Editing Special Ops Paintball

'''Special Ops Paintball''' was an American paintball equipment manufacturer and retailer based in Utah, specialising in clothing, tactical vests, marker accessories and equipment for [[woodsball]] and [[scenario paintball]]. Established in 2004, the company promoted recreational woodsball under the slogan "We Are Woodsball" and developed the Special Ops Brigade online community and the [[Scenario Paintball Players League]] (SPPL).[1][2]

== History ==

Special Ops Paintball was founded by Jayson Orvis in 2004. The business operated under the legal name Tigerstripe Paintball, LLC, and was based in Utah.[2][3]

The company concentrated on equipment for woodsball players, particularly camouflage clothing, pod-carrying vests and modifications for recreational paintball markers. Its products were designed specifically for paintball rather than simply adapting conventional military clothing and equipment.[1]

Special Ops also developed an online community known as the '''Special Ops Brigade'''. The website allowed paintball players to create profiles, record games and locate other players and events. The company additionally established the Scenario Paintball Players League, which organised competitive woodsball tournaments.[1][4]

=== Tippmann partnership ===

Special Ops developed a range of accessories and conversion kits for [[Tippmann]] paintball markers, including the [[Tippmann A-5]] and [[Tippmann 98 Custom]].

In 2006, the company collaborated with Tippmann on the development of the [[Tippmann X7]], a modular paintball marker designed for recreational and military simulation play. The marker was introduced in late 2006, with Special Ops supplying accessories and modifications for the platform.[5]

The commercial relationship continued into 2009. Federal court records from January 2010 identify Tigerstripe Paintball as a Utah company manufacturing paintball accessories and supplying Tippmann with marker modifications.[3]

Special Ops remained active in the paintball industry during 2011, when it was listed among the sponsors of SuperGame 41 in Oregon.[6]

== Products ==

Special Ops manufactured and marketed paintball-specific soft goods and marker accessories.

=== Clothing and protective equipment ===

Its clothing range included camouflage jerseys, trousers and other garments designed for recreational and scenario paintball.

Documented products included:

* '''Fusion Battle Jersey and Pants''' – Camouflage paintball clothing incorporating protective padding.
* '''Fusion Ultralites''' – Lightweight camouflage clothing designed for use in warmer conditions.
* '''Marauder clothing''' – Military-inspired paintball jerseys and trousers.
* '''Broadsword Vest''' – A tactical paintball vest designed to carry pods, air systems and accessories.
* '''Action Ghillie Suit''' – Camouflage clothing designed for concealment during woodsball play.

The company also produced equipment holsters and other tactical accessories.[1][7][8]

=== Marker accessories ===

Special Ops developed marker accessories and conversion kits intended to alter the appearance and configuration of existing paintball markers.

These included:

* '''A-5A2''' – A range of accessories for the Tippmann A-5, including air-through stocks.
* '''Longbow''' – A configuration developed for [[Airgun Designs]] Automag-based markers, using a horizontal magazine-style paintball feed.
* '''Blackcell Ion''' – Conversion equipment for the [[Smart Parts Ion]], including body components, stocks and alternative feeding arrangements.
* '''Tippmann X7 accessories''' – Modular stocks, body components and other equipment produced in conjunction with the Tippmann X7 platform.[5][9][10]

== Paintball community and media ==

=== Special Ops Brigade ===

The Special Ops Brigade was an online community developed to connect woodsball and scenario paintball players. Its features included player profiles, game records, discussion forums and tools for locating paintball games.[4]

=== RECON Magazine ===

Special Ops produced '''RECON Magazine''', a publication concentrating on woodsball and scenario paintball.

The magazine published equipment reviews, playing advice and profiles of recreational paintball teams. An April 2007 issue included coverage of the Chicago-based Hellions scenario team.[8]

By June 2010, RECON content was also being distributed through RECON Online, a website carrying tactics articles, equipment guides and player profiles.[11]

=== Scenario Paintball Players League ===

Special Ops established the [[Scenario Paintball Players League]] to provide organised competition for woodsball teams. The league used a format distinct from conventional tournament speedball and formed part of the company's wider promotion of competitive scenario paintball.[1]

== References ==

# [https://ansgear.com/paintball-manufacturers/special-ops-paintball/ ANSgear – Special Ops Paintball, manufacturer history and product catalogue.]
# [https://mcarterbrown.com/forum/paintball-news-aa/ask-the-experts/584510-largest-paintball-gun-collection-looking-for-a-home M. Carter Brown – Largest Paintball Gun Collection Looking for a Home, statement by Special Ops founder Jayson Orvis, 29 August 2024.]
# [https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/utah/utdce/1%3A2009cv00057/70379/28/ Tigerstripe Paintball v. Heckler & Koch, United States District Court for the District of Utah, 28 January 2010.]
# [https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/6536894 Academic Dictionaries – Special Ops Paintball, archived historical company article.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/tippmann/x7/ WARPIG – Tippmann X7 Technical Review, by Bill Mills.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/newswire/prwire_releases/1304352016022.shtml WARPIG – SuperGame 41 press release and sponsor listing, 2 May 2011.]
# [https://getpodcast.com/de/podcast/gearhead-paintball Gearhead Paintball Podcast – Season 1, Episode 2, discussion of the Special Ops Broadsword 6 Vest, 22 March 2008.]
# [https://hellionspaintball.blogspot.com/2007/ Hellions Scenario Paintball Team – News and RECON Magazine coverage, 2007.]
# [https://www.automags.org/forums/forum/automag-owners-forums/automags-tech-forum/88290-tactical-automag-prototype-thread-please-help Automags.org – Tactical Automag Prototype discussion, January 2006.]
# [https://www.flickr.com/photos/37335318@N00/286938918/ Special Ops Paintball – Blackcell Ion Q-Bow Kit, company product photograph and description, 2 November 2006.]
# [https://utoe.wordpress.com/2010/06/05/recon-online/ UTOE Paintball – RECON Online, reproduced announcement from RECON Magazine and Special Ops Paintball, 5 June 2010.]

== External links ==

* [https://www.specialopspaintball.com/ Special Ops Paintball – Original website (historical)]
* [https://ansgear.com/paintball-manufacturers/special-ops-paintball/ ANSgear – Special Ops Paintball product archive]

[[Category:Paintball equipment manufacturers]]
[[Category:Paintball apparel]]
[[Category:Defunct paintball brands]]
[[Category:American paintball companies]]