Anti-jam mechanism

An anti-jam firing mechanism, said firing mechanism comprising:

• a bolt movable between a first position and a second position, said bolt configured to engage a frangible projectile as said bolt moves from said first position to said second position;
• first drive means for driving said bolt toward said second position;
• and
• second drive means for driving said bolt toward said second position after said bolt travels a predetermined distance from said first position to said second position.

A gun with an anti-jam firing mechanism, said gun comprising:

• a barrel dimensioned to receive a frangible projectile;
• a breech dimensioned to receive the frangible projectile, wherein said breech is proximate to said barrel;
• a valve assembly operative to selectively allow flow between a supply of compressed gas and said breech;
• a front bolt movable between a first position and a second position, said front bolt operative to push the frangible projectile out of said breech as said front bolt moves from said first position to said second position;
• a first drive mechanism operative to drive said front bolt toward said second position;
• a rear bolt moveable between a third position and a fourth position, said rear bolt operative to actuate said valve assembly when said rear bolt moves to said fourth position;
• a drive spring urging said rear bolt to said fourth position;
• a linkage arm operatively connected to said front bolt, said linkage arm capable of engaging said rear bolt;
• wherein said drive spring urges said front bolt toward said second position when said linkage arm engages said rear bolt;
• and
• wherein said linkage arm engages said rear bolt when said front bolt travels a predetermined distance from said first position to said second position.

A method of moving a projectile from a first position to a second position, said method comprising:

• (a) releasing a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism responsive to actuation of a trigger;
• (b) driving a front bolt with said first drive mechanism, wherein said front bolt is operative to push a projectile out of a breech as said front bolt moves from a first position to a second position;
• and
• (c) driving said front bolt with said second drive mechanism if said front bolt travels a predetermined distance from said first position to said second position, wherein said second drive mechanism does not drive said front bolt until said front bolt travels said predetermined distance.

A paintball gun with an anti-jam firing mechanism, said gun comprising:

• a barrel dimensioned to receive a paintball;
• a breech dimensioned to receive the paintball, wherein said breech is proximate to said barrel;
• firing mechanism including a front bolt movable between a first position and a second position, wherein a crossover point is position between said first position and said second position, and wherein said front bolt is operative to push the paintball out of said breech as said front bolt moves from said first position to said second position;
• a drive mechanism that drives said front bolt with either a first force or a second force, wherein said drive mechanism drives said front bolt with said first force when said front bolt travels between said first position and said crossover point, and wherein said drive mechanism drives said front bolt with said second force when said front bolt travels between said crossover point and said second position;
• and
• wherein said first force is less than a projectile rupturing force.

An end cap for use with a paintball gun having a bolt that is drivable by a first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism, said end cap comprising

• a body dimensioned to be received by hole in the paintball gun;
• wherein said body defines a first aperture and a second aperture;
• wherein said first aperture is dimensioned to receive a portion of said first drive mechanism;
• wherein said second aperture is dimensioned to receive a portion of said second drive mechanism;
• and
• wherein said first aperture and said second aperture are spaced apart corresponding to spacing between the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism.