Kingman Group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kingman Group is a manufacturer of paintball markers. Their markers are renowned for their low cost and easy maintenance when compared to other markers. It was first created by Arthur Chang in 1992, but was recently incorporated into Kingman Group. Their main products are the Spyder line of markers, the Raven markers, and Java, which produces apparel and other equipment for paintball players.
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[edit] Stacked Tube Blowback
The Flagship of the Kingman line is considered to be the Spyder series of markers. They all operate on the basic principle of stacked tube blowback. It is a fairly simple and reliable system consisting of only a few parts. The mechanism is known for its ease of repair since most of its problems can be fixed with the replacement of a simple o-ring.
The system also tends to be louder than other makers due to the violence of the action within the marker. Its consistency is also questionable as there is no regulating system within the mechanism, meaning the speed at which the paintballs are launched will vary between shot to shot. This can be improved with the use of HPA/Air and by installing an external regulator.
[edit] Operation
The parts that make up the stacked tube blowback are the Body, Trigger Sear, Bolt, Striker/Hammer, Valve, Valve pin, Cup Seal, Main Spring, and Valve Spring.
When cocked, in the bottom tube, the main spring exerts forward pressure on the striker, which in turn is held in place by the trigger sear, the Valve spring exerts backwards pressure on the valve pin which closes the valve with the cup seal, thus holding back the Air/CO2. In the top tube sits the bolt which is connected by a rod to the striker and the paintball which sits in the chamber held in place by a detent.
When the trigger is pulled the sear releases the striker, which flies forward being pushed by the main spring. When it reaches its foward limit of travel it impacts the valve spring, thus pushing back the cupseal and opening the valve. The Air/CO2 is released, part of its volume is sent upwards into the bolt, which by this time has pushed the paintball into the barrel. This volume propells the paintball thru the air. The remainder of the gas pressure forces itself against the striker, pushing it against the mainspring and all the way back past the sear resetting the striker to its resting position, at the same time the valve spring pushes the pin and cupseal forward closing off the valve and resetting the system for its next shot.
The trigger sear can be released by either mechanical force, in so-called mechanical markers, or by a electro-magnetic solenoid in electronic markers.
[edit] Clones
The Stacked-tubed blowback system was first created by PMI for their PMI-III, later renamed as the VM-68. Its simplicity and reliability meant is was copied and improved upon by many other manufacturers.
Due to the popularity of the Spyders and the availability of their parts many manufacturers have produced products similar to the Spyders. These use practically the same internals and parts of the spyders. Some of these clones may even be of higher quality/performance to the spyder, while some may be cheaper or of less quality.
This mechanism is used by most low-end mechanical and electronic markers and can be easily identified by the double stacked tube body.
[edit] Products
Although a comprehensive list of all of the designs and variations of the Spyder is almost impossible to complete, here is a list of some of their products. These are the main 'models' of markers, each 'model' may have different 'sub-models' within it. For example, Spyder MR1, MR2, and MR3.
[edit] Spyder VS Series
The VS series was released on 4Q 2006 and is geared towards speedball/tourney players. The Spyder VS2 features an infinity trigger system with 3g technology, a valve that allows the marker to operate at 200psi and anti-chop eyes. The Spyder VS3 adds a Rocking Trigger.
[edit] Spyder MR Series
The MR series markers are geared towards players who prefer woodsball/scenario type games. They feature mil-sim style bodies painted flat-black and the same reliable action as other spyders.
The Spyder MR1 is the most basic MR marker and features a detachable stock and completely mechanical action similar to most mechanical Spyders. The Spyder MR2 features and electronic trigger frame, and an Anti-Chop System (ACS) Bolt which helps prevent chopping. The Spyder MR3 adds eyes to the electronic system to further prevent chops.
[edit] Electro Mechanical
[edit] Spyder Electra /w ACS
An electro-mechanical marker that features an Anti-Chop (ACS) Bolt, electronic trigger frame (CAMD v3.0), and a rocking trigger.
[edit] Spyder Electra /w eye
Same basic marker as the Electra but features a different electronic trigger frame (CAMD v4.0) and break-beam eyes to further prevent chopping.
[edit] Spyder Imagine
A low-end Electro Mechanical marker, features an electronic trigger frame (IPI v3.0) with Semi-Auto up to 14bps, 3 Bursts, 6 Bursts, and Full Auto modes. Also features a "Vizion" Rear-Cocking bolt.
[edit] Spyder Pilot
A low-end electro mechanical marker features an electronic trigger frame (CAMD) with Semi-Auto up to 14 bps, 3 Bursts, 6 Bursts, and Full Auto modes. It also has a top-cocking venturi bolt.
[edit] Spyder Pilot ACS
Same basic marker as the Spyder pilot, but featuring a different body and Anti-Chop bolt (ACS) that helps prevent chopping and a different trigger frame (CAMD v2.0)
[edit] Spyder Fenix ACS
Features a regulator with guage, an electronic trigger frame (CAMD v2.0), and a top-cocking Anti-Chop bolt (ACS) that helps prevent chopping. Also features a sleek milled body.
[edit] Spyder E-99
One of the early attempts at an electro-mechanical marker. Features an IPI electronic trigger frame, and rear cocking.
[edit] Mechanical Semi-Auto
[edit] Spyder Rodeo
The Spyder Rodeo is a mechanical semi-auto marker that features a Regulator that improves consistency, two-finger trigger and rear cocking. It also featured a milled aluminum body. The top-of-the-line Mechanical Spyder.
[edit] Spyder TL
The Spyder TL is a semi-auto mechanical marker that featured a new, for its time, sleek body, two-finger trigger, and top-cocking.
[edit] Spyder Xtra
The Xtra is an entry level mechanical marker that featured a two-finger trigger and gas-thru foregrip and rear cocking.
[edit] Spyder Sonix
Another entry-level marker. Featured two-finger trigger, gas-thru foregrip, and top-cocking.
[edit] Spyder Victor
An entry-level marker which usually comes as part of a kit. Features two-finger trigger, gas-thru foregrip, and "Vizion" rear-cocking. Comes in 3 versions: Spyder Victor II, Spyder Victor 2006, Spyder Victor.
[edit] Spyder Aggressor
One of the earlier markers, featured a quick-strip pin, rear cocking, vertical feed and two-finger trigger.
[edit] Spyder ONE/Classic
The earliest versions of the spyder. Came with single-finger trigger and side-cocking. Characterized by their silver bodies with black trigger frame and powerfeed tube.
[edit] Raven
[edit] Raven Nexion
A low-end electronic marker. Features a Regulator, vertical feed, electronic LCD trigger frame with 4 firing modes, and can operate on either CO2 or HPA
[edit] Raven Primal
A high-end electronic marker. Features SDE (Solenoid Direct Electro) system, Reactive Response Trigger, inline regulator with guage, and Low Pressure Regulator.
[edit] References
- (2007) About Kingman Group [1]
- (2007) OtterSC Customs, How Spyders Work [2]
- (2007) Goodman, Billy. Two Tube Blowback Basics [3]
