Earon Carter

Earon Douglas Kuakaa Sockwell Carter (9 September 1944 – 18 January 2024) was an American paintball marker designer, machinist and founder of Carter Machine. He was known for manufacturing custom pump-action paintball markers, particularly the Carter Comp and Carter Buzzard, and for his involvement in the development of stock-class paintball during the 1980s and 1990s.[1][2]

Carter's workshop also produced customised Autococker, Automag and other paintball markers. He was associated with several early Southern California paintball figures, including Bud Orr and Dave Youngblood.[3][4]

Paintball career

Early involvement

Carter was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on 9 September 1944. He subsequently moved to California and worked as a machinist, including manufacturing aircraft components for the aerospace industry.[1]

According to his family's obituary, Carter established his own machining business, Carter Machine, in Hawthorne, California, during the early 1980s.[1]

He became involved in Southern California's developing paintball community, including activities at Sat Cong Village, later known as SC Village.

In a 2013 interview recorded by paintball historian Daniel Bacci, Carter discussed his involvement with the early Sat Cong Village community and individuals including Steve "Gunner" Tetz and Stan Russell.[5]

Carter was also associated with Bud Orr, who subsequently founded Worr Game Products. In a 2004 interview with WARPIG, Orr recalled working alongside Carter and Russell during the early development of custom paintball markers in Southern California.[3]

Carter Machine

Through Carter Machine, Carter developed custom paintball markers and modifications based on existing equipment.

His early work included modifications to Sheridan and Nelson-based pump markers, eventually leading to the development of complete markers bearing the Carter Machine name.

Among the workshop's best-known products were the Carter Comp and Carter Buzzard, custom pump-action markers produced in different feed, barrel and gas configurations.[2][6]

Carter Machine also became known for modifying semi-automatic markers, particularly the WGP Autococker.

These modifications included custom body milling, barrels, bolts, pneumatic components and cosmetic finishes.

The workshop employed several machinists and technicians over the years. Consequently, not every marker bearing Carter Machine modifications was necessarily machined personally by Carter.

Former employees Marc Pascual and John Coleman provided firsthand accounts of the workshop's manufacturing methods in interviews published by Daniel Bacci in 2014 and 2017.[4][7]

Relationship with DYE

Carter was associated with Dave Youngblood, who later established DYE Precision.

A contemporary Los Angeles Times article published on 18 October 1990 identified Youngblood, then known as Dave DeHaan, as an employee of Carter Machines.[8]

Youngblood subsequently established his own paintball equipment business, manufacturing barrels, marker components and customised equipment.

Carter Machine and DYE maintained a close manufacturing relationship during the 1990s.

According to former employee John Coleman, the two operations shared workshop activities in Fullerton, California, during the mid-1990s.

In 1998, Carter and Youngblood relocated their manufacturing operations to San Diego.[7]

Stock-class paintball

Carter was closely associated with the Southern California stock-class paintball community.

His custom pump markers were used in stock-class tournaments, particularly competitions held at SC Village.

The Earon Carter Stock Class Invitational became an established tournament during the 1990s.

The 1996 event was held at SC Village in Corona, California, on 16–17 March.

Sixteen teams competed, with the Hawaiian team Combat Crew winning the tournament. Carter Machine supplied custom Buzzard markers as prizes.[9]

The tournament continued in 1997 at San Diego.

In 1998, the event was held alongside the National Professional Paintball League tournament in Las Vegas and was organised by DYE Precision.

Carter was unable to attend the 1998 competition because of a recent hospitalisation, although members of his family assisted with the event.[10]

The tournament attracted stock-class teams using equipment from Carter Machine, CCI and other manufacturers.

Historical significance

Carter was part of the early generation of American paintball machinists who developed specialised equipment before modern electronic markers became widespread.

His work included improvements to pump-action markers and custom modifications to existing mechanical designs.

Carter Machine's products became associated with competitive stock-class play and the custom paintball equipment market.

Original Carter Machine markers, including the Comp and Buzzard, remain documented in historical collections maintained by VintageRex, Bacci Paintball and members of M.CarterBrown.

Death

Carter died on 18 January 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, aged 79.[1]

His death was reported by members of the paintball community on 19 January 2024, with tributes published on M.CarterBrown and other paintball forums.[11]

References

Earon Douglas Kuakaa Sockwell Carter: Obituary. Ever Loved. Family-authored obituary confirming birth and death dates, career and establishment of Carter Machine.
VintageRex. Historical Carter Machine marker database, including the Carter Comp and Buzzard.
WGP Buys K2. WARPIG, Bill and Dawn Mills, 21 April 2004. Includes Bud Orr's recollections of his early paintball activities and association with Earon Carter.
Identifying Carter Machine Autocockers. Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, 10 April 2014. Historical examination of Carter Machine modifications and interviews with former employees.
Earon Carter on the Early Days of Sat Cong Village. Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, 22 January 2013.
Paintball's Official Blue Book. VintageRex. Historical equipment listings for Carter Machine markers.
John Coleman's History with the Bushwackers and Carter Machine. Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, 19 May 2017. Interview covering the Carter Machine workshop and relationship with DYE.
Splat!. Los Angeles Times, Michael Szymanski, 18 October 1990. Contemporary reporting identifying Dave Youngblood as an employee of Carter Machines.
Earon Carter Stock Class Invitational. WARPIG, Bill Mills, 16–17 March 1996. Contemporary tournament report.
1998 Las Vegas NPPL Tournament. WARPIG, Bill Mills, 1998. Coverage of the Earon Carter Stock Gun Championship and Carter's absence.
RIP Earon Carter. M.CarterBrown, 19 January 2024. Community tributes following Carter's death.

External links