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Q. What Does an Expansion Chamber Do?

From David Muhlestein,
Your Guide to Paintball.
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A. The conversion of liquid Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to gaseous CO2 is an endothermic reaction which means that it takes in heat from the surrounding area and leaves the gun much colder. Rapid firing will cause the gun to become very cold, which will then slow down the conversion of CO2 from the liquid to the gaseous state, resulting in very inconsistent shooting. An expansion chamber increases the amount of space the liquid CO2 has to expand in (and increases the area from which to pull heat), thus increasing consistency during intense firing. Additionally, when the outdoor temperature is cooler, an expansion chamber helps a gun shoot more consistently for the same reasons. Be warned, no expansion chamber is large enough to insure consistent firing with CO2 in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
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