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The Empire Axe 2.0 is top tier when talking about paintball guns. It can be seen being used by professionals in speedball tournaments due to its immense firing rate, ease of use, and quality. It could also be used for woodsball paintballing depending on the role you are playing of course (ideal for rushers and suppressor roles)
The Empire Axe 2.0 is quite similar to the Empire Mini GS and the Empire Axe Pro but with just a few improvements and differences. The Empire Axe is an improvement from the Mini GS as most of the issues in the Mini GS have been resolved in the Axe 2.0.
Empire Axe Mini
One noticeable improvement from the Mini GS that can be seen in the Axe 2.0 is the larger trigger area space. This gives the user more room to move their fingers around thereby removing that cramped feeling a lot of players complained about. The Empire Axe 2.0 is bigger than the Mini GS which helps resolve the small size issue also talked about by users.
Empire Axe Pro
The Axe 2.0 is however smaller than the Empire Axe Pro but quite similar in features. Obvious differences that can be spotted right away include the smaller size and the absence of an OLED board which is present in the Axe Pro. Unlike the feed-neck of the Axe Pro that is made from Aluminum, the Axe 2.0’s feed-neck is made from Delrin plastic material.
Regardless of these differences, the Empire Axe 2.0 is still one of the best paintball guns out there, even for professionals. Parts are easy to find making repairs easy and the gun is extremely quiet with very little kick to it. Even though the price may be a bit steep, you will get great value for your money.
Features/Specifications
Noticeable features that make the Empire Axe 2.0 stand out and one of the best include:
- Its high firing rate makes it a perfect option for speedball gaming
- You rarely have cases of chopped balls which is quite amazing given the high rate of fire
- It is equipped with a relay on/off ASA regulator which allows you to control the amount of pressure going into the gun. The regulator also makes it easy to depressurize the gas tanks without damaging the O-rings. Unlike the Mini GS series, the regulator of the Axe 2.0 is much easier to remove (simply by loosening a single screw)
- It has a tool-less bolt removal system which makes cleaning and repair easy.
- An extended grip that makes shooting much more comfortable
- It is equipped with 4 firing modes which include semi-auto, full-auto/NXL, PSP ramping, and Millennium Ramping. Read more about these firing modes in the FAQs section.
- It is equipped with a 12-inch stock barrel
- The package usually comes with a toolkit that includes extra O-rings, Allen screws, springs, and lubricants. It also comes with a 9V battery which is installed already.
- It is equipped with break-beam anti-chop eyes which prevents the balls from being chopped when pushed forward by the bolt.
- The Axe 2.0 is equipped with a threaded clamping feed-neck which ensures a tight and secure fit, giving players more confidence when maneuvering around the field.
- It has a micro-switch trigger sensor which is an upgrade from the magnet system present in the Mini Empire series.
Reviews
So, I wanted to provide you with feedback from other people who own and use the Empire Axe 2.0 paintball gun for their thoughts about the paintball gun and I will be sharing some of the comments here. Based on the comments and my observation, the Pros and Cons of the gun will be listed in the section below.
Here are some of the comments users gave about the Empire Axe 2.0:
- First impressions are positive, shots feel good and the stock barrel is nice. Setting up the gun is easy, and internals pops out with no tools. However, I have included a redline board for extra ease when setting up, but no other upgrades will be required. It is a great gun!
- It is easy to maintain and has no huge and obvious flaws. I would advise players to stick with the original stock barrel and invest in a quality mask and hopper.
- It is quite reliable and affordable given the quality of the gun. Objectively, the Empire Axe 2.0 has no mechanical flaws. I would advise users to use the gun for a bit before thinking about any upgrades. It is best to invest in other items such as a mask, hopper, protective gear, and so on.
- If you are a beginner, then getting an Axe 2.0 or Etha 2 would be a great choice. However, I prefer getting used to high-end paintball guns to new mid-range guns like the Axe 2.0
- The Empire Axe 2.0 has a great stock trigger and shooting has more character when compared to the Etha 2. It is smaller than the Axe Pro though, which could feel more cramped. It is generally a fun gun to use.
- One issue I believe most but not all Axes have is the fragile O-rings. My largest O-rings do not seal anymore. However, the issue is easy and cheap to fix. I would advise getting thicker O-rings.
Pros- It has a high firing rate making it adequate for speedball paintballing
- Paintballs rarely chop when shooting
- It has a tool-less bolt system which makes cleaning repair quite easy
- Even though it can be upgraded easily, there is no need for it. The gun is bought ready to go straight into battle.
- The extended grip and larger trigger area make using this gun comfortable
- It is extremely quiet with very little kick to it.
- It is suitable for both beginners and professionals
- It is equipped with multiple firing modes
- It has an anti-chop eye system which is easy to remove and clean.
Cons- Frequent issues with leaks due to fragile O-rings
- It is much harder to remove the bolt if it gets stuck.
- For such an amazing paintball gun, it has such a dull and plain appearance
- The 12-inch stock barrel that comes with the gun is not the best in terms of quality
- It is quite expensive for a beginner to purchase
Conclusion
The Empire Axe 2.0 is certainly not perfect, but it is a great choice for beginners and professionals in the game of paintball.
Quality and durability are ensured with this gun and you can easily upgrade it if you choose to.
Whether you are playing speedball, woodsball, or scenario paintballing, the Empire Axe 2.0 can assure you a smooth and quality experience and even secure the victory you need.
FAQs
What Are O-rings?
In paintball guns, O-rings are used to block the pathway to prevent gases from leaking. The O-ring can be found in places such as the ASA regulator which connects the gun to the HPA gas tank, the bolt, and the poppet.
What are Eyes?
In the bolt system, the eyes allow the paintball gun to fire fast without chopping the balls as the bolt pushes it forward.
What are the firing modes of the Empire Axe 2.0?
The Empire Axe 2.0 has 4 firing modes:
Semi-Auto mode
The Semi-Auto mode simply means one shot per trigger pull.
PSP Ramping mode
The Axe 2.0 will begin at semi-auto mode for the first 3 shots fired after which the firing rate will ramp up to 13 shots per second if the player maintains a trigger pull rate of 3 balls per second
NXL/ Full-Auto mode
Full auto mode is achieved when the trigger is pulled and held down on the 4th shot. The gun fires rapidly at the rate of 15 balls per second.
Millennium Ramping mode
If the player can achieve a trigger pull rate of 6 balls per second and can maintain it, the gun would continuously fire at 12 balls per second.
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