The solutions of the rate equations describing the Q‐spoiled and pulsed‐transmission‐mode (PTM) operation of a three‐level laser are given. These solutions were carried out in two time regions: (1) the delay time followed by (2) the pulse time. Region (1) was tractable with approximate analytic methods, while in region (2) the equations were solved by analog computer. The effect of the duration of the Q switch on the delay time and on the PTM operation is investigated. It is found that Q‐switch times as long as 20 nsec give satisfactory PTM operation.