Question for those in the Dark Side...

[ten4copy]

It's driving me crazy.... the boss says I can only get one more, and it has to be one that I really want. Of course, my purchase has to be reasonable. For springers, I've got a CDT Whisper VH .177, CDT CFX .22, self tuned CFX .22, project CFX .22 (stock right now), RWS 48 .177, and RWS 54 .22. I'm thinking, I might have enough springers and maybe it's time to see what's on the other side of the fence. I've been contemplating buying a Crosman Marauder or Talon SS. I'm leaning more towards the Marauder in .22, since it's got a long of bang for the buck.

I will use this mainly for pest control and hunting.

Here are my questions: Which one do you guys recommend? I know this is vague question, as there are pros and cons and differences in each gun that makes it unique, but putting that aside, which would you get and why? (Need ideas)

If I get a PCP (I know, the Marauder is CO2 too), what else is there that I have to get? I know I have to get air into it. If I go for the pump, what kind of pump? Does any pump work? Can I get an air compressor? How do you guys do it?

Sorry, the compressed air/co2 airgun thing is very new and I know there's no other place to get advice than here.

Thanks in advance all.

[HNT5]

The Marauder seems to be a good choice with many happy owners. Seems that Crosman got the initial bugs worked out. You can use either a Logun, Hill, Benjamin or similar hand pump to fill your rifle. You will need to buy a Foster adapter to fill your rifle like this one.

http://www.straightshooters.com/pcpitems/fosterfemale.html

You can also use a Scuba (SCBA) tank to fill your rifle. There are many available that fill to either 3000 or 4500 psi. Again, you may need to purchase a hose or adapter to connect the Foster fitting. Make sure that before you buy a tank that there is someplace to get it filled. Call around and make sure that they will fill it, some places (like dive shops) may be reluctant to do so. Don't spend $400 then find out you can't fill it. These guys can help you out with any tanks, hoses and adapters.

http://www.airhog.com/
http://www.hamcontact.com/airgun/HoseAssembly/

There are a couple of compressors that you can buy that will fill to 3000+ PSI, but they are expensive.
I am seriuosly considering a Marauder myself, but I will have to sell some guns to pay for one.  :emoticon:  :emoticon:

HTH

Nathan

[gamo2hammerli]

I would get the Marauder because it's a 10-shot repeater.  The power is there...but not as powerful as the single-shot Talon.  If you like to tinker....there's alot of aftermarket parts for the Talon...longer barrels, different calibers etc.  Some Talon owners modified theirs to shoot pellets up to 65 or 90 ft. lbs....pretty sure you can't do that with the Marauder (But don't quote me on that).
The Hill pump would be one of the best pumps to fill up a PCP.  The Talon have a huge airtube....so that'll take alot of pumping.  Some PCP owners would rather buy a scuba tank and  the accessories to fill them up.  But this have expenses; money used to fill up the scuba tanks, have to get them checked to see if they can handle the pressure every 2 and 5 years (I think every 2 years visually and every 5 years by hydro something (Fill the tank with air under water or something)).  Very rare that someone will buy an air compressor.......

[Zzyzx]

Why aren't you asking this in the Darkside forum?

[EdNunya]

The Talon would give you more flexibility...   Barrel changes, etc..  So you might get more pufffft for your buck with one...

I enjoy mine..  i run mine off of CO2 and air... Scuba tank is def the way to go for refill on air..Although the hand pump is an option..

73

Semper Fi

Ed

[rbshoots]

I would go with the Marauder.... I am awaiting mine from AOA and think it is a terrific bang for the buck..... I may upgrade at some point, but I think it would be hard to beat an M-Rod for your first PCP.....BTW....this isn't the only place to get airgun advice....other sites exist on the net.....like the yellow forum..........

[longislandhunter]

If this is going to be your first PCP then go with the Marauder, you won't be sorry.   I own a .22 Marauder as well as a .22 Talon and a .22 Condor.  All 3 are fine guns indeed but if you are just starting out in PCP and can only get one gun then get the Marauder.  

