Compare the Empire Axe (Original) and Empire BT D*Fender side by side: price, specs, firing modes, weight, and maintenance — and see which paintball gun is the better buy for your style of play.
| Empire Axe (Original) | Empire BT D*Fender | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Typical Price | $150-260 (used) | $120-220 (used) |
| Operation | Electropneumatic poppet | Mechanical inline blowback |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto, ramping | semi-auto |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Force-fed | Dual-feed (magazine + hopper) |
| Air | HPA | HPA/CO2 |
| Operating Pressure | ~200 psi | ~250 psi |
| Weight | 1.9 lb | 3.4 lb |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Low |
The Empire Axe (Original) and Empire BT D*Fender are both mid-range paintball guns, so the choice comes down to how each one fits your game rather than how much you spend. On price, the Empire BT D*Fender runs roughly $35 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. Players who want less upkeep should look at the Empire BT D*Fender, which rates low on maintenance and asks less of you between games. Both fire electronically, but the Empire Axe (Original) offers more firing modes for dialing in your rate of fire. At 1.9 lb the Empire Axe (Original) is the easier carry over a long day on the field. The Empire Axe (Original) is built with value players and rec/speedball in mind. Bottom line: pick the Empire BT D*Fender for a tight budget, or the Empire Axe (Original) for all-day comfort.