A common issue among most paintball players is their paintball gun rapid-firing or double-firing. I have seen many paintball-related forums with unanswered threads for this specific question. The main reason is that it is a complicated topic to explain.
Basically, a rapid-fire or double-fire issue can happen due to a problem with any one part: the ball detent, sear, bolt, and O-rings. Usually, a paintball gun firing two balls with one trigger pull means the issue is with your ball detent. And two quick-pops with a single trigger pull means the problem is with your sear or rear bolt.
Since this blog’s main motive is to help all paintball players with solutions to every question they have, I decided to collect some data so you can have a straightforward solution to this issue.
Let’s go over the different types of problems, how to identify them, and how to fix them.
First, Identify Your Paintball Gun Rapid Fire Issue
As I mentioned, there are two different ways rapid firing can occur; either your paintball gun is firing two (or more) paintballs with one trigger pull, or it’s firing two or more pops with one trigger pull but firing only one ball.
The steps to identify which one is your problem are pretty straightforward:
- Take your gun to a safe area.
- Fire your gun at a net.
- Check how many balls were fired or how many pops were executed in a single trigger pull.
Firing Two Or More Balls With A Single Trigger Pull
You might be wondering how your paintball gun could fire two or more balls at a time. Well, there is a part called a “ball detent” which lets the paintballs into the chamber. If there is an issue with that part, it can release more balls than necessary.
Besides being wasteful, it can significantly reduce the accuracy and range of your shots as the balls hit each other on the way out.
How To Fix A Ball Detent
The easiest way you can solve this is to replace the ball detent. Now, I will provide a guide on how to do that, but the best way, if you’re a beginner, would be to either go to a service shop or follow a YouTube video.
Note: I am using a Tippmann 98 Custom Platinum Series for this guide, so this may vary slightly.
- First, get a screwdriver that is suitable for your screw size.
- Remove all the screws using the key.
- Remove the backside cover first.
- Most of the time, the sear or spring will kind of pop out of its position; that is normal.
- Pull off the receiver part (the front part).
- On the left side below the front bolt, you will see a slot that looks like it’s made perfectly for paintball.
- This is the slot where you’re going to place the new ball detent
- Hold the ball detent with some pressure so that you can place it on the slot below the front bolt.
- Sometimes, it may pop out of the slot, so try few more times until it’s solid.
- Let it sink into the slot until it’s depressed by the front bolt.
- Next, make sure every little part is back where it was.
- Put back the cover on the receiver front first and then the rear.
- Screw everything back, and you’re done.
How To Test Your Fix
Now that you have replaced the ball detent, test your gun to ensure that you put everything back correctly and that the fix worked.
- Attach the paintball hopper and fill it.
- Cock your gun and fire on a net.
- Check whether double firing is happening or not.
- Next, hold your gun vertically down.
- Check if any balls fell out of it.
- If both the cases are fine, then you are all set to go.
Most of the time, replacing the ball detent will fix this issue.
Firing A Single Ball With Two Or More Quick Shots (Pops)
If your paintball gun executes two or more quick shots for a single trigger pull while firing only one ball, then there might be some problem with your sear or rear bolt (hammer).
What Is A Paintball Gun Sear?
A paintball gun sear is a part that holds the rear bolt or hammer back in its resting position after it is fired. The rear bolt will then be released by the sear when you pull the trigger again.
What Is A Paintball Gun Hammer?
A hammer is also known as the rear bolt; it is a part that performs the firing action inside a paintball gun. A hammer plays the most vital role in the functioning of a paintball gun.
Ideally, a sear is supposed to catch and hold the bolt back after a successful shot. In the case of a worn sear, it won’t hold it, which may lead to rapid-fire. Similarly, a loose or worn-out bolt can make it hard for the sear to catch it.
A worn sear can wear a good working bolt too, so it is always advisable to replace both the sear and the bolt if that is your problem.
How To Fix A Worn Sear And Rear Bolt
- First, get a screwdriver that is suitable for your screw size
- Remove all the screws using the key.
- Remove the backside cover first.
- Most of the time, the sear will kind of pop out of its position.
- If it didn’t, simply remove the sear.
- Then remove the rear bolt, which will be attached to the front bolt.
- Carefully replace the bolt with a new one by inserting the springs and o-rings.
- Place the bolt inside its socket.
- Now replace the sear with the new one.
- Make sure the sear is placed correctly in the socket on the bottom of the rear bolt.
- Next, make sure everything’s back where it is supposed to.
- Put back the cover on the receiver front first and then the rear.
- Screw everything back, and you’re done.
Test Your Fix
Now that you have replaced the sear and rear bolt, let’s test your gun to ensure that your gun does not fire twice.
- Attach the paintball hopper and fill it.
- Cock your gun and fire.
- Listen to whether double firing is happening or not.
Additional Solution For A Rapid Firing Paintball Gun
If your paintball gun is still rapid-firing, then there is a chance that the O-rings are too lubed. In such case, follow the below steps.
What Is An O-Ring?
O-rings are round (or O-shaped) rings used to cover the excess space inside a paintball gun. They are used in multiple places throughout the internals.
How To Fix Excess Lube
- First, get a screwdriver suitable for your screw size.
- Remove all the screws.
- Remove the backside cover first, then remove all other parts.
- Single out the O-rings and put them in a little bowl.
- Use a dry cloth and remove excess lube inside your gun then off the O-rings.
- Re-lube them appropriately.
- Put everything back in place, place the covers, re-screw, and you’re done.
Conclusion
A paintball gun rapid-fire issue can happen due to an issue with the ball detent, sear, bolt, and, lastly, O-rings. The steps taught in this post will fix the issue in most cases.
If it didn’t, get it to a service shop.
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