A couple of questions

[Mutley]

1) Why "The Darkside". Are PCP/CO2/HPA any "darker" than spring action/gas ram? Or is there something I don't know about?

2) Why are UK gunsmiths so anti CO2? Two that I have spoken to claim that they won't deal in them due to seal problems and recommend PCP instead. Is there anything in this or is there some commercial pressure at work?

[Nomadic Pirate]

Aaaaahhh, The Darkside, once you go there it just not gonna let you go and will keep pulling you deeper and deeper,
a never ending adventure that will test your ability to juggle your finances and not go broke

Springers are cool, but PCPs are just a completely different cup of tea


WOW, I had to edit my post twice because the Auto spelling just made it all funky 

[ShakySarge]

As for the Darkside, it is more addictive than springers in most opinions due to accuracy and range capabilities. It is also a slippery slope which is hard to get out of, hence, "The Darkside". Plus, We have cookies on the Darkside! lol

As for the UK pressing more for PCP/HPA I think some of it may be due to the colder temps there which does not allow for effective use of CO2. Therefore, building and pressing PCP/HPA is the logical solution.

Just my two cents worth.

Matt

[StevenG]

As for the Darkside, it is more addictive than springers in most opinions due to accuracy and range capabilities. It is also a slippery slope which is hard to get out of, hence, "The Darkside". Plus, We have cookies on the Darkside! lol

As for the UK pressing more for PCP/HPA I think some of it may be due to the colder temps there which does not allow for effective use of CO2. Therefore, building and pressing PCP/HPA is the logical solution.

Just my two cents worth.

Matt

That plus not all common air seals are compatible with CO2. It swells some and makes them fail.

[Motorhead]

In adding ....
Co2 is also a Dirty gas that over time does create greater wear on internal parts.
Also the issue previously mentioned .. TEMPERATURE has a big effect of the gas pressure available to do the actual work.  With the down side being about the MOST pressure you will get with Co2 in 70* to 95* temps in about 1200# or so.  There is a chart out there giving a more specific temp/pressure scaling.

So while using Co2 has its place in certain applications ... when Co2 is compared side by side with HPA it is so inferior across so many data points many will poo poo its use altogether.

The Paintball world went threw this same thing the last 15-20 years as HPA became viable, the threads on said subject would keep you reading near indefinitely.

[Ribbonstone]

"Dark side" because PCPs tend to hold onto you and not let you go back.  Just so easy to shoot well,  not the hold sensitivity of recoiling springers, not the temperature sensitivity of co2, not the effort per shot of multi-stroke pneumatics, not the  hard strike/slow speeds of a single shot pneumatic.