Editing CCI Phantom (section)

== History ==

=== Development ===

Component Concepts Inc. was established in 1979 by Mike Casady as a design and manufacturing business.

In 1986, Casady began developing a pump-action paintball marker based on the [[Nelspot 007]] operating system.

Following approximately six months of development, the Phantom entered commercial production in 1987.[1][2]

The original Phantom featured a combined breech and barrel assembly, commonly referred to as a '''unibody''', attached to a modified Crosman air-pistol trigger frame.

The marker used a horizontal feed tube and a 12-gram CO2 cartridge, reflecting the stock-class equipment commonly used during the sport's early development.

According to Casady's original company history, the trigger frame was changed to an M16-style configuration in 1988.[1]

During 1989 and 1990, the Phantom was further developed to accommodate larger external CO2 and compressed-air systems.

The original fixed-barrel construction was also replaced by a design incorporating a removable barrel, allowing players to change barrels without replacing the main marker body.[2]

Although CCI identifies 1987 as the year of introduction, historical equipment database [[VintageRex]] lists 1988 for the Phantom.[1][4]

=== Continued production ===

During the 1990s and 2000s, the Phantom remained in production despite the increasing popularity of semi-automatic and electronic paintball markers.

The basic operating system changed relatively little, although CCI introduced additional feed configurations, gas adapters, trigger frames, barrels and accessories.

The marker became particularly associated with stock-class players, who favoured its relatively simple construction and configurable design.

[[WARPIG]] identified the Phantom as one of the few paintball markers to remain in production from the 1980s into the 2000s while retaining its original operating principles.[5]

=== Sale to Extreme Velocity ===

In May 2019, Mike Casady transferred the Phantom product line to Extreme Velocity Inc., an Oregon-based paintball retailer and field operator.

The acquisition was announced by Extreme Velocity, whose owners Brian Bradley and Jesse Bradley assumed responsibility for manufacturing and supporting the Phantom.[3]

Following the acquisition, production equipment and inventory were transferred to Extreme Velocity's workshop.

The company continued producing Phantom markers, replacement parts and accessories through the existing PhantomOnline.com website.

The transfer marked the end of Casady's direct involvement in manufacturing the Phantom after more than three decades.

=== Subsequent development ===

Under Extreme Velocity, the Phantom remained available in stock-class and open-class configurations.

The company introduced additional accessories and upgrades, including undercocking kits, updated feed systems and the Phantom 2.0 breech system.

The Phantom 2.0 incorporates O-ring ball detents intended to reduce paintballs rolling out of the barrel and prevent double-feeding.[6]

The manufacturer also introduced the '''Spring PHeed''', a spring-assisted feed system designed to allow the marker to feed paintballs without relying entirely on gravity. The product was announced for release in December 2021.[7]

The Phantom remained commercially available in 2026, with the manufacturer offering complete markers, components and custom configurations.[8]