and
would be able to get 300 to 1000 shots per tank of gas,
depending on size of tank and type of gun. This was
opposed to paintguns that used 12 gram Co2 cartridges and
only got 15 to 25 shots per cartridge on the average.
- CRITICAL TEMPERATURE:
The temperature above which liquid phase cannot exist.
- CRITICAL PRESSURE:
The saturation vapor pressure at the Critical
Temperature.
- CYCLE RATE:
Indicates the number of cycles a paintgun can perform per
second.
- DETENT, BALL:
Sometimes call: Ball stop, anti-doubler, wire nubbin. A
device that keeps no more than one paintball from loading
into the chamber of a paintgun when the paintgun is
executing one cycle. It does this by maintaining the
paintball in a stationary position until the paintguns
bolt pushes the paintball into the barrel of the gun.
- DEW POINT:
The temperature and pressure at which the liquefaction of
a vapor begins.
- DIRECT FEED:
A system by which paintballs are fed directly into the
paintgun chamber or barrel via a feed nipple. The feed
nipple is usually fastened to side of the paintgun at a
45 degree angle. Feed nipples on pump action guns are
usually 1" in diameter and feed nipples on semi auto
paintguns are usually 7/8" in diameter.
- DISK, RUPTURE:
A small copper disk in the valve of a tank that is
designed to rupture if the pressure in the tank becomes
too great. The rupture disk is usually held in place by a
safety plug that has vent holes in it.
- DONKEY:
Slang for ASA Adapter.
- DOT:
Abbreviation for Department of Transportation whose Title
49, Code of Federal Regulations regulate the movement of
hazardous materials.
- DOUBLE ACTION:
Requiring only one pull of the trigger to cock and fire.
- ELBOW:
Slang for hopper adapter.
- EXPANSION CHAMBER:
A device which conditions Co2 gas by allowing it to
expand before it enters the paintgun's valve system.
- FEED NIPPLE:
Also known as: Feed port. The feed nipple is a short tube
that is connected to the paintgun housing at an angle of
45 degrees. It provides the passage by which paintballs
move from the paintball hopper, through the hopper
adapter, which attaches to the feed nipple, and into the
chamber of the paintgun. Commonly, feed nipples for pump
action paintguns are one inch in diameter, while semi
auto paintguns have seven eighths inch feed nipples.
- FEED PLUG:
A plug at the bottom of a power feeder that angles the
balls into the feed port. It can also be turned to stop
the balls from feeding into your gun.
- FEED TUBE:
A paintball storage container tubular in form, closed at
one end and open at other end with some type of lid
covering the opening. When playing Paintball the player
uses the feed tube to reload his paintgun's hopper.
- FEEDER:
Slang for hopper.
- FILL STATION:
An apparatus consisting of at least one valve used for
exhausting pressurized fill hose, a fill hose and some
type of fill adapter for connecting a constant air tank
to one end of the hose. It is used for filling smaller
constant air tanks with liquid Co2 from larger siphon
fill tank. The large siphon fill tank is usually 50 to 60
pounds in volume weight.
- FITTING, ELBOW, (90 DEGREE):
A fitting that allows the connection of two items at a 90
degree angle to each other. Such as a CA hose to make a
ASA adapter or paintgun.
- FLAG STATION:
With reference to the game of Paintball, this is a team's
base camp and is the location where a team's flag is
kept. It is also the location where a team must return
the opposing team's flag in order to win the game.
- FLANK:
1. The extreme right or left side of an army or fleet.
2. To stand or be placed or posted at the flank or side
of.
3. To defend or guard at the flank.
4. To menace or attack the flank of.
- FOGGING UP:
This refers to those times when a person's breathing and
lack of movement will cause the lenses of a persons
goggles to fog over, severely reducing visibility.
- FORE GRIP:
A horizontal grip generally located on the front of a
gun. This grip is generally grasped with the players off
hand; i.e. the hand not on the trigger frame; to
stabilize the gun for shooting.
- F.P.S.:
Abbreviation for 'feet per second'. This is the standard
method in the U.S. for determining the speed at which a
paintgun is shooting.
- GAS EFFICIENCY:
Refers to the amount of shots a gun gets in relation to
the amount of liquid Co2 it uses. Similar to miles per
gallon; i.e. getting 350 shots from a seven ounce
constant air tank.
