Valken M17 Magfed Paintball Gun vs Valken CQMF Magfed Paintball Gun

Similar but Different, the Valken M17 and Valken CQMF Deliver a One-Two Punch of Magfed Performance!

The addition of the Valken CQMF to the Valken magfed paintball gun family gave the affordable, reliable M17 paintball gun an impressive battle buddy! However, since the CQMF magfed paintball gun came along, many paintball players have been asking an important question: What’s the difference between the Valken CQMF and the Valken M17? While in many ways the CQMF and the M17 are similar, these two magfed paintball powerhouses differ, providing tactical paintball operators a choice in building their ultimate magfed paintball setup! If you’re wondering what the differences are between the Valken M17 and the CQMF magfed paintball guns as you decide between them, read on!

Whether you pull the trigger on the rugged, reliable Valken M17 magfed paintball workhorse or the new, upgraded and updated Valken CQMF, the great news is you can’t miss. Both the M17 and the Valken CQMF magfed paintball guns provide a long list of standard features, tough construction and an unbeatable value for the price! However, the difference between the Valken M17 and the Valken CQMF are important to note when selecting which is right for your needs. While the Valken M17 can truly be described as a do-it-all magfed paintball gun ideal for just about anyone in search of a reliable, affordable magazine fed paintball gun, the Valken CQMF is best considered an updated, slightly modified version of the same platform designed for more specialized uses!

What’s the Same
Built around the same high performance mechanical operating system, the M17 and the CQMF offer features and performance that are unrivaled in magfed paintball! Both the Valken M17 and CQMF paintball guns deliver mechanical semi-automatic and fully automatic firing modes that require no batteries and, conveniently, both the CQMF and the M17 feed from the same box magazines. Both the M17 and the CQMF feed and fire .68 caliber paintballs or other round projectiles and are compatible with First Strike fin-stabilized, shaped rounds right out of the box, with no alterations or modifications to the paintball gun or magazine necessary, adding significant value and versatility for improved accuracy and long-range performance capabilities! Both paintball guns are powered by compressed air and should never be used with CO2 – both provide regulated, adjustable velocity and both models can be converted to feed from a hopper or loader with Valken-produced adapter kits. Finally, both the Valken M17 and CQMF utilize the same barrel threads and feature flat-top receivers and accessory rails, allowing the owner to upgrade and modify their platform with scopes, red dot sights, lasers, vertical fore-grips or tactical weaponlights, enabling shooters to fine-tune their magfed paintball gun to their individual mission specs or preferred configuration!

What’s Different
While the Valken M17 and the Valken CQMF magfed paintball guns are clearly very similar, how and where they differ is extremely important knowledge when it comes to selecting which is best for the individual! The most important difference between the M17 and the CQMF is how they’re configured for compressed air power: the M17 is supplied compressed air from an on-board compressed air tank that is threaded into the bottle adapter at the rear of the paintball gun’s receiver, over which an adjustable shoulder stock is fitted. This tank is not included with the M17 but most users will select a 13 cubic inch 3000psi model with an approximate output pressure of 800psi. These air tanks are readily available, affordable and fit within the paintball gun’s included shoulder stock. In contrast, the Valken CQMF receives compressed air power from a remote line – an air hose that is attached at one end to a compressed air bottle of any size the user desires which is then carried in loadbearing equipment like a pouch on a vest or harness, and then attached at the other end to the CQMF paintball gun via a quick disconnect fitting built into the shoulder stock. This both lightens the CQMF in comparison to the M17, and also makes it more compact and useful for tactical paintball players in CQB environments. This main, and major difference between the Valken CQMF and M17 means that shooters who prefer, or require, the compressed air tank power source to be attached directly to the paintball gun should select the M17 – especially those looking to employ the M17 in law enforcement, tactical training or less-than-lethal home defense applications.

While the attachment of an air source is the most important and primary difference between the Valken M17 and the CQMF magfed paintball guns, there are a few other differences that should be noted. Most important among these is the handguard: while the M17 uses a proprietary quad-rail style handguard, the CQMF accepts mil-spec handguards and is delivered with a compact, CQB-style handguard with accessory rails at the top and bottom positions. The magazine releases of the M17 and CQMF also differ, with the M17 utilizing an HK-style paddle mag release positioned at the rear of the magazine well, that is easily manipulated with the left or right hand, and the CQMF offering an ambidextrous button-style mag release. The pistol grips of the CQMF and M17 are different as well – the M17 offering a classic “Lonestar” style M4/M16 pistol grip, while the CQMF offers a more ergonomic grip. Finally, the breech cover of the two paintball guns, where the hopper adapter would be installed, are shaped differently and accept two different types of hopper adapter kit.

While the Valken M17 magfed paintball gun and the CQMF are extremely similar in form and function, the differences between the two are critical and should be studied by a serious buyer before a decision on which to purchase is made. For players who require or prefer an on-gun air system, the M17 is the best magazine fed paintball gun to run with. Players who intend to run a remote line, carrying a larger air tank in a loadbearing vest pouch or in their paintball harness, the CQMF is ready to plug in and go, right out of the box!