Compare the Empire Axe (Original) and Valken M17 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) | Valken M17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Typical Price | $150-260 (used) | $280-360 |
| Operation | Electropneumatic poppet | Mechanical inline |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto, ramping | semi-auto |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Force-fed | Magazine |
| Air | HPA | HPA |
| Operating Pressure | ~200 psi | ~250 psi |
| Weight | 1.9 lb | 3.4 lb |
| Maintenance | Moderate | Moderate |
The Empire Axe (Original) and Valken M17 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 Axe (Original) runs roughly $95 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. 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. The Valken M17 is built with scenario/milsim and magfed players in mind. Availability differs too: the discontinued (common) Empire Axe (Original) and the in production Valken M17 won't always be equally easy to find new. Bottom line: the Empire Axe (Original) is the stronger all-round pick here, especially for a tight budget.