Empire ER3 User manual

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EMPIRE ER3 OPERATOR’S MANUAL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAINTBALL BASIC SAFETY RULES..........................................................................4
SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................6
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS ...............................................................................7
COMPRESSED GAS/AIR .....................................................................................9
VELOCITY ADJUSTMENT .....................................................................................9
MAINTENANCE & LUBRICATION.......................................................................10
TROUBLESHOOTING ........................................................................................17
WARRANTY .....................................................................................................20
DIAGRAM........................................................................................................23
EMPIRE ER3 OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Empire reserves the right to modify or change its markers without incurring any obligation to incorporate
such modifications or changes in any of its products that were sold prior to the modification. The
information in this operator’s manual may be updated or changed without notice.
This operator’s manual is intended to remain with the paintball marker upon any
subsequent transfer of the marker, whether through sale, resale, or furnishing in any
manner. An updated or replacement operator’s manual may be obtained from:
Empire Paintball
11723 Lime Kiln Rd.
Neosho, MO 64850 USA
1.800.724.3222
www.empirepaintball.com
Questions about the operation of the Empire ER3 paintball marker may be directed to
Paintball Solutions at 1.800.220.3222, or visit www.paintballsolutions.com for updates
regarding your Empire purchase.
READ THIS OPERATOR’S MANUAL COMPLETELY BEFORE LOADING, PRESSURIZING, OR OPERATING THE ER3
PAINTBALL MARKER.

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• There is always a chance that a paintball is lodged in the barrel of the marker even
when it is not visible in the chamber. To check if the marker is unloaded: remove air system
and shoot marker in a safe direction. Remove hopper, visually inspect chamber for a
paintball, remove and inspect barrel for the presence of a paintball. Never look down the
barrel of any paintball marker once the barrel is screwed into the marker.
• Markers with regulators hold pressure even after tank is removed. Shoot marker in a safe
direction after tank is removed to de-gas it completely.
PAINTBALL BASIC SAFETY RULES
• This paintball marker operates using compressed gas or air at specied pressure ranges.
Follow safety procedures when handling compressed gas or air. All filling of compressed
gas or air cylinders must be done by qualified persons.
• Always cock marker before attaching air or gas source to it. Failure to always cock
marker before attaching air to it may cause accidental firing or discharge of paintballs.
• Follow the rules of safe marker handling: Keep nger off trigger until ready to shoot.
Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction. In addition, firmly insert a barrel plug or barrel
bag into the muzzle and push the electronic or mechanical safety “on” when the marker is
not in use and when in any non-shooting area.
• Paintball markers with electronic frames have extremely sensitive triggers. Take extra
safety precautions anytime handling or shooting an electronic paintball marker. To avoid
accidentally firing the marker, keep the marker off until you are ready to fire.
• Never shoot at domestic animals or wildlife.
• Never mark objects outside the connes of the game or authorized shooting areas.
• Never look down the barrel of the marker.
• Never aim or shoot a paintball marker (loaded or unloaded) toward any person who is
not wearing protective goggles and headgear specifically designed for paintball.
• Before disassembly, storage, or transport of the marker, remove all paintballs from the
marker, barrel, and loader; remove air source; and remove all gas or air from the marker.
Insert barrel plug and put mechanical safety in “no shoot” position.
PAINTBALL BASIC SAFETY RULES
SAFETY FIRST!
WARNING
THE ER3 PAINTBALL MARKER IS NOT A TOY. MISUSE MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR
DEATH. EYE PROTECTION DESIGNED FOR PAINTBALL USE MUST BE WORN BY THE USER
AND ANY PERSON WITHIN RANGE. READ THIS OPERATOR’S MANUAL COMPLETELY
BEFORE LOADING, PRESSURIZING, OR OPERATING THE EMPIRE ER3 PAINTBALL MARKER.
READ THIS OPERATOR’S MANUAL COMPLETELY BEFORE LOADING, PRESSURIZING, OR
OPERATING THE ER3 PAINTBALL MARKER.
• Always wear protective goggles and headgear specically designed for paintball when
shooting this or any paintball marker.
• Every person within range of an area where a paintball marker is in use must wear
protective goggles and headgear specifically designed for paintball.
• Operate a paintball marker only in areas where it is safe and lawful to do so.
• Misuse of this paintball marker can result in criminal penalties, including jail time.
