Benchmark Products

Benchmark Products, also known as Benchmark Manufacturing, was an American paintball equipment manufacturer specialising in aftermarket grip frames, expansion chambers and marker accessories. Active during the 1990s and early 2000s, the company was particularly associated with replacement grip frames for the Airgun Designs Automag and WGP Autococker. Benchmark was acquired by Pro-Team Products in August 2001.[1][2][3]

History

Early products

Benchmark Products was active by October 1997, when its equipment was featured in WARPIG coverage of the 1997 NPPL World Cup. The company's products included a newly developed twist-lock barrel plug.[1]

At the Area 51 scenario paintball event in December 1997, Doug Zander represented Benchmark Products, exhibiting expansion chambers, replacement grips and a twist-lock barrel plug. The company also displayed a matching foregrip incorporating an internal storage compartment.[2]

During the late 1990s, Benchmark developed aftermarket trigger frames for the Automag and Autococker.

At the 1999 Zap International Amateur Open, Benchmark exhibited a new Autococker grip frame incorporating an integrated beavertail safety guard. The company also demonstrated a protective cap for compressed-air fill nipples.[4]

At the 2000 NPPL World Cup, Benchmark introduced a bolt-on version of its dual-rod beavertail guard, designed to fit most Autococker trigger frames.[5]

Acquisition by Pro-Team Products

In August 2001, Pro-Team Products, operated by Forest Hatcher, acquired Benchmark Manufacturing.

The acquisition was announced at the 2001 International Amateur Open. According to contemporary reporting, Doug Zander would continue manufacturing the Benchmark product line and fulfilling existing customer orders, while Pro-Team Products assumed distribution of the equipment.[3]

Pro-Team Products formally announced the acquisition on 31 August 2001.[6]

Medusa trigger frame

Following the acquisition, Benchmark and Pro-Team Products collaborated on the Medusa Sling Frame, a mechanical trigger frame developed for the Autococker and Automag.

The system was designed around a common frame that could be adapted to either marker through interchangeable sear assemblies.

Its proposed features included a magnetic trigger return mechanism, external trigger adjustments and a shortened trigger pull.

On 4 June 2002, Pro-Team Products announced that the Medusa Sling Frame was undergoing final testing. A subsequent announcement on 15 January 2003 confirmed the availability of the Medusa Lite frame for Automags.[6][7]

The Medusa was produced in limited quantities. Its development and production history were later documented by paintball historian Dan Bacci, with additional information supplied by Forest Hatcher.[7]

Products

Benchmark manufactured aftermarket components for several paintball marker platforms.

Documented products included:

Automag grip frames – Replacement 45-style grip frames for Airgun Designs markers.
Autococker grip frames – Mechanical trigger frames, including versions incorporating integrated beavertail guards.
Dual-rod beavertail – Autococker safety guard offered as a separate accessory.
Expansion chambers – Accessories for paintball markers using CO2.
Twist-lock barrel plug – Barrel blocking device demonstrated in 1997.
Foregrips – Marker foregrips, including a design incorporating internal storage.
Air fill nipple caps – Protective accessories for compressed-air systems.
Medusa Sling Frame – Mechanical trigger frame developed with Pro-Team Products for Autococker and Automag markers.[2][4][5][7]

Tournament involvement

Benchmark exhibited equipment at major American paintball tournaments during the late 1990s, including the NPPL World Cup and Zap International Amateur Open.[1][4]

At the 1999 Zap International Amateur Open, Benchmark Manufacturing donated a customised Automag to a raffle for the event's junior staff members.[8]

References

External links