A simple, light Spyder blowback aimed at the lowest price point for casual and family rec play.
Technical Specifications
Operation
Mechanical stacked-tube blowback
Firing Modes
semi-auto
Caliber
.68
Feed System
Gravity hopper
Air Source
HPA/CO2
Operating Pressure
~300 psi
Weight (unloaded)
2.6 lbs
MSRP
$55
Street Price
$50-80
Maintenance
Low
Notable features: EKO valve, Adjustable velocity, Aluminum body
Pros & Cons
Pros
Very cheap
Light
Simple
Cons
Lowest build tier
Small aftermarket
Best for: Family/casual rec, Tightest budgets, Backyard play
Setup & First-Day Tuning Guide
Inspect Cup Seal & Fittings Before Air — Before adding air to the Spyder Xtra, inspect the cup seal inside the valve and all macro-line fittings. The cup seal is the #1 failure point on mechanical guns. Replace if cracked or flat — they cost under $5.
Attach Air Source Slowly — Thread on your HPA tank or CO2 tank slowly. Listen at all connections for leaks. HPA is strongly recommended over CO2 for consistency and long-term seal health.
Install Barrel & Loader — Attach barrel and loader before loading paint. A gravity hopper works at 5–6 BPS. An agitating loader prevents jams and is worthwhile at any price point.
Chronograph & Adjust Velocity Screw — Fire 10 shots across the chrono. Adjust the Spyder Xtra's velocity screw clockwise to raise, counter-clockwise to lower. Quarter-turn increments. Target your field limit (usually 280 fps).
Shoot 20 Break-In Shots, Then Re-Chrono — Mechanical blowbacks often run 5–10 fps high for the first 20 shots as the cup seal seats. Re-check after break-in and make a final adjustment.
CO2 Rate-of-Fire Warning — On CO2, keep rate of fire under 6–7 BPS. Faster pulls liquid CO2 through the valve causing freeze-ups and seal damage. HPA eliminates this entirely.
Maintenance Schedule
Interval
Task
Detail
After every outing
Barrel, bolt & exterior clean
Squeegee twice, bolt wipe, screws snug.
Every 5 sessions
Bolt O-ring lube & cup seal check
Clean with isopropyl, dry, apply Dow 33. Inspect cup seal — replace if deformed.
Every 6 months
Valve & fitting service
Re-lube all O-rings. Check all fittings and inline regulator if present.
Annually
Full teardown & O-ring replacement
Complete disassembly, full O-ring kit replacement, inspect springs.
Simple tube blowback; clean and lube periodically.
Common Problems & Troubleshooting
Velocity drops mid-play
Cause: Worn cup seal; CO2 liquid pull; low pressure
Fix: Inspect cup seal first. On CO2, slow your ROF. Try a fresh tank fill.
Bolt doesn't return after firing
Cause: Broken hammer return spring
Fix: Disassemble the Spyder Xtra and inspect the hammer spring. Replace with an OEM spring — they cost under $10.
Ball breaks in barrel (chops)
Cause: Worn detent; hopper not keeping up
Fix: Check the ball detent. If shooting over 6 BPS with a gravity hopper, upgrade to an agitating loader.
Air leaks from barrel
Cause: Worn cup seal
Fix: Replace the cup seal — this fixes barrel leaks in 90% of mechanical blowback guns. Part costs under $3.
Air leaks from grip area
Cause: Valve body O-ring failure
Fix: Apply Dow 33 to the valve body O-ring. Also check all macro-line compression fittings.
Upgrade Path
Barrel
Spring kit
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Spyder Xtra good for beginners?
Yes — the Spyder Xtra is an excellent first-time gun. It's durable and forgiving of beginner mistakes.
Does the Spyder Xtra run on CO2 or HPA?
Compatible with HPA/CO2. CO2 works but HPA gives significantly more consistent velocity and is better for long-term seal health.
What is the operating pressure of the Spyder Xtra?
The Spyder Xtra operates at ~300 psi. Match your regulator output to this spec.
How hard is the Spyder Xtra to maintain?
Easy — basic bolt cleaning every few sessions. Simple tube blowback; clean and lube periodically.
What loader does the Spyder Xtra need?
A standard 200-round hopper works. An agitating loader prevents jams at higher rates of fire.
How much does the Spyder Xtra cost?
New: $55 MSRP, typically $50-80 on the street. Used prices vary — check BST forums and eBay for current asking prices.
What barrel thread does the Spyder Xtra use?
The Spyder Xtra shoots .68 caliber. Confirm the specific thread pattern for your variant before ordering a barrel.
What firing modes does the Spyder Xtra support?
Supported modes: semi-auto. Most recreational fields require semi-auto only.
How heavy is the Spyder Xtra?
2.6 lbs unloaded. With a full hopper and HPA tank, expect roughly 5.1–6.1 lbs total.
Is the Spyder Xtra worth buying?
A simple, light Spyder blowback aimed at the lowest price point for casual and family rec play. Strengths: Very cheap, Light. Trade-offs: Lowest build tier, Small aftermarket.