Spray gun and components for spraying paints and other coatings

A valve cartridge for a sprayer, the valve cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body having:
• a first end and a second end;
• a cartridge outlet extending through the first end;
• a chamber within the cartridge body;
• at least one side port extending through the cartridge body and in fluid communication with the chamber;
• a first annular groove disposed about an exterior of the cartridge body between the first end and the at least one side port, the first annular groove configured to receive a first annular seal;
• a second annular groove disposed about the exterior of the cartridge body between the second end and the at least one side port, the second annular groove configured to receive a second annular seal;
• and
• a threaded portion disposed about the exterior of the cartridge body and disposed between the first end and the first annular groove;
• a valve disposed within the cartridge body and configured to control flow of a spray fluid from the chamber through the cartridge outlet;
• a spring configured to bias the valve towards a closed state;
• a stem extending along an axis and through the spring;
• wherein the at least one side port is disposed axially between the first annular groove and the second annular groove;
• and
• wherein the cartridge body, the valve, the spring, and the stem form a discrete assembly configured to control spraying of the spray fluid.