fig. 1 - This shows the Spyder in the cocked position ready to fire. The trigger is set and a paintball has fallen into the chamber in front of the bolt. The sear has locked the bolt assembly in place. The blue solid is the un-regulated air from the tank. The solid orange is the regulated air.

Fig. 1

fig. 2 - The trigger is pulled, rotating the sear, releasing the bolt assembly. The bolt assembly is pushed forward by the main spring. The paintball that has fallen into the chamber is also pushed forward into the barrel by the bolt.

Fig. 2

fig. 3 - The striker of the bolt assembly hits the valve pin, pushing the pin forward. The regulated air starts to enter the valve body. Also, the sear is pulled back by the sear spring, ready to catch the striker when it is pulled back.

Fig. 3

fig. 4 - The regulated air goes all the way through the valve. Most of the air travels up into the bolt and pushes the paintball through the barrel. A small portion of the air gets past the valve pin, pushing the striker backwards. Air also starts to re-fill into the regulator.

Fig. 4

fig. 5 - Air is pushing back the bolt assembly, some of the air is release through a relief hole in the trigger frame. The valve pin has been pushed forward by the valve spring, sealing the valve and cutting off the air. With the valve seal shut, the regulator starts to regulate the air to the desired psi.

Fig. 5

fig. 6 - The bolt assembly hits the striker buffer, stopping the rearward momentum. The sear catches the bolt assembly as the main spring pushes the assembly forward. Releasing the trigger, the trigger spring will push back the trigger into the original position. This will also reset the sear/trigger contact.

Fig. 6

The above figures is of a compact body Spyder, Bob Long vertical ASA, and Bob Long Regulator. All mechanical operated Spyders operate in the same manor.

Here is the animation of an operating Spyder. Thanks to Phil Daniels for inspiring me to make this animation.

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