| The most recent push by major paintball gun | | | | part of the bolt's new design. Because you cannot test |
| manufacturers is to create technology that is easier on | | | | varying degrees of fragile paintballs, it is hard to test |
| the brittle paint that causes so many of us problems. | | | | just how much of a difference the new bolt has on |
| The goal is to make it possible to use more brittle paint | | | | these weaker paintballs. However, it was possible to |
| more readily, reducing the risk of bouncing paintballs | | | | use a selection of similar paintballs and measure any |
| against an opponent. | | | | variations in their break rate against the bolt. |
| The most recent release in the industry wide push to | | | | To ensure the paintballs were measured at the same |
| achieve this enhanced level of brittle paintball friendly | | | | constant, gravity was used as a constant for |
| markers is the Infinity Legend with its Soft-Tipped bolt | | | | acceleration. The paintballs were dropped from a |
| replacement. The new bolt has replaced the old with a | | | | height of 84 inches where the paintballs broke 100% of |
| cushioned face and slightly lighter, shorter design. | | | | the time on impact. Then, the same paintballs were |
| In addition, this new bolt has a contoured backing which | | | | dropped onto the bolts - both the regular stock bolt |
| is designed to match the angled cut in the back of the | | | | and the soft-tipped bolt. |
| receiver. The varied pin retention style of the Soft Tip | | | | Of the paintballs dropped on the stock bolt, all five |
| bolt from the original stock bolt is very important. With | | | | broke upon impact. Of those dropped on the |
| the inclusion of Infinity's lighter hammer design, | | | | soft-tipped bolt, only one paintball broke, a much better |
| introduced in September of this year, the Infinity's stock | | | | rate. |
| bolt was made it much easier to change the head | | | | The impacts were measured as evenly and similarly |
| screw. A simple pull of the pin would remove the | | | | as possible, but because they were measured by |
| necessary spring and ball-bearing. | | | | hand drops, they may not have been completed at the |
| With the introduction of the new soft-tipped bolt, things | | | | same, ideal rate and under the same conditions. |
| are made slightly more complex. The pin detent spring | | | | However, it is clear from these results that the |
| is now in front of the pin, and is held there by a central | | | | soft-tipped bolt has a significant effect on the break |
| aluminum diffuser which is held in place by a separate | | | | rate of paintballs based on the impact they have on |
| steel pin. It is necessary now to ensure that the | | | | the bolt. If more fragile paintballs are capable of |
| soft-tipped bolt matches the link pin to the hammer. | | | | withstanding the impact of the bolt, then they can be |
| In the front of the Soft-Tipped Bolt is a small bumper, | | | | used to ensure there are no bounce offs during a |
| very flexible in its design. It is an essential and integral | | | | game. |