Arrow Precision

Arrow Precision (Arrow Precision Ltd) was a British paintball equipment manufacturer based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England. The company manufactured paintball markers, compressed-air systems, paintballs and accessories, including the Inferno, Sterling and Sovereign III.[1]

Arrow Precision began manufacturing paintball equipment in Aldershot in 1996 and introduced the Inferno semi-automatic marker in 1997. In February 1998, it took over production of the Sterling pump-action marker range, previously manufactured by Proline and Lada Sterling Limited.[1][2]

History

Establishment and early products

Arrow Precision began manufacturing paintball equipment in Aldershot, Hampshire, in 1996.

The company developed equipment for recreational paintball, commercial paintball fields and tournament players.

Its first major marker range included the Inferno, a mechanical semi-automatic marker introduced in 1997 and subsequently produced in several configurations.[1]

The Inferno was designed for recreational and commercial field use, with an emphasis on durability, straightforward maintenance and compatibility with commonly available paintball equipment.

Acquisition of the Sterling range

In February 1998, Arrow Precision took over production of the Sterling series of pump-action markers.

The Sterling had previously been manufactured by Proline and Lada Sterling Limited. The original marker design therefore predated Arrow Precision's involvement.[2]

Following the acquisition, Arrow Precision revised the Sterling's components and manufacturing processes.

The company continued producing two principal versions: the Sterling Bronze, intended for commercial paintball fields, and the Sterling STP, intended for recreational and tournament pump players.

Later versions incorporated updated internal components, precision-machined bodies and other improvements.[2]

International distribution

Arrow Precision expanded its international distribution operations during the 2000s.

According to a company trade catalogue, Arrow Precision LLC was established in Pennsylvania, United States, in 2005 to distribute the company's products to American customers.[1]

The catalogue also identified Arrow Precision Ltd as a business owned by Leisuredyne.

The company's export range included paintball markers, compressed-air equipment, paintballs and accessories.[1]

Arrow Precision exhibited its products at the 2009 SHOT Show in the United States.

Contemporary reporting by WARPIG documented the company's Inferno and Sterling markers alongside its Airborn compressed-air systems. The report described the Sterling as one of the relatively few high-quality pump-action markers still being manufactured at that time.[3]

Paintball markers

The VintageRex historical paintball database lists three principal marker entries under Arrow Precision: the Inferno, Sterling and Sovereign III.[4]

The manufacturer's own catalogue documents additional versions within the Inferno and Sterling product families.[1]

Marker	Type	Description
Inferno	Mechanical semi-automatic	Blowback marker introduced in 1997, developed for recreational players and commercial paintball fields.
Sterling	Pump-action	British pump marker range acquired by Arrow Precision in 1998.
Sovereign III	Mechanical semi-automatic	Autococking marker using a twin-regulated ram and bolt operating system.

Inferno

The Inferno was a .68-calibre mechanical semi-automatic marker using an Illustrator-style blowback valve system.

Introduced in 1997, it became one of Arrow Precision's principal products for commercial paintball fields.

The marker featured a removable barrel, direct-feed system and quick field-stripping arrangement intended to simplify cleaning and maintenance.[1][5]

Later versions included:

Inferno Field: Original field-oriented configuration.
Inferno Field Mk II: Revised model with a redesigned barrel, foregrip, integrated feed neck and improved grip clearance.
Inferno Field Mk III: Updated model incorporating a 45-degree grip frame, double trigger, lighter bolt and redesigned body.
Inferno Rec: Recreational version featuring a centre-feed arrangement and contoured body.
Inferno T3: Upgraded version with a milled body, Hellfire barrel, enhanced volume chamber and aluminium double-trigger frame.
Inferno Heat: Variant featuring engraved body styling, centre feed and front-mounted air supply.

These configurations were documented in Arrow Precision's published product catalogue.[1]

Sterling

The Sterling was a British .68-calibre pump-action paintball marker originally manufactured before Arrow Precision acquired the design in 1998.

Arrow Precision continued developing the marker for recreational, tournament and commercial field applications.[2]

Its documented versions included:

Sterling Bronze: A simplified pump-action model intended primarily for commercial paintball fields.
Sterling STP: A tournament-oriented version with upgraded components and finishes.
Sterling Stock Class STP: A configurable version supporting stick-feed operation, 12-gram CO₂ cartridges and alternative feeding and air-source arrangements.

Arrow Precision's later Sterling STP was manufactured using CNC machinery and featured a removable barrel, polished internal components and aluminium grip frame.[1]

The Stock Class STP was supplied with interchangeable feeding configurations and could operate using 12-gram CO₂ cartridges or a regulated air supply.

The company also marketed a Venturi bolt kit for the Sterling range.[1]

Sovereign III

The Sovereign III was a .68-calibre mechanical semi-automatic marker developed from the earlier Sovereign and Sterling designs.

It used an unusual twin-regulated ram and bolt system to provide automatic cycling.[1]

The marker incorporated a centre-feed arrangement, external velocity adjustment, aluminium grip frame and removable barrel.

Later examples used Spyder-compatible barrel threading.

VintageRex catalogues the Sovereign III as a semi-automatic marker using a Sheridan-style valve system and constant-air operation.[6]

Other equipment

Arrow Precision manufactured and distributed equipment beyond its complete paintball markers.

Paintballs

The company marketed paintballs under the Sterling brand.

Its documented product ranges included:

Sterling Pro: Paintballs marketed for tournament use.
Sterling Game: Paintballs intended for recreational and commercial field use.
Sterling Rec: Field-grade paintballs marketed with durable shells.
Sterling Shield: A lower-cost range intended for practice and recreational applications.

These products were listed in Arrow Precision's international trade catalogue.[1]

Compressed-air systems

Arrow Precision marketed the Airborn range of high-pressure air systems.

The company's catalogue included systems rated for 3,000 psi and 4,500 psi service pressures, with different regulator configurations.[1]

The range was exhibited alongside the company's paintball markers at the 2009 SHOT Show.[3]

Accessories

Arrow Precision also marketed paintball accessories and replacement components, including:

Hellfire barrels
Inferno replacement bolts and trigger frames
Sterling Venturi bolt kits
Paintball hoppers and pods
Pack Mule pod harnesses
CO₂ cylinders and valves
Air-system adaptors and fittings
Replacement marker parts

The company's catalogue included components for the maintenance and modification of its existing marker range.[1]

Historical significance

Arrow Precision was one of the established British manufacturers of paintball equipment during the late 1990s and 2000s.

Its Inferno series was developed specifically for the demands of commercial paintball fields, while its continuation of the Sterling range helped maintain the availability of a British pump-action marker design that originated before the company's establishment.

The company also contributed to the continued availability of mechanical semi-automatic and pump-action equipment during a period when electronic tournament markers were increasingly common.[1][2][3]

References

External links