Technology of the C-3

This seems like the proper place to talk about this because here we talk about the "nuts & bolts" of how the markers work. This new propane powered marker intrigues the Oliver Twist* out of me. From what I read many people here in the forums don't fully understand that the propane is actually ignited inside the marker to shoot the ball out. The marker is not running off propane pressure as if it were CO2 or HPA. The propane is mixed with air in the chamber and ignited with a spark. The burning gas generates pressure, just as would gun powder, to propel the ball down the barrel.

Now, first thing that comes to mind is that in areas where policy tries to classify a paintball marker as a firearm, it will be a bit more difficult now that there is actually an ignition of fuel to shoot the ball. But this is absolutely cool!

The probability of more advanced markers, semi-auto and full auto, using this technology? It has been pointed out, obviously, that a high rate of fire presents a problem of heat dissipation. This is going to produce as much of a problem on how to get rid of the heat as it did when the first gunpowder powered machine guns came to existence. Also obviously, the quantity of heat produced may make it impossible to run barrels made out of epoxy/carbon fiber or maybe even aluminum. At best there is going to have to be a way to protect the shooter from the hot barrel. And I can imagine the field owner getting a little irate when you lay into his air bunker and melt a hole.

When I first started playing paintball I wondered why no one had attempted this type of propulsion process. It is used in so many industrial applications...pile drivers and earth compactors are a couple of tools with which you may be acquainted (different fuels, some use propane and some use gasoline or diesel) There are also nail drivers and bolt set guns that use propane.

I can see a future of fully functional barrel shrouds and and finned steel barrels. But there is the problem of temps beginning to melt the gelatin of the ball when loaded again and again into the hotter and hotter chamber. Let's see, maybe a rotating chamber system like a Colt revolver, but with a .68 caliber ball the scale would be along the lines of a Thompson sub-machine gun. Hmmmm, maybe a split second shot of liquid propane to cool the chamber between firings.

This propane powered marker could revolutionize the market for paintball markers, or it could be very short lived due to regulations and problems mentioned above. At the price I don't think the C-3, unless it is exceptionally accurate, will carry Tippmann into the next decade without a move up to at least semi-auto.

Someone has mentioned that Tippmann should have patented this to keep out competitors. Maybe they tried, and maybe they succeeded for the moment, but using electric (or compression) ignition with a fuel gas to propel a projectile is not a new idea and has in fact been used in several firearms over the last century. Let's hope Tippmann can carry this torch to the heights reached by their classic 98 and 98C.

* (the forum censors me if I use the last name of the author of this book in the sentence as if I were using slang for the male appendage)

Edited by Bruce A. Frank

Redundant wrote: Honestly i dont see propane powered markers going anywhere right now for the very same reasons you listed. I do however like the 60,000 shots per 16oz tank. I just want to no how big is a 16oz tank?

About the same size as a 20 oz CO2.

Actually the combustion does not directly propell the ball. The ignited gas forces a piston shut, compressing outside air to fire the ball.

Its just like one of those nerf guns with the big spring plunger that shoots the dart thingy. Except its combustion instead of a spring.

Its still preety amazing.

Tippmann has done it again!
While it may be a while for the full application of this technology to make its way into the market, I (for one) am convinced that Tippmann has continued in its uncanny tradition of revolutinizing paintball as we know it. This practically eliminates the problems associated with tanks - long drives to find O2 or Co2 fills, long fill lines at tourneys, getting gouged by the only n2 fill in town, the consitency and weather issues with CO2, etc...

While I can't say as the C3 is anywhere near the end-all of propane based markers, it is the start. If (paintball) history has taught us anything, its that big changes start small. Someone has an Idea, builds a product; someone #2 sees a flaw in the product and builds a better one; someone #3 sees the flaw in #2's product and builds a better one, and so on and so forth.

Give it a year or two, I predict big changes.

Only time will tell.


Ps. I'm suprised there isn't more discussion on this, I only found four threads.

I just read, and I am not sure what he used for his source, on another group that Tippmann is now in the process of making a semi-auto version with the C-3 technology. Can hardly wait!

Some discussion here:

http://www.mcarterbrown.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?action=forum&a mp;board=ogog&op=display&num=24682&start=90

and here:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/9013/message/1129851516/Are+y ou+kidding---%21---

Edited by Bruce A. Frank

Clark Kent wrote: There are a zillion threads about the C3 - most of they are just "oe noez ish teh firebomb". I am also fascinated by this new technology (new to paintball, that is).  And I agree with Bruce - this can/will revolutionize paintball IF and ONLY if they can make a semi.  Otherwise, it will at best be a specialty within the pump field.

When I say revolutionize I cannot over state myself. CO2 and HPA and all the related paraphernalia ( regulators, expansion chambers, volumizers, filling stations)will become obsolete! The potential for consistency shot to shot with a precise measurement of gas/fuel mixture is equal to or better than the best HPA setup. And I guess if you want to ramp the velocity you slip a little MAP gas in place of the propane

I hope to see a quick move to propane markers that will accept aftermarket barrels (Hate to have to set asside my Apex!).

Does it not count as a 'firearm' since all the propane does is move a piston which fires the ball indirectly? I agree, I'm not thinking of buying one at all but it's always cool to hear there is (possibly) new stuff around the corner that could change the gear most people use down the line.

the barrel is not the issue of heating up. Its main chamber itself. 

CO2 would only be needed if you used a semi-suto setup.

Using gills cut in the side (heatsink) wouls work.