Best no-hassle compressor setup

[PaulFWI]

I'm new to PCP airguns.  I have an Air Force Condor SS.  After one day, I'm pretty sure I don't want to be hitting that hand pump ~150 times for 15-20 shots for much longer.

Air solutions seem complicated due to the various possibilities from what I've read so far.  I want to be independent of any third-party for my gas/air - I want to be self-sufficient.  That means an air compressor.  Could somebody help out a newbie and tell me best compressor/tank setup to get?  Priorities are long-term reliability and ease of use.

[deucelee]

I'm new to PCP airguns.  I have an Air Force Condor SS.  After one day, I'm pretty sure I don't want to be hitting that hand pump ~150 times for 15-20 shots for much longer.

Air solutions seem complicated due to the various possibilities from what I've read so far.  I want to be independent of any third-party for my gas/air - I want to be self-sufficient.  That means an air compressor.  Could somebody help out a newbie and tell me best compressor/tank setup to get?  Priorities are long-term reliability and ease of use.

Hey Paul,

sounds like you want a shoebox and a guppy or SCBA setup.  as far as i know, if you want anything better then the regular shoebox ($649) or freedom8 ($1,100), you're looking at $3K plus.  Look at airtanksforsale for a couple higher cost units like the bauers.

[benj397]

weigh everything carefully.  After buying a regular shoebox or Freedom 8, you need to factor in the cost to supply air to it (another compressor which must be oilless), a pressure gauge, fittings and a hose.  Also need to include at least 1 desiccant filter.   

There is a self sufficient (no need for extra compressor) unit that comes with gauge, hose, fittings for about $1500.  Call Joe at airtanksforsale.  I think he discounts a tank if you get a compressor.

[PaulFWI]

Ok, so, I could get a shoe box at $650 + basic Craftsman 6 gal 90 psi compressor + guage/fittings/hose/etc (I have no idea what a desiccant filter is or why I'd need one).

Or I could a one-unit compressor for $1500 all-up.

Either way add a tank, and a hose from the tank to the quick-fill Air Force nipple, and that's it.

[benj397]

Well, the directions for the shoebox suggest to add a desiccant filter between the shop compressor and the shoebox to remove water at that stage (around 100 psi).  When you compress air, water vapor condenses.  Water isn't good for your gun (or tanks if you are filling them).

guage/fittings/hose aren't items from the hardware store.  They are high pressure rated and $$.  Check out Joe's site.  A micro bore hose is >$150.

Now, if you want to go to a friend's house or a hunting camp and take your rifle, do you want to haul a shoebox and the craftsman compressor?  Or a small completely self contained unit?

I'm just recommending you really look at total costs before buying.  Do air gunners use the regular shoebox - yes.  But a lot of people already have a shop compressor so it isn't extra $.  When I was looking, the reg shoebox, an oilless compressor and all fittings was about the cost of the Freedom 8.  But with the Freedom 8, I would need to get an oilless compressor and fittings, etc which put me in the $1500 compressor ballpark and nothing else to buy and more portability.  The compressor I got was $1295 but they have made some changes and raised the price.

I have a shop compressor but it isn't oilless so I would have to replace it and its hose and fittings for either shoebox.

[PaulFWI]

The only compressor I see on Joe's site other than the shoebox is the "Dive Compressor" at $3379.  That is way out of my budget.

What is your compressor setup?  What is available in a one-unit package for $1500 or under?

I do not have a general/shop compressor (used to), so the first-stage compressor would not be just a throwaway for me, so maybe I should go that route.

Portability is not an issue for me.

[benj397]

Here is the link to my thread here on the GTA:

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=69043.0

You can check them out at:

https://www.facebook.com/AirTanksForSale

They upgraded the units from the one I bought but I'm still happy.

[farmerjoe99]

Here's another link:http://www.network54.com/Forum/79574/message/1407762596/UPDATED+ALPHA90+Compressor+%241495%3B+w-H20+Drier+Filter+%241795%3B+w-Tiger+Shark+Full+Armor+%241995
Looks similar to M-rod airs new Chinese compressor.
Joseph

[benj397]

Same one - didn't know if links to the yellow were allowed.

[deucelee]

Anyone have experience or heard of the "OME-SupCharge"?  http://www.airgunsofarizona.com/Compressor.html

[PaulFWI]

It seems there are several choices for an all-in-one solution in the $1800 range.

It also seems this field is quite new and these units have semi-DIY feel, with little or no track record for some or most of them!

With the cost of the tank too this is a lot of money, really.  Perhaps I should see if I like shooting my Beeman RX-2 as much as the Condor SS before I consider such an outlay.

Thanks for all the info - now I know what it takes.

[benj397]

Video


You can also google for Raptor compressor, Omega Compressor

[benj397]

With the cost of the tank too this is a lot of money, really.  Perhaps I should see if I like shooting my Beeman RX-2 as much as the Condor SS before I consider such an outlay.

You might like the Beeman but PCP's do not require any special holds (military or otherwise), are very accurate, powerful, and you can usually see what you hit when you hit it since they don't jump. 

[caniborrowsomeammo]

That is why it's called The Darkside.  More and better costs Buck$$. Well, that's my perspective.
I have the Alpha 90 from JoeB. Worth every nickle if you ask me.