Empire sniper upgrades

[Vegabond]

Picked up an empire sniper, loving it stock, looking at an ID hammer, what else are good upgrades for it?

[Cdn_Cuda]

ID valve! My Sniper valve stem exploded in my marker. Fluted pump rod is nice as well. The stock pump handle will swell and will need to be sanded

[Hellion360]

ID hammer is the best individual upgrade, great return on your money.
I would definitely recommend a spring kit at the same time. It is inexpensive and gives you a lot of options.

Swapping out the orings in the reg is also often useful. The stock rings from Empire have historically been mixed in quality.


The other potential upgrades are improvements from stock, but there is a diminishing return on your money.

[Vegabond]

Is doing the lower upgrade kit from ID worth it?

[Hellion360]

If you want to replace the valve, then yes the ID valve is excellent. It is better than the stock valve. But the stock valve is a fine valve (except for cuda's) generally. If you think you want to replace the valve ($60 on its own) and the hammer ($35 on its own) then you are basically getting the springs and IVG included.

But the majority of your improvement in feel with that kit comes from the hammer and springs.

[superman]

Inception hammer, stainless guide rod, spring kit, seals including reg seat, have the bolt slot cut a bit longer so it doesn't have the hard stop at the back.

[Mainframe]

i got the ID hammer, ID valve and ID Drift Kit also a slightly lighter hammer spring and removed one ball detent.
So far i am quite happy and its almost as smooth as my T2.
I would recommend hammer > valve > spring > drift kit ( i really like the ID pump handle)

forgot to mention, i had to use the original valve orings on the inception valve otherwise i had a small air leak.

[scuzzy]

I'm looking at picking up a sniper this weekend. Owned one a few years back. I'm planning to get the ID Hammer and fluted pump guide, and am giving serious consideration to the dye Lazarus valve. Would that with a hammer spring upgrade be a worthwhile use of money? Or would just the hammer with lighter spring be sufficient?

[scuzzy]

i didn't figure a new thread was worthy of what I have done. I just want to update here. I followed advice from several different sources. I removed the front bolt o-ring, removed one detent, and installed the ID universal hammer with their 2nd to lightest hammer spring. the pump is so smooth and comfy and I'm hitting between 275-295 with reballs through the .675 barrel. it's like a completely different marker after these small changes. only $50 invested. pretty happy. for now, the valve stays. eager to get out with it soon.