Ok, I know this post is kinda old, but still, I want to put something up. I (in my head) talked to myself for quite a while about why a closed bolt gun might have more range than an open bolt gun. This is what we (I) decided on. Ok, so it has been stated that both guns fire in the same order, but the gas release times are different, this is very true. However we all seem to have forgotten about gravity.
In a closed bolt gun, the ball is fired from the "rest" position. This means that there is little or no movement occuring as far as the ball is concerned. In an open bolt gun the ball is fired from a non-stationary position, the ball may be rolling or the paint possibly swirling inside...hmm...which way would paint swirl?
I believe that the possible "roll" and "air bearring" effect i've read about when combined together may cause a foward-spin on a ball. A foward-spin on a ball would cause the exact opposite of what tippmanns flatline barrel would. (obviously) Thus, the ball looses range. I'm not saying this is "fact" it is an _opinion_, my opinion. Let me know what you think.
I think this may be how the range/accuracy arguments were started years ago. I do believe that a proper paint/barrel match makes all guns equal, but years ago, who knew about that?