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 Annihilator and was intended to provide similar reliability and performance at a lower price.[1]
Development
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]A 1988 Skan-Line advertisement listed the Avenger 88 with the following configuration:[2]
| 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
[edit]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
[edit]References
[edit]- Tim McMurray and Dennis O'Flaherty, “The Avenger Story: A History of Paint Gun Development”, Front Line, November 1987, pp. 13–15.
- “Annihilator 88 / Avenger 88”, Skan-Line and McMurray & Son advertisement, Action Pursuit Games, October 1988.
- “Custom ‘Avenger’ PMI-1 1988”, I&I Sports advertisement, Action Pursuit Games, October 1988.