Kingman Group
Encyclopedia
Kingman Group is a manufacturer of paintball markers; including the line of Spyder, Raven, and Java brands, all of which (except for Java) produce markers and apparel for paintball players.
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/. 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 forward limit of travel it impacts the valve spring, thus pushing back the cupseal and opening the valve. The air/ 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 propels the paintball through 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 an electro-magnetic solenoid in electronic markers.
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.
The new generation Electra and Pilot electric markers were introduced into the Spyder community in 2008. They were designed with a shorter body reverting back to the old style valve and striker system of the past, replacing the gen II balance valve system used in the RS & VS markers. They are equipped with a regulator and run at a relative 300psi low pressure from the box. This generation Spyder is a streamlined version that is short and comfortable, light, fast with advanced electronics and has about every upgrade of the past including a metal locking feedneck.
The MR series markers are geared towards woodsball or scenario players, and feature mil-sim style bodies with a choice of matte black or a matte olive green finish. The Spyder MR1
is the basic MR marker and features a detachable stock and completely mechanical (although there is an electronic version) action similar to most mechanical Spyders.
The Spyder MR2 is a electronic marker, and is the first military-style electronic marker designed by Kingman Group. Much like the mechanical Spyder MR1
, it has an offset feed neck for rifle-like sighting, a 12 inch muzzle brake barrel, an anti-double feed detent to prevent misloading and a matte black finish. Unlike the MR1, however, the MR2 has a raised sight rail for easing mounting of a scope or sight, an ACS 2.0 second generation anti-chop bolt
and a snap grip bolt that eliminates the outside movement of the bolt during firing.
Being an electronic paintball marker, the MR2 uses a 9.6 V rechargeable battery that is included with purchase. It features automatic
, semi-automatic
, and burst fire modes that can easily be changed at any time using a rate of fire activator in the back of the pistol grip. It can fire at 25 balls per second in semi-automatic firing mode. It also has a two finger trigger (or double trigger) for fast firing in semi-automatic.
The VS series was released in 2006 and was geared towards new tournament speedball players or intermediate recreational players. The Spyder VS1 is an electronic marker with eyes, featuring semi-automatic and 3-round burst modes as standard.
The Spyder VS2 is a stacked tube blowback marker - featuring a 12 inch ported Spyder barrel, an infinity trigger system with Spyder's "3G" technology, and a valve that allows the marker to operate as a LP (low pressure) system. In addition, it includes anti-chop eyes, an on/off, and a membrane pad mode selector on the grip frame of the marker. The marker is capable of firing 25 balls per second.
Body kits are available for the VS2 in red, blue, green, and yellow. Scenario Dreams, Tadao, and Virtue all make boards compatible with the VS2, the latter being a universal Spyder board.
The Spyder VS3 improves on the VS2 with a "Rocking Trigger". The Spyder VS series is available in many colors, and allows the user to purchase body kits that are interchangeable between the VS2 and VS3.
The Spyder RS line, used their "SE Technology" (Synergy Engineered Technology), which they claim can reduce barrel breaks. There are were two models, the RS, and the RSX. The RS is the less expensive of the two and can operate on or HPA at approximately 300 PSI. The RSX is the higher end of the two, and according to Kingman's claims, it can only operate on HPA at a pressure of 250 PSI. In addition, they both include membrane buttons, and the RSX contains a Tadao Technologies circuit board which is normally an aftermarket upgrade for other markers.
Method of 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/. 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 forward limit of travel it impacts the valve spring, thus pushing back the cupseal and opening the valve. The air/ 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 propels the paintball through 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 an electro-magnetic solenoid in electronic markers.
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.
Classic Series
New Gen Electra & PilotThe new generation Electra and Pilot electric markers were introduced into the Spyder community in 2008. They were designed with a shorter body reverting back to the old style valve and striker system of the past, replacing the gen II balance valve system used in the RS & VS markers. They are equipped with a regulator and run at a relative 300psi low pressure from the box. This generation Spyder is a streamlined version that is short and comfortable, light, fast with advanced electronics and has about every upgrade of the past including a metal locking feedneck.
- Spyder Xtra: The Xtra is an entry level mechanical marker that featured a two-finger trigger,an expansion chamber, and a top cocking Delrin Bolt.
- Spyder Sonix: Another low end marker. Featured two-finger trigger, gas-thru foregrip, and a top cocking Delrin Bolt.
- Spyder Victor: Spyder's most basic marker. Features two-finger trigger, and Pull Pin Top Cocking Delrin Bolt.
Spyder MR series
Spyder MR1
The Spyder MR1 is a MilSim paintball marker designed and manufactured by Kingman Group, now superseded by the Spyder MR2 and MR3 models.-Design:The Spyder MR1 is a low-end mechanical marker...
is the basic MR marker and features a detachable stock and completely mechanical (although there is an electronic version) action similar to most mechanical Spyders.
The Spyder MR2 is a electronic marker, and is the first military-style electronic marker designed by Kingman Group. Much like the mechanical Spyder MR1
Spyder MR1
The Spyder MR1 is a MilSim paintball marker designed and manufactured by Kingman Group, now superseded by the Spyder MR2 and MR3 models.-Design:The Spyder MR1 is a low-end mechanical marker...
