Abstract: An barrel (or barrel section) for a pneumatic gun can comprise a plurality of grooves and ridges arranged in parallel straight lines. The ridges may have a substantially arch-shaped cross-section with a rounded upper surface to provide minimal contact with a projectile such as a paintball being launched through the barrel. The grooves preferably provide channels to permit water and debris to be expelled from the barrel without interfering with the projectile travel. A plurality of apertures may be formed through a sidewall of the barrel along one or more of the grooves to further help expel water and debris, to impart spin to the projectile, and/or to improve a sound signature of the barrel.

Abstract: A rifled barrel may have a rifling pattern formed along an internal surface of the barrel by forming a corresponding pattern on the external surface of the barrel. The rifling pattern includes one or more indentations or protrusions formed in a spiral pattern along a length of the barrel. The corresponding pattern includes indentations formed into the external surface. A method of manufacturing includes moving a length of tubing past a die or other tool having one or more protrusions configured to indent the external surface. Alternatively, the rifled pattern may be formed by drawing a tool through tubing before it is cut into individual barrel lengths. The tool or tubing is rotated to create one or more spiral indentations and/or protrusions in a rifling pattern along the internal diameter of the tubing. The tubing is then cut and provided with threading to form a rifled barrel.

Abstract: A trigger assembly and mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve provide improved feel and performance for a pneumatic gun. The trigger assembly can include a trigger having a cam-shaped contact surface. A separate actuator can be arranged between the trigger and a valve actuator. The contact surface of the trigger contacts the actuator to cause a contact surface of the actuator to actuate the valve actuator. Roller bearing contact surfaces can be provided on one or both ends of the actuator to reduce friction between the contact surfaces. The valve actuator may control a face seal, pin valve, and plug member to control distribution of gas within the valve. The face seal and pin valve members can redundantly seal an exhaust port. The plug member can seal off an input port during a firing operation of the pneumatic gun to improve gas efficiency.

Abstract: According to principles of the present inventive concepts, a mechanically-actuated pneumatic valve can comprise an input port receiving compressed gas from a compressed gas regulator and one or more output ports. A face seal can be arranged in the valve body and be configured to move between two positions. In a first position, the face seal can permit compressed gas from the input port to be supplied to a first output port. In a second position, the face seal can vent compressed gas from the valve body through an exhaust port. An actuator, such as a pin or pin-shaped actuator, for example, can be configured and arranged to move the face seal from the first position to the second position, such as during a trigger pull. A contact surface could be configured to physically contact a surface of the pin-shaped actuator (either directly from the trigger or through one or more other components or mechanisms) and drive the face seal to its second position during actuation of the trigger.