CMI International
CMI International (CMI) was an American paintball equipment manufacturer based in Oceanside, California, United States. The company was known for its Thunder Pig brand of pump-action paintball markers, as well as semi-automatic markers, barrels and accessories.[1][2]
Its documented products included the PI-1 Thunderpig, PI-2 Tusker, Auto Hog, Mini Hog and LS 2000.[3]
History
[edit]Origins and Bill Harvey
[edit]The Thunder Pig marker range originated with paintball player and equipment designer Bill "Thunder Pig" Harvey.
According to a historical account originally published on CMI's website and preserved by VintageRex, Harvey began developing an inexpensive pump-action paintball marker in 1988.
His objective was to produce a durable marker that would be affordable to recreational players at a time when specialised paintball equipment could be expensive.[1]
The resulting design became the PI-1 Pig Gun, also marketed as the Thunder Pig.
CMI's account states that manufacturing of the first 1,000 markers began in late 1989.
In June 1990, Harvey attended an international paintball trade show in New York to introduce the product. He died suddenly during the event.[1]
CMI continued manufacturing and marketing paintball equipment following his death.
Harvey's involvement in the early paintball community was also documented in the October 1990 issue of Paintcheck magazine.[4]
Thunder Pig marker range
[edit]The Thunder Pig series consisted primarily of .68-calibre pump-action markers based on the Nelson operating system.
The company's early models included the PI-1 Pig Gun and PI-2 Tusker.
CMI advertised these markers as affordable, durable equipment suitable for recreational play and commercial paintball fields.
A surviving advertisement identifies the manufacturer as CMI International, located at 101 Copperwood Way, Suite K, Oceanside, California.[2]
Another manufacturer advertisement listed the PI-1 Pig Gun at US$109.95 and the PI-2 Tusker at US$129.95.
The company promoted their stainless-steel and aluminium construction, ease of maintenance and removable barrel arrangements.[5]
The Thunder Pig range was also documented in WARPIG's early technical guide to paintball markers, which identified the P.I. 90 and Tusker among Nelson-derived pump designs.[6]
Expansion into semi-automatic markers
[edit]During the early 1990s, CMI expanded beyond pump-action equipment.
The company introduced the Auto Hog, which VintageRex dates to 1993.
The Auto Hog was a .68-calibre mechanical semi-automatic marker featuring a direct-feed arrangement, removable barrel and constant-air operation.[7]
The company subsequently offered the Mini Hog, a more compact semi-automatic marker incorporating a vertical air-source adaptor.
VintageRex dates the Mini Hog to 1994 and describes it as a limited-production model, with fewer than 100 examples reportedly manufactured.[8]
LS 2000
[edit]In 1997, CMI marketed the Lightning Strike LS 2000, a semi-automatic marker using a blow-forward operating system.
The marker was offered in two configurations, identified as the LS 2000 PT and LS 2000 FM.
Its advertised features included an integrated regulator, pneumatic trigger, removable barrel and adjustable firing mechanism.[9]
VintageRex reports that the product encountered an intellectual property dispute and that only a limited number of markers reached customers.
The archive also lists a production figure of 1,250, which conflicts with its description of limited availability. Neither the figure nor the circumstances of the reported dispute have been independently established.[9]
The company's subsequent operating history and final date of marker production have not been confirmed.
Paintball markers
[edit]VintageRex documents eight marker models and variants under CMI.[3]
| Marker | Documented period | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PI-1 Thunderpig | Development began 1988 | Pump-action | Original Nelson-style pump marker, also known as the Pig Gun. |
| PI-1 Stockpig | Not established | Pump-action | Stock-class configuration with fixed barrel and compatibility with 12-gram CO₂ cartridges or constant air. |
| PI-2 Tusker | 1990 catalogue year | Pump-action | Nelson-style marker with direct feed and removable barrel. |
| Diablo | Not established | Pump-action | Nelson-style pump marker with direct feed and removable barrel. |
| Diablo Deluxe | Not established | Pump-action | Deluxe version of the Diablo pump marker. |
| Auto Hog | 1993 | Mechanical semi-automatic | Semi-automatic marker with direct feed and removable barrel. |
| Mini Hog | 1994 | Mechanical semi-automatic | Compact semi-automatic marker with vertical air-source adaptor. |
| LS 2000 | 1997 | Mechanical semi-automatic | Blow-forward marker incorporating a pneumatic trigger and integrated regulator. |
All eight entries are listed as .68-calibre markers.[3]
PI-1 Thunderpig
[edit]The PI-1 Thunderpig, also known as the Pig Gun, was a Nelson-style pump-action marker intended as an affordable alternative to more expensive custom pump equipment.
VintageRex records a direct-feed arrangement, fixed barrel and compatibility with both 12-gram CO₂ cartridges and constant-air systems.[10]
The manufacturer advertised the marker with stainless-steel and aluminium components.