- GOGGLES:
Eye protection worn by players to prevent eye damage.
Paintball goggles are specifically designed for the sport
of paintball and should not be substituted with goggles
made for any other application other than paintball.
- GOING LIQUID:
Refers to liquid Co2 entering the paintgun before it has
had a chance to expand into a gas or vapor.
- GRIPS:
Components that fit on the paintgun grip frame and
provide surface area by which the shooter may grip the
gun. Grips are replaceable on many types of paintguns.
Different styles of grips can provide greater comfort and
ease of use for the individual paintball player.
Different styles of grips include rubber, wood, and
wraparound types.
- HAMMER:
Also known as: The lower bolt or the striker. This
component, when released from the cocked position,
strikes the valve assembly and forces it open. When this
striking of the valve assembly by the hammer occurs, Co2
is allowed to pass through the valve assembly from the
gas source to the paintgun barrel.
- HAMMER SEAR:
The part of a gun that retains the hammer in a fixed
position, usually under main spring pressure. When the
trigger is pulled by the shooter's finger, it pushes
against the sear allowing it to release the hammer and
thus allowing the hammer to strike the valve assembly.
- HARNESS:
The combination of straps, pouches and other parts
forming the working gear worn by a paintball player to
carry paintball, Co2 cartridges, tanks, squeegee and
anything else he/she requires to play the game of
Paintball.
- HOSE:
In paintball a hose is used to transfer gas from one
component to another. Such as from a constant air tank to
a ASA adapter on a paintgun.
- HONE:
A tool that is mechanically rotated and has abrasive
tip(s) for polishing or enlarging holes to precise
dimensions.
- HOPPER:
A container used to hold paintballs, usually with a lid
that covers the opening where the paintballs are loaded
into it, and has a feed nipple at it's bottom.
- HOSING:
Refers to consistent rapid firing. A tactic typically
used when pinning down an opposing player.
- HYDROSTATIC TEST:
A container test required at definite intervals by DOT to
determine the wall thickness via measuring elastic
expansion. Purpose of the test is to assure the container
is safe for continued use.
- I.D.:
Abbreviation for inner diameter.
- IN-LINE CONFIGURATION:
Refers to the manner in which the bolt and hammer of a
paintgun are positioned in relation to each other. An
in-line configuration indicates that the bolt and hammer
are in line with each other one behind the other.
- LENSES, THERMAL:
A dual lens system. The outer lens is made of a super
hard polycarbonate material. The inner lens is made of a
different polycarbonate composition that allows anti fog
jell coat to stick to it. The two lenses are attached to
each other by means of a rubber gasket that makes a air
tight seal between the two. The space between the two
lenses is called a thermal barrier and helps to reduce
fogging on the inner lens.
- LOADER:
Slang for hopper feed tube.
- LIQUID:
Slang for Co2 in liquid form.
- MUZZLE:
The mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun,
pistol, etc.
- MUZZLE BREAK:
1. A pattern of holes or slots machined into the end of a
barrel that act as exhaust ports.
2. A machined add on part with a pattern of holes or
slots machined into it that fastens to the end of a
barrel either by press fit or set screw fatteners.
- MUZZLE VELOCITY:
The speed at which a paintball is traveling when it
leaves the muzzle of a paintgun barrel.
- NELSON BASED:
Refers to pump guns (most pump guns) that were designed
after the original 007. Nelson based guns have an in-line
bolt and hammer system.
- NITROGEN (N2):
Refers to Nitrogen gas. A colorless, odorless, relatively
non-reactive gas which is compressed to high pressures.
The difference between Nitrogen gas and Co2 is that
Nitrogen is measured by pressure while Co2 is measured by
weight.
- N.P.T.:
Refers to normal temperature and pressure which is
defined as 700 F and 14.696 PSI.
- O.D.:
Abbreviation for Outer Diameter. Outer diameter refers to
distance across an object.
- O-RING:
A ring of pliable material, as rubber or neoprene, used
as a gasket.
- OFF SET SIGHT RAIL:
A sight rail that is mounted at an angle away from top
dead center of paintgun body. The off set sight rail
allows a sight to be mounted so that it is unobstructed
by other parts of the paintgun.