• This marker is intended for sale to adults 18 years of age or older only. Adult supervision
is recommended at all times whenever a minor is handling this marker in any manner.
• During game play, follow referee’s instructions and all eld safety rules. Avoid shooting
at a player’s head, neck, or groin area.
• Play paintball only where the rules of safe paintball play are followed.
• All paintball markers must be chronographed regularly. Adjust marker to shoot paintballs
at a velocity less than 300 feet per second (fps) and/or that does not exceed the velocity
limit set by the paintball park, where the marker is in use. Chronograph the marker at
regular intervals during the day, as well as any time the air source is refilled or changed,
any time the barrel is changed, and upon request of any player or game official.

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OPERATION
Every person within range of an area where a paintball marker is in use must wear protective
goggles and headgear specifically designed for paintball when operating the marker.
1. Attach threaded barrel firmly to marker.
2. At this time, do not attach air source or loader and do not load paintballs into marker.
3. Insert barrel plug firmly into barrel.
4. Pull the cocking knob straight back from the rear of the marker until the cocking mechanism
locks back in the cocked position. See Figure 1. Always cock marker before airing it up. During
cocking the flush cocking rod will recoil or “spring back” into the marker once released and will
only move slightly during marker operation. See Figures 2 and 2a.
5. Push safety “OFF”
6. Squeeze the trigger with an even pressure. The cocking knob will snap forward into the
un-cocked position.
7. Cock the marker.
NOTE: Always cock marker
before attaching air source.
Marker can discharge if air
source is attached before
marker is cocked.
The marker contains compressed gas or air when pressurized. Never disassemble marker
until removing all gas or air from the system. Rules for safe handling of compressed gas or
air must be followed at all times.
8. Follow safety rules for handling compressed gas/air. If any leak occurs in the marker,
refer to troubleshooting guide or to a qualified airsmith. Use only cylinders for compressed
gas or air that comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited
to those of the U.S. Department of Transportation, OSHA, Compressed Gas Association,
and/or American Society for Testing and Materials.
Bottomline: First check the tank O-ring for rips or tears, then attach the air source by
• Carry marker in case or sturdy bag when in public.
• Safely and securely store marker to prevent access to it by unauthorized persons.
Safety standards information is available from the American Society for Testing and
Materials, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959; phone
1.610.832.9500; www.astm.org. “Standard Practice for Paintball Field Operation” is
publication F1777-97, and “Standard Specification for Eye Protective Devices for Paintball
Sports” is publication F1776-97; inquire about additional publications which may be
available at the time your request is made.
SPECIFICATIONS
Action: Tournament grade semi-automatic powered by either N2 or CO2
Paintballs: For use only with standard “.68 caliber” (.68-inch diameter) paintballs.
RPS paintballs recommended
Safety: Mechanical slide
Barrel Length: 9 inches
Barrel: Threaded and polished aluminum; ported for all models
Height: 8.5 inches (without attached loader)
Length: 17.5 inches overall (with 9 in. barrel and without attachments)
Air Source: Accepts standard connections for CO2, regulated N2, or regulated
compressed air
Grip: Durable polymer with double trigger & guard
Input Pressure: Recommended 650 psi to 1000 psi.
Air Source Input: Bottomline ASA accepts standard paintball threading
Figure 1. Pull Back Figure 2. Pull Back Figure 2a. Fully Cocked

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OPERATING PRESSURE AND INPUT PRESSURE
• Operating pressure range: 650 to 1000 p.s.i. on ER3 markers without regulators.
• Recommended maximum input pressure is 1000 p.s.i.
• Do not exceed recommended pressures.
COMPRESSED GAS/AIR
Do not leave cylinder or pressurized marker in direct sunlight or exposed to heat source.
Increased temperature will increase the pressure of compressed gas or air to dangerous
levels. ER3 markers usually need 650 p.s.i. to cycle and attain correct velocity.
VELOCITY ADJUSTMENT
WARNING
All paintball markers must be chronographed regularly. Adjust marker to shoot paintballs
at a velocity that is less than 300 feet-per-second (fps) and/or that does not exceed the
velocity limit set by the paintball park where the marker is in use.
1. Chronograph the marker using standard chronograph procedures and following safety rules.
Shooting velocity will vary based upon many factors, such as paint, weather, and air system.
