Ready to take the plunge n2 "THE DARKNESS"

[Mike B]

I've decided it's time to take the plunge into PCP's but need help trying to figure out what be best for my needs. Mostly I punch paper & shred cans in the back yard but would also like something powerful enough to take hunting. I was considering a Sumatra 2500 but have been told that it really isn't a back yard gun; not living in the city like I do. Any way, all suggestions, & info will be appreciated. I don't know if there is a difference from gun to gun with a pump not being as affective to keep me shooting or not; but not looking to get into tanks & all yet. Thanx to all in advance.

[jon]

The pump is much too mouch work on the gun you are looking at.  generally a gun with a smaller airtube and a lower working pressure is easier to pump.  A 80cuft dive tank with fill adapter costs just as much as a pump and is 100 times easier to use. That being said no gun is easy to pump, LOL.

I started with a pump and I regret spending the $225 that I bought it for.

[leftcoast1]

Hey Mike,

  While I'm not a PCP guy yet I think my first PCP will be the AA 410 in .22. But in your case a .177 may work for you. I'm sure you could reach 15 fpe with kodiaks in .177 which is more than enough for small game with proper shot placement. Kirby as well as some other guys are very versed in some of the nice PCP's. Save the money for a tank and fill setup. The difference between that and the pump is within a hundred dollars. Good luck let us know what you decide on.

[DanoInTx]

I use a pump, and I don't find it too terribly awful.  As long as you don't shoot the gun past it's optimum pressure, then pumping it back up is not bad at all...at least for me.  Like Jon said though, if you shoot a higher powered gun, you will end up pumping a whole lot more.  I own a Sumatra Carbine as well as a Career 707 II, and I can't really shoot them in the backyard.  The 707 is a .177 and I can dial it down to where it wont even shoot, but I still don't consider it a great backyard gun.  For the backyard maybe consider an Air Arms S200, or maybe the S400 carbine.  An Airforce Talon is also infinately modable and adjustable for power, but you might have to tinker with it a bit and they are not ergonomic to shoot at all without some work....having said that, I really liked my TalonSS and only sold it to buy a repeater.

I've also owned an FX Black Widow and feel the FX line of guns are a good, solid, you can't lose, PCP air rifle.  I've seen the Black Widow, Tarantula, and some other variants of the same action for sale on different classifieds for a pretty good price, just have to shop around.

hth,

[jon]

A used 80 cuft can easily be found for $100 and the fill adapter for less than $100.  There are no pumps out there that are worth a hoot for less than $200 bucks.  Tanks are very easy to get filled, I know it seems like a hassle but it really isnt.

And be truthful with the dive shop owner, mine actually fills mine higher since he knows what I use it for

[Rixtrix]

Check the posts up above on the BSA Ultra carbines. They are great backyard guns, very accurate and very easy to pump, at the expense of less shots. Mine is set up to shoot at 15 fpe using Crosman Premier Lights (7.9 gr)or JSB Exacts ( 8.44gr) . They also come with a factory  installed muzzle device to keep things a little quieter for the meighbors. Check with http://www.airgunsofarizona.com (the importer) for more info. Great guys to talk airguns to. I just live about 10 miles from them, and find them great to deal with. They have a huge selection of many brands. Hope this helps

RicG

[Jaymo]

Dano had bad luck with his, but my B50 has been great so far. And I bought 2 50 cubic foot tanks for 60 bucks each, filled. I bought them used from my local dive shop. They had been his rental tanks. They have another 4 years before they need hydro testing. I got my refill clamp there also for about 65 bucks. Don't have a pump, but I sure like being able to hook up to the tank and fill. Nice and easy. I think my local dive shop charges 6 bucks to fill a tank. I can't complain, given how many times you can fill from a tank.

[daved]

Interestingly enough, I have the B50 that Dano had.  He thinks it's cursed, but it just didn't like Dan, it's treating me fine :-).  Accurate, good power, nice trigger, and CHEAP!  You can now get one brand new, already gone through, set up for the power YOU want (within the capability of the gun), for $340 from Big Ed.  I don't know of anything else that comes close, and although the new Crosman Discovery may be cheaper, I know for a fact the triggers aren't even close.  I don't expect the Disco to make any big dents in the sales of the B50/51's.

Speaking of Dan, I also really like my Talon SS.  Not much to add to what Dan had to say, other than maybe not the best choice for a first PCP.

I also don't pump, too much like work for me, I fill from a 4500 psi nitrogen cylinder.  443 cu. ft., I rented the first one last August, it just went below 3000 psi this week.  That works out to about $20 a month for "air" to feed my guns.  Good luck!

Dave