7 Empire Sniper Questions - Can You Answer All 7?

[Dirklax39]

Empire Sniper Questions - Tag active MCB users that know the answers. Help me nerd out!


1. Alternate Pump Kits (Non-Drift / Slice)

What pump kits (other than Drift or Slice) are truly plug-and-play for the Empire Sniper? I’m totally cool with cutting and threading the cocking rod if need be & my goal is to run a CCM EZ style handle. I’ve ordered from oDm in the past, but that’s no longer an option, so i'm looking for current alternatives.

Will a modified mid-blocked Karni EZ pump kit work on a stock Sniper? If yes; What exact mods are required and was there any issues with alignment or stroke? Has anyone actually completed this successfully? Photos would be gold.


2. CCM EZ Style Delrin Handle (Custom Maker?)
Does anyone currently make CCM EZ-style Delrin pump handles compatible with: Sniper Drift kits, or stock sniper pump kits? Looking for someone similar to ODM in terms of custom work. Please tag them or PM contact info.


3. Hammer Spring — Lazarus Valve
For those running a Dye Lazarus Valve: what hammer spring has given you the best performance?


4. Regulator Performance
I love the feel of Dye Hyper regs, but I’m comparing the DFF-20 & the AKA Sidewinder. On a pump specifically, what’s the real-world performance difference between the two? Should I just go with the one I think looks and feels the best since the performance is negligible?


5. Stock Trigger Mods
Is the stock Sniper trigger anodized? I’m considering filling the holes with brass pins & either chamfering the sharp angles for a more rounded feel or thinning It out and adding a trigger shoe. Has anyone fit a trigger shoe onto the stock trigger?


6. Unicorn Hunt for Mamba Trigger & Roller Sear
Like everyone else… I’m ISO the ID Mamba trigger & roller sear. If you know of any floating around privately, please PM me. Retail is a true dead end — already checked everywhere I know of that carried them at one point.


7. Spring Combos
There are a ton of spring options out there. What springs or spring combinations have proven best for you? Any brand preferences (CCM, ID, stock, other)


Thank you for your expertise and time nerding out with me. Can't wait to see what recommendations and insight yall come up with... -Dirk

[Kaomon]

4. Either regulators are very good in general. You aren't going for rapid fire so recharge rate isn't a concern (both hold up very well). You can go for looks or practically such as ease of rebuild and both have swivels for the macroline placement too

[Jonnydread]

Agreed. I use Sidewinders for most of my pump builds, but they are admittedly overkill.

[Dirklax39]

@johnnydread Kaomon - That makes sense. I will get whatever reg I like then. Very helpful, thank you!

[Glovebox Operator]

1: I have a ID pump kit on mine, works great and no mods needed to put on.
3: I couldn't get the Laz valve to not leak with the hammer resting on it, even with the lightest hammer spring. Put in a Phat Rat valve and it's great. Currently sprung heavier on the valve and fairly light on the hammer. DocFire springs if you go with the Phat Rat, ID spring don't work on the valve side.
4: ID V3 reg and It's fine. I don't think I've really noticed a difference from the stock reg.
5: Resurrection trigger shoe does not fit.
7: ID springs with stock valve- Second lightest valve spring and lightest hammer spring. DocFire springs with Phat Rat Valve- stockish hammer spring (or maybe one heavier) and second lightest hammer spring. I'll need to verify this combo, though.

If you start to replace too many parts, you'll end up with enough leftovers that you may start looking for a body and frame to put them in.

[TimmysCabin]

Yea I’m there with the extra parts haha.

I have this hammer and no leak issues with the laz valve https://time2pb.com/products/angry-j...ker-hammer-set
Cocking before airing up solves it as well - then the air pressure should keep the valve closed.

[Glovebox Operator]

Maybe it's the ID heavy hammer that's the problem. I wanted a lighter pump stroke so I stayed with more mass on a light spring. Now I have a Laz itching to be put into something else, probably my Resurrection.

[Dirklax39]

3: Thats helpful about the Laz valve. Ill look into the Phat Rat Valve! Thanks!
5: I know that the trigger shoe won't fit, I am looking into filling the holes & thinning it out to add the trigger shoe. I can't see why it wouldn't work!?

