California Paintball Supply
California Paintball Supply was an American paintball equipment business based in El Cajon, California, United States. Active during the late 1980s, the company marketed the Top Gun, a .68-calibre pump-action paintball marker distinguished by its proprietary Fastlock tool-free disassembly system.[1][2]
History
[edit]California Paintball Supply was operating from 421 El Cajon Boulevard, El Cajon, California, when it advertised the Top Gun marker.
The company's original advertisement promoted the product as the Top Gun Tournament Series 1, a pump-action marker designed for competitive and recreational paintball players.[2]
According to historical information preserved by VintageRex, the Top Gun was originally developed by a member of Navarone, a tournament paintball team then sponsored by Line SI.
The marker's design shared characteristics with the Line SI Bushmaster, including its Nelson-style operating system and pump-action configuration.[3]
The identity of the designer, the company's founding date and its subsequent operating history have not been independently established.
Paintball markers
[edit]Top Gun
[edit]The Top Gun was a .68-calibre pump-action marker using a Nelson-style valve system.
VintageRex dates the model to 1988 and documents a direct-feed arrangement, removable barrel and compatibility with both 12-gram CO₂ cartridges and constant-air systems.[1]
The marker's principal feature was the Fastlock assembly system, which allowed the marker to be disassembled without conventional retaining screws.
The manufacturer's advertisement promoted the following features:[2]
- Fastlock tool-free disassembly system.
- Precision-balanced construction.
- Two-stage ball-drop system compatible with feed tubes and other feeding arrangements.
- Extra-wide trigger guard.
- Redesigned power tube.
- Removable barrel.
- Pump-action operation.
The advertisement listed a starting retail price of US$425.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer or distributor | California Paintball Supply |
| Model | Top Gun Tournament Series 1 |
| Documented year | 1988 |
| Calibre | .68 |
| Action | Pump-action |
| Valve system | Nelson |
| Feed system | Direct feed |
| Barrel | Removable |
| Gas source | 12-gram CO₂ or constant air |
| Original advertised price | From US$425 |
Fastlock system
[edit]The Fastlock system used spring-loaded retaining components instead of conventional screws to secure parts of the marker's assembly.
It was designed to simplify field-stripping and maintenance without requiring tools.
California Paintball Supply promoted the system as an innovation in pump-action marker design.[2]
However, retrospective commentary published by VintageRex identifies a weakness in the system. The retaining components could allow the marker to separate unintentionally during play.[3]
The design therefore represented an attempt to simplify marker maintenance, although the reliability of the locking arrangement was reportedly problematic.
Historical documentation
[edit]The Top Gun is the only model listed under California Paintball Supply in the VintageRex historical paintball marker database.
The surviving manufacturer's advertisement confirms the product's commercial promotion and original advertised price.
VintageRex does not establish the total number of markers produced.[1]
See also
[edit]- California Paintball Supply Top Gun
- Line SI
- Line SI Bushmaster
- List of vintage paintball markers and equipment
References
[edit]- VintageRex, "Top Gun", historical paintball marker record.
- California Paintball Supply, "Introducing Top Gun... With the First Fastlock System", original manufacturer advertisement preserved by VintageRex.
- VintageRex, "Top Gun", additional historical information concerning its development and Fastlock system.
