Editing Mac 1 Avenger

The '''Mac 1 Avenger''', originally marketed simply as the '''Avenger''' and later as the '''Avenger 88''', was a custom pump-action [[paintball marker]] developed by Tim McMurray and McMurray & Son. Introduced by late 1987, it was derived from the [[Mac 1 Annihilator|Annihilator]] and was intended to provide similar reliability and performance at a lower price.[1]

== Development ==

McMurray & Son entered the paintball market after making contact with [[Pursuit Marketing]] founders David Freeman and Jeff Perlmutter in late 1984. The company initially worked on modifications to Sheridan-based paintball pistols and rifles, including barrel-length experiments, magazine extensions and anti-blowback pump systems.[1]

According to Tim McMurray and Dennis O'Flaherty, the immediate predecessor of the Avenger was the Annihilator. That marker combined a long-barrelled Sheridan-based pistol with a centre-fire bolt, a Delrin anti-blowback pump, a gravity-feed system and, in many configurations, constant air.[1]

After several years of producing and modifying the Annihilator, McMurray & Son reorganised its design work into a less expensive model. The resulting Avenger retained many of the Annihilator's principal features but used production methods intended to reduce its cost.[1]

The Avenger did not directly replace the Annihilator. Both models continued to be advertised in 1988, with the Annihilator positioned as the more expensive custom model.[2]

== Design ==

The Avenger was constructed from a Sheridan or [[PMI-1]]-based pump marker. Features documented in the original 1987 account included:

* an anti-blowback Delrin pump;
* a centre-fire bolt;
* a direct or positive gravity-feed system;
* a feed fitting positioned at approximately 45 degrees to the barrel;
* an integral rear sight and shot-indicator slot; and
* compatibility with both 12-gram CO2 cartridges and constant-air systems.[1]

The ability to use either 12-gram cartridges or constant air was standard on the Avenger. By comparison, contemporary Annihilators could be configured for both systems but did not necessarily include both arrangements.[1]

McMurray & Son distinguished the Avenger from the Annihilator partly through its barrel manufacturing and finish. The Avenger used an extruded barrel with a 16-micro finish and less restrictive production tolerances. The manufacturer's contemporary account stated that the resulting difference in accuracy was negligible under ordinary playing conditions.[1]

== Avenger 88 ==

A 1988 Skan-Line advertisement listed the '''Avenger 88''' with the following configuration:[2]

{| class="wikitable"
! Feature
! Advertised specification
|-
| Barrel
| 10¼ inches
|-
| Feed
| Direct ball feed with 12-inch gravity-feed tube
|-
| Pump
| 5-inch Delrin pump
|-
| Bolt
| Centre-fire bolt
|-
| Air connection
| Side-air connection
|-
| Sight mounting
| Dovetail scope and sight rail
|-
| Additional features
| Cobra Boost internal velocity regulator and quick-disassembly bolt system
|-
| Advertised price
| US$269.95
|}

A separate retailer advertised a custom PMI-1 Avenger configuration with a 10¾-inch barrel, six-inch tournament feed tube, one-way loader gate and Mac 1 rear-release system. It carried a stated list price of US$300 and a retail price of US$250.[3] The differing contemporary listings indicate that the precise equipment supplied with an Avenger could vary according to its date and retailer.

== Relationship to the Annihilator ==

The Avenger and Annihilator shared their pump, centre-fire bolt and positive-feed design. The principal distinction identified by McMurray & Son was that the Avenger applied experience gained from Annihilator production to a less expensive package. Some features developed for the Avenger were subsequently incorporated into later Annihilator configurations.[1]

== See also ==

* [[Mac 1 Annihilator]]
* [[McMurray & Son]]
* [[PMI-1]]
* [[Sheridan Products]]
* [[Pursuit Marketing]]

== References ==

# [https://paintmagazine.com/paintball-archive/ Tim McMurray and Dennis O'Flaherty, “The Avenger Story: A History of Paint Gun Development”, ''[[Front Line (paintball magazine)|Front Line]]'', November 1987, pp. 13–15.]
# [https://paintmagazine.com/paintball-archive/ “Annihilator 88 / Avenger 88”, Skan-Line and McMurray & Son advertisement, ''[[Action Pursuit Games]]'', October 1988.]
# [https://paintmagazine.com/paintball-archive/ “Custom ‘Avenger’ PMI-1 1988”, I&I Sports advertisement, ''Action Pursuit Games'', October 1988.]

== External links ==

* [https://paintballhistory.com/mac-1-early-paintball-chronology/ Mac 1 early paintball chronology — Paintball History]

[[Category:Paintball markers]]
[[Category:Pump-action paintball markers]]
[[Category:Paintball equipment introduced in 1987]]
[[Category:American paintball equipment]]