Compare the Empire BT-4 Combat and Spyder Xtra 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 BT-4 Combat | Spyder Xtra | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Budget | Budget |
| Typical Price | $70-130 (used) | $50-80 |
| Operation | Mechanical inline blowback | Mechanical stacked-tube blowback |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto | semi-auto |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Gravity hopper | Gravity hopper |
| Air | HPA/CO2 | HPA/CO2 |
| Operating Pressure | ~250 psi | ~300 psi |
| Weight | 3.3 lb | 2.6 lb |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
The Empire BT-4 Combat and Spyder Xtra are both budget paintball guns, so the choice comes down to how each one fits your game rather than how much you spend. On price, the Spyder Xtra runs roughly $45 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. Both run electronic firing modes, so trigger feel and board tuning matter more here than the spec sheet. At 2.6 lb the Spyder Xtra is the easier carry over a long day on the field. The Empire BT-4 Combat is built with used-market scenario and woodsball in mind. The Spyder Xtra is built with family/casual rec and tightest budgets in mind. Availability differs too: the discontinued (common) Empire BT-4 Combat and the in production Spyder Xtra won't always be equally easy to find new. Bottom line: the Spyder Xtra is the stronger all-round pick here, especially for a tight budget.