Tippmann
Tippmann is an American manufacturer of paintball markers and paintball equipment, including military simulation kits. Tippmann Industrial Products, a related company manufactures manual and pneumatic heavy-duty sewing machines primarily used for leather, other leather-related equipment, and some industrial products. Originally a family-owned business run from Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 2004 Dennis Tippmann Sr. sold a majority ownership stake to Summit Partners, a private equity firm. Tippmann designed one of the first automatic markers, the use of refillable air systems in place of 12 gram cartridges, the "Cyclone Feed" system, the "Flatline" barrel, and the Tippmann C-3, the first propane-powered marker.
History
The Tippmann family, headed by Dennis Tippmann Senior, originally manufactured collectible, half-scale replica machine guns. However, a change in gun laws led to entry into the paintball market in 1986; forming the Tippmann Pneumatics Incorporated company. The company attempted to make high-performance, durable and affordable products - with the company claiming to have built the first semi-automatic and full-automatic paintball markers in the world.In June 2004, Tippmann announced that the company had completed a financial recapitalization with private equity and venture capital firm Summit Partners. Howard Kosick joined Tippmann as its president and CEO, with both Dennis Tippman Senior and Dennis Tippmann Junior remaining on the company’s Board of directors as consultants; the latter continuing with the management team in product development. Shortly afterward in 2005, the company announced a record year for increased sales of paint marker units.
The company has been credited with the development of several technologies, including the introduction of C3 with PEP Technology propane markers in 2005, and improved Anti-Chop technology in 2006 to combat paintball breakages inside the marker.
In 2010, Tippmann Sports acquired NXe, a manufacturer of soft goods for the paintball industry. The acquisition combined the industry’s leading paintball marker brand with the leading soft goods brand. A full line of paintball harnesses, protective gear, tank covers, apparel, bags, pods and other miscellaneous accessories were immediately integrated into Tippmann’s existing product offering.
On December 20, 2013, the acquisition of Tippmann was announced by G.I. Sportz Chairman and CEO Richmond Italia.
In 2020, G.I. Sportz and Tippmann filed for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in Canada and Chapter 15 bankruptcy in the United States after stating that they would be unable to pay $29 million under a credit agreement.
Current paintball markers
Tippmann M4 Carbine (TMC)
The TMC is Tippmann's MagFed Paintball Marker. It was first sold to the public in 2016 it can be magazine or hopper fed. It comes in an all black or a black and tan finish. The TMC is approximately in weight.Tippmann Tactical Compact Rifle (TCR)
The TCR is Tippmann's MagFed only close-quarters battle military simulation magazine fed paintball marker. The manual was published in February 2015. The TCR is first strike round ready out of the box. It can be powered by 12 gram cartridges or by using a remote line to a larger tank. This paintball marker cannot use a hopper without being disassembled to install an adapter and must be reloaded via magazine. The TCR is about in weight.Cronus
The Cronus was released by Tippmann in December 2013. It comes in a "Basic" version, which includes just the marker and simple barrel. It also comes in a "Tactical" version, with a more M16-like appearance. The Tactical version features a 6-position adjustable stock, barrel shroud, forward grip, and a removable carry handle, similar to that seen on the Alpha Black Elite. It comes in a desert tan or olive green finish.Crossover
Debuting in 2012, the Crossover is aimed at both Speedball and Recreational play. The Crossover utilizes the latest version of the FlexValve, allowing it to fire in both Electronic and Mechanical modes. Other advancements and features include integrated break beam anti-chop eyes, low pressure operation under 300 PSI allowing users to use LPA tanks and a magnetic hall effect trigger. The upper body is a solid-machined piece of aluminum and has a centered adjusting feedback to allow the use of any hopper.Being a "hybrid" marker, the Crossover board comes with pre-installed tournament modes for semi-pro and professional speedball play. The board features multiple adjustable firing modes, including standard semi-auto, auto-response, 3-shot burst, PSP, NPPL and Millennium modes. It also has a bottom regulator with the ability to convert to a front regulator so players can easily run their own regulator. As an added bonus of having a bottom regulator, the Crossover has the ability to utilize an internal gas line to keep the marker cleaner looking on the outside.
