Tank or pump?

[StrawHat]

Okay, it looks like the choice is coming up. Tank or pump pros and cons. Tank for ease and pump for more portability. I like the idea of the pump but the initial cost is a little daunting and would the cost of the pump be wasted since the tank usually comes later anyway.

[wahoowad]

tank is just so easy

[StrawHat]

Cool, way to spend my money

[wahoowad]

When you buy the pump you will instantly wonder if you did the right thing.

When you buy a SCUBA or SCBA tank, you will feel good inside and glad you did it.

[longislandhunter]

Tanks are great, I love mine.  I also like my pumps and find they come in handy sometimes.  Also, it depends on what kind of shooting you're doing.  If you are target shooting  you'll be shooting a lot of pellet on a fill.  That's when a tank is really nice to have.  However if you use the rifle just to hunt with then a pump is really fine.  Take my .22 Condor for example.  I start with a 3000 psi fill and during a routine hunt, if I shoot a lot, I may take 9 or 10 shots.  When I get home I can use the pump to just "top off" the tank and it's no trouble at all.  However if I am target shooting with the condor and take 30 or 40 shots then using the pump to get back to 3000 psi would be a REAL workout.    

Ideally I think it's nice to have both a tank and a pump.  

Jeff

[Silverback]

The pump starts out fairly easy... until you get up to 2800 psi plus... those last pumps are killer.  Buy the tank with the proper valve and be done with it.  A "fill-up" might take you a full minute with a tank. Pump...we are talking several minutes and sweat.  Buy the tank!!  If you are like me, you ain't gettin any younger.

[StrawHat]

Well, tank it is. now where to find one.

[Silverback]

I get my filled at Sports Chalet for $6.00 per fill.  Our local fire dept will not touch them.

[wahoowad]

StrawHat - 6/6/2010  1:49 AM  Well, tank it is. now where to find one.

I found my used one by calling and emailing dive shops. I have been checking craigslist too but that did not produce.

[Silverback]

I bought my tank at sports Chalet.  It is a full sized scuba take for $150.00.  This size will give you upwards of 45 to 50 fills before you need to get this tank refilled.  Brother, that is a lot of shooting.

[p.k.hansen]

I just bought a 12L 300 bar tank. That'll last me a long time, and it's soooo easy. I'm old and hate pumping ;-)

[CitySniper]

Honestly if you can afford it get both... or one at a time. Because there will be times when all you wanna do is top off, and the pump is perfect for that. Also like you mentioned it is very portable, but a 80 cu tank is portable too.

If you have a 3000psi. fill pressure gun, then you will probably opt for a tank sooner or later. however there WILL be times when your tank gets to 2500-2800psi. and you can not fill your gun all the way.

pump to the rescue...;)


I have a 3500psi. 80cu. steel tank that I got off craigslist for like $120 still in hydro till 2013, plus an $60 airforce din adapter completed my setup. plus $15 visual inspection, $6 fills. Tanks are nice, and soooo easy.

I guess tanks have like a 10% overfill, so my scuba shop fills my tank to 3800psi.