Its original selling price varied between surviving advertisements and catalogue records, reflecting different documented offerings rather than a single confirmed launch price.[5][10]
PI-1 Stockpig
[edit]The PI-1 Stockpig was a stock-class configuration of the Thunder Pig platform.
VintageRex records a fixed barrel, stock-class feeding system and Nelson-style valve.
It could operate using 12-gram CO₂ cartridges or constant air.[11]
PI-2 Tusker
[edit]The PI-2 Tusker was a pump-action marker using a Nelson-style valve system.
Unlike the fixed-barrel PI-1, the Tusker was catalogued with a removable barrel.
The manufacturer advertised the Tusker alongside the Pig Gun as part of its Thunder Pig range.[5]
Diablo and Diablo Deluxe
[edit]The CMI Diablo and Diablo Deluxe were .68-calibre pump-action markers using Nelson-style valve systems.
Both featured direct-feed arrangements, removable barrels and constant-air operation.
VintageRex records original suggested retail prices of US$89 for the Diablo and US$99 for the Diablo Deluxe.[12]
These markers should not be confused with products subsequently marketed under the separate Diablo Paintball brand.
Auto Hog
[edit]The Auto Hog was a mechanical semi-automatic marker catalogued by VintageRex as a 1993 model.
It featured a direct-feed arrangement, removable barrel and constant-air operation.
VintageRex lists an original selling price of US$165.[7]
Mini Hog
[edit]The Mini Hog was a more compact semi-automatic marker dated to 1994 by VintageRex.
Its design incorporated a vertical air-source adaptor and a Crosman-style valve system.
VintageRex records an original price of US$170 and reports that fewer than 100 examples were produced.[8]
LS 2000
[edit]The LS 2000 was a .68-calibre mechanical semi-automatic marker incorporating a blow-forward operating system.
Its documented features included:
- Pneumatic trigger.
- Built-in regulator.
- Adjustable trigger pull.
- Removable barrel.
- Autococker-compatible power feed.
- Aluminium 45-degree grip frame.
- Choice of 8-inch, 12-inch or 14-inch Tru-Flight rifled barrels.
- Field-stripping components intended to simplify maintenance.
The marker was marketed in PT and FM configurations.[9]
Barrels and accessories
[edit]CMI also manufactured aftermarket paintball barrels and accessories under the Thunder Pig name.
Tru-Flight barrels
[edit]The Tru-Flight range included rifled paintball barrels manufactured for different marker platforms.
Historical examples have been documented with Autococker-compatible and Automag-compatible fittings.
The barrels incorporated straight rifling and were marketed as equipment intended to improve accuracy and consistency.
A 2005 barrel review published by the Stock-Class Paintball Network documented a 14-inch CMI Thunder Pig Tru-Flight barrel in a comparison with contemporary Armson barrels.[13]
The manufacturer's accuracy claims should be distinguished from independently demonstrated performance.
Other equipment
[edit]Historical product records also document CMI with additional barrels, replacement marker components and CO₂ filling accessories.
CMI-manufactured products were available for use with equipment from other manufacturers, including the Automag and Autococker platforms.[13][14]
See also
[edit]- CMI PI-1 Thunderpig
- CMI PI-2 Tusker
- CMI Auto Hog
- CMI Mini Hog
- CMI LS 2000
- Nel-Spot 007
- Pump paintball
- List of vintage paintball markers and equipment
References
[edit]- CMI International, "The Story of Thunder Pig", original manufacturer history preserved by VintageRex.
- CMI International, original Thunder Pig advertisement identifying its Oceanside, California address, archived by VintageRex.
- VintageRex, "CMI", historical manufacturer and marker catalogue.
- Paintball History, Bill Harvey archive, including "The Passing of Bill 'Thunderpig' Harvey", originally published in Paintcheck, October 1990.
- CMI International, original Thunder Pig and Tusker advertisement, manufacturer prices and technical descriptions, archived by VintageRex.
- WARPIG, "Digest of Paintguns", 1994, identifying CMI/Thunderpig pump markers.
- VintageRex, "Auto Hog", historical marker record.
- VintageRex, "Mini Hog", historical marker record.
- VintageRex, "LS 2000", historical marker description and specifications.
- VintageRex, "PI-1 Thunderpig", historical marker record.
- VintageRex, "PI-1 Stockpig", historical marker record.
- VintageRex, "Diablo", historical marker record. See also the Diablo Deluxe entry in the same manufacturer catalogue.
- Stock-Class Paintball Network, "Armson LTD. Barrel Review", 6 June 2005, including comparison with the CMI Thunder Pig Tru-Flight barrel.
- ZDSPB, "Aftermarket Barrel Bore Sizes", technical reference including CMI barrel models.
