Maxmadco Bolt Action retractable pen is a legend in the machined pen world. It was made by Maxmadco, a US-based machine shop, and sold in a number of materials, including stainless steel, titanium, brass, aluminum, and bronze.
The Maxmadco pens are no longer made.
While the outside of the Bolt Action was made of extremely rugged metal the inside did has a few plastic component, mainly making up the moving parts of the pen. This was a disappointment to some machined pen and metalworking enthusiasts, but never had any ill effects (even over the long term) on the Bolt Action pen.
The Bolt Action was a two-piece pen, with a nearly invisible seam in the middle where the body and grip screwed together. Three torx screws were used in the pen: two to hold on the steel clip and one as the handle for the bolt action click mechanism. The pen extended and retracted by sliding the torx screw down a “J” shaped channel in the pen.
The pen was sold in the following materials:
- Stainless Steel: The most common variety, 1.75 oz, $90
- Titanium: The second most popular one, lighter and more comfortable to use, made of 6 AL-4V titanium, 1 oz, $125
- Naval Brass: Limited edition, 1.75 oz, $125
- Bronze: A coppery look that aged well, but very rare, 1.75 oz, $125
- Aluminum: Called the “Bolt Action Lightweight”, aluminum with a black anodized finish, 0.78 oz, $60
Maxmadco pens used a Parker-style G2 refill. They shipped with a Itoya Aqua Roller gel refill which uses a plastic body and a needle-type point. They could also accommodate a Fisher Space Pen pressurized refill with the included converter piece — this was a popular choice for the Bolt Action pen and remains a top pick for EDC pen users.
The Bolt Action pen has relatively few unnecessary features, but it did have the Maxmadco logo cut into the top.
Maxmadco Bolt Action Retractable Pen Information
| Street Price | Check Price |
| Manufacturer | Maxmadco |
| Pen Type | Ballpoint |
| Rating | |
| Barrel Color | Aluminum, Bronze, Titanium, Steel, Brass, Bronze |
| Barrel Material | Aluminum, Bronze, Titanium, Steel, Brass, Bronze |
| Body Diameter (mm) | 9.5 |
| Grip Color | Aluminum, Bronze, Titanium, Steel, Brass, Bronze |
| Grip Material | Aluminum, Bronze, Titanium, Steel, Brass, Bronze |
| Grip Diameter (mm) | 9.5 |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| MSRP | $100 |
| Still Sold | No |
| Similar To | |
| Refills | |
| Capped? Retractable? | Retractable |
| Clip? | Metal |
| Length Capped / Retracted (cm) | 13.0 |
| Weight (g) | 49.6 |
| Ink Color Shipped | Black |
| Writing Sizes | 0.7 mm |