The Air Force rifles are absolutely fantastic rifles, I love mine to death.  They are extremely well made, extremely powerful, extremely versatile with all the barrels and other attachments that are available for them and deadly accurate with their Lothar/Walther choked barrels.  If you ever do buy an Air Force rifle you won't be disappointed, however.....  keep this in mind.... As Stanley (gamo2hammerli) stated they have a 3000 psi air bottle that is going to give you a real work out every time you try and fill it with a hand pump.  The triggers on the Air Force rifles are not adjustable.... they are what they are.  If you are a real expert there are some things that can be done to them but most of us, including me, are not machinists and don't have the expertise or tools to get that far into the trigger to make it a bit better.  The Air Force rifles, even though they can be reloaded very quickly, are a single shot rifle.  To load another pellet you must take your eyes off the small game you're pursuing.  The "stock" on the SS consists of only a plastic forearm grip and the 3000 psi bottle.  I find the bottle fairly comfortable and I don't mind it but some folks don't find it as all that comfortable.  Most folks add on a "Wokbutt" to make the bottle more shoulder friendly but there's another $60 or so bucks you have to spend.  If you want to run CO2 then you have to spend $100 bucks and buy the CO2 adaptor.  I have one and it works well but you have to buy it.  Don't get me wrong..... I know it sounds like I'm bad mouthing the AF rifles but I'm not.  I love my Talon and Condor and will never sell them.  They are 2 of my primary hunting rifles and I love them to death.... I'm just trying to point out some things about them that you should consider....

As for the Marauder....... it's got a great 10 shot magazine, it neighborhood friendly right out of the box, it's got a nice conventional wood stock, it's very easy to adjust for whatever power level or shot level you want, it's got a fantastic trigger that can be adjusted any way you want, it's got a decent air gauge on it to tell you how much psi you have left  (SS doesn't have one), if you want to run CO2 all you need to do is de-gas the gun and fill er up with CO2 ... no adapter to buy..... and the best part is that the Marauder will only cost you $399 bucks instead of the $600 bucks the SS is going to run you.  

Get the Marauder..... you won't be sorry.....  

Jeff

[Zzyzx]

We have and snoot an Evaniz Blizzard. Finally got to compare it to a Marauder this week. I will take the Blizzard. Much nicer. Also costs more.
For what you are doing the Marauder makes more sense as the extra you would pay for a Blizzard can be used for a good pump.

Shooting a repeater is so much nicer than a single shot in many ways. Having the option to shoot follow up pellets on target without removing the scope picture from your eye sure is nice.

[noisemedia]

For whats its worth I would also say go with the Marauder. It is probably the smoothest shooter I have tried yet. They are awesome right out of the box. They arent cheap though and neither is that pump, however it looks like that Talon is even more expensive. In my experience the Marauder has been a win-win situation all around...its quiet enough to shoot anywhere and its got the power, range, trigger, and accuracy that everyone always talks about. Not to mention there are alot of adjustments you can make with just a couple allen wrenches that can have a big impact on shot count and velocity...they really are pretty awesome.

[ccjr]

Before you buy a pump, check out your local dive shops.  One about 20 mins drive from me had several used bottles that they were familiar with and would fill for $6.  At $175/bottle, it seemed like a viable option to a pump.  They had sold some to local paintballers and were accustomed to that clientel.  They said that unusual configurations required more of their time and attention during the fill, so it was best to consult with them first.

Of course, I'm still shooting springers as yet, and my 1377's....

[ten4copy]

Thanks for all of your inputs and recommendations. I greatly appreciate it. I've been reading a lot of reviews and opinions on the Marauder, and PCP in general, on this website and others. I plan on getting the .22 Marauder and hand pump. Hopefully in time for my next pigeon hunt (suppose to happen in about 2 weeks).

Just wanted to say, all you guys are awesome! This forum too!

[davee1]

I saw this a little late for a reply...but I'll give it a shot anyway.

In my signature you can see most of the airguns that I own and most of them are springers. You already have some sweet springers, and a walk on the wild side is in order. The .22 Marauder is IMHO an *excellent* choice and bargain. You'll see!!! I love shooting my Marauder so much that I shoot it literally everyday, rain or shine, and my springers have taken a back seat in a big way. You can be so much more accurate with a Mrod...and it packs a good wollup, way out even to 100 yrds if you are so inclined. And its quiet, really quiet!!! Bolt action, ten shot magazine, gives you fast reload that you just cant have with the springers. I was a die hard springer fan. Now, I'm a die hard Mrod fan...waiting for the .25 cal to come out so I can get one of those too. I just know that you wont be disappointed.

[ten4copy]

Thanks Dave, that just put a smile on my face. I can't wait. Expect to see some stories in the Hunting Gate as soon as I get it.

[ten4copy]

.... now the long wait.... my marauder in .22. Also ordered a Benji hand pump, 3 additional 10 rd mags and a single shot mag for my preds.

[Wade.S]

That also sounds like just the same setup I am in need of. Where did you order yours from?