A double-acting cylinder was used, with steam distribution by means of a four-way valve.

For special applications, such as driving air-powered motors from forward to reverse, the operation is performed by rotating a single lever four-way valve.

Because the two "L"-shaped ports in the plug do not interconnect, the four-way valve is sometimes referred to as an "" port.

Shifting the four-way valve to either extreme position applies the air pilot through the shuttle valve, holding the two air-operated valves open and applying oil under air pressure to the corresponding side of the cylinder.

At the pull of the trigger, an electronic impulse trips the four-way valve, pushing compressed gas through the ram from behind, forcing the ram and bolt assembly to move towards the valve, impacting the poppet and releasing gas to the chamber.

The Angel incorporates a linked bolt and hammer, tri tubed design, and a four-way solenoid valve; referred to as a fourteen-way by Angel engineer Rice, the valve drives the ram and is essentially an electronically controlled version of the four-way valves mounted to the front block of Autococker markers.