How many times have you gone to your favorite field and had your equipment break down on you? Or are you tired of renting something that looks like it's been run over by an Abrams Battle Tank. A good solution would be the DXE by Sheridan. It has the looks and feel that would appeal to just about anyone. The first thing I noticed was of course the look. Sheridan gave this puppy a hot red tiger stripe anodizing that covers the main body and a polished aluminum barrel. Just looking at it I couldn't wait to put it to the test.

What test do you ask? Well, like so many others that evaluate equipment you have to have a test. After all how can you say something good or bad about a product if you don't put it through the ringer, sure I let newbies take it out for a spin but realistically they are trying to get through the game with it. Me on the other hand I'm trying to break it. I got out of the Army a few months back and we had a saying there. "Give it to a Grunt if he can't break it nobody can." So for three weekends that's exactly what I did.

The first thing I did before going to my local field was air up the marker with a Sheridan 20oz. Tank and crono the marker. The DXE was a little hot out of the box but with a simple turn of an allen wrench to the two set screws and a twist of the velocity knob (counter clockwise to decrease velocity) we were in business. So along with all my little testers I started my evaluation. They shot I listened. Mostly all the feedback I was getting was positive. The only thing that I can say that could be considered negative would be the stock hopper Sheridan sent along with the DXE. It's not a bad hopper the marker just wanted paint faster then it could supply it. So I put a 9volt hopper on it for the rest of the test. I didn't have a problem after that. We did have a few ball breaks most were caused by balls breaking in the hopper. We put different grades of paint down range and the only thing I'm gonna say about that is, if you have flat spots on your paint it doesn't fly straight. Overall I was impressed with the accuracy of the DXE. During the breaks in action I was shooting a 10-inch pan at 25yds and was consistantly hitting the black Teflon turning it into a gooey mess.

I did not clean the marker for those three weekends of testing. Every weekend I just aired up. Loaded with a different paint and Ba-dow (as a buddy use to say) gave it to another new guy to use. By the end of the test you can imagine it needed some work. Well Sheridan has their act together on field stripping. This thing is so easy to take down I couldn't believe it. Of course the first thing you have to do is remove your air source. Next remove the barrel and loosen the clamp screw located on the right side rear of the grip frame. Rotate the grip frame down and unscrew the Lug from the Receiver and remove the side cover. Turning the marker to the right lets the ball detent and connecting rod fall out. Now all is left is to remove the Cocking Assembly, Hammer and Bolt wash with warm water, dry, oil as indicated and re-assemble. While we are on the subject Sheridan gives you a handy owners manual that takes you step by step through ever thing you need to know about the DXE. And best of all it is easy to understand.

Action: semi-automatic, 7 shots per second
Caliber: .68 cal paintball
Weight: 3.3lbs
Length: 24.25in.
Barrel: Removable, precision extruded aluminum
Power Source: CO2
Safety: Cross bolt

The final say "Thumbs up for the DXE" you can take it out of the box just the way it is and you are on a level playing field with the competition. Sheridan has a good product for a great price. MSRP for the DXE is $229.99. To find out more about Sheridan products and the DXE go to www.sheridanusa.com or write to: Sheridan Paintball, Division of Crosman Corp., Rts. 5 & 20, P.O. Box 308, East Bloomfield, NY 14443

By: Ron Monaco