Spring Loaded Paintball Gun
Sunday July 27, 2008
While I have never owned an airsoft gun, many paintballers also delve into that world. While I know little about airsoft guns, I do know that many are spring powered, just like many BB guns. If springs are sufficient to shoot a small airsoft ball, what would it take to make a paintball gun that is spring powered?
While I am familiar with the little .50 caliber Splatmatic Shotgun, I'm unaware of any full-size .68 caliber, spring-powered guns. If such a thing could be built, I would be first in line to buy one. Even if it took considerable effort to cock, just the idea of playing stock-class paintball with no CO2 gives me shivers.
Any inventors out there or any paintball companies that are looking for a good idea - just make this happen.
Comments
Without some kind of air to push/cushion the impact on the ball it would fail miserably. Even if you were to create harder shell paintballs to withstand the impact from the bolt, it would be pointless to call it paintball because the shell would not break on impact. If you were to develop a spring loaded paintball marker, what you would have is a high-powered, very painful riot gun. Which of course only hurt paintballs reputation further; I can see the news headline now: “Local child disabled by paintball marker.” Bad idea if you ask me.
I disagree… a spring loaded paintball marker could be possible, but it would require some method for cushioned cupping of the paintball - a different load method than gravity would be required… My thought would be a cocking action to pull the spring back, and load a ball in one motion. The front arm which scoops and loads the paintball would very lightly hold it against the cup mounted on the spring. Pull the trigger, and the spring action pushes the cup (with the ball in it) up to velocity, and part of the cup would be a mechanism to push the loading arm out of the way without putting pressure on the paintball. With this design, not only would you get a spring loaded paintball gun, but you’d get it as a pump action rifle style… design it right, and it could be some fun realism!
I think a single shot could easily be accomplished and add to the fun of stock class. The only problem would be “sealing” the round projectile from the “blow by” gases. If we cannot get a good seal the “marker” will tear itself apart when the spring “smacks” the end of the cylinder in which it is compressing the air (gas).
Basically, a single shot break action marker similar to european air rifles.
Uh, guys… A spring gun operates by pushing on a piston which pushes air out to fire the ball. There is no impact of the piston on the ball. The quick action of the spring compresses the air in a small chamber with a small outlet and fires the ball at a considerable speed. High speeds are difficult because of the need for a high K spring, i.e. 40lb/in. which gives you a need for a lever to compress the spring. Also, the air in front of the piston is at atmospheric pressure, so the compression has to take place almost instantaneously since it is always vented to the barrel. A spring gun for .68 caliber is probably the easiest and cheapest way to go, even building one yourself. McMaster has the tubing of the right size for barrels and other than the piston works and chamber, the rest can be molded and/or made from the universal PVC pipe. Its easy to ‘melt’ or soften and then flatten to make panels too.