- PAINTBALL:
A round capsule filled with brightly colored water based
dye that is designed to break upon impact leaving a splat
mark on the object it hits. Paintball sizes are: .50
Cal., .62 Cal. and .68 Cal., the last being the most
current size and readily available. The .68 caliber
paintball offers much better range, accuracy, and
breakability due to its' size and mass.
- PAINTBALL GUN:
A mechanical device, usually powered by Co2 gas, used to
propel paintballs.
- PAINT CHECK:
The suspension of play during a game at which time a
player is checked for splat mark(s). A paint check may be
called by referee or player, but may be only invoked by a
referee and game may only be restarted by referee. Misuse
of the paint check rule by a player is cause for that
player to be removed from current game.
- POWER FEED:
A feed nipple design that incorporates the blowback from
the paintball gun to increase the rate at which
paintballs are fed into the paintgun. Most power feeds
are designed into the paintguns, but there are some after
market bolt on power feeds available for guns like the
VM-68 series of paintgun and others.
- POWERLET:
An icon developed by the air gun industry for Co2
cartridge. In Paintball it refers to 12 gram Co2
cartridge.
- PRESSURE REGULATOR:
Regulates the pressure of gas flowing through it. Some
regulators are preset to p.s.i., and some are adjustable.
- PSI:
Abbreviation for pounds per square inch.
- PULL PIN:
A pin fastener which can be removed quickly to speed
disassembly of a player's paintgun.
- QUICK CHANGER:
A device that is either a part of the paintgun or a
separate unit that connects to the gun, usually via the
ASA adapter. It allows the rapid loading and unloading of
a 12 gram Co2 cartridge.
- QUICK DISCONNECT:
Usually made of stainless steel or brass, this unit is
composed of two parts, a male fitting and a female
coupler that connect together to form a air tight
connection. In paintball the quick disconnect is used by
the player to quickly disconnect the Co2 source, such as
a remote system, from the paintgun.
- RECEIVER:
The main body of a paintgun where the bolt and hammer are
usually housed. A gun's feed nipple is typically a part
of your receiver.
- REMOTE SYSTEM:
Also known as a "Remote" or "Remote
Set-Up". The system usually consists of a constant
air tank that is carried on the player's body, usually in
a pouch or fanny pak, and a high pressure gas line with
quick disconnect and all the fittings required to connect
it to the paintgun.
- RETICLE:
a network of fine lines, wires, or the like placed in the
focus of the eyepiece of an optical instrument.
- RIFLING, EXTERNAL:
Also know as: External porting. With reference to
paintball gun barrels, it is a spiral hole pattern which
is drilled into the barrel. When a paintball is shot
through a ported barrel, the ports allow the air in front
of the paintball to escape as the paintball pushes
forward. The loss of air restriction in front of the
paintball allows the paintball to shoot straighter and
further. The barrel porting also breaks up the sound made
when the gun is fired, thus the paintgun operates much
quieter.
- RIFLING, INTERNAL:
Grooves or raised points in a barrel that are either
straight or spiraled in pattern.
- SHERIDAN BASED:
Refers to those guns that are based on or are similar to
the original Sheridan family of guns. A Sheridan based
gun is generally discernible by its stacked design. The
hammer and valve system are in the lower section while
the bolt is in the upper section.
- SIGHT RAIL:
Allows the mounting of a sighting system to a paintgun.
- SIGHT RAIL, RAISED:
A sight rail that is raised up off the body of the gun.
The purpose for this is to allow the shooter a better
field of view.
- SIGHT, RED DOT:
A optical sighting device powered by a battery that
produces a red dot reticle. Red dot sights do not project
a dot on target.
- SIGHT RINGS:
Adapters to mount your sight to the sight rail. (Note:.
Different rings are required to mount different sights to
different guns.)
- SKIRMISH:
1. A fight between small bodies of troops.
2. Any brisk conflict or encounter.
- SKIRMISH LINE:
1. The invisible line between two opposing teams that
have confronted each other.
2. A formation taken where by players are positioned
beside each other in a line.
- SLIMED BARREL:
Slang for when a ball has broken in the barrel of a
paintgun and coated it with paint. A slimed barrel will
"not" shoot straight.
- SPECIFIC HEAT:
Amount of heat required to raise a unit mass of substance
one degree of temperature at either constant pressure or
constant volume. Usually expressed in BTU per pound per
degree F.
- SPECIFIC VOLUME:
Volume of a unit mass of substance at a given
temperature. Expressed as cubic feet per pound at 700 F.
