Mac-1 Annihilator Information

submitted by Toshi Tananka

Being a proud owner and user of such markers....I know some things about them. According to Tim McMurray about 300 were made, about 2% with MacQuick config, some by Stan Russel. The barrel length cannot be calculated by simply measuring from muzzle to feed tube, beacuse the bolt sits 1/2" beyond the feed nipple, thus the lengths can be 13 1/2" for early models and 12 1/2" for later models. All models had Cooper-T delrin bolts, and delrin pump handles. Depending on the age range, the power supply may be "side air" where a fitting was soldered onto right hand side of the valve tube, constant air through the front, or CA through dummy CO2 adapter and Mac Quick. They were custom made insofar as to allow the purchaser to buy one pre-made or have a PMI-1, PGP, or KP (i don't know full specs on Annihilator rifle) to be converted to an Annihilator barrel, much like Mac-1's Avenger upgrades.... so the final product had all the characteristics of a state of the art, for 198x: direct feed, constant air, longer barrel, centerfire bolt.

The barrel itself is the heart of the Annihilator... obviously the length is peculiar to the marker, however, the materials are quite the unique component. Made from German brass tubing, guaranteed straight to thousanths of an inch, Mac-1 went to work determining the optimum length. Thus a 1" difference between early/late models. 12 1/2" was optiumum according to McMurray and allowed "the ball to leave the barrel in a slight vacuum" at speeds up to 310 fps and stock valving. I have not personally gotten 310 fps, more like 275 with CA and 300 with 12gm... but paint differences may be the uncontrolled factor... as I recall I used Nelson, and Mac-1's recommended paint was Scherer... and today i am forced to shoot Scherer. The Annihilator pistols were something to be reckoned with; however, come across an Annihilator rifle... and you've really got a rare piece.... the KP series has a better stock valve system, rifle base vs pistol base, made for longer barrel and gas system to match. I'm not sure how many were made... but they were preferred....(however, weight was a consideration at the time of my purchase... and i wanted an upgrade to my PGP Avenger... so I went for the Annihilator barrel, thinking 1 gun was enough. Mac-1 instead went for a trade my Avenger & $ for the Annihilator.) Without valve work such as Palmer's in Sacramento does to the PMI/PGP the smaller based guns will be outperformed by the KP series anything by virtue of it's valve system. just letting go of some old memories... while i still remember. take care! tosh

On a side note, the gun in the Tim McMurray 'Care and Feeding' article was once mine... it is a PGP-based Avenger, just before I traded up to an Annihilator... there is an engraving of my last name in Japanese on the rear of the gun, just forward of the velocity adj. on the LHS of the gun... the top of the box-like 'Ta' (from Tanaka) is visible. I'm surprised that other Annihilator owners haven't stepped foreward and volunteered info... kinda strange.. I wonder how many are still out there. : ) take it light.. tt