[Updated] How Does CO2 Paintball Guns Work? | 2022 Complete Guide

How Does CO2 Paintball Guns Work? This article explains the working process of CO2 paintball. Paintball guns are usually driven by compressed air, which helps the paintball cycle and propel. Carbon dioxide (C02) is a widely used propellant that is often housed in small cartridges or huge tanks attached to the paintball marker. What is the mechanism of a CO2 paintball gun?

A CO2 paintball gun operates as follows: after cocked, the paintball falls from the hopper into the barrel of the gun. A tiny burst of CO2 is then released, pushing the paintball ahead with enormous force and allowing it to move forward. This process is comparable to that of a compressed air-powered marker.

Do you want to know how CO2 paintball guns work? Then you’ve arrived at the ideal location. Continue reading as we compare the basic functions of CO2 paintball markers to those driven by high-pressure air (HPA).

The Main Parts of Paintball Gun: How It Works – How Does CO2 Paintball Guns Work?

A paintball gun, also known as a marker, is made up of four basic parts: the body, hopper, barrel, and air tank. These components work together to guarantee that the gun performs as intended. The most frequent propellant was compressed carbon dioxide (liquid form) at first. However, high-pressure air (HPA) is chosen as a paintball gun propellant due to various limitations that we’ll address later.

The hopper is a crucial component that transports paintballs while also serving as a storage area for ammo and a loading mechanism for the gun. Hoppers are frequently equipped with firing components that keep a single paintball in place until the trigger is pressed again.

While firing assemblies differ based on the type of marker, paintball guns generally use the same mechanism. When you squeeze the trigger, the CO2 is released in short bursts through the airline and into the barrel. The paintball falls into the barrel (from the hopper) before the gas is discharged in these guns.

When the liquid CO2 exits the tank, the ambient heat within the gun aids in the conversion of the CO2 to a gaseous state, allowing the paintball to be propelled.

After that, CO2 (in a gaseous condition) is released behind the paintball. The paintball is pushed from behind by the high-pressure gas, which causes the internal pressure to exceed the external pressure. Because of the pressure difference, the paintball propels forward with tremendous force, allowing you to aim and hit a target.

Because of the potential for injury, the speed of most paintball markers is closely restricted. Paintball guns are typically regulated to travel at a maximum speed of 300 feet per second, or roughly 91 meters per second. You’ll need to be cautious since, while the impact won’t result in significant injury, the balls can sting a lot, especially if they strike your skin.

The Benefits of Using CO2 to Run Paintball Markers – How Does CO2 Paintball Guns Work?

CO2 is used in paintballing in two forms: 12-gram cartridges (paintball guns and stock class markers) and refillable tanks. These containers are often filled with liquid carbon dioxide, which expands to provide enough pressure to send the paintballs through the barrel.

CO2 markers have a couple of advantages, despite their lack of popularity.

Below are some of the key advantages of using CO2 as a propellant in your paintball marker, aside from the fact that it is widely available.

• Highly affordable and available: CO2 tanks are widely available, lowering overall expenses when compared to HPA. In a paintball field, you don’t need to replenish a CO2 tank because welding supplies and fire extinguisher businesses can quickly refill your tank. The information about the best places to replenish your paintball tank can be found here.
• More shots per fill: CO2 is denser than HPA in a gas state, allowing for more shots and propulsion per fill. This means that a single CO2 tank may accomplish a lot more than a comparable-sized HPA tank.
• CO2 tanks are affordable: CO2 tanks are much easier to obtain than HPA tanks because they are far less expensive. This enables you to play more games, which is especially useful if you have more than three tanks.

Disadvantages of Using CO2 To Power Paintball Markers

• CO2 isn’t compatible with all paintball markers: CO2 isn’t compatible with the majority of current paintball markers. This is because CO2 is harsh on a marker’s seals and can permanently harm the solenoids in most electro-pneumatic markers if it gets to them. A few paintballing grounds no longer have the necessary equipment to replace CO2 tanks.
• CO2 cloud can obstruct vision: Unlike HPA, CO2 can obstruct eyesight because of the cloud that forms at the end of the barrel after the gun is discharged. While you can still fire past the CO2 cloud, it can give away your position, especially if you’re playing alongside experienced paintballers.
• Unstable pressure: As the tank temperature drops, the output pressure normally reduces as well. As a result, unless you allow the tank to warm up again, your total velocity may drop dramatically. Similarly, if the tank temperature becomes too high, it may over-pressurize, resulting in a velocity spike that could cause harm.
• Did you know that when CO2 expands from a liquid to a gaseous state, it chills the gun and the tank? As a result, the more you shoot, the colder the entire system becomes, increasing the likelihood of the gun malfunctioning, particularly in cold weather.
• Measurement is difficult: Unless you remove the tank and set it on a weighing scale, you won’t know how much CO2 is left in it. This can lead to frustration in the game, particularly if you only have one CO2 tank.

