Glenn Palmer

Glenn Palmer is an American paintball equipment designer, gunsmith and entrepreneur. He is the founder of Palmer's Pursuit Shop (PPS), a California-based manufacturer known for custom brass paintball markers, pneumatic semiautomatic systems, regulators and precision airsmithing.[1][2]

Palmer is recognised as an important pioneer in the development of functional gravity-fed semiautomatic paintball markers. In 1988, he developed a pneumatically operated Sheridan-based marker known as Camille, an early example of a reliable gravity-fed semiautomatic paintball marker.[3]

His subsequent designs included the Hurricane, Typhoon, Stroker, Blazer, Squall and other custom paintball markers. Palmer's Pursuit Shop also became known for the Stabilizer pressure regulator and Rock low-pressure regulator, both of which influenced the development of paintball equipment during the 1990s.[2][4]

Palmer's work contributed to the transition from manually operated pump-action paintball markers to semiautomatic equipment. His development of pneumatic recocking systems occurred during the same period as work by Bud Orr, developer of the Autococker, although the historical priority of the two designers remains disputed.[2][5]

Glenn Palmer

Name	Glenn Palmer
Nationality	American
Occupation	Paintball equipment designer, gunsmith, entrepreneur
Known for	Early gravity-fed semiautomatic paintball technology; Palmer's Pursuit Shop
Company founded	Palmer's Pursuit Shop
Company established	1988
Notable designs	Camille, Hurricane, Typhoon, Stroker, Blazer, Squall
Other products	Stabilizer regulator, Rock regulator, Quicksilver 12-gram changer
Associated people	Craig Palmer, Bud Orr
Location	Sacramento area, California, United States
Paintball involvement	From 1984

Background

Gunsmithing

Palmer came from a family with a background in gunsmithing.

According to the official Palmer's Pursuit Shop company history, he is a third-generation gunsmith and formerly served as a weapons technician in the United States Army.[1]

The company states that Palmer served two tours in Vietnam.

His professional experience involved a range of firearms and mechanical weapon systems.

This background provided him with experience in machining, gas-operated mechanisms, mechanical tolerances and equipment maintenance.

These skills later became central to his paintball equipment designs.

Introduction to paintball

Palmer began playing paintball in 1984.[6]

At the time, most commercial paintball markers were manually operated pump-action designs.

Early paintball equipment commonly used disposable 12-gram CO2 cartridges or larger constant-air systems.

Palmer began modifying existing markers to improve their operation and reliability.

His initial projects included work on Sheridan-based paintball pistols and rifles.

Shoulder injury

Palmer had experienced a shoulder injury that made repeated pump-action operation uncomfortable.

In a historical interview, he explained that the injury became a motivation for developing a marker that could automatically recock after each shot.[3]

His objective was to retain the mechanical characteristics of a pump marker while eliminating the need to manually cycle the action.

This led to his experiments with semiautomatic operation.

Palmer's Pursuit Shop

Establishment

Palmer founded Palmer's Pursuit Shop in 1988.[1]

The business was established in the Sacramento area of California.

Its early activities included custom gunsmithing, paintball marker modification and the production of specialist components.

Unlike larger paintball equipment manufacturers, Palmer's Pursuit Shop concentrated on small-scale manufacturing and custom work.

The company developed a reputation for individually built equipment and specialised mechanical engineering.

Quicksilver

One of Palmer's earliest commercial paintball products was the Quicksilver 12-gram CO2 changer.[6]

The device allowed players to replace disposable CO2 cartridges more conveniently.

Its development preceded the company's better-known semiautomatic marker designs.

The Quicksilver helped establish Palmer's early reputation as a specialist paintball equipment manufacturer.

Custom manufacturing

During the late 1980s and 1990s, Palmer's Pursuit Shop produced custom paintball markers based primarily on Sheridan-style mechanical systems.

Many markers were constructed using brass tubing and individually machined components.

The company also converted existing customer-owned pump markers into semiautomatic designs.

These conversions were generally built to order rather than mass-produced.

Development of semiautomatic paintball technology

Early experiments

Palmer began experimenting with semiautomatic paintball mechanisms during the early part of 1988.

His first attempt involved adapting a blowback operating principle to a PMI paintball pistol.[3]

The design was abandoned because it required spring-assisted feeding and did not provide the reliability he wanted.

Palmer subsequently concentrated on a closed-bolt system that could operate using gravity-fed paintballs.

