Abstract: A miniature piston assembly composed of an elongated cylinder containing a piston head which may be displaced in response to digital hydraulic signals or otherwise and which is arranged to provide self-snubbing without requiring check valves. In the side wall of the cylinder are one or more ports spaced from one or more of the distal ends of the cylinder by a predetermined distance. When the piston is in juxtaposition with a port and approaching the proximate end of the cylinder, the cylinder and the piston define an annular clearance space of ever increasing length and fluid impedance for snubbing the motion of the piston with respect to the cylinder.