The CFOA has published their 2005 rules, and one of the many questions surrounding the CFOA has been answered. For the 2005 season, the CFOA will be enforcing a 15 balls-per-second rate of fire cap. The rules governing markers is actually rather extensive, and the CFOA has a system in place that says specifically what equipment and procedures are to be used to check markers. The rule governing this testing and announcing the bps cap reads as follows:


4.25. Due to the number of different ways that markers can be made to be illegal and the safety issues these illegal guns create, the CFOA will move to a capped rate of fire. All markers are subject to inspection prior to each game at all CFOA events at all CFOA Tournaments. A marker will be deemed legal once it passes the following criteria:

a) TEST 1 - Mechanical Bounce - Markers will be tested for mechanical bounce by a bumping or jarring of the marker. Markers will be bumped on the tank or hopper. No contact will be made with the trigger. The marker will be deemed to have mechanical bounce if the marker fires during the bump test.

b) TEST 2 - Electronic Bounce - Markers will be tested for electronic bounce by shooting the marker. The marker trigger will be firmly pulled 3 consecutive times. During these 3 pulls, the marker may only fire 3 shots. Any marker that produces more than 3 shots on the 3 pulls will be deemed to have electronic bounce.

c) TEST 3 - Rate Of Fire Cap - 15 balls per second will be the legal allowed limit in the CFOA. All markers will be shot over a Pact MKIV Ballistic Timer. Any marker that exceeds the Rate of Fire cap will be deemed illegal and will not be allowed on the field.

d) TEST 4 - “Runaway Guns” - All markers will be checked for “runaway” triggers. The marker will be fired rapidly. The testing judge, while rapidly firing the marker will suddenly cease to pull the trigger. Any marker that continues to fire while the trigger is NOT being pulled will be deemed to be a “Runaway Gun” and will not be allowed on the field.

e) TEST 5 - Marker Chronographing - All markers will be chronographed prior to going onto the field. The maximum muzzle velocity allowed will be 300 feet per second. Markers will be tested by firing over RADARCHRON paintball chronographs

The full set of rules for the 2005 CFOA series can be read HERE. For more information on The CFOA, its event schedule and sponsors, go to www.thecfoa.com.

I don't think trying to handle safety issues by trying to control the markers is the answer. It doesn't matter what cap you set on the markers it will not stop the bonus balling or the over shooting on a bunker move. You're still going to get lit up just as much regardless of the cap. The only real way to control this is through player mentallity. Penalize the team that shoots someone more than three times on a bunker move or that bonus ball players. Trane the refs so that they inforce the penalties. Eventually players will get the message. I commend the CFOA for trying to do something about the field of play. It's just my openion that its the wrong way.

I have yet to find that ramping is legal, but nor does it say it is not. It really does not matter how you reach 15bps after the first three shots as long as it is not full-auto.

NXL mode is illegal i read on the FULL cfoa rules.

The reason why the NXL mode is illegal is because it goes full auto after 3 bps.