This required the bolt to remain open long enough for a paintball to enter the breech before the next firing cycle.

David Craig

Palmer credited David Craig, associated with Adventure Game Supplies and later TASO, with providing an important early influence.

Craig had demonstrated an experimental automated Sheridan-based marker at a tournament in New York.[3]

The prototype used an external regulator and pneumatic cylinder.

Palmer discussed the design with Craig while developing his own system.

He subsequently worked on producing a compact regulator and a pneumatic timing mechanism suitable for use in a paintball marker.

In his historical account, Palmer explicitly acknowledged Craig's contribution to his thinking.

Camille

In August 1988, Palmer began constructing a semiautomatic marker known as Camille.

According to Palmer's account, the marker became operational in September 1988.

He continued refining its pneumatic switch and timing mechanism until late October.[3]

The marker was based on a Sheridan-style rifle.

It used a pneumatic cylinder to operate the bolt and cocking mechanism.

Camille was designed to function with gravity-fed paintballs rather than a spring-loaded magazine.

This distinction was important because gravity-fed loading subsequently became standard on most commercial semiautomatic paintball markers.

Initial configuration

Camille initially retained much of the appearance of a conventional Sheridan rifle.

Its pneumatic operating cylinder extended behind the bolt.

During 1989, Palmer revised the configuration.

The pneumatic cylinder was repositioned alongside the marker, and the external appearance was substantially modified.

By June 1989, Camille had acquired the configuration documented in later photographs.[3]

Historical significance

Palmer regarded Camille as one of the earliest reliable gravity-fed semiautomatic paintball markers.

He did not claim to have invented the first semiautomatic paintball marker of any kind.

Earlier semiautomatic systems included the Tippmann SMG-60 and the Brass Eagle Eagle.

However, these designs used different operating and feeding systems.

Palmer's historical claim concerned the practical operation of a gravity-fed semiautomatic paintball marker.[3]

WARPIG's technical history also distinguishes the Brass Eagle Eagle's earlier gravity-fed design from Palmer's more reliable custom equipment.[7]

The precise priority of individual innovations remains an important subject in paintball equipment history.

Pneumatic operating system

Operating principle

Palmer's semiautomatic system used pneumatic pressure to operate the marker's recocking mechanism.

A portion of the marker's gas supply was directed through a low-pressure regulator.

A mechanically operated valve controlled the movement of a pneumatic cylinder.

The cylinder cycled the bolt and recocked the firing mechanism.

This allowed the marker to fire repeatedly without manual pumping.

Closed-bolt operation

Palmer's designs generally used a closed-bolt firing system.

The paintball was chambered before the marker fired.

After firing, the pneumatic mechanism opened the bolt, recocked the marker and allowed another paintball to feed.

The bolt then returned to its closed position.

The system was mechanically more complex than a conventional pump marker but reduced the physical effort required from the player.

Regulation and timing

Reliable operation required careful control of gas pressure and pneumatic timing.

Palmer developed compact regulators capable of operating with CO2, the principal propellant used in paintball during the 1980s.

The pneumatic switch also required accurate timing to ensure that the marker completed its operating cycle.

These developments influenced Palmer's later commercial products.

Hurricane

Development

The Hurricane was one of Palmer's earliest semiautomatic marker designs.

Camille initially formed part of the development of the Hurricane system.[3]

The Hurricane used Sheridan-based mechanical components combined with Palmer's pneumatic recocking system.

It was produced as a custom-built marker.

Rifle configuration

The Hurricane was commonly configured as a rifle-style paintball marker.

Some versions featured wooden stocks and long brass barrels.

Palmer stated in a 1996 interview that he personally preferred the Hurricane rifle configuration.[8]

The design reflected his gunsmithing background and preference for traditional rifle ergonomics.

Tournament use

Palmer reported that the Dogs of War tournament team used Hurricanes at the Bay City Open in Vallejo, California, in July 1990.[3]

He stated that the team completed the event without a marker malfunction.

This account provides evidence of early competitive use of Palmer's pneumatic semiautomatic technology.

The specific tournament results require separate verification.

Typhoon

Development

The Typhoon became one of Palmer's best-known custom paintball markers.

It incorporated the pneumatic recocking system developed through the Hurricane and earlier prototypes.

The Typhoon was manufactured using a custom brass receiver and individually assembled mechanical components.

Construction

The Typhoon used a low-pressure pneumatic system to cycle its bolt and firing mechanism.