2. Adjust velocity by using a 3/16" Allen wrench to turn the velocity adjuster. See Figure 6. Turn
adjuster clockwise to raise velocity. Turn adjuster counter-clockwise to lower velocity. See Figure 7.
Turning the velocity adjuster changes the amount of tension on the hammer spring. The hammer
spring may be changed for additional velocity adjustment; insert stiffer spring to raise velocity
and less stiff spring to lower velocity (spring tension in order of strongest to weakest: red, blue,
white). See next page for more about springs.
3. Chronograph the
marker after every
velocity adjustment.
4. Chronograph the
marker at regular
intervals during the day,
as well as any time the
air source is refilled Figure 6. A 3/16” Allen wrench
is used to adjust velocity.
Figure 7. Clockwise increases velocity.
Counterclockwise reduces velocity.
screwing the threads of the tank or air source adapter into the threaded bottom line ASA
at the base of the grip. Make sure marker is cocked before attaching air. If leaks occur,
recheck tank O-ring. If damaged, replace.
WARNING
WHEN COCKING THE PRESSURIZED MARKER, DO NOT RELEASE THE COCKING
KNOB UNTIL AFTER THE COCKING MECHANISM HAS LOCKED BACK INTO THE
COCKED POSITION; RELEASING THE COCKING KNOB DURING COCKING CAN
CAUSE THE MARKER TO SHOOT.
9. With goggles on, test for function after attaching air source: Squeeze the trigger. The
marker should shoot air and the cocking knob should cycle forward and back, stopping in
the cocked position, after each trigger squeeze, Repeat several times. Flush cocking rods
will bobble some, but they will not come out all the way.
The ER3 marker shoots one paintball for each squeeze of the trigger, and re-cocks itself
after each shot.
10. Slide safety forward. Paintballs may then be loaded.
SAFETY
The safety is a small mechanical slide on the left side of the marker above the trigger.
When the safety is “OFF,” a red dot is visible on the marker. The trigger can still be pulled
if the safety is “ON,” but the marker will not fire or de-cock. Before disassembly, storage,
or transport of the marker, remove air source first, then remove all paintballs from the
marker, barrel, and loader. Remove all gas or air from the marker. Insert barrel plug and
slide the mechanical safety forward so the safety is engaged and red dot isn’t showing.
THE SAFETY RULES FOR HANDLING COMPRESSED GAS OR AIR MUST BE FOLLOWED
AT ALL TIMES.

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WARNING
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES UNLESS QUALIFIED
TO DO SO. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE MARKER UNTIL IT IS COMPLETELY DRAINED OF
COMPRESSED GAS OR AIR AND ALL PAINTBALLS HAVE BEEN REMOVED. ALL FILLING
OF COMPRESSED GAS OR AIR CYLINDERS MUST BE DONE BY QUALIFIED PERSONS.
CONTACT PAINTBALL SOLUTIONS FOR REPAIR ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION
REGARDING AUTHORIZED ER3 REPAIR FACILITIES. PHONE [phone];
PAINTBALLSOLUTIONS.COM
THE PAINTBALL MARKER AIR SYSTEM MUST BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED ONLY WITH
THE CORRECT PRESSURE RATED COMPONENTS.
DISASSEMBLY PROCEDURE
1. Before disassembling the marker, first remove the air tank, and then remove all
paintballs from the marker, barrel, and loader.
Figure 8. Remove field strip pin to begin disassembly.
2. Leave barrel plug firmly inserted in barrel and keep barrel pointed in a safe direction.
3. To remove the bolt/hammer assembly, first remove the field strip pin. See Figure 8. The
field strip pin is at the center rear of the receiver and is removed by pulling it out of the left
side of the marker.
4. Grasp the block assembly and slowly begin to pull the bolt/hammer assembly out of the
marker. See Fig. 9.
5. When the bolt/hammer assembly is about halfway out, grasp it with one hand and
continue to hold it intact while removing it completely from the marker. See Figure 10.
LUBRICATION
It is recommended that 100% synthetic paintball marker oil be used for lubricating the
marker. Do not use any oil aside from paintball marker oil or you run the risk of ruining the
O-rings.
1. Before each insertion of the removable air source (tank or remote line) into the ASA,
or changed, any time the barrel or any part in the marker is changed, and upon request of
any player or game official.
