Closed v. Open (Bolt)

[clockworkmiller]

What, if any, scientific explaination is there for the effects of a closed bolt versus an open bolt on a paintball's accuracy?

A lot of people have bought into the WGP's advertising of a cocker being more accurate gun that gets better distance. I am aware that distance is determinded by velocity, and accuracy is mainly determined by the barrel and paint. But could other factors in the gun play into these, and if so, how?

[Minimag4me]

there is no difference between open and closed bolt, check somewhere on www.warpig.com they did a test

the only other way to affect accuracy and distance is spin, whick you have witnessed with that big bertha hand cannon of yours

[clockworkmiller]

thats what I figured, thanks.

[liigod]

one thing that the closed botl gns do have is less blowback, but they also feed slower so its a plus and a minus. I will only shoot a closed bolt gun personally. I understand that there is almost no reason for it. But my cocker shoots straighter than my mag with the same paint to barrel match as my mag. I dont know why i dont care why. it does.

[Jonny05]

my 2c....

Accuracy is also determined by the "pre-coil" and "recoil" of the gun. Meaning if there is a lot of jump to the gun right before it shoots it will be less accurate. When there is a lot of recoil it will lead to an inaccurate second shot, third, and so on (in rapid fire). On cockers since only a hammer moves before the shot there is little precoil so it is considered accurate.

Also if you were to eliminate any reciprocating weight in the gun when firing it will increase accuracy. ie. using delrin, teflon injected nylon, or milling or turning down on internals like bolts and valves.

Or you could just hold your gun tighter

[Tim Jacobitz]

warpig.com has a good article about open vs. closed. the article proves there one does not work better than the other

[Cha0tic]

in an unrealistic enviroment, where recoil does not matter, accuracy is not effected. in real life, the recoil can make a slight difference, but not very much. the delrin bolts should take care of some of the problem with the mags recoil...

[Jonny05]

IMO...

What I have also noticed...

When a ball is in a chamber of an Open bolt gun and that chambers diameter is larger then .69'' the ball will litterly have to "jump" up into the breech of the barrel. This will cause a slight forward spin... BAD. It is hard to notice but ask angel owners about a slight hook they are incountering (angel breeches are big). I thought my theory would be wrong but then I heard about 12-15 people talking about it on the pbnation.com forum.

After that to only thing that can affect accuracy is gas disturbation on the ball. Not too many guns have this prob.

After that its all paint and wind.

Thats my home grown $0.02.

- Jon Kaye (no relation I think) aka JONNY.

[Potatoboy]

This jump is exactly why 'Mag work by dropping the ball directly into the barrel. This is also the reason do not like the Freak Barrel system, since the "back" is a very large bore that you put inserts into there will *always* be that jump.

[Jonny05]

You are correct...

Freak barrels will actually be worse then lets say an All American/ DYE/ etc because of the large breech and the smaller insert (for mags).

Mags have great potiental for being extremely accurate.

Since most other open bolt guns have a bore of .69'' (Impulses, Matrixes, Bushies) There is still the little jump. Hardly enough to effect accuracy but it is still there... Just more for angels.

The only thing holding mags back is "pre-coil" and recoil. Get rid of that and you have the most wanted gun on the market.

-Jon Kaye AKA JONNY

If you want to flame me e-mail me... I like discussion on this topic.

[AGD]

Nice discussion here guys. Yes lets say that reciprocating weight does have an effect on recoil and gun movement. Then by that thinking a heavy gun would be at an advantage because it's greater mass would move less. Do you see any accuracy difference between light an heavy markers?

AGD

ps someone measure the weight of a cocker hammer and rod and a Superbolt.

[Jonny05]

Sounds about right...

But who would want to add more weight? The only other thing you can do is have something move in the opposite direction of the origional reciprocating weight to cancel out the movements.... Seems not worth it just to eliminate a bit of recoil- not to mention things that could go wrong with the device.

You are better off finding a way to move less parts in a gun with light parts. NOT EASY. I managed to get an amazing Impulse hammer mod that takes off a lot of recoil. Still ave a little "jump" into the barrel but I'm not about to drop 500$ for a new Body to turn it into a mag type barrel.

But like I said... hold the gun tighter. Seriously it works.

-JONNY

[hitech]

Re: Sounds about right...

Originally posted by Jonny05
... hold the gun tighter. Seriously it works.

I'm with ya there. I have to have a shoulder "stock".

As far as open vs closed , way back before the automag there were basically two different types of semi auto paintball guns. There were the closed bolts (one by Glenn Palmer and one by Bud Orr) and open bolt blow back guns. The blow back guns had the bolt attached to the hammer. When you fired the gun the hammer shoved the bolt forward driving the paintball into the barrel and then cracking open a valve to fire the gun. Considering the consistency (or lack thereof) of paintballs the force required to shove the paintball into the barrel would be different. Since the hammer was attached to the bolt the force with which the hammer struck the valve would also be different, causing inconsistent velocities. Also, the moving parts were heavier, causing more precoil/recoil (ie, the gun moved more). At least, that was the prevailing theory at the time.

[clockworkmiller]

If the heavier guns do produce less recoil, since it's harder to move, then that would make a cocker more accurate than a mag, just because it weighs more.

I havnt read anything about a ball "jump" before, but that would make some sense. The only thing I can see is that it may cause more ball breaks, if the ball is hitting a lip, causing it to jump.

[Jonny05]

Well not necessarly...

You have to put it into categories.

Out of the blue lets say...

Paint is 10-15% of accuracy.
Gun precoil (varies with weight and moving parts) is 10-15%
Jump is 5-10%.
Gas dynamics is 2-5% of it.
Barrel is 30-40% of it.

That is completely random but you get the idea. To actually get a test you would need lots of time and money. Back to the point-> BY MAKEING A GUN HEAVIER YOU WONT CURE TE OTHER PROBLEMS. It may in fact hinder your play.

**other factors like ball detents and recoil are not even taken into consideration**

CLOCKWORKERMILLER-Ball jump or forward roll is something I thought of when making a few custom angel bolts (realizing the larger diameter). I figured it wouldn't have any effect but I watched many people talking about it. So many with different bolts, barrels, gas systems, paint, etc. Still one factor is the same in all cases... the 18mm chamber (big trip on barrel lip).

Anyone care to disagree with my theory or give me the cash to test?