Editing Sheridan PGP

The '''Sheridan PGP''' ('''Paint Gun Pump''') is a .68-calibre pump-action [[paintball marker]] manufactured by [[Sheridan]] and distributed by [[Pursuit Marketing Inc.]] (PMI). Developed from the earlier Sheridan PG pistol during the 1980s, the PGP became an established marker in [[stock-class paintball]] and was known for its compact brass construction, internal ammunition magazine and use of disposable 12-gram carbon dioxide cartridges.[1][2]

The PGP was one of the early alternatives to the [[Nel-Spot 007]]. Its stacked-tube valve and hammer arrangement influenced later paintball equipment, including the [[WGP Sniper]] and [[Autococker]].[2][3]

== History ==

=== Development ===

The PGP originated from a manufacturing and distribution relationship between Sheridan and Pursuit Marketing Inc., established by [[Jeffrey Perlmutter]] and [[David Freeman]] in 1982.

PMI approached Ray Katt, president of Benjamin Sheridan, about adapting the company's existing CO₂-powered airgun designs to fire .68-calibre paintballs.

Sheridan developed two prototype marking pistols, one using a top-mounted ammunition tube and another using a side-mounted feed.

The top-loading design was selected for production and became known as the '''PG''', an abbreviation of Paint Gun.[1]

The original PG used a manually operated bolt.

Players and aftermarket manufacturers subsequently developed pump-action conversions to simplify loading and recocking.

Sheridan introduced a factory pump-action version designated '''PGP''', meaning Paint Gun Pump.[1]

The precise date of the PGP's first commercial introduction has not been conclusively established.

=== Early production ===

The original PGP incorporated three brass tubes arranged vertically.

The upper tube housed the paintball magazine, the middle tube formed the barrel, and the lower tube contained the hammer, valve and CO₂ cartridge assembly.

The marker used a manually operated pump handle and an internal magazine holding approximately ten paintballs.

Its compact construction made it suitable for stock-class games, in which ammunition capacity and propellant supply were restricted.[2][4]

The PGP was distributed through PMI and became one of Sheridan's established paintball products during the 1980s and 1990s.

=== Development of later Sheridan markers ===

The PGP's mechanical arrangement provided a basis for other Sheridan pump-action markers.

Related products included the PMI-1, PMI-2, KP-series rifles and P68 variants.

These markers incorporated different barrel lengths, ammunition-feeding arrangements and gas systems while retaining elements of Sheridan's valve and hammer design.[2]

The stacked-tube operating system also influenced the development of the WGP Sniper.

Bud Orr subsequently developed the semiautomatic Autococker from the Sniper platform.[3]

=== Updated PGP (2001) ===

Sheridan introduced a revised PGP around 2001.

The updated model incorporated several changes from the earlier design, including:

* A longer barrel.
* An adjustable velocity system.
* Revised bolt construction.
* A quick-change CO₂ mechanism.
* Updated sights.
* A speed-loading arrangement.

The revised model retained the PGP's brass construction, pump-action operation and internal ammunition magazine.[5]

A contemporary comparison published by the Stock-Class Paintball Network on 2 April 2002 examined the differences between the original and updated PGP models.[4]

== Operating mechanism ==

The PGP uses a manually operated pump-action mechanism.

Moving the pump handle cycles the bolt and recocks the firing mechanism.

A paintball is fed from the internal magazine into the breech before firing.

Pulling the trigger releases the hammer, which operates the valve and allows compressed carbon dioxide to propel the paintball.

The marker uses a Sheridan-style valve system housed in the lower tube.

Unlike semiautomatic markers, the PGP requires manual recocking between shots.

== Construction ==

The original PGP uses a three-tube brass body.

Its principal components include:

* An integral brass barrel.
* An upper ammunition magazine.
* A manually operated pump handle.
* A Sheridan valve and hammer assembly.
* A disposable 12-gram CO₂ cartridge system.
* A mechanical trigger and grip frame.

The original design incorporated a removable magazine plug for loading paintballs.

Later models introduced changes to the pump handle, bolt, velocity adjustment and loading system.[4][5]

== Models and variants ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Model
! Description
|-
| Sheridan PG
| Original bolt-action pistol from which the PGP developed
|-
| Original PGP
| Pump-action version with brass body and internal magazine
|-
| Updated PGP
| Revised model introduced around 2001 with updated loading, velocity adjustment and CO₂ components
|}

Aftermarket conversions and customised PGP markers should be distinguished from factory-produced models.

== Customisation ==

The PGP became a platform for specialist paintball marker modifications.

Custom airsmiths developed alternative pump handles, loading systems, bolts, valve components and gas arrangements.

[[Palmer's Pursuit Shop]], established by [[Glenn Palmer]], became associated with custom Sheridan-based paintball equipment.

Other specialist manufacturers produced modifications intended to improve loading convenience, maintenance and compatibility with different paintball ammunition.[6]

Historical examples of PGP modifications are preserved in specialist paintball equipment collections.

== Influence on paintball equipment ==

The PGP is associated with the development of stock-class paintball equipment during the 1980s and 1990s.

Its compact design, limited ammunition capacity and disposable CO₂ supply reflected the equipment commonly used in early recreational paintball.

The Sheridan valve and hammer arrangement also influenced later pump-action and semiautomatic markers.

The PGP remains documented in historical equipment archives and specialist paintball publications.[2][3]

== See also ==

* [[Sheridan]]
* [[Pursuit Marketing Inc.]]
* [[Jeffrey Perlmutter]]
* [[David Freeman]]
* [[Nel-Spot 007]]
* [[WGP Sniper]]
* [[Autococker]]
* [[Palmer's Pursuit Shop]]
* [[Pump-action paintball markers]]
* [[Stock-class paintball]]

== References ==

# [https://paintballhistory.com/pioneering-the-sport-of-paintball-the-history-of-pmi-with-jeff-perlmutter/ Paintball History, "Pioneering the Sport of Paintball: The History of PMI with Jeff Perlmutter", 31 January 2023. Interview documenting the PG prototypes, Sheridan partnership and development of the PGP.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/paintguns/gun-digest.shtml WARPIG, "Paintball Gun Digest", 30 August 1994. Contemporary equipment reference covering the PGP and related Sheridan markers.]
# [https://www.wikipaintball.com/index.php/WGP_Sniper WikiPaintball, "WGP Sniper". Historical account of the Sniper's development from Sheridan-derived operating principles.]
# [https://stockclasspaintball.com/articles/newvsoldpgp.shtml Stock-Class Paintball Network, "New VS. Old PGP", 2 April 2002. Contemporary comparison of original and revised PGP construction.]
# [https://www.stockclasspaintball.com/markers/pgp_2001.shtml Stock-Class Paintball Network, "PGP (2001)". Specifications and features of the updated model.]
# [https://paintmagazine.com/paintball-archive/1990s-palmers-pursuit-shop-brochures/ Paint Magazine, "Palmer's Pursuit Shop Brochures". Historical catalogues documenting Sheridan-based custom paintball equipment.]

== External links ==

* [https://www.stockclasspaintball.com/markers/pgp_2001.shtml Stock-Class Paintball Network: PGP (2001)]
* [https://stockclasspaintball.com/articles/newvsoldpgp.shtml New versus old PGP comparison]
* [https://paintballhistory.com/sheridan/ Paintball History: Sheridan equipment archive]

[[Category:Paintball markers]]
[[Category:Paintball equipment]]
[[Category:Paintball history]]