VELOCITY ADJUSTMENT SPRINGS
The hammer spring assembled with the ER3 paintball marker is intended to provide
appropriate shooting velocity for most outdoor paintball game situations and will provide
a range of velocities suitable for most conditions. Shooting velocity will vary based upon
form of regulated compressed gas or air used to power the marker, outside temperature,
and other factors.
DO NOT EXCEED A VELOCITY OF 300 FEET-PER-SECOND (fps).
SPRING KIT INSTRUCTIONS
1. Never allow the marker to shoot at velocities exceeding 300 FPS.
2. Always remove the gas source and all paintballs from your marker before you
disassemble any part of it.
3. Before changing any component of a paintball marker, fully understand the entire
operator’s manual.
4. When changing springs or anything else that will alter shooting velocity of the marker,
have appropriate chronograph available for testing results.
5. Spring tension in order from strongest to weakest–red, blue, then yellow.
SAFETY FIRST! USE A BARREL BLOCKING DEVICE!
MAINTENANCE & LUBRICATION
DISASSEMBLY
The ER3 is easy to strip for cleaning and basic maintenance. Regular cleaning and
maintenance is highly recommended. Keep screws tightened. Replace worn components
with factory parts; all leaks must be repaired promptly. Air system repairs are best
performed by the factory or an authorized factory repair facility. Contact Paintball
Solutions for information regarding authorized Empire marker repair facilities.

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5. Clean out the vertical feed, as well as the barrel. If any oil or paint is present, the
marker will not shoot accurately.
6. Never wash the bolt assembly with water unless you are going to oil them before you
reassemble them. Dry before oiling.
7. Check ball detent (#5) every 25,000 shots. Replace if it is worn or broken.
8. Never stretch hammer spring to increase velocity. This will shorten the life span of the
spring.
REASSEMBLY PROCEDURE (sear release slide)
1. See Figures 12 through 17, which shows the procedure for reassembly of the bolt/
hammer assembly. Once it is reassembled, hold the bolt/hammer assembly in one hand.
See Figure 18. Push it gently into the marker until it stops sliding forward, which will be
about halfway into the body of the marker. See Figures 19-20.
2. Before it stops sliding forward, push the Sear Release Slide button forward. The Sear
Release Slide maintenance and reassembly button is located on the left side of the marker
near the top of the left grip panel. Continue to press assembly into marker. Pushing the
button allows the bolt/hammer assembly to slide easily the rest of the way into the marker.
3. Field strip pin must be inserted into the left side of the marker. See Figure 22.
4. After reassembly, follow the procedures in this manual for adding air system,
loader, and paintballs.
Figure 12. Figure 13. Figure 14.
clean the threads and put two drops of oil onto them.
2. After removing the bolt/hammer assembly, clean off any paint or dirt. Put 1 drop of oil
onto each O-ring. See Figure 11. Only replace the Blue Hammer O-ring (#4) with another
Blue Hammer O-ring, or the marker will not re-cock properly.
3. Before screwing the barrel onto the marker, clean the barrel threads.
4. The fastest way to oil the entire ER3 is to take off the barrel; put 6 drops of oil into the
ASA (#52), screw the bottle in over the oil, and shoot the marker a dozen times without the
barrel.
5. There is no need to ever oil the inside of the barrel. Oil in the barrel will decrease
accuracy.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE FOR THE ER3
1. Clean out all broken paint regularly. Do this before you oil the marker.
2. Oil marker each time you play with synthetic marker oil. Never use 3-in-1. Non-synthetic
oil can contaminate the ball detent and hammer O-ring, causing the marker not to function.
4. Inspect the bolt O-rings and Blue Hammer O-ring after each time you oil the marker.
Make sure they are getting oil.
Figure 8. Remove
field pin.
Figure 9. Remove
assembly.
Figure 10. Grasp assembly. Figure 11. Oil here.

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1. Before disassembling the marker remove the air source, and then remove all paintballs
from the marker, barrel, and loader.
2. Unscrew the ASA Slug to access the cup seal assembly. See Figure 23. Remove the
valve spring, cup seal assembly, and guide as in Figure 24.
3. To remove the bottom line air system, detach the bottom line ASA from the grip by
removing the two screws (#23). See Figure 25. The 5/32" Allen wrench for this procedure
is not included with the marker. Then unscrew the vertical grip (#50) or regulator.
