Just bought first 2 PCP guns trying to figure tanks, gauges and what needed

[steelblueeyedman]

Hello to all.. I just bought a Walther Dominator 1250 .177 and a Umarex Gauntlet .25 cal. These are my first PCP guns. I am trying to figure out what carbon fiber tanks or ? to purchase and what gauges are needed. It's a bit confusing.. I want to make sure that I get what I need and not waste.

This is my first year in air gunning and I already have 8 rifles. I am also wondering IF I should wait till black Friday or Christmas? I am not sure if the air gun retailers have a price war or things go drastically on sale? Next years  shot show in Las Vegas I am assuming will not take place?

I have only been on this site for about 2 months. I would like to THANK YOU ALL..for the great group and being so wonderful and helpful for all !!

[enazle]

There are several paths you can go down.
1.  If your going to shoot a thousand rounds a week I would consider a quality 4500 psi compressor with really good water separators and a good 6000psi in/6000 out regulator, fill whip and a couple CF cylinders to take to the range and hunting. I have found recently expired CF cylinders cheap on craigslist for $25 each. Be informed you will have to fill them yourself as no dive shop will touch them.
2. If your only going to shoot once a month or so, you might consider renting a commercial 6000psi bulk N2 cylinder from a welding supplier. You will still need a set of 6000psi gauges and a smaller carbon fiber bottle/fill whip to take to the range or hunting.
3. If your only going to shoot occasionally and only a few shots at a time you can get a quality hand pump. Not familiar with using them as my shoulder would never allow me to go this route.

[AlanMcD]

First, welcome, and welcome to the hobby!

I think Enazle gave some good advice, however there is a wide range of options between #1 and #3 . . . .

I would recommend that for anything you might decide to do with a tank that does not involve having your own compressor, that the first thing you do would be to find potential fill sources for your tank (dive shops, paint ball places, a local fire house) and go actually talk to them about what they wil fill and what they need to do so.  Let them be your source of info, and quite possibly the data that points you to your final decision.

Personally, in that #2 category I would consider buying an SCBA tank and having it filled (if you have a good accommodating source) with a potential future plan to add my compressor as some point.  It does not take thousands fo rounds a week to justify a compressor - just a willingness to spend the money needed to be self sufficient.  This is the path that I  took and I absolutely do not regret it. 

In fact, I started with a hand pump (which I still have as a backup), then added a used SCBA tank with 5 years of life left on it, then a compressor (a Shoebox Max unit) when the tank hit the end of its life and could not longer be refilled at the dive shop.  After a while, I added a new small Guppy tank from Joe Brancato and only use the old tank for tethered shooting at lower pressures.  I am very pleased with how that path worked out, including the costs over time.

[steelblueeyedman]

Thank you both for the information and ideas. I live in a condo (no garage) so having a compressor is not an option. I have an opportunity about every 2-3 months to go to our ranch and shoot lets say 600+ shots thru multiple guns . So, I was thinking along the lines of getting a tank. I have seen so much info regarding them. Sizes, companies , scuba, carbon fiber, connections, etc. A bit over whelming at first. Plus there are so many vendor's and setups. Once again thank you all for your time and greatly appreciated information.

[Back_Roads]

 Have you considered a portable compressor, you will have the convenience of always getting a full fill, where a tank wil give less and less PSI after several gun top offs. They can run on 12v 120 0r 220v.
https://airtanksplus.com/product/xisico-gx-e-cs3-compressor/

 Check if there are any local paintball shops in your area for tank fills and cost to fill, might even be a full service airgun shop that may be an option if a tank is what your final decision is.

[Earl]

Buy one of the Chinese hand pumps for about $50 to get started.
Then decide if you want to buy a portable electric pump for about $500.
I have 5 PCPs and I only use the Chinese hand pump.

[AlanMcD]

With how you describe your shooting sessions and apartment life, I would definitely go with a tank instead of a compressor- provided, of course, that you find a place that would fill it.  With a mid size tank (like a 44 cubic foot SCBA) you would have more than enough air for your ranch trips, and filling from a tank is much quicker and more convenient than filling from a compressor.  You then would have plenty of time to get the tank refilled between trips, and it would not take up much room in the apartment.

A small compressor can work too, but I definitely prefer the quick direct fills from a tank.

