Entertech

Entertech was a brand of battery-powered motorized water guns sold in the United States from 1985 to 1990 by the now-defunct LJN.[1][2][3] Unlike the colorful designs of many of the simple hand powered pump water guns of that time, most of the Entertech water guns were manufactured from black plastics with a matte finish to resemble actual firearms.

Entertech
TypeWater gun
CompanyLJN
CountryUnited States
Availability1985–1990
Slogan"The look! The feel! The sound, so real!"

Marketing materials and television spots would tout, "The look! The feel! The sound! So real! Entertech!" These water guns were revolutionary at a time when most children were purchasing inexpensive clear colored plastic squirt guns that were hand powered, had poor effective range and looked like toys.[4] The Entertech line boasted realistic looks and water storage in the form of detachable magazines (in most models) like their real firearm counterparts. In addition, the motorized water pumps made noises that, while not realistic, added an extra level of sensation. Finally, all of the guns except the Enforcer shotgun model boasted full automatic rate of fire (approx. 60 rpm) and a 30-foot effective range.[5]

Models

First generation
  • Side Kick Pistol (product design based on the Colt M1911 pistol, it was connected via a vinyl tube enclosing a water feed tube and trigger actuation wires to a separate pack fashioned to look like an ammunition box that was slung over the user's shoulder which also held a 1-quart water supply)[5]
  • M-16 (product design based on the Colt M16A2)[5]
  • R.P.G. Water Rocket Launcher (product design loosely based on the rocket propelled grenade launcher RPG-7)[5]
  • AK Centerfire (a submachine gun with a number of design features from the Intratec TEC-22)
  • Double Clip Baretta (a submachine gun design loosely based on the Beretta M12 also supplied with two magazines)
  • Water Laser (a futuristic looking laser gun with the same power and water delivery mechanism as the Side Kick Pistol, except with a 2-quart capacity and designed to be worn as a backpack)
  • Water Hawk (a large machine pistol based on the Interdynamic AB KG-9)
  • Uzi Cap Repeater (This was the only item that was not a water gun. It was simply a cap gun designed to look like a Micro Uzi.)

Second generation
  • Water Grenade Set (a portable water balloon filling device. The unit was designed to resemble a detonator device. It included 20 green water balloons designed to resemble pineapple style hand grenades)[6]
  • Defender Shotgun (a pump action shotgun with a detachable magazine for the water supply and powered by an air pressure discharge system similar to Larami Corporation's Super Soaker guns)[6]
  • M-60 Rambo Edition (a re-branded M-16 with a box mag, folding bi-pod, a Rambo logo sticker on the gun, and a red Rambo headband. This product was released to promote Rambo: First Blood Part II.)
  • R.P.G. Water Rocket Launcher Rambo Edition (same as above)
  • Baretta (a copy of the Beretta 92 pistol, released in stainless steel or all black versions)
  • The Saturator (A pump action shotgun modeled after the Pancor Jackhammer)

Other products

Company closure

The end of Entertech's short-lived success was due in part to incidents in which law enforcement officers shot and killed children toting toy guns, claiming to have mistaken them for actual firearms.[7] In addition, there were reported incidents of criminals utilizing toy guns in robberies of retail establishments and even banks.[8][9] In the midst of these highly publicized incidents, Entertech voluntarily began manufacturing their guns with blaze orange-colored caps in 1987, and began a line of less-realistic neon-colored guns later that year.[10][7]

After Acclaim Entertainment purchased LJN in April 1990, they began phasing out toy manufacturing. Using LJN to make video games instead of toys increased the limit of titles Acclaim could produce for the Nintendo Entertainment System. In September 1990, Acclaim sold the Entertech brand for $1.7 million.[2]

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See also

References
  1. "Today's Toy Gun: It's Not a Plastic Water Pistol Anymore". San Jose Mercury News. May 3, 1986.
  2. "Acclaim Entertainment Inc. Company History". Funding Universe.
  3. Albrecht, Bob. "LITTLE SQUIRTS LOVE BIG SQUIRTS." Columbus Dispatch, The (OH) 26 Aug. 1985, HOME FINAL, FEATURES - Accent & Arts: 3B. NewsBank. Web. 17 Jun. 2016.
  4. "Long-Range Water Pistols, Light-Beam Weapons Toy Gun Makers See a New Hit". The Los Angeles Times. June 16, 1986.
  5. "AK Centerfire TV commercial".
  6. "Water Grenade Set TV commercial".
  7. "After 3 Deaths, Realistic Toys Are Under Fire". The New York Times. June 16, 1988.
  8. "Toy gun used in bank robbery". The Los Angeles Times. January 15, 1988.
  9. "Court says armed robbery is possible with a fake gun". The Boston Globe. January 5, 1989.
  10. "Burbank bans sale of realistic toy guns after victim's plea". San Jose Mercury News. October 1, 1987.
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