Compare the Valken Blackhawk MFG 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.
| Valken Blackhawk MFG | Valken Proton | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Budget | Budget |
| Typical Price | $140-220 | $140-200 |
| Operation | Mechanical inline | Electropneumatic-assisted |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto | semi-auto, ramping, full-auto |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Magazine / hopper | Gravity hopper / force-fed |
| Air | HPA/CO2 | HPA |
| Operating Pressure | ~250 psi | ~250 psi |
| Weight | 3.4 lb | 2.4 lb |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
The Valken Blackhawk MFG 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. The two land close enough on price that cost alone is unlikely to settle it. 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 Valken Blackhawk MFG is built with budget magfed and scenario in mind. The Valken Proton is built with budget upgraders and rec play in mind. Whichever you choose, fresh o-rings, a quality barrel, and a good paint-to-bore match will do more for your day than the badge on the body. Bottom line: the Valken Proton is the stronger all-round pick here, especially for programmable firing modes.