NOTE: Make sure marker is un-cocked before continuing to step 4.
4. To remove trigger frame from the receiver, remove the two 1/8" socket Allen screws
(#14) under the receiver. One is in front of the trigger guard and one is behind the grip
portion of the frame. See Figure 26. The receiver then will disassemble from the trigger
frame.
5. To access the valve, use a flathead screwdriver to remove the small brass screw located
in the center of the underside of the receiver (#44). See Figure 27. To remove the valve
body, use a flat ended wooden dowel or the eraser end of a pencil to push the valve body
out of the front of the receiver. See Figure 28.
Figure 23.
Figure 25.
Figure 24.
Figure 26.
Bottomline ASA
1/8" Allen Screw
Figure 15.
Figure 19. Figure 22.
Figure 16.
Figure 20.
Figure 17
Figure 21.
Figure 18.
CUP SEAL & VALVE REMOVAL
WARNING
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLE YOUR ER3 UNLESS QUALIFIED
TO DO SO. CONTACT PAINTBALL SOLUTIONS FOR REPAIR ASSISTANCE AND
INFORMATION REGARDING AUTHORIZED EMPIRE REPAIR FACILITIES.
PHONE: [phone]; PAINTBALLSOLUTIONS.COM
THE PAINTBALL MARKER AIR SYSTEM MUST BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED ONLY WITH
THE CORRECT PRESSURE RATED COMPONENTS.

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WARNING
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES UNLESS QUALIFIED TO
DO SO.
THIS TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE DOES NOT COVER ALL SITUATIONS AN INDIVIDUAL
MAY ENCOUNTER. CONTACT PAINTBALL SOLUTIONS FOR REPAIR ASSISTANCE AND
INFORMATION REGARDING AUTHORIZED EMPIRE REPAIR FACILITIES.
PHONE: [phone] WEB: WWW.EMPIREPAINTBALL.COM
THE PAINTBALL MARKER AIR SYSTEM MUST BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED WITH THE
CORRECT PRESSURE RATED COMPONENTS.
BEFORE DISASSEMBLY OF THE MARKER, REMOVE AIR SOURCE; REMOVE ALL
PAINTBALLS FROM THE MARKER, BARREL, AND LOADER. TO CHECK IF THE MARKER
IS UNLOADED: REMOVE AIR SYSTEM AND SHOOT MARKER IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
REMOVE HOPPER, VISUALLY INSPECT CHAMBER FOR A PAINTBALL, REMOVE AND
INSPECT BARREL FOR THE PRESENCE OF A PAINTBALL. NEVER LOOK DOWN THE
BARREL OF ANY PAINTBALL MARKER ONCE THE BARREL IS SCREWED INTO THE
MARKER.
THE PAINTBALL MARKER AIR SYSTEM MUST BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED WITH THE
CORRECT PRESSURE RATED COMPONENTS.
TROUBLESHOOTING - AIR LEAK
Leak in pressure source between tank valve
Do not fill cylinder. Immediately take to qualified personnel for inspection.
Cylinder must be drained.
Leaks down barrel
Check front of cup seal where it touches the valve for any wear or grooves.
Replace if leak continues.
Leaks at body of marker or heavily down the barrel
Requires removal of valve and inspection of front valve O-ring (can be replaced
with bottle O-rings), cup seal and valve surface where the cup seal touches the
valve. A valve installed backwards will cause a leak. Never use a screwdriver or
metal object to remove or install a valve body. Use a pencil eraser or other soft
instrument.
IMPORTANT: Valve body O-rings and front valve portion of the receiver must
be well oiled prior to valve body insertion.
6. The valve body must be inserted correctly with the raised flat surface of the valve and
larger hole pointing towards the front of the marker. Be careful reinserting the valve body.
Any scratches to the front can cause leaks. Use a flat ended wooden dowel or the eraser
end of a pencil to push the valve body into the front of the receiver. See Figure 29. The
valve pin assembly must be inserted correctly into the valve; valve pin must drop down into
valve body completely.
Questions about your ER3 purchase, the operation of the marker, or any updates may be
directed to:
Empire Paintball
11723 Lime Kiln Rd.
Neosho, MO 64850 USA
1.800.724.3222
www.empirepaintball.com
Figure 27. Figure 29. Figure 28.