The Advantages of Using HPA To Power Paintball Markers

HPA tanks, also known as compressed air tanks, are similar to scuba tanks in that they are filled with compressed air. These tanks are built of carbon wrapped aluminum or aluminum and can withstand internal pressures of 3000-4500 psi.

Valves with built-in regulators are common in HPA tanks. The regulators and valves work together to reduce tank pressure to a useable, game-friendly level. As a result, the standard output pressure is 850 psi. However, depending on the attached regulator, the pressure can be adjusted to anywhere between 300 and 1100 psi, making the tanks acceptable for a paintball game.

HPA tanks were introduced to the marketplace to address the various temperature and pressure-related issues that CO2 tanks have. When using HPA tanks, you can shoot the gun as often as you want without risking a shootdown, which is not the case with CO2 tanks.

Some of the benefits of using HPA tanks to power paintball guns are listed below.

• Consistent output pressure: HPA paintball tanks provide a consistent output pressure, which is one of its key advantages. HPA tanks’ output pressure is unaffected by external pressure, making them an excellent choice for all-weather paintballing.
• Doesn’t emit a vision-obscuring cloud: HPA, unlike CO2, does not create a cloud of gas that can obstruct your vision during a game. While a cloud can form when playing in extremely humid conditions, the odds of being obstructed are quite low.
• Compatible with all paintball markers: Since CO2 is gradually being phased out, most paintball markers are built to work with HPA. HPA is compatible with almost all paintball markers.
• Many paintball fields have unlimited HPA refills: When dealing with CO2 tanks, the cost of refilling is normally charged per tank. Most HPA fields, on the other hand, demand flat costs of $5-$10 to refill the tanks for the full day.
• Easy refill: HPA tanks are among the most straightforward to refill. All you have to do now is connect the fill hose to the nipple and fill the tank with gas. For a refill, you won’t have to dump air into the tank.
• Adjustable output pressure: Some businesses make adjustable tank regulators that let you set the output pressure to anything you choose, as long as it stays within the permitted range.

The Disadvantages of Using HPA To Power Paintball Markers

• HPA tanks are fairly costly: HPA tanks are substantially more expensive than CO2 tanks, making it difficult to purchase multiple tanks. HPA tanks can cost as much as $250, depending on the materials used in their manufacture and the regulator used. One of the reasons why paintball is so expensive to play is because of this.
• HPA tanks are bulky: HPA tanks are bigger than CO2 tanks, making them a little more difficult to transport. Despite their slightly bigger proportions, the tanks are incapable of firing additional bullets per tank.

The Main Types of Paintball Guns – How Does CO2 Paintball Guns Work

In paintball, there are three different types of paintball guns.

Pump Paintball Markers

Paintball markers started with pump guns. These guns have resurfaced on the market due to their capacity to improve a player’s field skills and gun operation, despite their simple design and manual operation.

When using a pump gun, you must pump it like a shotgun and chamber a paintball every time you want to fire. Some pump guns, such as the Empire Paintball Sniper Pump Marker, are incredibly dependable, allowing players to practice their shooting precision and field skills.

It’s worth noting, though, that first-time paintball players may struggle using pump paintball markers, particularly when fighting against opponents who use semi-automatic guns. If you prefer a shotgun approach, though, you’ll like employing these gun.

Mechanical Paintball Guns

You’ll see these guns in most (if not all) paintball fields because they’re the most prevalent form of paintball marker. These markers are semi-automatic, low-cost, and simple to keep up with. Mechanical paintball markers are simple to operate and don’t take long to get used to if you have the correct accessories.

Mechanical paintball guns are unique in that they may use both CO2 and compressed air to operate. If you’re playing on a commercial paintball field or near a pro shop, you can quickly get your tanks refilled.

A unique blowback mechanism is used in a significant number of mechanical paintball markers. The blowback mechanism initiates a series of internal events that allow the paintball to be fired from the barrel. Basically, when you squeeze the trigger, it moves an internal sear catch, which releases a spring-tensioned hammer or striker.

The hammer then strikes the valve, which opens for long enough for the paintball to exit the barrel. The hammer is thrown back by the pressure released by the fire until it is securely held by the sear. Once another paintball lands in the breech, the process can be repeated.

Stack tube and inline blowback markers are the two most common types of blowback markers. If you’re seeking for a gas-efficient mechanical paintball marker, the stack tube design is a good option. If you desire a gun, inline markers are a wonderful option. You can upgrade later to boost your overall game performance.

Electronic Paintball Guns

Electronic paintball guns have become more affordable over time, despite their initial high cost. A 9-volt battery commonly powers these paintball markers, which helps to power the electrical solenoid that releases fire.

Players can attain rapid rates of fire with electronic paintball guns thanks to an internal micro-switch. Pulling the trigger on an electric paintball pistol is rather simple, making it a good choice for novices. The markers can manage multiple firing modes, such as ramping, full auto, and burst, thanks to a circuit board that regulates all commands sent to the solenoid.

The pneumatic poppet valve, spool valve, and electric sear tripper are the three major types of electronic paintball guns.