Its brass body and barrel were manufactured and finished by Palmer's Pursuit Shop.

The design emphasised mechanical reliability and careful component fitting.

Palmer's Pursuit Shop described the Typhoon as a product refined through repeated testing and incremental improvements.[9]

Custom production

Unlike mass-produced paintball markers, the Typhoon was traditionally built to order.

Customers could specify different configurations and cosmetic options.

The individually manufactured nature of the marker contributed to its reputation among enthusiasts and collectors.

Nasty Typhoon

Palmer's Pursuit Shop also produced double-barrel configurations commonly known as Nasty Typhoons.

These designs incorporated two firing assemblies into a single custom marker.

They were specialist products rather than mainstream tournament equipment.

In a 1996 interview, Palmer discussed the distinctive psychological effect of bringing double-barrel equipment onto the field.[8]

Stroker

Semiautomatic conversions

The Stroker was a semiautomatic conversion offered by Palmer's Pursuit Shop.

Unlike the Typhoon, which was manufactured as a complete custom marker, the Stroker was generally built by converting an existing customer-owned paintball marker.[8]

The conversion incorporated Palmer's pneumatic recocking system.

Sheridan-based equipment

Stroker conversions were particularly associated with Sheridan-based pump markers.

The system allowed existing equipment to be converted from manual pump operation to semiautomatic firing.

These conversions formed an important part of Palmer's custom airsmithing business.

Differences from Typhoon

In his 1996 WARPIG interview, Palmer explained that the Typhoon was manufactured from scratch while Strokers were conversions of customers' existing equipment.[8]

The distinction is important when identifying surviving Palmer markers.

Although the operating systems could be similar, their origins and manufacturing methods differed.

Blazer

Development

The Blazer was developed as a more standardised semiautomatic paintball marker.

During the 1990s, Palmer's Pursuit Shop was primarily associated with individually built custom markers.

The Blazer was intended to provide the company's pneumatic operating system in a more compact and repeatable manufacturing format.[2]

Early prototypes

A prototype Blazer was displayed at the Zap International Open during the mid-1990s.[10]

Contemporary WARPIG reporting described the marker as a compact aluminium-bodied semiautomatic design.

Palmer also discussed the forthcoming Blazer during his May 1996 interview.[8]

The development process experienced delays, and the marker was not released according to the original timetable.

Production design

The Blazer incorporated its pneumatic components into a compact receiver.

Unlike many Autocockers, it did not use an exposed front pneumatic assembly.

The design incorporated:

• An internal pneumatic ram
• An integrated low-pressure regulator
• An internal pneumatic switch
• A swing-style trigger
• A removable bolt
• A proprietary barrel retention system

These features distinguished it from many competing mechanical semiautomatic markers.[2]

Manufacturing

The Blazer used a machined aluminium receiver rather than the soldered brass construction associated with many earlier Palmer markers.

This made the design more suitable for standardised production.

Nevertheless, Palmer's Pursuit Shop retained its emphasis on individual assembly and quality control.

A detailed WARPIG review documented a 2002 production example.[2]

Competitive position

The Blazer was frequently compared with the WGP Autococker because both used pneumatic recocking mechanisms.

However, the Blazer incorporated its pneumatic components within the receiver rather than using the Autococker's exposed front-mounted assembly.

Its compact construction and integrated components were intended to reduce maintenance and accidental adjustment.

Squall

The Squall was another Palmer's Pursuit Shop design.

It was a compact semiautomatic paintball pistol.

The marker incorporated the company's established pneumatic operating principles into a smaller configuration.

A July 2004 WARPIG technical review documented the Squall and the continuing development of the Palmer product line.[11]

The Squall illustrates Palmer's interest in adapting pneumatic technology to different types of paintball equipment.

Regulators and accessories

Stabilizer regulator

The Stabilizer became one of Palmer's most widely recognised products.

It was designed to regulate gas pressure supplied to a paintball marker.

The regulator was particularly associated with CO2-powered equipment.

During the 1990s, CO2 pressure fluctuations could cause inconsistent marker velocity.

The Stabilizer was designed to reduce these fluctuations and improve operating consistency.[2]

The product was also used with compressed-air systems.

Rock regulator

The Rock was a compact low-pressure regulator developed for pneumatic recocking systems.

It became a popular aftermarket component for the Autococker.

WARPIG described the Rock as a major upgrade product for Autococker owners during the 1990s.[2]

Its use demonstrates the influence of Palmer's engineering beyond markers manufactured by his own company.

