In Production
Tippmann Cronus Basic Powerpack paintball gun: The Cronus bundled as a ready-to-play kit (mask, hopper, tank), the most common all-in-one first purchase at fields and big-box stores.
Typical street price: 150-230 (Budget). Pricing is guidance only.
We track new and used market prices for the Tippmann Cronus Basic Powerpack and chart the weekly trend, so you can see how its value moves over time and spot the best time to buy.
Inside the gun
Every Cronus, from the Basic to the Tactical, runs the same open-bolt blowback system as Tippmann's 98 Custom. A spring throws the rear bolt into the valve, the valve fires the ball, and the same burst of air blows the rear bolt back to cock the gun for the next shot. The animation shows the whole cycle slowed down.
The sear holds the rear bolt back and the breech is open for a ball.
The trigger pushes the trigger linkage arm, which tips the sear and frees the rear bolt.
The drive spring throws both bolts forward and the front bolt loads the ball.
The rear bolt knocks the valve open and air fires the ball.
The same air pushes the rear bolt back against the drive spring.
The sear catches the rear bolt, the breech opens and the next ball drops in.