Worr Game Products

Worr Game Products (WGP) is an American paintball equipment brand originally established by Bud Orr in approximately 1987. The company became best known for manufacturing the WGP Sniper pump-action marker and the Autococker, a mechanically operated semiautomatic marker widely used in professional tournament paintball during the 1990s and early 2000s.[1][2]

Based in Southern California, WGP developed a range of tournament markers, replacement parts and accessories. The company's products supported an extensive aftermarket industry of specialist manufacturers and custom paintball technicians.[2][3]

History

Establishment

Worr Game Products developed from Bud Orr's work modifying paintball markers during the mid-1980s.

Orr, who had experience in machining and pneumatic systems, began working as an airsmith at SC Village in California. His early products included compressed-gas adaptations and modifications to existing paintball equipment.[1]

Around 1986–1987, Orr developed the original Sniper, a pump-action marker incorporating a machined aluminium body and a firing system derived from Sheridan paintball equipment.[2]

The Sniper became WGP's first principal marker design and established the foundation for the company's subsequent products.

The business was operated by Orr and members of his family, including his wife Kathy and son Jeff.[1]

Development of the Autococker

During the late 1980s, WGP began developing a semiautomatic version of the Sniper.

The resulting Autococker retained the Sniper's basic mechanical firing system but introduced pneumatic components that automatically recocked the marker after each shot.

Early versions were developed around 1989–1990, with documented tournament use by 1991.[2][3]

WGP established a sponsorship relationship with Bob Long and the Ironmen, who used Autocockers during the early development of professional semiautomatic tournament paintball.[1][2]

The Autococker became one of the principal tournament marker platforms of the 1990s, competing particularly with the Automag manufactured by Airgun Designs.

Expansion during the 1990s and 2000s

WGP expanded its product range during the 1990s and early 2000s, producing numerous Autococker variants and related equipment.

The company's products included:

WGP Sniper and Sniper II pump markers
Standard Autococker and MiniCocker
Autococker Orracle
Black Magic Autococker
Outkast and Super Stock
Karnivor electronic Autococker
Trilogy series
VF Tactical

The company also manufactured replacement components, pneumatic assemblies, trigger frames and accessories.[3][4]

WGP's marker designs became a foundation for an extensive customisation industry. Independent manufacturers including Belsales, Shocktech, FreeFlow, DYE Precision and Planet Eclipse developed aftermarket components and customised Autocockers.

Electronic trigger systems, including the E-Blade, subsequently allowed the Autococker platform to compete with newer electronic tournament markers.

Acquisition by K2

On 19 April 2004, American sporting-goods corporation K2 Inc. acquired substantially all the assets of Worr Game Products Inc. and its associated manufacturing business, All-Cad Manufacturing Inc.[5]

The acquisition incorporated WGP into K2's existing paintball equipment portfolio, which included Brass Eagle and JT USA.

In December 2004, K2 announced that WGP and JT USA would consolidate their operations at WGP's existing facility in Corona, California.

Bud Orr was identified as president of the combined operation. The consolidation brought together sales, distribution and other business functions, with the transition continuing into 2005.[6]

Subsequent ownership

On 8 August 2007, Jarden Corporation completed its acquisition of K2 Inc., transferring K2's sporting-goods portfolio, including its paintball businesses, into the Jarden corporate group.[7]

WGP branding and Autococker-related products subsequently underwent changes as the paintball equipment industry consolidated.

A website operating under the Worr Game Products name currently offers Autococker bodies, replacement parts and other equipment. Its historical product archive identifies models including the Sniper, Karnivor, Orracle, Trilogy and Black Magic.[4][8]

The available evidence does not establish the precise legal relationship between the present website operation and the original Worr Game Products corporation.

Historical significance

Worr Game Products played a significant role in the transition from pump-action paintball equipment to semiautomatic tournament markers.

Its Autococker platform became associated with professional competition and supported a large aftermarket of custom manufacturers, technicians and equipment suppliers.

The company's designs also contributed to the widespread adoption of Autococker barrel threading, which became a common standard used by other paintball marker manufacturers.

Original WGP markers and components remain important subjects of historical paintball collecting and restoration.

References

External links