See larger
photo at www.spydergun.com
Let's first let you take a peek at what the Spyder SE looks like. Then I will go into a lengthy description of the features and then give you a review of the performance and impressions.
See larger
photo at www.spydergun.com
The first
thing you notice is the splash anodizing. It is a deep green/black
splash. All parts are splashed (gun, barrel, site, powerfeed, expansion
chamber, bottom line)
Internals
- Same spring system and Valve as Spyder, Cocking nob is same, New
BOLT- The bolt is a twirled venturi - similar to the cyclone style bolt.
- Stainless Steel
The barrel
is an exterior two stage alum. barrel. Thick on gun end - slims down in
middle and steps out at the tip. The last 3 inches are rifled (as
with most late model spyders). It also has a slight ribbed machined finsh
for extra grip.
The SE has
a powerfeed, the powerfeed plug is hard plastic
Includes
a Double Trigger with a lightened spring and I believe a shorter trigger
pull
Expansion
Chamber with built in grip and rod style (not hose) bottom line to the
tank receiver
External
velocity adjuster knob with a tourney lock (small allen wrench screw which
prevents adjusting velocity up)
Gill style
heightened sight rail
Metal ball
detent (anti-double feed) cover
Metal Frame
and special milling below hammer and knob chamber
Metal 45
Grip Frame with rubber 45 grips (2 screw style)
Splash barrel
vent attached between gun and barrel
Now before we continue...How much does it cost? You should find it for about 220 - 250.
- Velocity/Velocity Consistency: The Spyder SE is easily adjusted for velocity by the thumb screw at the rear of the gun. I was able to turn the gun down to 240 with perfect performance and up to 320 fps. I then tuned the gun to 289 fps which is the speed I like to play at. To test velocity consistency I shot a 289fps shot across the chrono and then raised it up and shot 10 rounds as rapidly as I could and instantly chrono'd. The reading 284fps. I tried this same test 3 times. The following two readings were 284fps and 287fps. So there was almost know cool down or slow down after rapid shooting. Same trial on my friends Automag using CO2 (289fps to 271, 264, 266). This good velocity stability is a credit to the new expansion chamber and bolt. Remember velocity stability has as much to do with accuracy as any barrel can provide. I have since added compressed air which provides even more velocity stability.
- Rate of Fire: The Spyder SE has a very light trigger pull. You still may want to do a trigger job. The two finger trigger assists in getting the middle finger involved in shooting. Remember, your middle finger can rapid fire faster than your index finger. I have used the SE for 3 weeks now and I am at about 5-6 balls a second. This is very close to the Automag which is about 6-7. Note: YOU NEED TO USE A VL2000 AGITATOR with the SE because it shoots so fast and smooth.
- Accuracy: This is probably the area that impressed me the most. I was able to consistently hit 8inch by 8 inch targets at 50, 100, 150 and 175 feet. Longball accuracy was extremely high for a 8.5inch barrel. The Spyder SE light weight semi and the smooth movement and velocity stability aided in the accuracy. I have since added a longer barrel 12.5 TASO. Highly recommended.
- CO2 usage: I play with a 3000 PSI compressed air systems so I don't know what the CO2 Usage is. The SE runs great off of compressed air. Regulate it to about 750psi output.
- Playability: As with all Spyder's the SE
is very lightweight. I play with a Slinky remote which even makes
it lighter. I have shot 10000 rounds through the SE (Proball) and
have had no ball breaks, no double feeds!! It does the run and shoot
test well, rapid fires well, is dead on accurate and long balls better
than my old long barrel pumps from years ago.
- A great gun for the money. Very accurate, fast and light. Rate of fire is very good. It is a great gun for the weekly player or for the player that is playing tournaments periodically. In my opinion the Shudder or the SE are best non-electric "blow back" paintball markers for the money. I would pick this gun over any other model of "blow back" semi.
My team is Team FCA --you can find us at (www.oocities.org/heartland/9744/teamfca.html). We
use our Angel Paintball markers or Automags for tournaments but I use my SE for weekend play. I like the SE for SpeedBall tourneys which our team is very good at because it is so light and accurate.
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I Have added a few mods to the SE to improve it all that much more. I added a rear cocking rod and beaver tail, a side slot cover, hogue rubber grip, TASO 12in Nickel Plated Eliminator Barrel, low pressure Chamber and 3000 PSI compressed Air. I regulate down to about 550PSI vice a really low 400 psi like most Low Pressure Spyders. I find I can rapid fire just a little better. To go down to 550 you need a regulator as found on HPA systems. A low pressure chamber and valve. I use the standard SE Bolt but Bob Long works OK also. I just played with this setup as my backup at the SplatHouse Indoor Championships with my Team, FCA. We made the finals and played well. I had to use it for 2 games. It performed well. We finished 6th, but during the tourney we beat OhNo's and Bad Company. All very good teams. I was firing about 6 shots a second, no ball
breaks, and had about 4 eliminations in the 2 games I used it.