Compare the Empire BT-4 Combat and Valken Proton 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 | Valken Proton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Budget | Budget |
| Typical Price | $70-130 (used) | $140-200 |
| Operation | Mechanical inline blowback | Electropneumatic-assisted |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto | semi-auto, ramping, full-auto |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Gravity hopper | Gravity hopper / force-fed |
| Air | HPA/CO2 | HPA |
| Operating Pressure | ~250 psi | ~250 psi |
| Weight | 3.3 lb | 2.4 lb |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
The Empire BT-4 Combat and Valken Proton 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 Empire BT-4 Combat runs roughly $50 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. Both fire electronically, but the Valken Proton offers more firing modes for dialing in your rate of fire. At 2.4 lb the Valken Proton 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 Valken Proton is built with budget upgraders and rec play in mind. Availability differs too: the discontinued (common) Empire BT-4 Combat and the in production Valken Proton won't always be equally easy to find new. Bottom line: pick the Empire BT-4 Combat for a tight budget, or the Valken Proton for all-day comfort.