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Tippmann Cronus Tactical Paintball Gun

In Production

Tippmann Cronus Tactical paintball gun: The Cronus Basic with a milsim shell: collapsible stock, barrel shroud and extra rails for a carbine look without changing the reliable internals.

Typical street price: 80-130 (Budget). Pricing is guidance only.

We track new and used market prices for the Tippmann Cronus Tactical and chart the weekly trend, so you can see how its value moves over time and spot the best time to buy.

Pros

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Inside the gun

How the Tippmann Cronus Works

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 Cronus firing cycle slowed down, with a close look at the valve. The internals are simplified for clarity and based on Tippmann's Cronus owner's manual, so treat it as an explainer rather than an engineering drawing.

The firing cycle, step by step

  1. Ready

    The sear holds the rear bolt back and the breech is open for a ball.

  2. Release

    The trigger pushes the trigger linkage arm, which tips the sear and frees the rear bolt.

  3. Chamber

    The drive spring throws both bolts forward and the front bolt loads the ball.

  4. Gas pulse

    The rear bolt knocks the valve open and air fires the ball.

  5. Blowback

    The same air pushes the rear bolt back against the drive spring.

  6. Reset

    The sear catches the rear bolt, the breech opens and the next ball drops in.

Read the full breakdown: every part, what it shares with the 98 Custom, and what to check when something goes wrong