Compare the Empire Trracer 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 Trracer | Valken Proton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Budget | Budget |
| Typical Price | $60-110 (used) | $140-200 |
| Operation | Pump (blowforward) | Electropneumatic-assisted |
| Firing Modes | pump | semi-auto, ramping, full-auto |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Gravity hopper | Gravity hopper / force-fed |
| Air | HPA/CO2 | HPA |
| Operating Pressure | ~300 psi | ~250 psi |
| Weight | 2.4 lb | 2.4 lb |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
The Empire Trracer 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 Trracer runs roughly $65 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. For a higher rate of fire and tournament-style play, the Valken Proton pulls ahead with its electronic firing modes, while the Empire Trracer keeps things simpler and more rugged. The Empire Trracer is built with casual pump and rec in mind. The Valken Proton is built with budget upgraders and rec play in mind. Availability differs too: the discontinued (common) Empire Trracer and the in production Valken Proton won't always be equally easy to find new. Bottom line: pick the Empire Trracer for a tight budget, or the Valken Proton for rate of fire and tournament play.