Magazine-fed paintball

Magazine-fed paintball, commonly abbreviated to magfed, is a form of paintball in which players use markers supplied with ammunition through magazines rather than conventional gravity-fed or electronic loaders. Magfed markers typically use detachable, spring-loaded magazines containing a relatively small number of paintballs.[1]

The format is particularly associated with woodsball, scenario paintball and military simulation (milsim), although magazine-fed equipment can be used in other forms of recreational and competitive paintball.

Magazine-fed equipment existed during the 1980s, but magfed developed into a distinct playing format during the 2000s and 2010s.[1]

History

Early magazine-fed markers

Magazine-fed paintball equipment predates the development of magfed as a distinct recreational format.

In 1987, Tippmann introduced the SMG-60, an early semiautomatic and fully automatic paintball marker.

The SMG-60 used .62-calibre paintballs supplied through a side-mounted magazine containing three five-round stripper clips.

The magazine held a total of 15 paintballs, which were advanced through the firing mechanism by a spring-loaded system.[2]

Tippmann subsequently introduced the SMG-68, a .68-calibre semiautomatic version.

The company later developed the 68 Special, which replaced the magazine system with a conventional hopper-fed arrangement.

Although these early markers used magazines or clips, the development of a dedicated magfed playing community occurred considerably later.[1][2]

Development during the 2000s

During the 2000s, manufacturers introduced new paintball markers incorporating detachable magazines and designs inspired by military equipment.

Tiberius Arms developed magazine-fed paintball pistols, including the T8 and T9.

The T8 incorporated a detachable magazine holding eight paintballs and a 12-gram CO2 cartridge.

The T9 expanded the platform into a larger pistol and carbine configuration.

Both models were documented in contemporary WARPIG reporting during the late 2000s.[3]

Other manufacturers developing magazine-fed equipment included RAP4 (Real Action Paintball), which introduced the T68 series, and later MILSIG.

These products contributed to the development of recreational paintball games in which magazine-fed equipment was used exclusively.[1]

First Strike projectiles

An important development occurred in 2009 with the introduction of First Strike Rounds by Tiberius Arms and Perfect Circle Paintballs.

Unlike conventional spherical paintballs, First Strike projectiles incorporate a rounded paint-filled front section and a cylindrical rear section with aerodynamic fins.

The projectile was derived from technology previously developed for less-lethal training and law-enforcement applications.

Its shape and feeding requirements made it particularly suitable for compatible magazine-fed markers.

Tiberius Arms presented the projectiles at the 2009 Paintball Extravaganza trade show in Atlanta, Georgia.[4]

First Strike ammunition subsequently became associated with magfed paintball, particularly where longer-range engagements were permitted.

However, magazine-fed markers do not necessarily use First Strike ammunition, and many are designed exclusively for conventional round paintballs.

Growth of dedicated magfed games

Dedicated magazine-fed recreational events became increasingly common during the early 2010s.

In 2013, RAP4 organised a magfed-only scenario game titled Siege of Bastogne during the Oklahoma D-Day event programme.

The game took place on 13 June and required players to use magazine-fed equipment.[5]

The same year, RAP4 and other organisers promoted Operation: End War, a series of dedicated magfed scenario events.

Operation: End War 4 took place near Copperopolis, California, on 19 October 2013.[6]

By 2015, specialist paintball publications were documenting the growth of magfed-only games at established American paintball venues, including SC Village and Hollywood Sports Park.[1]

Expansion of equipment

During the 2010s, the range of available magazine-fed markers expanded considerably.

Manufacturers including Tippmann, DYE Precision, Planet Eclipse and MILSIG introduced equipment specifically designed for magfed play.

Some markers were manufactured exclusively for magazine feeding, while others could be converted between magazines and conventional hoppers.

In June 2020, Planet Eclipse announced the establishment of its Eclipse Mag Fed (EMF) product division.

The company also renamed its MG100 marker to the EMF100, reflecting its expanded range of magazine-fed equipment.[7]

Equipment

Markers

Magazine-fed markers use internal mechanical or electronic operating systems similar to those found in conventional paintball equipment.

The primary distinction is the ammunition-feeding arrangement.

Instead of receiving paintballs from a loader mounted above the marker, paintballs are supplied through a magazine inserted into a compatible magazine well.

Examples of magazine-fed markers include:

Tippmann SMG-60
Tiberius Arms T8 and T9
RAP4 T68
MILSIG M17
DYE DAM
Tippmann TMC
Planet Eclipse EMF100

Several manufacturers offer markers capable of operating in both magazine-fed and hopper-fed configurations.

The Tippmann TMC and Planet Eclipse EMF100 are examples of dual-feed equipment.[8][9]

Magazines

Most modern magfed markers use detachable magazines incorporating springs or other mechanisms to advance paintballs towards the breech.

Magazine capacities vary by manufacturer and model.

The Tiberius T8.1, for example, uses an eight-round magazine, while the Planet Eclipse CF20 supports approximately 20 projectiles.

Some magazine designs accommodate both conventional spherical paintballs and First Strike projectiles.[10][11]

Players commonly carry spare magazines in pouches attached to belts or tactical vests.

Ammunition

Magazine-fed markers generally use conventional .68-calibre paintballs or specially shaped projectiles where the marker is compatible.

First Strike Rounds incorporate aerodynamic fins designed to stabilise the projectile during flight.

They require compatible feeding arrangements and marker components.

Not all magazine-fed markers support First Strike projectiles.

The use of shaped projectiles is also subject to restrictions established by individual playing fields and event organisers.[4]

Playing format

Magfed paintball is not governed by a single international rulebook.

Games are commonly organised around objectives such as capturing positions, recovering objects, defending locations or completing scenario missions.

The use of detachable magazines introduces ammunition-management requirements that differ from conventional hopper-fed paintball.

Players must reload magazines during play and generally carry fewer paintballs than players using large-capacity electronic loaders.

Dedicated magfed-only events usually prohibit conventional hoppers, although individual organisers may permit exceptions.

Relationship to scenario paintball

Magfed is closely associated with scenario paintball and military simulation, but the terms are not interchangeable.

Magazine-fed paintball describes the equipment and, in dedicated events, the restrictions on ammunition feeding.

Scenario paintball describes games organised around narratives, missions or objectives.

Military simulation refers to games and equipment intended to reproduce aspects of military organisation, appearance or tactics.

A player may use a magazine-fed marker in an ordinary recreational game without participating in military simulation.

Similarly, scenario paintball can be played using conventional hopper-fed markers.

Rules and safety

Magazine-fed games are subject to the same fundamental safety requirements as other forms of paintball.

These include protective goggles, marker velocity limits, barrel-blocking devices and compliance with the rules of the playing field.

Additional restrictions may apply to ammunition types, engagement distances and equipment configurations.

For example, the SuperGame magfed rules published in April 2024 required detachable magazines, prohibited conventional hoppers and excluded stock-class tube-fed markers from its magfed-only games.[12]

Organisers may also restrict First Strike projectiles.

A November 2024 magfed event organised by OMG Events at Yorkshire Outdoor Activity Park in England specifically prohibited First Strike Rounds.[13]

There is no universal requirement for all magfed games to permit shaped ammunition.

References

External links