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Drum · 09-01-2006, 08:02 AM

There are a lot of misconceptions about the order of semi-automation, primarily based on the efforts of some (maybe I am included) to spin it a new way.

Hands down, Tippmann has the first semi-auto. Even if you want to split hairs and say that the SMG was not a semi (it was full-auto), either way, the SMG68/68 Special was out by late 1988 or 89 at the latest.

There were some experimental semis that came earlier that did not work well, or did not get the marketing saavy behind the designs. For example, the Elite Rifle, a Palmer-aided semi-auto design for the K-series Sheridan gun. It may well have been one of the earliest direct feed semis, if not THE oldest, but the thing did not work. It was not until the end of 1989 that the Hurricane was perfected by PPS.

By that time, I am nearly positive that both the Tippmann 68 Special and also the PMI3/VM had hit the markets.

The AGD 68Automag was the next in line, by about summer of 1990. For all those who think that Bud Orr had an Autococker on the market (i.e. for sale to the public) before 1992, I challenge you to prove it. The ads in APG were out months before the thing was available. I found an APG picture of the 1992 Music City Open in which Bud is showing off the prototype of his Autococking Sniper. The ads were out in December 1991 and earlier, but no gun was available until the summer of 1992 or later.

That is my spin. Bud was late off the pot and the only thing semi-automatic that he introduced in 1989 was the barrel plug.

Thanks,
D.

09-01-2006, 08:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
Drum Administrator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Trenchtown	There are a lot of misconceptions about the order of semi-automation, primarily based on the efforts of some (maybe I am included) to spin it a new way. Hands down, Tippmann has the first semi-auto. Even if you want to split hairs and say that the SMG was not a semi (it was full-auto), either way, the SMG68/68 Special was out by late 1988 or 89 at the latest. There were some experimental semis that came earlier that did not work well, or did not get the marketing saavy behind the designs. For example, the Elite Rifle, a Palmer-aided semi-auto design for the K-series Sheridan gun. It may well have been one of the earliest direct feed semis, if not THE oldest, but the thing did not work. It was not until the end of 1989 that the Hurricane was perfected by PPS. By that time, I am nearly positive that both the Tippmann 68 Special and also the PMI3/VM had hit the markets. The AGD 68Automag was the next in line, by about summer of 1990. For all those who think that Bud Orr had an Autococker on the market (i.e. for sale to the public) before 1992, I challenge you to prove it. The ads in APG were out months before the thing was available. I found an APG picture of the 1992 Music City Open in which Bud is showing off the prototype of his Autococking Sniper. The ads were out in December 1991 and earlier, but no gun was available until the summer of 1992 or later. That is my spin. Bud was late off the pot and the only thing semi-automatic that he introduced in 1989 was the barrel plug. Thanks, D.