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Empire BT DFender Review

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The first thing that popped in my head when I first came across the Empire BT DFender was, "where does the hopper fit?" This high-end paintball gun is utterly unique and quite different from what you would typically see in paintball markers available on the market today.

There will be pros and cons when considering whether you should get this gun or not, but I genuinely believe the pros outweigh the cons. The marker is made from an ultralight magnesium material with a unibody shell look that protects all its vital parts. This shell body makes maintenance easy and ensures the durability of the marker.

Just by looking at this marker, you would know it works differently. So, you might ask, "how exactly does it work?" It uses an internalized firing system that operates smoothly and extremely fast, reducing the recoil effect, which gives more velocity to the barrel. The increased speed ultimately leads to a high firing rate and improved accuracy.

When the marker’s trigger is pulled, it sends a signal to the loader, making it spin and move the paintballs up the ram into the gun’s breach and down into the barrel. Unlike most markers with their loaders connected to the firing chamber, the BT DFender's loader connects to the trigger, which significantly improves its refill rate and firing rate.

This marker has many unique features, but it is prominently known for its aggressive firing rate (which can be easily adjusted) and its top-notch durability. It is commonly used in scenario paintball by a lot of professionals. The marker's design minimizes the user's overall profile, thereby making the player less detectable. 

This marker has improved accuracy, high firing rate, high refill rate, durability, reduced user profile, and a unique design. It almost seems perfect, right? Let us delve into some of its features/specifications, pros, and cons. 

Whether you are a professional or even a beginner looking for a quality paintball marker to give you the best possible experience, this marker is an excellent option for consideration. At the end of this article, you will be able to decide if the Empire BT DFender is for you or not.

Features and Specifications

The Empire BT DFender has lots of great features, which will be listed below:

  • With the hopper located in the gun's stock, players have a clear line of sight when shooting.
  • The in-built hopper has a capacity of 230 paintballs.
  • The feed mouth connects directly to the loader, which has a self-calibration sensor. When firing, a laser sensor activates the loading piston.
  • It has a tool-less maintenance system, and changing the marker's batteries is as easy as changing your TV remote control batteries.
  • It has three firing modes, which include the semi-auto, full-auto, and burst mode.
  • It is equipped with a selector switch, allowing players to switch between the three firing modes and the safety mode. It is important to note that the gun can only be turned on in safety mode.
  • There is an OLED display that shows what mode the marker is in
  • The gun comes equipped with rails in front for attachments and a removable foregrip handle.
  • It comes with an ASA regulator, which is usually set at an ideal pressure of 250 psi. The pressure can also be adjusted using an Allen screw on the pressure compartment found near the selector switch.
  • The package usually comes with a parts kit, a barrel sleeve, a 6AA battery, and a speed feed easily fixed.
  • The package comes with an Apex 2 barrel, which helps add backspin to shots fired. The barrel can be rotated right or left, depending on what you want.
  • It also comes equipped with a 12-inch barrel and three inserts, which produces the best possible performance when used with the proper ball size (.68 caliber).
  • The marker also has break beam eyes, which help prevent ball chopping or half loading.
  • An internalized firing system that helps reduce recoil effect and improves the overall velocity of the gun, which leads to better accuracy, range, and firing rate.

Reviews

So, I wanted to provide you with other player's opinions. Therefore, I've asked other players who own and use the Empire BT DFender for their honest opinion. This is what owners/users had to say:

  • They are great guns, and I think they are like an Empire Axe and Halo hopper internally. The only issue I have with it is that it is heavy at the back and hard to shoulder when wearing a mask. A traditional set-up would have a better weight balance and would be easier to aim. The stock bolt is the best bolt possible.
  • The ergonomics of the DFender are very weird. No one should buy one without holding one first.
  • The marker shoots excellent, but mine felt so back-heavy that I eventually had to sell it.
  • I like mine, and it is the most expensive marker I have bought so far. No regrets! However, I do not think it is air efficient, but it is cool not to have the hopper sticking out as a target.
  • Every gun would always pros and cons, but I think the BT DFender is a great gun, and I will highly recommend it. A bit expensive, though.
  • It is difficult to empty the gun while playing. It is not such a big issue, but I just thought every beginner to the game should know this.
Pros
  • The gun can easily adjust between 3 different firing modes.
  • The durability of the gun is ensured because the shell body protects all its vital parts.
  • It is harder for opponents to hit due to its reduced profile.
  • Tool-less maintenance required
  • It is incredibly lightweight, weighing only about 3.6 pounds.
  • The eyes compartment is also well protected within the shell-like frame of the gun.
  • It has a rare, limited lifetime warranty, which most guns do not have (Terms and Conditions apply)
  • It has a too high firing rate with enhanced accuracy and range.
  • The gun comes ready to go with the need for little or no upgrades.
  • Players can have a clear line of sight with the hopper located in the stock.
  • Its break beam eyes prevent ball chopping.
Cons
  • Most players' common problem is that it is almost impossible to empty the loader when shooting entirely. There will always remain about 5-10 paintballs left in the loader that cannot climb up the ram into the gun's breach. Some players work around this drawback by tilting the gun so the balls can easily roll in.
  • Another common issue experienced by many players is that with the buttstock’s size and a paintball mask on, it becomes difficult to look down on the top rail for aiming. So, for players who decide to get tactical with the gun, they need to get a big riser to aim correctly.
  • With the hopper being located at the back, there tends to be an uneven distribution of weight, making the gun heavy at the end.
  • It is quite expensive.

Conclusion 

This new generation marker, Empire BT DFender, is unique and field-ready right from when you unbox it. It has immense power, extreme durability, improved range, and accuracy, making it a good option for both professionals and beginners.

With the immense power this marker has, I wonder why it was not named the 'Empire BT Attacker' instead. Indeed, you will stand out with this marker in your arms and get the best possible paintballing experience.

Although it is quite expensive, be rest assured, it is worth every penny.

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I'm Steve Crews. I'm the guy behind Paintball Maverick. I've joined with a few other friends who love paintball to answer questions that we hear from novices to experts. Our goal is to be the number one paintball resource on the internet.

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