[iamthelazerviking]

I've seen 3D printed pump handles for these that resemble T2 handles.

I once had a souped up Empire Sniper with Slice kit, stainless main guide rod, Mamba trigger, better springs, ID hammer, etc etc basically everything you could do to it. But I hated it. A 30 year old WGP body with a slider frame and good lower tube still performs 10x better and will be easier and less expensive to build.

[Dirklax39]

Any info on the T2 handles? Link?

Can you expand on "good lower tube"? From my experience autococker pumps are only as good as you make and tune them to be. I don't see any reason why a different body with the exact same tuning and components would be dramatically different. Thoughts?

[Stapler]

7, spring combos

I ended up with

-Phat rat valve
-ID Heavy Hammer
-blue docfire hammer spring (slightly lighter than stock)
-blue docfire valve spring (middle stiffness but noticably lighter than stock?
-220psi, 1 turn in from flush for 280 fps

I also have the docfire reg piston, but I do not think it should effect the setup.

[The Inflicted]

Late to the party, but I'd add that these 3D-printed pump handles are plug-and-play on the Sniper's existing pump hardware and greatly improve the smoothness and comfort of the pump stroke.

https://www.yeggi.com/goto/mZ_hnnl7s...3j1c20qpiUqqmZ

[TencenT]

I gave up on my empire reg, I rebuilt it twice and it still has creep issues. Put an inception on it instead which is visually similar and actually works without issues. I know it's just the reg seat but got tired of buying kits for the same results.

[Dirklax39]

ANSWERING MY OWN QUESTIONS FOR REFERENCE - 8 Months Later


1. Alternate Pump Kits (Non-Drift / Slice)

A - I got a ACP Karni front block and a CCM handle and it works great. Sold the slice kit. ACP front block uses standard CCM/Slice handle spacing.


2. CCM EZ Style Delrin Handle (Custom Maker?)
Q - Does anyone currently make CCM EZ-style Delrin pump handles compatible with: Sniper Drift kits, or stock sniper pump kits? Looking for someone similar to ODM in terms of custom work. Please tag them or PM contact info.

A - ODM has started back up again, but so far is only making custom grips.


3. Hammer Spring — Lazarus Valve
Q - For those running a Dye Lazarus Valve: what hammer spring has given you the best performance?

A - Dont use a Laz valve. Finicky with no benefit. Green fire main spring and CCM valve spring. IVG 2.5 turns in from flush for 300FPS. Using .688 and Mylar detent. Reg is sitting at 305psi.


4. Regulator Performance
Q - I love the feel of Dye Hyper regs, but I’m comparing the DFF-20 & the AKA Sidewinder. On a pump specifically, what’s the real-world performance difference between the two? Should I just go with the one I think looks and feels the best since the performance is negligible?

A - Negligible. Using the one I like that works.


5. Stock Trigger Mods
Q - Is the stock Sniper trigger anodized? I’m considering filling the holes with brass pins & either chamfering the sharp angles for a more rounded feel or thinning It out and adding a trigger shoe. Has anyone fit a trigger shoe onto the stock trigger?

A - Its not anodized. I filled the holes with small rods and milled the trigger down to work with a Ressy shoe. Its the most crisp trigger on any gun I own after tuning and polishing.


6. Unicorn Hunt for Mamba Trigger & Roller Sear
Q - Like everyone else… I’m ISO the ID Mamba trigger & roller sear. If you know of any floating around privately, please PM me. Retail is a true dead end — already checked everywhere I know of that carried them at one point.

A - Tracked down two. Sold them both. Not worth it. Tunes weird with A/T. Use the ID ressy sear I believe. Stock trigger with shoe mod is the way to go.

7. Spring Combos
Q - There are a ton of spring options out there. What springs or spring combinations have proven best for you? Any brand preferences (CCM, ID, stock, other)

A- Fire for shorter hammer springs, ID for longer hammer springs. CCM for valve spring.


I hope this helps someone not have to do all the trial and error that I did.