Advanced Tactical Systems

Advanced Tactical Systems (ATS) was an American paintball equipment manufacturer operating under the corporate name A.T. Systems, Inc. and through its Get Real Paintball division. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the company manufactured magazine-fed, mechanically operated paintball markers for recreational, scenario and tactical training applications.[1][2]

Its AT-series included the AT-85, AT-10, AT-4 and AT-16, followed by the AT-416 and AT-417. The markers were distinguished by their mechanically driven conveyor-chain magazines and selectable semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes.[1][3]

History

Early marker development

Advanced Tactical Systems was associated with the development of magazine-fed paintball markers during the 1990s.

The VintageRex historical paintball database dates the AT-85, AT-10, AT-4 and AT-16 models to 1997, although these catalogue dates do not independently establish when each model first entered commercial production.[3]

The German Paintball Museum has documented a 1994 Tagline TS-1, describing it as an earlier version of the marker subsequently known as the ATS AT-85. The museum's retrospective account identifies the same mechanically indexed chain-feed arrangement found in later AT-series markers.[4]

The precise corporate relationship between the earlier Tagline product and A.T. Systems, Inc. requires further documentation.

Get Real Paintball

By 2002, the manufacturer was operating as A.T. Systems, Inc., with a paintball division branded Get Real Paintball.

The company's operating manual identified its headquarters at 11611 Jay Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and documented four models: the AT-10, AT-85, AT-4 and AT-16.[1]

These markers shared a common mechanical operating system but differed in their receiver lengths, barrel configurations and external styling.

The AT-85 featured a longer fore-end incorporating a forward paintball loader, while the AT-4 and AT-16 used military-style furniture resembling contemporary rifles.[1]

Tactical training

ATS also marketed its products for military and law enforcement training.

A contemporary article published by DefenseReview in 2002 identified the AT-16 and AT-85 as products competing in the market for tactical paintball training equipment.[5]

The company's promotional material emphasised realistic external configurations and selectable firing modes.

WARPIG's manufacturer directory, verified in August 2007, described ATS as a manufacturer of select-fire paintball markers used in recreational paintball and police and military training.[2]

Later models

VintageRex documents two additional ATS models dated 2008: the AT-416 and AT-417.

Both were military-styled, magazine-fed markers with removable barrels, folding sights and free-floating foregrips.

The AT-416 was listed with a 14-inch barrel, while the AT-417 used a 16-inch barrel.[6][7]

The company's subsequent operating history and the final production dates of its marker range have not been established.

Paintball markers

VintageRex documents six marker models under Advanced Tactical Systems.[3]

Marker	VintageRex year	Description
AT-85	1997	Select-fire marker with a chain-driven magazine and forward loader.
AT-10	1997	Compact select-fire marker using the ATS magazine and pneumatic cycling system.
AT-4	1997	Military-styled version with a rifle-pattern receiver, barrel and shoulder stock.
AT-16	1997	Longer rifle-pattern model using the same mechanical operating system.
AT-416	2008	Tactical model with a 14-inch removable barrel, free-floating foregrip and folding sights.
AT-417	2008	Tactical model with a 16-inch removable barrel, free-floating foregrip and folding sights.

All six markers are catalogued as .68-calibre models with Nelson-style valve systems, removable barrels and constant-air operation.

The manufacturer's 2002 manual also documents both compressed-air and CO₂ rear-housing configurations for certain earlier models.[1][3]

Technology

Conveyor-chain magazine

The defining feature of ATS markers was a mechanically driven magazine incorporating a conveyor chain.

Rather than relying on a conventional gravity-fed hopper, the magazine transported paintballs upwards into the breech through a chain fitted with flexible retaining components.

The feed mechanism was mechanically linked to the marker's pneumatic cycling system. Each firing cycle advanced the conveyor, positioning another paintball for loading.

The manufacturer's 2002 manual specified a maximum loading capacity of 20 paintballs in the magazine.[1]

The AT-85 could also be fitted with a forward loader holding approximately 50 additional paintballs. The forward loader replenished the chain magazine as the marker cycled.[1]

Firing mechanism

The AT-series used a pneumatically operated cycling system combined with a mechanically controlled firing mechanism.

When fired, compressed gas propelled the paintball and operated an internal pneumatic piston. The piston returned the bolt and hammer assembly to the loading position while advancing the magazine conveyor.

The system used an internal spool arrangement to redirect gas during the cycling process.[1]

Select-fire operation

The manufacturer's manual documented three positions on the firing-mode selector:

Safe
Semi-automatic
Fully automatic

In semi-automatic mode, the mechanism required the trigger to be released before another shot could be fired.

In fully automatic mode, the internal mechanical system repeated the firing cycle while the trigger remained depressed.[1]

This functionality did not depend on an electronic control board.

Accessories

The AT-series supported several accessories and alternative configurations.

The 2002 manufacturer's parts catalogue documented:

Standard and tactical magazine assemblies.
Forward loader assemblies.
High-pressure air tanks and regulator assemblies.
Alternative receiver and rear-housing configurations.
Replacement barrels and barrel-sizing components.
Replacement chain-feed and pneumatic components.

The catalogue also included diagrams and replacement part numbers for the AT-10, AT-85, AT-4 and AT-16.[1]

References

External links