Admin: Created page with " The '''Automag''' (also styled '''AutoMag''') is a family of semiautomatic paintball markers designed by Tom Kaye and manufactured by Airgun Designs (AGD) in the United States. Introduced in 1990, the Automag became one of the principal tournament paintball markers of the 1990s, competing particularly with the Autococker manufactured by Worr Game Products.[1][2] The Automag uses a mechanically operated blow-forward system incorporating an integrated..."

2026-10-19T19:07:51Z

Created page with " The '''Automag''' (also styled '''AutoMag''') is a family of semiautomatic paintball markers designed by Tom Kaye and manufactured by Airgun Designs (AGD) in the United States. Introduced in 1990, the Automag became one of the principal tournament paintball markers of the 1990s, competing particularly with the Autococker manufactured by Worr Game Products.[1][2] The Automag uses a mechanically operated blow-forward system incorporating an integrated..."

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The '''Automag''' (also styled '''AutoMag''') is a family of semiautomatic [[paintball marker]]s designed by [[Tom Kaye]] and manufactured by [[Airgun Designs]] (AGD) in the United States. Introduced in 1990, the Automag became one of the principal tournament paintball markers of the 1990s, competing particularly with the [[Autococker]] manufactured by [[Worr Game Products]].[1][2]

The Automag uses a mechanically operated blow-forward system incorporating an integrated pressure regulator, a gas-powered bolt and a spring return mechanism. Its design differed substantially from the blowback and pneumatically recocked markers available at the time.[1]

The platform subsequently expanded to include the Minimag, Automag RT, RT Pro, [[E-Mag]], X-Mag and Ultra Light Engineering (ULE) variants.[3][4]

== History ==

=== Development ===

Tom Kaye began developing semiautomatic paintball markers in 1987 while operating Technacore Industries, the business that subsequently became associated with Airgun Designs.

Early prototypes included the Panther, a gravity-fed blowback marker designed as an alternative to the existing semiautomatic equipment of the period.

The Panther design was sold to Direct Connect for proposed manufacture by Daisy, but the project did not enter commercial production.

Kaye subsequently developed another blowback prototype, the Panther II, before abandoning the operating system because of difficulties achieving reliable recocking under different pressure and temperature conditions.[1]

The next design, originally called the Panther III, introduced a substantially different operating mechanism.

Instead of using gas pressure to return the bolt to its firing position, the new system used regulated gas pressure to drive the bolt forward and a spring to return it.

This became the basis of the Automag.[1]

=== Introduction in 1990 ===

The first Automag was introduced in 1990.

Early examples, known as Level 5 Automags, featured stainless-steel valve components, an integrated pressure regulator and a removable valve assembly.

The marker was demonstrated at the 1990 International Masters tournament, where Airgun Designs-sponsored team [[Swarm]] won using prototype Automags.

The victory is recognised as an early major tournament success for semiautomatic paintball markers.[1][2]

Original Level 5 Automags underwent several engineering revisions as Airgun Designs refined the design.

These updates resulted in the later Level 6, Level 6.5 and Level 7 configurations.[3]

=== Expansion during the 1990s ===

The Automag became increasingly popular during the early 1990s.

Its principal competitor was the WGP Autococker, which used a different mechanical and pneumatic operating system.

Both markers became established in professional and amateur tournament competition.

The Automag was associated with mechanical simplicity, a compact valve assembly and relatively straightforward maintenance.

The Autococker, by comparison, developed an extensive aftermarket based on custom bodies, pneumatic components and trigger systems.

During the mid-1990s, the two platforms were among the most prominent high-performance tournament markers.[5]

=== Automag RT ===

In 1996, Airgun Designs introduced the Automag RT.

The RT incorporated a redesigned valve and reactive trigger system.

Unlike the original Automag, the RT was designed specifically for compressed-air operation rather than CO2.

Its valve system used gas pressure to accelerate trigger reset after each shot, allowing a player to achieve higher firing rates through repeated mechanical trigger pulls.

The RT valve was also designed to recharge rapidly without significant velocity reduction during rapid firing.[6]

Airgun Designs subsequently introduced the ReTro Valve, adapting the reactive-trigger system for compatibility with earlier Automag configurations.[6]

=== Electronic variants ===

In 2000, Airgun Designs introduced the E-Mag, incorporating electronically controlled triggering while retaining the Automag's blow-forward operating system.

The E-Mag used an electronic solenoid to activate the mechanical sear.

A distinctive feature was its mechanical override, which allowed the marker to continue operating without electronic assistance.[7]

The company subsequently developed the X-Mag, an advanced electronic Automag incorporating additional features and a redesigned receiver.

These products represented Airgun Designs' efforts to remain competitive as electronically controlled markers became increasingly common in professional paintball.

=== Later developments ===

During the early 2000s, Airgun Designs introduced several developments intended to improve the Automag platform.

The Level 10 bolt system, introduced in 2002, incorporated a pneumatic anti-chop mechanism designed to reduce paintball breakage during feeding.[5]

The company also developed the X-Valve, a lighter aluminium valve assembly based on its reactive-trigger technology.

The Ultra Light Engineering range introduced aluminium bodies and other weight-reducing components.

ULE bodies also adopted Autococker-style barrel threading, replacing the original Automag twist-lock arrangement.[4]

Following Tom Kaye's retirement from the paintball industry in 2005, the original large-scale Automag manufacturing operation came to an end.