FT-12
The FT-12 is one of Tippmann's newest paintball markers. Debuting in 2012, the FT-12 is aimed at rental and beginner use. The FT-12 uses a new body design never seen before in a Tippmann, using die-cast receivers. Splitting along the sides to open at the top, the FT-12 gives users a top-down view of the internals. The new body design can allow field owners to easily and quickly maintain their markers, with a savings of 75% in work time. The entire marker can be disassembled and reassembled in seconds, with everything coming right out the top. The FT-12 also utilizes an internal gas line, which prevents damage and leaks. The FT-12 also uses an enclosed bolt, similar to the A5, keeping dirt and debris from entering the marker through the cocking arm opening.The FT-12 comes stock with a vertical foregrip that can be removed. The Ft-12 shares a thread similar to the 98 Custom "quick-thread" design, allowing the use of 98 Custom barrels. No other upgrades are available or compatible.
The FT-12 comes in 2 versions, a bright yellow framed rental version with rental labels riveted to the sides, and a black public version. Both generally sell for the same amount.
98 Custom Platinum
The Tippmann 98 Custom has undergone many body and internal changes, but has remained almost the same over the years since being released in 1998. Tippmann's most recent 98 model, the 98 Custom Platinum, has many of Tippmann's most recent technology changes while keeping the 98 Custom a very reliable, basic and upgradeable marker. The 98 Custom utilizes the "clamshell" body design with a split receiver for even easier access to the internals. The powertube and valve were also redesigned with a self-sealing / locking gas line to allow easier removal. The marker is flat-topped, and unlike earlier 98 Customs, comes pre-grooved to allow the use of all picatinny accessories like sights, scopes and handles right out of the box. The marker features a new finish and a textured vertical foregrip with internal locking pins to provide extra stability. Other advancements include an integrated front sight spring and a solid rear sight, to make service easier. They also started making the stock endcap with a sling mount.ACT is featured in current versions of the 98 Custom.
Tippmann also produces upgrades for the 98 Custom including the Response Trigger, eGrip and Cyclone feed system. The 98 Custom utilizes a "quick-thread" design that allows for quick and painless installation/ removal, and can take all 98 Custom threaded barrels and Flatline systems.
Gryphon
The Gryphon is essentially the same in-line blowback internals as the 98 custom, in a low cost speedball-esque style body. It has an internal gas line, fixed center-feed neck, a top cocking knob, and a 2 finger blade trigger. Sharing the same threads as the A5 and X7 Phenom, any A5/X7 barrel can be used. It was designed to give entry-level players on a budget an easy to maintain, effective and reliable marker for the lowest price possible. Its price is comparable to many of the "no-name" guns found in department stores, however the common parts and proven design make it far more reliable and repairable, allowing for years of use. The primary drawback of the marker is its limited upgrade options, although some internal upgrades MAY be interchangeable with the 98 Custom & US Army lineups.A-5
In appearance, the A-5 was modeled after the H&K MP5K but can be modified to look like a number of different real-world firearms. It is one of the most customizable markers on the market, with many different cosmetic and performance parts. The Tippmann A5 could easily accept standard ASA expansion chambers and regulators allowing easier performance upgrades, unlike the later X-7. Departing from previous Tippmann bodies, the A-5s hammer is completely enclosed within the clam-shell, using a separate overhead cocking mechanism. The body also incorporates a removable barrel thread adapter, allowing the marker to change its barrel threads to any major type.The A-5 is a semi-automatic paintball marker. It utilizes an atypical pneumatic loader called the "Cyclone Feed" similar to the Tippmann F/As force feed. This enables the marker to have a higher rate of fire than a gravity feed without the addition of a battery-operated loader. It uses a larger surface area and a series of rotating arms in a star-shaped pattern. Five balls are held between the paddles as they rotate paintballs into the firing chamber. Theoretically, this system eliminates chops by positively feeding a paintball into the chamber before each shot.
The stock Cyclone is rated for a maximum of 15 balls per second. While higher rates of fire are possible, the stock mechanics are not designed to deal with the stresses this will place on them. This limitation was addressed during the creation of the X-7.
In addition to the stock semi-automatic function, the A-5 can be easily upgraded with either the Response Trigger or an Electronic Trigger by swapping out the lower grip frame, a feature introduced on the A-5.