[steelblueeyedman]

Thank you all once again..That shop you mentioned with the portable compressor is in Sacramento just about a 1.5 hr drive away. I am thinking..that the easiest maybe a good sized tank. I have already called a fire extinguisher refresher vendor in my city and they fill tanks. The local FD does not fill tanks for the public. Just trying to collect any info. Just not sure if I need all the gauges that some of the people advertise..

[enazle]

A Carbon Fiber SCBA Tank will have a gauge on the valve to tell you how much air is in the tank. You will at the very least need a fill whip with an accurate gauge and air bleed.  DO NOT BUY ANY FOSTER FITTINGS OFF AMAZON. There is no guarantee as to the quality and it could be dangerous for you. Use one of the vendors here for your own safety.

I bought what I thought was a name brand off Amazon and had it fail. I'm lucky it didn't fly apart on me.

[tracker1955]

You might try Hatsan USA, here is a link to their tank and fill assy.
https://hatsanairgunsusa.com/product/tactair-74cu-cf-tank-w-valve-fill-kit/

[rocks]

need help with this as tired of buying 12 gram co2, to have fun, so If I go down to the fire dept and get a few fire extinguisher, siphon feed what do I need to do before I bring them to a scuba shop to have filled, thank you

[kbstingwing]

this is what you need for the Walther 1250 Dominator and the Umarex Gauntlet

Tank, fill whip with gauge, 200 Din adapter, Silicone oil.

Tank- Ebay..... SCBA Tanks 4500 psi, choose which tank best suits you. make sure it is current Hydro tested and not expired date.
fill whip- https://www.walmart.com/ip/6000PSI-Paintball-PCP-SCBA-Fill-Station-chargingkit-Charging-Adapter-with-Hand-Tight-CGA347-Adapter-24-Hose/526363211, best vendor quick shipping
200 Din adapter- https://www.pyramydair.com/product/air-venturi-ss-female-din-adapter-with-male-quick-disconnect?a=5358
Silicon oil-  buy at hobby shop, R/C car shock oil any weight. or


that will get you up and running

[kbstingwing]

need help with this as tired of buying 12 gram co2, to have fun, so If I go down to the fire dept and get a few fire extinguisher, siphon feed what do I need to do before I bring them to a scuba shop to have filled, thank you

they won't fill fire extinguisher tanks, only SCUBA and SCBA tanks. must be hydro certified and current date.

[rocks]

Thanks,

[mrbulk]

Hi Kelly, I remember getting all excited to buy a high pressure dive tank until I found out the solitary dive shop around here would only fill them to 3300psi at a cost of $7 each time.

Being a couple of my PCP guns required more than that (as high as 4350psi) per fill, I gave up on the idea and went with a small compressor (which cost almost $500 including shipping) that is designed to Only fill guns (or the smallish tanks like those designed to fit directly onto guns) and never looked back. The compressor I got is quiet enough that you can converse with someone while the filling is going on and it has held up fine so far. I regularly fill four to five PCP guns twice a week and have had the compressor for 3 months now.

BTW the price of the Faber HP 100 cu ft steel tank I was originally contemplating getting was $325, so after filling at the dive shop enough times it would begin exceeding the cost of the compressor. Just an FYI.

[Doug Wall]

need help with this as tired of buying 12 gram co2, to have fun, so If I go down to the fire dept and get a few fire extinguisher, siphon feed what do I need to do before I bring them to a scuba shop to have filled, thank you

You might be a bit confused. You won't be able to get anything usable from a fire department, or a scuba shop. You can get appropriate bulk CO2 tanks, with proper valves,  from a fire extinguisher supply and service company. You will still need to buy an appropriate fill rig. As far as what you need to fill guns, it depends on the gun. Some can't be bulk filled. Others will need a bulk fill adapter.

[maraudinglizard]

The Nomad ll compressor would do well in a apartment setting, it's very quiet you can carry on a conversation while it's running. It's comes in a carrying case and is easy to store when not in use, weighs about 20lbs, works on AC or DC and comes with all the accessories to fill a gun with. Just another option to look at. Tyler does a good review on it.

[rocks]

Thanks I guess I got to get a few tanks, not many places to fill small co2 tanks in CT. not that I know of called a few places, thanks for all the help

[kbstingwing]

Thanks I guess I got to get a few tanks, not many places to fill small co2 tanks in CT. not that I know of called a few places, thanks for all the help

look for industrial gas places like Praxair and Airgas, even some welding supply places do tank filling or swap on Co2, if they're paintball tanks, Walmart or any paintball shop.