However, replacement parts, repairs and specialist manufacturing continued through Airgun Designs USA and independent suppliers.

Airgun Designs continued supplying Automag components as of 2026.[8]

== Mechanical design ==

=== Blow-forward operation ===

The Automag uses a blow-forward operating system.

Its integrated regulator controls the pressure of gas delivered to a firing chamber.

When the trigger is pulled, the on/off valve closes and the sear releases the bolt.

Regulated gas pressure drives the bolt forward, chambering a paintball and releasing the gas required to propel it through the barrel.

After the shot, a spring returns the bolt to its original position.

Releasing the trigger allows the on/off valve to reopen and recharge the firing chamber.

This sequence permits semiautomatic operation without the external pneumatic recocking components used by the Autococker.[1][5]

=== Integrated regulator ===

The original Automag incorporated the Advanced Integrated Regulator (AIR) valve.

The regulator was built into the rear valve assembly rather than mounted separately on the marker.

This configuration allowed the marker's velocity to be adjusted through the regulated operating pressure.

Original Automags could operate using CO2 or compressed air, although liquid CO2 entering the valve could cause operating problems.

Later high-performance valves, including the RT and X-Valve, were designed for compressed air.[6]

=== Power Feed ===

Airgun Designs developed the Power Feed system to improve paintball feeding.

The design used an angled feeding tube intended to reduce the effects of gas travelling back towards the loader and improve feeding reliability during rapid firing.

Power Feed bodies became widely associated with classic Automags.

Later versions incorporated alternative feeding arrangements, including vertical-feed bodies.[2][4]

=== Level 10 bolt ===

The Level 10 bolt system was introduced to reduce paintball breakage caused by a bolt striking a partially loaded paintball.

It used a two-stage pneumatic action to reduce the force applied during the initial part of the bolt's forward movement.

If the bolt encountered an obstruction, the reduced force allowed it to stop and reset rather than crush the paintball.

The system operated mechanically without requiring electronic anti-chop sensors.[5]

== Major variants ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Model
! Distinguishing features
|-
| 68 Automag
| Original semiautomatic model with integrated AIR valve
|-
| Minimag
| Compact configuration with distinctive ventilated body shroud
|-
| Automag RT
| Reactive-trigger valve system introduced in 1996
|-
| RT Pro
| Later reactive-trigger configuration
|-
| E-Mag
| Electronic triggering with mechanical override
|-
| X-Mag
| Advanced electronic Automag with redesigned receiver
|-
| ULE Automag
| Lightweight aluminium components and newer valve technology
|}

The Automag platform also supported custom configurations and aftermarket modifications.

Several companies produced replacement bodies, trigger frames, rails and other components.

Specialist manufacturers including Pro Team Products developed their own Automag-based designs, such as the Micromag.[4][6]

== Tournament paintball ==

The Automag became established in tournament competition during the early 1990s.

Its early success was associated with Swarm, the Airgun Designs-sponsored team that won the 1990 International Masters using prototype Automags.[1]

The marker was subsequently used in amateur and professional competitions throughout the 1990s.

Airgun Designs also operated tournament technical-support services, supplying parts and repairs to players at major events.

The introduction of the Automag RT and later electronic variants reflected the company's continued involvement in competitive paintball equipment development.

== Legacy ==

The Automag is recognised as an important development in semiautomatic paintball marker technology.

Its blow-forward operating system offered an alternative to the blowback and mechanically recocked designs common during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

The platform contributed to the development of integrated regulators, reactive triggers, pneumatic anti-chop systems and modular marker components.

Original Automags and their later variants remain popular among collectors and classic mechanical paintball enthusiasts.

Specialist suppliers continue to support the platform through replacement components, maintenance and restoration services.[8]

== See also ==

* [[Airgun Designs]]
* [[Tom Kaye]]
* [[Autococker]]
* [[Worr Game Products]]
* [[E-Mag]]
* [[Paintball marker]]
* [[History of paintball]]

== References ==

# [https://paintmagazine.com/paintball-history/tom-kaye-interview/ Australian Paintballer, Tom Kaye Interview, 1994. Reproduced by Paint Magazine.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/hotseat/tomk.shtml WARPIG, HotSeat Guest: Tom Kaye of Airgun Designs, 1996.]
# [https://paintballhistory.com/airgun-designs-lvl-5-automag-valve-and-rail-cf00249/ Paintball History, Airgun Designs Level 5 Automag Valve and Rail, 20 December 2018.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/automag/ulemag/index.shtml WARPIG, Bill Mills, Building a ULE Automag, Part 1. Technical examination of the Automag platform.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/automag/level10/ WARPIG, Bill Mills, Airgun Designs Level 10, November 2002.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/emag/review.shtml WARPIG, Bill Mills, E-Mag Review, 2001. Historical information on the Automag RT and ReTro Valve.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/emag/index.shtml WARPIG, Bill Mills, E-Mag Introduction, August 2000.]
# [https://airgundesigns.shop/about-us/ Airgun Designs, About Us. Official history and continuation of Automag parts manufacturing, 2025–2026.]

== External links ==

* [https://airgundesigns.shop/ Airgun Designs official website]
* [https://www.automags.org/ Automags.org technical and community archive]
* [https://paintballhistory.com/airgun-designs/ Paintball History, Airgun Designs historical archive]

[[Category:Paintball markers]]
[[Category:Paintball equipment]]
[[Category:Paintball history]]

Automag - Revision history