Barrel development

Palmer's Pursuit Shop also manufactured and modified paintball barrels.

The company offered custom brass barrels, porting, polishing and other machining services.

Palmer developed a barrel feature known as the Wedgit.

This consisted of a small internal constriction intended to prevent undersized paintballs from rolling out of a closed-bolt marker's barrel.[2]

The feature became associated with Palmer's brass-barrel designs.

Other equipment

Palmer's Pursuit Shop also produced and modified a variety of specialist components.

These included:

• CO2 cartridge changers
• Custom brass barrels
• Pneumatic valves
• Regulator assemblies
• Pump marker components
• Custom marker conversions
• Specialist air-system fittings

The company's work extended beyond complete paintball markers.

Relationship with Bud Orr

Parallel development

Glenn Palmer and Bud Orr were both involved in the development of pneumatic semiautomatic paintball technology during the late 1980s.

Orr developed the WGP Sniper and subsequently the Autococker.

Palmer developed the pneumatic recocking system used in Camille and later Palmer markers.

Both designs used regulated gas pressure and mechanical pneumatic controls to operate a recocking mechanism.

Dispute over priority

The question of whether Palmer or Orr developed pneumatic recocking first has been debated within paintball history.

In a 1996 WARPIG interview, Palmer argued that Orr had adapted principles already demonstrated by Palmer's earlier designs.[8]

WARPIG's subsequent Blazer review described the question as a continuing historical dispute.[2]

The evidence supports Palmer's development of a functioning gravity-fed pneumatic semiautomatic marker in 1988.

However, the broader development of semiautomatic paintball technology involved multiple designers and competing mechanisms.

Historical distinction

Palmer's contribution should be distinguished from the development of the Autococker as a specific commercial product.

Orr is credited with developing the Autococker platform.

Palmer is credited with pioneering reliable pneumatic recocking technology and producing early custom semiautomatic markers.

Both designers made substantial contributions to the transition away from pump-action paintball equipment.

Online paintball community

rec.sport.paintball

Palmer was an active participant in the early online paintball community.

He contributed to discussions on the rec.sport.paintball Usenet newsgroup.

The forum was an important source of technical information and industry discussion during the early development of the public Internet.

Palmer used the platform to answer equipment questions, discuss mechanical systems and communicate directly with players.

WARPIG identified him as one of the early paintball industry figures to make extensive use of online communication.[2]

WARPIG contributions

Palmer contributed technical information and photographs to the early WARPIG archive.

Some of his images were among the first material preserved in the archive that developed into WARPIG.com.[2]

His involvement helped document early paintball equipment technology.

1996 live interview

On 15 May 1996, Palmer participated in a live Internet Relay Chat interview hosted by WARPIG.

The discussion was moderated by Dawn Mills and later edited for publication by Bill Mills.[8]

Palmer discussed his equipment, manufacturing methods, future products and views on the development of paintball.

Topics included:

• The forthcoming Blazer
• Typhoon and Stroker differences
• Hurricane construction
• Barrel technology
• Regulator development
• Custom airsmithing
• Full-automatic paintball equipment
• Tournament sponsorship
• Equipment reliability

The surviving transcript is a valuable primary source for the history of Palmer's Pursuit Shop.

Philosophy of equipment design

Reliability

Palmer placed considerable emphasis on reliability and durability.

His designs were intended to operate consistently without frequent adjustment.

In contemporary interviews, he expressed scepticism toward unnecessary accessories and modifications.

He preferred equipment that functioned reliably without excessive mechanical intervention.

Custom craftsmanship

Palmer's Pursuit Shop became associated with individually manufactured paintball equipment.

Many of its early markers were assembled from machined and soldered brass components.

This required considerably more manual labour than conventional mass production.

The company maintained a reputation for specialist craftsmanship.

Full-automatic paintball

Palmer expressed reservations about the widespread use of fully automatic paintball markers.

In his 1996 interview, he stated that he had previously constructed a fully automatic Hurricane prototype but had dismantled it because of concerns about excessive paint output.[8]

He did not support introducing such equipment as a regular commercial product.

His comments reflected his views on the relationship between equipment performance and player safety.

Craig Palmer and family business

Craig Palmer

Palmer's son, Craig Palmer, became involved in Palmer's Pursuit Shop.

The company describes Craig as a fourth-generation gunsmith and second-generation master airsmith.[1]

Craig developed experience in machining, metalworking and electronics.

