[vinylrain]

What does it mean when your marker cycles, doesn't cycle, full cycle? Does it have chains like a bike? I'm just joking. But honestly, what is cycling in reference to a paintball marker?

[eforce]

Cycling refers to the firing assembly. When you "cycle" a marker, you're cycling the bolt through a full firing cycle, meaning the bolt in your Axe leaves the cocked back position, slides forward, releases air to launch the ball, and returns to the cocked position. Half cycling, or anything synonymous to not fully cycling, usually refers to mechanical autocockers, which required the user to fully depress the trigger and fully release it in order to cycle the bolt properly. Short stroking it, or "half cycling" is when you do not allow the bolt to move all the way back and forth as it should.

[Blitchy]

to add to him

shooting the marker with or without paint

ie a full cycle marker shoots at desired fps (280)

half cycle dwell is too low, doesnt shoot a paint ball or pressure is to low

[cpt_crunch]

You should also know the difference between max cycle rate and max rate of fire. Markers like the old smart parts shocker had a max firing rate of a little over 20 BPS (balls per second) but it had a max cycle rate (without firing paint) of over 60 CPS (cycles per second). Another good example is the "blender mod" in a spyder. By removing the sear the bolt and hammer continue to cycle at very high rates but try to feed paint in and you'll find out why its called the blender mod.

[nico450r]

Well said by everyone else, not much to add.