Paintball

[JKR]

Take this little story for what it is worth...

I called AGD about a week ago to place an order for some parts - orings, springs and such. I am unsure of the guy that took my order but he was a friendly chap so during the conversation, I decided to ask about the lack of ProClassics in the AGD store. He said that he didn't know if they would have any more in 2008 or not. Now it could have been nothing, but I found it odd that he would answer this way. So I probed a bit further...

I asked him if they had something in development that would keep them from stocking the ProClassics this year. He said he really didn't know about those type of things and didn't have any information about anything new.

My take...they are up to something involving Classic valves or stainless bodies. A new lower cost beginner 'gun? A Classic valved 'gun with an aluminum body? Perhaps it was nothing at all but my radar went off when talking with him. I got the feeling something was up.

Oh, and here is a comical aside...

I told the guy that they had won the age-old battle and that the plug was being pulled on the Autococker. He seemed as if he didn't know a thing about it and was a bit suprised judging by his voice.

[Sly1]

It might also be what happened to the cocker..

"I dont know if we'll have any more this year" sounds an awful lot like, were dying...

[Daze]

Thats what I take from it too. "We're almost out of current stock, and there probably won't be any more made." sort of thing.

But you could be right. It would be nice.

[MrJR]

It would be nice, but I just don't see it happening. Look up their address using google maps and zoom with satellite view. You'll see a residential location.

I wish I were wrong about them being done, but I don't think I am.

[b-cuzz]

IMHO (and I could be wrong, as I often am), AGD is eventually going to price themselves right out of business. I hate to say it, because I love my mags. However, your average entry-level player is probably going to pay $250 for a nice electro as opposed to a HEAVY mechanical gun that isn't a vert feed. No matter how high quality it is. They have needed a nice affordable entry level gun for awhile. If they can sell a complete gun (w/ barrel), that has a ULE body on it (stainless valve or whatever), and a double trigger, for about $175 (that may be pushing it a bit), they could make a serious comeback. Granted, the bottom would probably fall out of the high-end and collector mags, but, honestly, which would you rather have? How many of us are there that would like to see the Sydarm and the pumps come back? Not likely, but possible.

The bottom line is that the more guns anyone else sells that appeal to the beginners and rec players, the farther AGD falls behind. I use mags as my primary and secondary. Of the 10 people on my rec team, three of us don't use mags (but I'm building one for one of them). Every time we play we get asked what type guns they are. It's probably not the same everywhere, but you get the idea.

It kinda worries me.

[pk5]

Heck

The only people who recognize mag around here are serious pump player or the old guy that work at the velocity store who said "wow we haven't seen one of those around in a while, i think we still have some woodgrip for them around here somewhere too"

I guess it's better than the ref who said: "one of the weirdest thing i seen so far is your reg and your gage ( referring to the air america raptor rex)

[pizzaluvr]

Oh, yee optimistic old schooler.

[MedicDVG]

The entire company is being run out of Dave Zupan's garage. There is no R&D, there is no 'product in the closet' and Tom Kaye is out in the desert digging for bones and hasn't even looked at a paintball product in 4 or more years.

As much as I hate to say it, AGD is a status quo company being kept alive by the dedicated mag users and 3rd party purveyors of aftermarket parts. Not a really healthy business plan for longevity as a company if you ask me.

I love my mags, I really really do, but the writing is on the wall. While AGD may not be dead, it is certainly on life support with the plug just hanging in the socket. When it is no longer a profitable company, it will fold. I fear that day is getting closer and closer.

[RealtorTommy]

or AGD is right where they want to be...low over head...large parts bin...pays the bills on time...might be a good plan.....

[minimag03]

I like to think they moved into a garage because they needed to funnel all resources into creating a new super mech.

I like to think that...