Package deals?
Just found the forum and have been browsing a little. I really just became aware of PCP airguns but I’m very interested. I’d like to have something to shoot ground squirrels out to 50 yards without too much noise. My Beeman R7 isn’t quite up to it. I’d like to get the general opinion on this kind of package deal:
http://www.airforceairguns.com/TalonSS-w-Hand-Pump-4-16×50-Scope-1-High-Rings-p/kitu1023h.htm
Pyramid has it for $830 or so. The big question, I guess, is whether the scope is decent for the money. Maybe the pump too.
Based on comments I’ve read, I think I’d be after a drop for the butt-plate pretty quickly. Who makes those? Thanks.
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Viewing 10 replies - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
Mastiff,
You will need to do some homework to see if they will fill for you after you tell them you are doing it for airguns only and not diving. Some shops have you sign a waver indicating that you are not using the air for human comsumption.
Home compressors run from $2000.00 that will fill your tank in a few minutes, to the Shoebox which will take several hours for the first fill, but then only a couple of hours to top it off after that and it costs $500 or so and requires a small oiless shop compressor to prime it.
Unless you become a avid PCP shooter, perhaps rabid is a better term, you will be better off finding a Dive shop to fill for you.
Shoebox compressor set up.
Regards,
Roachcreek
You can get your self a shoebox compressor that will fill to 4500 psi. There is plenty of members with a shoebox compressor and I’m sure they can tell you more about it then I can.
Just surfing around I see that most dive shops will require a scuba certification to fill tanks. How do shooters get around that? I got my cert when I was 16 but don’t have anything to prove it anymore.
Is a home compressor a viable option?
Mastiff,
Scuba tanks are what the skin divers wear on their back, are made of either steel or aluminum, and generally are 88 CUFT and fill to 3000 PSI.
They need to be inspected every 5 years and your dive shop will do that for you. Prices vary, life is indefinate.
SCBA tanks are what the firemen wear on their back, they are made of usually a alumnum baldder wrapped with fiberglass, the full is usually 4500 SI tho some are only 3000 PSI.
They are available as a 30, 45 and 60 minute tanks, meaning that is how much air the fireman has to live on, but the volume is 44,66 and 88 CUFT. They are much lighter and need to be inspected every 5 years and have a life of 15 years if filled by an outside source other than yourself with a home compressor. If you fill at home with a comressor they do not need to be inspected and will last much longer.
Regards,
Roachcreek
Thanks for the help. Can someone explain the distinction between SCBA and SCUBA tanks? I was using them interchangeably but it sounds like SCUBA is a cheaper, less desirable alternative?
Quick search revealed: http://tucson.craigslist.org/spo/2550049536.html
Welcome to the forum Mastiff.
I would have to recommend getting a Hill Pump if you get a hand pump. The air force hand pumps will leave you hanging with no way to fill your air rifle. Scope quality of the air force rifle is questionable at best, lol. You can take a look at Hawke scopes which are good scopes and have ballistic software as well. As for the package deal I would go with just the gun if you want a new one. Walkonking makes some real nice shoulder adapters if you are still interested about that.
Mastiff,
Welcome, now for some tough love and advice.
If there is any way possible, stay away from the Airforce pump.
Actually run away from the AF pump. I went thru three in as many months, Benjamins are slightly worse. FX makes a pretty good pump as does Hill.
You can get a Scuba tank at a dive shop used for around $100.00 and if you only fill that talon to 2500 to 2800 PSI you can shoot for a couple months at 2 to 3 shots per day. IF you have a scuba shop nearby and you buy a used tank from them, they will look after you and make sure you have a good safe tank and maybe even give you a break on fills, which average around $5.00 -$10.00.
The scuba yoke is the only AF accessory I would get, their rifles are good, the SS is superb, their scopes, bipods and pumps are very poor quailty.
Did I mention their pumps are no good? 💡 😆
If your going to be slingling a lot of lead go for a SCBA tank, but they are expensive.
Hit the link at the top of the page, for the Yellow forum, then once there go to the Yellow classifieds, they have used Talons for sale now and then and will save you around $100.00 if you shop around.
Regards,
Roachcreek
Actually, I have to be honest: I’m not a hunter used to a good scope, and I probably will only shoot a few dozen shots a week. My understanding was that pumping the tank the first time is miserable, but after that it would be 2-3 pumps per shot, which doesn’t sound that bad.
Regarding scopes, I got a UTG Scope for my Beeman for $45 and it seems pretty decent. Just so you know how I’m calibrated. I’d like a nicer scope for a nicer gun, so the main consideration is whether I could do a lot better for the same money with a different scope.
How much does a small Scuba tank cost? I assume people go for maybe like a 50 cu-ft tank or something like that? How many times can you refill?
CO2 is tempting because I’ve been thinking about getting a CO2 tank to fill 4×4 tires anyway. Looks like there’s a loss of power from that though.
Been there, done that.
Pumping the gun up with a pump is a LOT OF WORK. (get my point). If you are young and in dam good shape, then pumping would be a good work out for you. If you only take a couple of shots a week, then you could get by with a pump just find.
Shooting a couple of fills on the tank a day/week ( 100 or so shots) it would be to much work to fill by a pump.
The scope is not a very good scope. It will get you by if you are not a hunter (use to a good scope) and only shoot pest/paper in the yard.
I would get the gun only and buy a scba tank. However, find out if you can get a scba tank fill (dive shops/ firehouse) before you buy one.
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i’m not as negative on pumping as some others here. i have an airforce pump and it lasted a few months before i sent it back for repairs. i still have it but it doesn’t feel as smooth as it did when it was new.
if you want to buy it for 1/2 price, let me know. but i don’t trust it so i also bought an fx pump.
i recommend the fx pump because of its 5 year warranty. the hill pump may be even better than the fx but its warranty is only 1 year and after my airforce experience, i think getting repairs isn’t a question of “if” but, rather of “when”.
as far as difficulty pumping, i am 63 years old and weigh 155lbs. i found it very difficult to pump from 2200 to 2800 psi when my technique was poor. using the correct technique, it’s easy. i don’t work up a sweat pumping from 2200psi to 2800 psi and i’m in so cal where it’s warm.
i would also discourage you getting any package deal. there are so many good options/add-ons etc available both new and used for airforce guns, it doesn’t make sense to pay for the extras from airforce when superior parts can be purchased less expensively than the standard parts.