He became increasingly involved in the company's manufacturing and management.

Business transition

By the early 2000s, Palmer's Pursuit Shop was operating as a father-and-son business.[11]

The company's later official history described Craig as taking a leading role in its operations.

This transition helped preserve the company's specialised equipment manufacturing and technical knowledge.

Historical significance

Glenn Palmer is an important figure in the development of modern paintball equipment.

His principal contributions include:

• Developing Camille, a functioning gravity-fed semiautomatic paintball marker in 1988
• Developing pneumatic recocking systems for Sheridan-based markers
• Establishing Palmer's Pursuit Shop
• Manufacturing the Hurricane, Typhoon and Stroker
• Developing the compact Blazer semiautomatic marker
• Producing the Stabilizer and Rock regulators
• Contributing to early Internet-based paintball technical discussions
• Supporting specialist airsmithing and custom equipment manufacturing
• Helping establish reliable semiautomatic equipment as an alternative to pump-action markers

His career connects the earliest period of commercial paintball with the development of more sophisticated mechanical and pneumatic marker systems.

Timeline

Year	Event
1984	Begins playing paintball
Mid-1980s	Develops early paintball modifications and the Quicksilver CO2 changer
Early 1988	Experiments with semiautomatic mechanisms
August 1988	Begins construction of Camille
September 1988	Camille becomes operational
October 1988	Refinements to Camille's pneumatic system completed
1988	Palmer's Pursuit Shop established
June 1989	Camille modified into its later documented configuration
July 1990	Palmer reports Dogs of War using Hurricanes at the Bay City Open
Early 1990s	Typhoon and Stroker designs become established
1990s	Rock and Stabilizer regulators become popular aftermarket products
Mid-1990s	Blazer prototype demonstrated
May 1996	Participates in live WARPIG interview
Late 1990s	Development and commercial introduction of the Blazer
2002	WARPIG documents a production Blazer
July 2004	WARPIG publishes a technical review of the Squall
2010s	Craig Palmer takes an increasingly prominent role in the family business

See also

• Palmer's Pursuit Shop
• Bud Orr
• Worr Game Products
• Autococker
• WGP Sniper
• Palmer Typhoon
• Palmer Blazer
• Tippmann SMG-60
• Brass Eagle
• Sheridan paintball markers
• History of paintball markers
• Paintball in California
• Paintball in the United States

References

1. "About Us", Palmer's Pursuit Shop. Official company history documenting its 1988 founding, Glenn Palmer's gunsmithing background and Craig Palmer's involvement.
2. "Palmer's Pursuit Blazer", WARPIG, Bill Mills. Technical review and historical overview of Palmer's Pursuit Shop, pneumatic recocking, aftermarket regulators and Blazer development.
3. "Glenn Palmer on Camille", WARPIG, interview by Steve Mitchell. Firsthand account of the development of Camille in 1988, David Craig's influence and the development of gravity-fed pneumatic semiautomatic technology.
4. "Palmer's Pursuit Blazer — Technical History", WARPIG. Documents the Rock and Stabilizer regulators and the technical development of Palmer's production equipment.
5. "Palmer's Pursuit Blazer", WARPIG. Discusses the historical dispute between Glenn Palmer and Bud Orr concerning pneumatic recocking systems.
6. "Palmer Typhoon", Paint Magazine. Historical profile of Glenn Palmer, the Quicksilver CO2 changer and the development of the Hurricane and Typhoon.
7. "Paintball Valve History", WARPIG. Technical history discussing early semiautomatic paintball markers and the Brass Eagle Eagle.
8. "Hot Seat Live — Interview with Glenn Palmer", WARPIG, 15 May 1996. Contemporary interview discussing Palmer's markers, custom manufacturing, engineering philosophy and product development.
9. "The Typhoon", Palmer's Pursuit Shop. Manufacturer's description of the Typhoon and its design philosophy.
10. "Zap International Open", WARPIG. Contemporary event coverage documenting a prototype of the Palmer Blazer.
11. "Palmer's Squall", WARPIG, Bill Mills, July 2004. Technical review discussing the Squall and Palmer's Pursuit Shop as a father-and-son business.

External links

• Palmer's Pursuit Shop — Official Website
• Palmer's Pursuit Shop — Company History
• WARPIG — Glenn Palmer on Camille
• WARPIG — Glenn Palmer Interview, 1996
• WARPIG — Palmer's Pursuit Blazer
• Paint Magazine — Palmer Typhoon