NooB question from an AzN

[AzNooB]

I was wondering...Since Automags and Minimags run on high pressure, will nitro or HPA make a big difference in consistency when compared to CO2? I know it would be a big difference on an autococker because it runs on low pressure, but mags are different.

[Dark Cloud]

Running an Automag on Nitrogen would be much better for the gun. It wouldnt damage it like C02 would.

[Riddler236]

What does operating pressure have to do with the choice of propellent??? Any decent regulator can take CO2 or HPA down to "low pressure." The Shocker and Impy both run just fine on CO2 in the sub-200 psi range, and the Nova guns shoot at under 100psi on CO2.

While it is true that most guns perform better on HPA than CO2, HPA doesn't have any extra advantage over CO2 in the low-pressure category.

[Z-man]

Perhaps not but indirectly CO2's inherent problem will cause issues at high or low pressure.

Simply because CO2 has to go through a phase change which sucks up much more energy than does HPA which does not, if you start cranking out balls you will get liquid in the lines and pressure fluctuations... blah blah blah you know the rest.

Again I am not arguing the high / low pressure issue, I am just saying that HPA is better in either case because it is consistent and the mags do MUCH better on it (where as shockers can run either with relatively good performance)

[Cryer]

Since CO2 is a liquid, and needs to expand to a gas to be usable by a paintball marker, it has a tendency to be very inconsistant. Especially around 800 psi. (most CO2 tanks output around 800 psi, as well, 800psi is the best input pressure for the reg on the automag valve).
Unless you have a quality reg or a hefty expansion chamber (ie: palmers stabilizer), your consistancy will suffer. As well, if the CO2 doesn't have time to fully expand into gas by the time it gets to the valve, You will freeze all the internal o-rings, causing you mag to leak profusely, perhaps requiring a rebuild kit.
The best option in either case is HPA. Most tanks come preset to 800-850psi and since HPA is already a gas, it's infinitely more consistant even without a secondary regulator.

So, to answer you question, Yes.