More for less, and less is more, with the new Maxx 55 and the new SportShot game. Unique to both is PMI .55 caliber marking ammo, adding a new element to this paintball-type of game. At .55 caliber, each ball is 19 per cent smaller than a .68 caliber paintball. The smaller ammo costs less, so the price per shot goes way down--and so does the weight of the ball. With lighter weight balls and SportShot's lower velocity, the impact energy from a hit goes way down, too, while keeping all the action adventure in the game.

"Competitive play is the key to the health of any sporting activity," said Jeff Perlmutter, PMI president, in an interview. "Our industry has developed many great tournament opportunities, but somehow we have lost touch with the grass roots player who just wants to have a good time. Our hopes for SportShot are to provide a simple format that relies on the skill of the player--rather than on the technology of the marker and high rates of fire--to win the game."

PMI is working with selected league and tournament promoters, to help develop leagues, and local, regional, and eventually national tournament events to support this new format.

According to Michael Lukas, Director of Purchasing and Product Development for PMI: "Paintball, since its inception, has always been about strategy, tactics, and camaraderie, both on and off the playing field. Most players will remember the excitement of the first time they tagged a player out--or that adrenalin rush of finally realizing you could be tagged out at any moment, if you made one wrong move!

"We have all sat for hours, telling tales about those amazing stealthy moves we made flanking another player, as well as those embarrassing moments when we got caught off guard. PMI feels it is vital to the ongoing health of our industry to ensure this great experience can be shared with any person who wishes to enjoy it.

"SportShot is an opportunity for new players to experience the fun of the sport in a more controlled, user friendly, and back to basics format. We feel this will help expose more players to our sport, and assist to infuse a breath of fresh air into the sport we love at a time when it needs it most."

About the Maxx 55

Q: What does the Maxx 55 weigh?

A: Just over 1 pound.

Q: How long is the barrel?

A: The standard barrel length is 4 inches. There also will be 6 inch and 8 inch barrels available.

Q: What is the barrel made of?

A: Precision extruded aluminum with an anodized finish for durability.

Q: How do you take the barrel off?

A: The new twist lock barrel system features a quick 1/4 turn to remove or install the barrel.

Q: What type of BBD, barrel blocking device, comes with the Maxx 55?

A: A barrel bag.

Q: Will the Maxx 55 be available in a kit?

A: We're working on kit designs.

Q: Does the Maxx 55 have its own loader?

A: The specially designed loader for the Maxx 55 works with .55 caliber paintballs and holds 200 balls. It is designed so that it holds the same number of balls a .68 caliber pod will hold when filled with .55 caliber balls. At this time, the loader is not motorized.

The loader has a very clever insert that looks like a funnel. You can pop the insert in, or out, and change the loader so it works with .55 caliber or .68 caliber. With .68 caliber it holds 100 balls. The loader comes with the insert installed.

About .55

Q: What does PMI see as a significant advantage of this different size ball?

A: Less expensive ammo. SportShot uses the newly developed .55 caliber RPS marking ammo. It's smaller, and players can expect to pay significantly less per ball than for .68 caliber.

PMI's Lukas explained, "PMI believes there is a substantial opportunity in bridging gap between the current airsoft market and the established .68 caliber paintball market. In order to do this, PMI evaluated the potential customer and their impression of paintball, with the goal of preparing a product offering which would be very attractive."

Q: Will the smaller ball leave a mark that's easy to see?

A: Even though the ball is smaller than .68 caliber and has less fill, the ball still leaves an easily visible tagging mark. PMI uses the latest in formulation technology to make quality performance SportShot 55 ammo. "New production techniques and formulations were developed to create this ammo, because the product has different performance requirements due to its size and mass," explained PMI's Lukas. SportShot marking ammo was developed at the RPS paintball manufacturing plant in Florida.

Q: How does it feel to get hit with the .55 ball?

A. Game field operators know being hit by a ball can "be rather startling" to new players. The lesser size and weight of a SportShot .55, compared to larger, heavier balls, means less impact, and less possibility of bruising, when a player gets hit. The design of this new ammo means is breaks more easily on impact, which also enhances the playing experience.

