Editing Automag (section)

== History ==

=== Development ===

Tom Kaye began developing semiautomatic paintball markers in 1987 while operating Technacore Industries, the business that subsequently became associated with Airgun Designs.

Early prototypes included the Panther, a gravity-fed blowback marker designed as an alternative to the existing semiautomatic equipment of the period.

The Panther design was sold to Direct Connect for proposed manufacture by Daisy, but the project did not enter commercial production.

Kaye subsequently developed another blowback prototype, the Panther II, before abandoning the operating system because of difficulties achieving reliable recocking under different pressure and temperature conditions.[1]

The next design, originally called the Panther III, introduced a substantially different operating mechanism.

Instead of using gas pressure to return the bolt to its firing position, the new system used regulated gas pressure to drive the bolt forward and a spring to return it.

This became the basis of the Automag.[1]

=== Introduction in 1990 ===

The first Automag was introduced in 1990.

Early examples, known as Level 5 Automags, featured stainless-steel valve components, an integrated pressure regulator and a removable valve assembly.

The marker was demonstrated at the 1990 International Masters tournament, where Airgun Designs-sponsored team [[Swarm]] won using prototype Automags.

The victory is recognised as an early major tournament success for semiautomatic paintball markers.[1][2]

Original Level 5 Automags underwent several engineering revisions as Airgun Designs refined the design.

These updates resulted in the later Level 6, Level 6.5 and Level 7 configurations.[3]

=== Expansion during the 1990s ===

The Automag became increasingly popular during the early 1990s.

Its principal competitor was the WGP Autococker, which used a different mechanical and pneumatic operating system.

Both markers became established in professional and amateur tournament competition.

The Automag was associated with mechanical simplicity, a compact valve assembly and relatively straightforward maintenance.

The Autococker, by comparison, developed an extensive aftermarket based on custom bodies, pneumatic components and trigger systems.

During the mid-1990s, the two platforms were among the most prominent high-performance tournament markers.[5]

=== Automag RT ===

In 1996, Airgun Designs introduced the Automag RT.

The RT incorporated a redesigned valve and reactive trigger system.

Unlike the original Automag, the RT was designed specifically for compressed-air operation rather than CO2.

Its valve system used gas pressure to accelerate trigger reset after each shot, allowing a player to achieve higher firing rates through repeated mechanical trigger pulls.

The RT valve was also designed to recharge rapidly without significant velocity reduction during rapid firing.[6]

Airgun Designs subsequently introduced the ReTro Valve, adapting the reactive-trigger system for compatibility with earlier Automag configurations.[6]

=== Electronic variants ===

In 2000, Airgun Designs introduced the E-Mag, incorporating electronically controlled triggering while retaining the Automag's blow-forward operating system.

The E-Mag used an electronic solenoid to activate the mechanical sear.

A distinctive feature was its mechanical override, which allowed the marker to continue operating without electronic assistance.[7]

The company subsequently developed the X-Mag, an advanced electronic Automag incorporating additional features and a redesigned receiver.

These products represented Airgun Designs' efforts to remain competitive as electronically controlled markers became increasingly common in professional paintball.

=== Later developments ===

During the early 2000s, Airgun Designs introduced several developments intended to improve the Automag platform.

The Level 10 bolt system, introduced in 2002, incorporated a pneumatic anti-chop mechanism designed to reduce paintball breakage during feeding.[5]

The company also developed the X-Valve, a lighter aluminium valve assembly based on its reactive-trigger technology.

The Ultra Light Engineering range introduced aluminium bodies and other weight-reducing components.

ULE bodies also adopted Autococker-style barrel threading, replacing the original Automag twist-lock arrangement.[4]

Following Tom Kaye's retirement from the paintball industry in 2005, the original large-scale Automag manufacturing operation came to an end.

However, replacement parts, repairs and specialist manufacturing continued through Airgun Designs USA and independent suppliers.

Airgun Designs continued supplying Automag components as of 2026.[8]