- SPLATTER:
The residue sprayed on a player by a paintball when it
makes impact with a object close to that player.
- SPRING, MAIN:
The spring that drives the hammer.
- SPRING VALVE:
The spring that closes the valve after it has been opened
by the hammer.
- SQUAD:
1. The smallest military unit, consisting of 10 privates,
a staff sergeant, and a corporal.
2. Any small group of persons engaged in a common
enterprise; team.
- SQUEEGEE:
A device used to clean the barrel of a paintgun.
- STACKED CONFIGURATION:
Refers to the manner in which the bolt and hammer are
positioned in relation to each other inside the paintgun
receiver. A stacked configuration indicates that the bolt
and hammer are stacked one on top of the other.
- STICK FEED:
A gravity feeder, usually made out of PVC material, which
holds the balls stacked in a line one on top of the
other.
- STOCK 'L':
A shoulder stock that is shaped like an 'L' laying on its
side. This stock usually fastens to the bottom of the
paintgun's grip frame and may have a constant air tank
holder attached to it.
- STOCK 'T':
A shoulder stock that is shaped like a 'T' laying on its
side. This stock usually fastens to the bottom of the
paintgun's grip frame and may have a constant air tank
holder attached to it.
- SUPPRESSOR:
A tubular device that is press fitted onto the front end
of a paintgun barrel designed to reduce the amount of
sound that is made by the gun when it is fired. Also
known as Silencer.
- TANK, CHILLED:
Refers to a tank that has become very cold due to rapid
pressure loss. This may be caused by rapid firing or
purposefully releasing the remaining air pressure in a
tank. (Note, a tank must be chilled before it can be
filled with Co2).
- TANK, CONSTANT AIR:
a container or structure for holding a liquid or gas. In
Paintball a tank is made up from two components, a valve
and a bottle.
- TANK, ANTI-SIPHON:
A tank designed to allow only vaporous Co2 gas to exit
the tank through the tank valve.
- TANK, SIPHON:
A tank specifically designed to draw liquid Co2 from the
bottom of the tank. This is accomplished by a gas line
that is attached to rear end of the tank valve and
weighting down the other end of the gas line so that it
remains located in the bottom area of the tank.
- THREAD SAVER:
Also know as: Bottle cap. A protective cap that screws
onto a tank valve. This keeps the valve from being
damaged while not in use.
- TOOL, VELOCITY ADJUSTING:
Also called: Adjusting tool. A tool used specifically for
adjusting the velocity of a paintgun.
- TOURNAMENT CAP:
A cap which covers a gun's velocity adjuster so that the
velocity cannot be adjusted during game play, Normally
required for tournament play.
- TRIGGER SHOE:
After market product that fits on the trigger of a gun to
provide the trigger finger with more surface area to grip
the trigger and comfortable feeling.
- TWELVE GRAM:
Slang for 12 gram Co2 cartridge.
- TUBE, PAINTBALL:
A small cigar-like tube used to carry 10 paintballs.
- TUNNEL VISION:
Refers to a player who has focused so intently on the
player or players directly in front of him that he is not
aware of players moving to the side of him.
- UN (United Nations) Number:
The DOT (Department of Transportation) Number found on
the Cylinder (bottle) label. For example: UN1066, the
"UN" prefix to this number indicates that 1066
is recognized throughout the world as identifying
nitrogen. Sometimes "NA" (North America) will
appear as a prefix. NA numbers are recognized in the USA
and Canada.
- VELOCITY ADJUSTER:
A component of a paintgun (usually a set screw) that when
turned in either clockwise or counter clockwise direction
will increase or decrease the paintguns muzzle velocity.
- VALVE:
Any device for halting or controlling the flow of
something, such as a gas or liquid, through a pipe, out
of a bottle neck, or other passage.
- VALVE PORTING:
The enlarging or drilling of additional holes in a valve
body so that more gas will be released when valve system
is opened.
- VALVE SYSTEM:
All the internal parts in the paintgun which control the
flow of gas through the paintgun.
- WRENCH, ALLEN:
A hexagonal tool which comes in various sizes and is used
to turn screw fasteners such as hex or button head
screws. They are also used to turn anything that has a
hexagonal hole. In paintball they are used to adjust the
paintball gun's velocity as well as disassemble it.