Action
The generic term for the operating system of a paintmarker. Often preceded by the action type. (i.e. pump-action)
Agitator
An electrically driven motor onto which a paddle or "propeller" is attached. This device is mounted inside a feeder to stir the paintballs inside the feeder to ensure proper feeding.
The agitator is usually activated by a light sensor in the feed tube of the feeder. When no paintball is interrupting the light beam, the agitator is activated. Some other agitators are plugged directly into the marker and are activated by trigger pull. Others siphon off portions of gas to work the agitating action.
Agitators became necessary when the semi-automatic paintmarker designs became more sophisticated. With this sophistication came a smoother operating system and less vibration. It was the vibration of the older actions that aided feeding of the paintballs. With this "harmonic" vibration gone, the agitator found its place in the world of paintball gadgets.
The agitator also helps speed up feeding during rapid fire, with semi-automatics capable of firing many shots a second, the mere force of gravity is not sufficient to reliably feed balls.
(L)Drawing of an agitating loader. (R)A clear loader showing the machanism.
Airsmith
A person who is in the business of repairing or customizing paintmarkers. It is a play off the word gunsmith.
Allen-head Screws
Also known as machine screws, they have a hexagonal hole in the head. Allen srews are used as the heads are not as easily damaged as conventional screw heads are and the hexagonal head hole allows more torque to be applied to the screw.
Allen Wrench
A wrench used specifically for allen-head screws.
Anodizing
This is the anti-corrosion coating given to aluminum via electrolysis. Aluminum, while corrosion resistant, is not corrosion proof. Anodizing can be done in a full spectrum of colours and many players use custom anodizing as a cosmetic modification to their paintmarkers.
A very detailed explanation can be found at Doc's Machine and Airsmith Services
Anti-Double Cocking Device
This device found in some pump-action markers, prevents a second ball from loading once the action is cocked. The pump is locked in the forward position until the trigger is depressed and the marker fires. This is an especially good feature for players unfamiliar with the pump action as invariably they will inadvertently load another ball into the chamber.
Anti-double Feed
The generic term for a device which prevents the feeding of two paintballs at once. The device holds a paintball in the marker's chamber until the bolt moves forward to push it into the barrel.
Double feeding results in both paintballs breaking in the barrel. If the balls do not break, their range is greatly reduced. Worse than a double feed is a paintball that only feeds part way. This happens when the paintball in the breech rolls forward slightly and second ball partially drops into the breech. When the bolt moves forward, it usually shears the second ball in half, spreading paint both into the barrel and back up into the feed system. The anti-double feed device prevents this.
Most can be adjusted for slight variations in paintball diameters.
Anti-siphon Tube/Valve
This is a tube or valve inside of a CO2 constant air tank that prevents liquid CO2 from entering the paintmarker's valve system. Many newer semi-automatics will suffer stoppages or internal damage if liquid CO2 is introduced into the power system. This is because liquid CO2 will expand very rapidly and exceed the capacity of the paintmarker's valve chamber, causing the marker to shut down or vent gasses, as a safety measure.
This is because liquid in the inner workings of the marker may damage seals and other components. Some anti-siphon tubes rely on tank orientation, while others do not.
Both should be installed by a qualified airsmith to ensure they work properly.
(L)Antisiphon tube (R)Antisiphon Valve
Armband
This is a coloured band of cloth or tape worn by players to aid in the distinguishing of friend or foe. Often times, to alleviate confusion, the flags will match the team's arm band colour.
ASA
Air Source Adaptor. This term was coined by Line SI, manufacturers of the Bushmaster, pump-action paintmarker. It was intended to take the place of the popular term "donkey C/A" which was an opening in the rear of the marker that allowed the constant air tank to be screwed in and thus serve a secondary duty as a shoulder stock.
The term ASA is now used as a generic term for any opening that allows a C/A tank to be screwed into the paintmarker. Most ASAs have a small protruding nipple that depresses the pin in a pin valve, opening it and allowing the gas from the tank to enter the power system.
Auto-Response
While originally a trade name (used my Airgun Designs), it became the generic term for any system that allowed a semi-automatic paintmarker to fire when the trigger was both depressed and released. This effectively doubled the firepower with no difference in how the marker is operated. These devices are barred from many fields, on the recreational level, as few players wish to be on the "business end" of such a stream of paint.
Auto-Trigger
A feature found on pump action markers. This allows the player to hold the trigger in its fully depressed position and make the paintmarker fire as fast as the player can work the pump action. The auto-trigger was designed to combat the firepower of the semi-automatics. However, with all that slamming back and forth of the pump, accuracy left little to be desired.
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All of the articles in the "virtual book" Durty Dan's Paintball Information Services are free to use for webpages, school projects, reference and to promote paintball to players and the non-playing public. Credit for the source of the information should be included in the bibliography or references page.
© Durty Dan Enterprises 2000. All rights reserved. All works contained herein are under copyright of the author Durty Dan. While the Terms of Use are broad they do not include the right to republish this work in any publication (hardcopy or electronic) for the purposes of personal financial gain.
