Real Action Marker FAQs (Series 1)

“It’s everything you wanted to know about the RAM but were afraid to ask.”

What is a Real Action Marker? Is it an airsoft or paintball gun?

Technically the Real Action Marker or RAM is a hybrid of both airsoft and paintball technologies. But because the RAM was designed for use as a tactical training tool, it also falls under the classification of “simulated ammunition” weapons which are essential for realistic, force-on-force training. The marking capability of the RAM is made possible through the .43 caliber paintball ammo that it fires.

As a replica weapon, it looks, weighs and feels remarkably like the M4 A2 that it was modeled after, while the RAM pistols are designed like the Glock 17 and the Sig Sauer P226 and the RAM shotgun was fashioned after the FN riot shotgun.

The RAM has been literally called the next generation of simulated ammunition weapons since it offers realism and marking capabilities at a more affordable cost.

What powers the RAM?

The RAM employs CO2 as a propellant, although green gas (Nitrogen) and even compressed gas can be used to fill its tank. However, based on actual field use, the CO2 propellant performs more consistently than other gas formats.

How powerful is the RAM? What is its range? Does it hurt?

The stock model of the RAM M4 has a pressure setting of 2.8 MPa which results in a muzzle velocity of 350 FPS. However, the pressure setting can be adjusted to yield a higher FPS. The only draw back is that at a high Pressure/FPS setting, the risk of paintball ammo exploding inside the barrel is greater. In our field tests, we were able to crank up the FPS to about 450 without ball breakage, but it is probably best to use rubber rounds at high FPS modes.

Compared to the velocity of a real bullet, the FPS of a RAM is slow. You can actually see the paintball round coming towards you. But since it is used for simulation training, the FPS setting is optimal to avoid grave injury.

The published effective range of the RAM is about 120 feet, after which the paintball begins to drop. Wind can also affect the movement of the round, so users must immediately take this into account before taking the shot. A sniper belonging to the PNP Regional Special Action Unit was able to hit a moving target three times on the head at a distance of 170 feet. But this incredible feat was done because of the tremendous skill of the sniper rather than the performance of the RAM.

Like any projectile, whether it be BB pellets or paintball, there is the element of pain involved when receiving a hit. But in training, it has been said that the best teacher is pain, so operators get to learn which of their tactics work and which doesn’t. But never fear, because the .43 caliber paintballs don’t penetrate the skin. The worst injury comes in the form of bruises or hematomas which gradually fade away after awhile. There is a danger of being blinded by the paintball if it hits unprotected eyes, so always remember to wear protective eyewear or full masks when using the RAM.

Can the RAM be loaded with a real bullet?

Although designed to look like a real gun, the RAM’s safety feature is that it won’t absolutely be able to fire real ammunition. Firstly, the magazine of the rifles and pistols can only chamber the .43 caliber paintball and aluminum shell casings. Secondly, the barrel has no rifling and will not take the size of a real bullet. But the most important safety fact of the RAM is that it propels the paintball ammo via air pressure and as such it does not have a firing pin to set off real rounds.

How will the paintball ammo be loaded into the RAM?

Unlike traditional paintball guns which uses a gravity-feed system, the RAM employs a spring-loaded magazine system that functions similar to regular M4 mags. The ammo is loaded by hand one by one, with the shells encasing the paintball round. Each RAM rifle magazine has a max load of 20 rounds, while the RAM pistols carry 9 rounds per clip.

Can the paintballs be loaded without the aluminum shell?

Yes, but only if you are using the RAM pistols. With the RAM rifles, the aluminum shell is essential in protecting the paintball from being squeezed together while also adding to the realism of the gun. The shells are ejected every time the gun is fire, replicating the brass ejection action of the real select-fire weapons.

How does one fire a RAM? Is it single or auto fire?

Just like the real guns it is modeled after, the RAM guns fire by applying pressure on the trigger. Unlike airsoft guns which use electronic triggers, the RAM requires a bit of trigger pull to fire. The RAM also features a select fire system, meaning the user can either shoot in single or full-auto modes. To be able to fire in bursts, the user must first set the RAM in full-auto mode and squeeze the trigger for about 2 seconds.

For the pistols, the setting is semi-auto fire, while the shotgun employs a single-shot pump action system.