, it has an offset feed neck for rifle-like sighting, a 12 inch muzzle brake barrel, an anti-double feed detent to prevent misloading and a matte black finish. Unlike the MR1, however, the MR2 has a raised sight rail for easing mounting of a scope or sight, an ACS 2.0 second generation anti-chop bolt
ACS bolt
An ACS bolt is a special type of bolt used in some Paintball markers. The purpose of the ACS bolt is to reduce the amount of chopping by using a system that detects when there is an obstruction in the chamber and brings the bolt back...
and a snap grip bolt that eliminates the outside movement of the bolt during firing.
Being an electronic paintball marker, the MR2 uses a 9.6 V rechargeable battery that is included with purchase. It features automatic
Automatic firearm
An automatic firearm is a firearm that loads another round mechanically after the first round has been fired.The term can be used to refer to semi-automatic firearms, which fire one shot per single pull of the trigger , or fully automatic firearms, which will continue to load and fire ammunition...
, semi-automatic
Semi-automatic firearm
A semi-automatic, or self-loading firearm is a weapon which performs all steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing—assuming cartridges remain in the weapon's feed device or magazine...
, and burst fire modes that can easily be changed at any time using a rate of fire activator in the back of the pistol grip. It can fire at 25 balls per second in semi-automatic firing mode. It also has a two finger trigger (or double trigger) for fast firing in semi-automatic.
Older markers
The Spyder VS2 is a stacked tube blowback marker - featuring a 12 inch ported Spyder barrel, an infinity trigger system with Spyder's "3G" technology, and a valve that allows the marker to operate as a LP (low pressure) system. In addition, it includes anti-chop eyes, an on/off, and a membrane pad mode selector on the grip frame of the marker. The marker is capable of firing 25 balls per second.
Body kits are available for the VS2 in red, blue, green, and yellow. Scenario Dreams, Tadao, and Virtue all make boards compatible with the VS2, the latter being a universal Spyder board.
The Spyder VS3 improves on the VS2 with a "Rocking Trigger". The Spyder VS series is available in many colors, and allows the user to purchase body kits that are interchangeable between the VS2 and VS3.
The Spyder RS line, used their "SE Technology" (Synergy Engineered Technology), which they claim can reduce barrel breaks. There are were two models, the RS, and the RSX. The RS is the less expensive of the two and can operate on or HPA at approximately 300 PSI. The RSX is the higher end of the two, and according to Kingman's claims, it can only operate on HPA at a pressure of 250 PSI. In addition, they both include membrane buttons, and the RSX contains a Tadao Technologies circuit board which is normally an aftermarket upgrade for other markers.
- Spyder Flash: A Spyder marker equipped with an electronic trigger frame which uses an electro-magnet to trip the sear and release the striker to fire the marker. The Flash was capable of shooting in a variety of firing modes via a dip-switch set firing modes. Electronics were powered by a single 9.6-volt NiMH rechargeable battery. The charger plugs into a charger port located at the back of the trigger handle. It also used an innovative insert barrel and rear cocking with an oft-maligned aluminum bolt guard.
- Spyder Electra /w ACS: An electro-mechanical marker that features an Anti-Chop (ACS) Bolt, electronic trigger frame (CAMD v3.0), shooting 30 bps (balls per second) and a rocking trigger.
- Spyder Imagine: Low-end electro mechanical with IPI System (Intelligent Push-Button Indicator)
- Spyder Fenix ACS: Features a regulator with gauge, an electronic trigger frame (CAMD v2.0), and a top-cocking Anti-Chop bolt (ACS) that helps prevent chopping.
- Spyder Pilot ACS: A low-end electro mechanical marker features an electronic trigger frame (CAMD) with Semi-Auto up to 20 bps in 3 Bursts, 6 bursts, and Full Auto modes. It also has a top-cocking venturi bolt. The gun has a lub-less bolt, Vertical Spyder pilot, but featuring a different body and Anti-Chop bolt (ACS) that helps prevent chopping and a different trigger frame (CAMD v2.0). Has semi up to 20 bps, 3 burst, 6-burst, or full auto up to 13 bps.
- Spyder Rodeo: The Spyder RodeoSpyder RodeoThe Spyder Rodeo is a paintball marker designed and manufactured by Kingman Group.-Design:The Spyder Rodeo comes in a black, green or camouflage color scheme. As with all other Spyders, it is a semi-automatic stacked tube blowback. It has a regulator with a gauge, drop forward and matte finish...
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.
- Spyder TL and TL Plus: The Spyder TL and TL Plus are semi-auto mechanical markers that featured a new, for its time, sleek body, two-finger trigger, and Rear-Cocking, leaving the older side cocking mechanism behind.
- Spyder Aggressor: One of the earlier markers, featured a quick-strip pin, rear cocking, vertical feed and two-finger trigger.
- 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.
- Spyder Compact 2 in 1: Same popular Compact 2000 paintball gun with a removable bottomline. Length with barrel: 17"; Weight: 1.8 lbs. Features include: Semi-auto action, Powerfeed, 45 grip with rubber grip cover, Second-generation venturi bolt, anti-double feed, JAVA edition anodizing, double trigger, raised mini sight rail, low pressure chamber, vertical ASA or bottomline setup, external velocity adjuster, aluminum barrel with muzzle break, filter system, composite trigger frame, quick disconnect, field strippable T-pin.
- 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 or HPA
- Raven Primal: A high-end electronic marker. Features SDE (Solenoid Direct Electro) system, reactive response trigger, inline regulator with gauge, and low pressure regulator.