Compare the Empire Mini (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 Mini (Original) | Valken M17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Typical Price | $150-250 (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 Mini (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 Mini (Original) runs roughly $100 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. Both fire electronically, but the Empire Mini (Original) offers more firing modes for dialing in your rate of fire. At 1.9 lb the Empire Mini (Original) is the easier carry over a long day on the field. The Empire Mini (Original) is built with budget players and smaller hands in mind. The Valken M17 is built with scenario/milsim and magfed players in mind. Availability differs too: the discontinued (common) Empire Mini (Original) and the in production Valken M17 won't always be equally easy to find new. Bottom line: the Empire Mini (Original) is the stronger all-round pick here, especially for a tight budget.