Lukas highlighted the reason for developing the SportShot game concept by comparison with .68 caliber paintball: "As we have watched our sport expand and grow, we have become concerned with the fact that 'rate of fire' has become the key factor in victory when playing on the paintball field. At one time this quest for speed was limited to the tournament level of play, where specially trained personnel could monitor the activity and keep it safe. The misuse of 'high rate of fire technology' by experienced players on new or entry level participants has had a major negative effect on the market for many years, the results of which all of us have been experiencing over the last 18 months. We are reaping what we have sown." SportShot, and the lesser impacts from .55 caliber balls, presents player-friendly opportunities for those who want to play but don't want the high rate of fire game environment.

Q: What's the weight difference of SportShot ammo compared to .68 caliber balls?

A: SportShot ammo has a mass approximately 50 per cent lower than current .68 caliber RPS paintballs. The average .55 ball weighs 1.6 grams.

Q: What's the recommended speed for SportShot?

A: PMI recommends 260fps (feet per second) for playing SportShot. The lower speed means the SportShot ball has a lower impact energy a .68 caliber ball, everything else being equal. The Maxx 55 and SportShot ammo are designed for best performance at 260fps.

Q: Who provides tech support?

A: PMI. SportShot products and specifically the Maxx 55 semi-automatic marker are designed for durability, and are easy to maintain. This lets players spend their time on the playing field, not on the sidelines doing equipment maintenance. PMI will provide customer support via internet, telephone, and dealer/user workshops for all SportShot related products.

Q: Does it take any special gear to play SportShot?

A: The Maxx 55, of course, and paintball goggles, the Maxx 55 loader, an air cylinder, SportShot ammo, and a barrel bag. A harness and one or more refillable pods let you carry more balls.

Q: How will the SportShot ammo be packaged?

A: A case will hold 2000 rounds. The carton will be about half the size of a .68 caliber case of 2000 balls. PMI also plans to have a special 200 round multi-pack for field and store sales.

Q: What color paintballs will be available?

A: PMI plans to offer yellow, white, and pink as the first releases.

Q: What type of field testing was done while PMI developed SportShot and the Maxx 55?

A: PMI conducted several field trials in the Chicago, Illinois, area, working with a study group which helped to fine tune the product's performance. This testing was conducted over six months. It allowed PMI to evolve the marking ammo to meet the cost, performance, and design protocols PMI had targeted.

Q: How do game site operators and pro shop owners find out more about SportShot?

A: PMI will assist game site operators in establishing or converting indoor or outdoor facilities to support the new SportShot format. It's an appealing option to new players or parents concerned about their youngsters, and to any players who would rather avoid being hit by .68 caliber paintballs.

Development and formation of SportShot playing leagues and tournament events is underway. These programs are being developed and expanded with increasing challenge levels, starting with entry level and moving up through a ranked structure.

More for Less!

More fun, more shots for your dollars, a lighter marker, lighter ammo, less bruising--the player-friendly SportShot total package with the Maxx 55 opens new avenues for adventures. Try it for yourself soon!


SportShot products are scheduled to be on the market this spring, in traditional paintball stores and also through mass market distribution channels. See the Maxx 55 at your favorite retailer, and ask your local game field operator about SportShot leagues and tournaments! For more information, dealers may contact Michael Lukas, phone 847.233.2547, fax 847.233.9901; mlukas@pminetwork.com. PMI, www.buypmi.com.


Maxx 55 Specifications

Features: Flush cocking bolt design. Semi automatic open bolt blowback operating system. Double trigger with protective guard. Rotating mechanical safety. Bottom line ASA adapter. Removable barrel. Shoots .55 caliber ammo.

Overall length with barrel: 12 inches without a tank

Power system: CO2 or compressed air/nitrogen; operating pressure 650 to 1000psi

Tank Attachment: bottom line ASA adapter

Safety: Rotating mechanical safety

Manufacturer/Distributor:

PMI, Inc.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Phone 847.233.2547
Fax 847.233.9901
www.buypmi.com

I saw that in a magazie.It sounds pretty cool.I would but it if i had a longer barrel on it.

"Come on man,this is the stuff heros and ledgands are made out of!"
-My Dad

That looks like a nice marker. Is this about the same as a PMI Black Maxx?