the control unit 32 limits the rate of actuation of the valve 24 when the marker 10 is in an automatic or semi automatic mode the control unit 32 monitors the output of the sensor 30 before each timing cycle whilst the trigger 26 is pulled if the control unit 32 has not received an input signal corresponding to a paintball striking the sensor 30 prior to the start of the timing cycle the timing cycle is interrupted and the control unit 32 limits the rate of actuation of the valve 24 the rate of actuation of the valve 24 at a limited rate is set by the user typically entering a value on a control panel 33 typically using buttons 33 a b of the marker 10 typical limited rates of actuation of the valve 24 will be either zero two or four shots per second this reduces the chances of a paintball falling into the breech 14 and being chopped by the bolt 20 compared to the normal rate of actuation of the valve 24 typically twenty times per second by allowing more time for the paintball to fully enter the breech between shots this reduced rate of fire of the marker 10 will continue until the sensor 30 is struck by a paintball whereupon the normal rate of fire is resumed although shown in fig2 as being controlled by a solenoids 44 it will.