Editing Carter Machine


'''Carter Machine''' was an American custom paintball equipment manufacturer and machining workshop established by [[Earon Carter]] in Hawthorne, California, during the early 1980s. The company became known for precision-machined [[pump paintball|pump-action paintball markers]], particularly the Carter Comp and [[Carter Buzzard]], as well as customised semiautomatic markers and aftermarket components.[1][2]

Carter Machine was closely associated with the Southern California [[stock-class paintball]] community and maintained a manufacturing relationship with [[DYE Precision]] during the 1990s.[3]

== History ==

=== Establishment ===

Earon Carter established Carter Machine in Hawthorne, California, during the early 1980s, following earlier work machining components for the aerospace industry.[1]

Carter became involved in the developing Southern California paintball community, including players and equipment technicians associated with [[SC Village]], then known as Sat Cong Village.

He initially worked on modifications to existing Sheridan and Nelson-based markers before developing complete custom pump markers.

Carter also worked with [[Stan Russell]] through an earlier business known as South Bay Arms.[2]

=== Development of custom pump markers ===

During the late 1980s, Carter Machine developed several custom markers based on the Nelson-style pump operating system.

The '''Carter Comp''' used an under-cocking pump mechanism and was manufactured in different barrel, feed and air-source configurations.

The '''Carter Buzzard''' used a side-cocking arrangement and became particularly associated with stock-class competition.

An early related design, the Termite, was developed by Carter and Rob "Termite" Smith during the late 1980s. The design subsequently developed into the Buzzard.[4]

Carter Machine also produced customised Desert Duck and box-style markers, along with modifications to existing equipment.

The company's products were generally manufactured in relatively small quantities, with individual markers often incorporating customer-requested features.

=== Autococker customisation ===

During the early 1990s, Carter Machine expanded its work on semiautomatic paintball markers.

The workshop became particularly associated with customised [[Autococker]] markers manufactured originally by [[Worr Game Products]].

Modifications included body milling, replacement bolts, barrels, pneumatic components and cosmetic finishes.

Some Carter Machine Autocockers featured diagonal milling patterns, commonly described as ''shark gills'', along with distinctive breech ventilation cuts and modified bolt assemblies.[5]

Former employee Marc Pascual recalled that the workshop experimented with breech ventilation holes intended to reduce gas travelling back through the feedneck.

Paintball historian Daniel Bacci documented these modifications through surviving equipment and interviews with former employees.[5]

=== Relationship with DYE Precision ===

Carter Machine maintained a close relationship with [[Dave Youngblood]], who worked at Carter's workshop before establishing DYE Precision in 1994.

A contemporary ''Los Angeles Times'' article published on 18 October 1990 identified Youngblood, then known as Dave DeHaan, as an employee of Carter Machine.[6]

During the mid-1990s, Carter Machine and DYE shared manufacturing activities in Fullerton, California.

Former employee John Coleman recalled machining barrels for DYE while also producing custom equipment for Carter Machine.

According to Coleman, Carter and Youngblood relocated their manufacturing operations to San Diego in 1998.[3]

The relationship between the businesses involved shared production activities and personnel. It should not be interpreted as evidence of an acquisition without supporting corporate records.

== Products ==

Notable Carter Machine products and customisations included:

{| class="wikitable"
! Product
! Description
|-
| Carter Comp
| Custom Nelson-based pump marker using an under-cocking mechanism
|-
| Carter Buzzard
| Custom pump marker using a side-cocking mechanism
|-
| Termite
| Early custom pump developed with Rob Smith
|-
| Desert Duck
| Custom stock-class marker configurations
|-
| Boxgun
| Compact, box-style stock-class pump markers
|-
| Carter Autococker
| Customised WGP Autocockers with proprietary machining and components
|}

Carter Machine also modified [[Automag]], Sterling and Line SI markers.[2][5]

== Stock-class competition ==

Carter Machine was closely involved in the development of organised stock-class paintball in Southern California.

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

The 1996 tournament took place at SC Village in Corona, California, on 16 and 17 March.

Sixteen teams competed, with the Hawaiian team Combat Crew winning the tournament.

Carter Machine supplied custom blue Buzzard markers as prizes for the winning team.[7]

The tournament continued in San Diego in 1997.

In 1998, the Earon Carter Stock Gun Championship was held alongside the [[National Professional Paintball League]] tournament in Las Vegas.

That event was organised by DYE Precision, with Carter Machine supporting the competition.[8]

== Legacy ==

Carter Machine became associated with custom mechanical marker manufacturing during the development of tournament paintball in the 1980s and 1990s.

Its Comp and Buzzard markers were used in stock-class competition, while its customised Autocockers formed part of the wider aftermarket equipment industry.

The workshop also provided experience and training for machinists who subsequently worked elsewhere in paintball equipment manufacturing.

Original Carter Machine equipment remains documented in specialist historical collections and paintball equipment archives.

== See also ==

* [[Earon Carter]]
* [[Carter Buzzard]]
* [[Pump paintball]]
* [[Stock-class paintball]]
* [[DYE Precision]]
* [[Dave Youngblood]]
* [[Autococker]]
* [[SC Village]]
* [[History of paintball markers]]

== References ==

# [https://everloved.com/life-of/earon-carter/obituary/ Earon Douglas Kuakaa Sockwell Carter, family-authored obituary, 2024. Documents the establishment of Carter Machine in Hawthorne.]
# [https://paintballhistory.com/carter-machine/ Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, Carter Machine. Historical manufacturer archive and equipment documentation.]
# [https://paintballhistory.com/john-colemans-history-with-the-bushwackers-and-carter-machine/ Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, John Coleman's History with the Bushwackers and Carter Machine, 19 May 2017. Former employee interview.]
# [https://paintmagazine.com/marker-of-the-day/termite-custom/ Paint Magazine, Termite Custom. Historical examination of the early Carter and Rob Smith pump marker.]
# [https://paintballhistory.com/identifying-carter-machine-autocockers/ Paintball History, Daniel Bacci, Identifying Carter Machine Autocockers, 10 April 2014.]
# [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-10-18-vw-3581-story.html Los Angeles Times, Michael Szymanski, Splat!, 18 October 1990.]
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/stock/index.shtml WARPIG, Bill Mills, Earon Carter Stock Class Invitational, 16–17 March 1996.]
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/vegas98/index.shtml WARPIG, Bill Mills, 1998 Las Vegas NPPL Tournament and Earon Carter Stock Gun Championship.]

== External links ==

* [https://paintballhistory.com/carter-machine/ Carter Machine historical equipment archive]
* [https://stockclasspaintball.com/gallery/carter.shtml Stock-Class Paintball Network, Carter Machine gallery]
* [https://www.vintagerex.com/ VintageRex historical paintball equipment archive]

[[Category:Defunct paintball manufacturers]]
[[Category:American paintball companies]]
[[Category:Paintball equipment manufacturers]]
[[Category:Paintball history]]