ASTM F2272-23

Standard Specification for Paintball Markers

ABSTRACT
This specification covers the performance requirements and test methods for paintball markers that propel paintballs using energy released from compressed air, compressed gas, or a combination of compressed air and gas. This does not cover non-recreational paintball markers such as those used in law enforcement, scientific, military or theatrical entities. All paintball markers should be supplied with appropriate literature, packaging, finish, design, and disabling device and shipped according to the specified shipping conditions. Under no circumstances should the cocking or pumping mechanism of a paintball marker cause a marker to discharge unintentionally while the marker is being cocked in accordance to instructions. Markers should not accidentally discharge when exposed to jolts strengths within the specified range.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers paintball markers, which propel a paintball by means of energy released by compressed air, compressed gas, or other means.  
1.2 Limitations—This specification does not cover non-recreational paintball markers, for example, those used by law enforcement, scientific, military or theatrical entities.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard; the inch-pound units in parentheses are provided for information only.  
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 8, of this specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2023
• ICS: 97.220.40 - Outdoor and water sports equipment
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.24 - Paintball and Equipment

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2272 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Paintball Markers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2272; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Terminology
1.1 This specification covers paintball markers, which pro- 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
pel a paintball by means of energy released by compressed air,
3.1.1 auto-trigger—a trigger which, when held in the dis-
compressed gas, or other means.
charge position, will automatically cause the paintball marker
to discharge when the pump or bolt action is manipulated.
1.2 Limitations—This specification does not cover non-
recreational paintball markers, for example, those used by law
3.1.2 backstop—an object intended to stop a paintball.
enforcement, scientific, military or theatrical entities.
3.1.3 barrel—that portion of a paintball marker through
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
which the paintball is discharged.
standard; the inch-pound units in parentheses are provided for
3.1.4 barrel blocking device—a muzzle blocking safety
information only.
device which, when properly installed, reduces the likelihood
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the
of an intact paintball discharging from the marker or leaving
test method portion, Section 8, of this specification. This
the confines of the barrel blocking device. The device is often
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns,
referred to as a barrel plug or barrel bag.
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user
3.1.5 burst mode marker—a burst mode marker may dis-
of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and
charge two or more times per trigger cycle or may discharge
environmental practices and determine the applicability of
two or more times with the pull and release of the trigger.
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.6 caliber—the term used to refer to the size of a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
paintball projectile. Related to the measurement of the diam-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
eter of the paintball as described in Specification F1979.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.7 cautionary statement—the warning outlined in Section
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
8 of this standard, which is to be placed on paintball markers,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
packaging and literature.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.8 de-gassed, n—the state of the marker in which the
2
propellant source and any internal propellant has been removed
2.1 ASTM Standards:
from the marker.
F1776 Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Paintball
Sports
3.1.9 disabling device—a device which, when activated,
F1979 Specification for Projectiles Used in the Sport of
disables a part of the paintball marker, usually the trigger, to
Paintball
prevent unintentional discharges and must be released to allow
2.2 ANSI Standard:
the marker to be discharged by the movement of the trigger.
3
Z535.1 Safety Color Code
The device is sometimes referred to as the “safety,” “safety
button,” or “safety lever.” An electronic on/off switch is
1 considered a disabling device when placing it in the “off”
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
position renders the marker inoperable.
Subcommittee F08.24 on Paintball and Equipment.
3.1.10 discharge mode—a mode that controls the number of
Current edition approved June 1, 2023. Published June 2023. Originally
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2021 as F2272 – 13 (2021).
paintballs discharged per trigger cycle.
DOI: 10.1520/F2272-23.
2
3.1.11 enhanced trigger mode marker—a paintball marker
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
that at some point discharges more than one paintball per
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
trigger cycle. This includes markers that “store” the number of
the ASTM website.
3
trigger pulls and discharge more than one paintball at some
Available from American National Standards I
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: F2272 − 13 (Reapproved 2021) F2272 − 23 An American National Standard
Standard Specification for
1
Paintball Markers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2272; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers paintball markers, which propel a paintball by means of energy released by compressed air,
compressed gas, or other means.
1.2 Limitations—This specification does not cover non-recreational paintball markers, for example, those used by law
enforcement, scientific, military or theatrical entities.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard; the inch-pound units in parentheses are provided for
information only.
1.4 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 8, of this specification. This standard
does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1776 Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Paintball Sports
F1979 Specification for Projectiles Used in the Sport of Paintball
2.2 ANSI Standard:
3
Z535.1 Safety Color Code
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 auto-trigger—a trigger which, when held in the discharge position, will automatically cause the paintball marker to discharge
when the pump or bolt action is manipulated.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.24 on Paintball and Equipment.
Current edition approved May 1, 2021June 1, 2023. Published July 2021June 2023. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 20172021 as
F2272 – 13 (2017).(2021). DOI: 10.1520/F2272-13R21.10.1520/F2272-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F2272 − 23
3.1.2 backstop—an object intended to stop a paintball.
3.1.3 barrel—that portion of a paintball marker through which the paintball is discharged.
3.1.4 barrel blocking device—a muzzle blocking safety device which, when properly installed, reduces the likelihood of an intact
paintball discharging from the marker or leaving the confines of the barrel blocking device. The device is often referred to as a
barrel plug or barrel bag.
3.1.5 burst mode marker—a burst mode marker may discharge two or more times per trigger cycle or may discharge two or more
times with the pull and release of the trigger.
3.1.6 caliber—the term used to refer to the size of a paintball projectile. Related to the measurement of the diameter of the
paintball as described in Specification F1979.
3.1.7 cautionary statement—the warning outlined in Section 8 of this standard, which is to be placed on paintball markers,
packaging and literature.
3.1.8 de-gassed, n—the state of the marker in which the propellant source and any internal propellant has been removed from the
marker.
3.1.9 disabling device—a device which, when activated, disables a part of the paintball marker, usually the trigger, to prevent
unintentional discharges and must be released to allow the marker to be discharged by the movement of the trigger. The device
is sometimes referred to as the “safety,” “safety button,” or “safety lever.” An electronic on/off switch
...