What do I need?

[redsman]

Ok so I bought a Benjamin Marauder. And I'm buying the accessories a little at a time. My only problem is. I'm not sure what all I need to buy to be able to shoot it. I know if I buy a pump that's one way, but if I want to buy a tank and what not. I'm not sure what all I need to buy to shoot it. Like do I need to buy a hose, bottle and regulator? Sounds like the pump is the easiest and fastest way to go. Help please.

[DavidS]

Well the pump is the way to go in my opinion.   Get the Benjiman pump some pellets and you should be ready to shoot.

It would take a bit more with getting a tank, hose and adapter.   Not to mention finding a place to charge the tank.

To bad it is an M-Rod, if you had went with a Discovery it is easy to find suppliers for CO2.

[Roadworthy]

I don't do PCP so I may not be much help.  Others will be along.  Accessories will probably be determined by budget.

The least complicated start will probably be with a pump.  You will need only the pump, hose, and whatever adapter is required by your gun.  Be sure to go with the shortest hose you can in the smallest diameter.  When pumping you must pressurize the volume of the hose as well as the gun.  The regulator goes on the gun to ensure consistent pressure as long as the pressure in the gun holds out.  This helps with vertical shot to shot consistency.  The gun itself has a tank so you are filling its tank with the pump.

If you purchase a larger tank you will need to be sure you have a source for high pressure air.  The Marauder is a 3000 psi gun so you don't want a 3000 psi tank.  That would give one good fill and downhill from there.  You will probably want a 4500 psi tank.  You will also need hoses and adapters to the gun.

[Night_Raider_]

The pump would be the cheapest and quickest way to do it, for sure.  I don't have a need for a tank, so I can't help you there.  I have a first generation Axsor and it has performed flawlessly so far.  If you can afford a Hill and the required adapter go for it, but if you can't a Benji probably wouldn't be a bad decision.  If you were ok with used, you could place a wanted ad on American Airguns like I did.  I actually had one offer for a Hill and adapter for $160, but didn't have enough cash to take him up on it.

[redsman]

My local dive shop said they will fill my tank for me. I'm just not sure what tank, hose or adapter I need. Also are we allowed to ask about certain stores if they aren't a sponsor?

[jeff76]

if its a dive shop then a scuba tank is probably all they can fill.  ask them if they can fill to 4500psi.  if they can you want to get an scba tank.  and as always the cheapest solution is a hand pump, but who wants to do all that just to shoot

[WeeHeavy]

A hand pump is not a bad way to go. You can upgrade to a more expensive tank set up later and keep the pump as a backup. I did a lot of research before buying and the thing that I came away with was that if you are working with a budget, buy the best quality pump you can possibly afford. For me that was a Hill MKIII. Many folks who purchased the cheaper Benjamin pump ended up buying a Hill after a few months. The Hill was about $280. The Benji pump was about $180. I went with the Hill pump and possibly saved myself that extra $180.

[StevenG]

if its a dive shop then a scuba tank is probably all they can fill.  ask them if they can fill to 4500psi.  if they can you want to get an scba tank.  and as always the cheapest solution is a hand pump, but who wants to do all that just to shoot

Hey now, for some of us that is the only exercise we get.

I would get a bottle, and will when I get too old for pumping. For now I need that exercise.

[blackdiesel]

A hand pump is not a bad way to go. You can upgrade to a more expensive tank set up later and keep the pump as a backup. I did a lot of research before buying and the thing that I came away with was that if you are working with a budget, buy the best quality pump you can possibly afford. For me that was a Hill MKIII. Many folks who purchased the cheaper Benjamin pump ended up buying a Hill after a few months. The Hill was about $280. The Benji pump was about $180. I went with the Hill pump and possibly saved myself that extra $180.

I don't know why everyone say a pump is less expensive than tanks.  Maybe if you bought a new tank from one of the retailer that's true.  I got a new carbon fiber buddy bottle and fill adapter for $240.  I have a paintball store that fills it for $2.  I can fill my gun 10-12 times to 2900 psi and several more times until the bottle pressure drops to 2700 psi. I also have several large carbon fiber bottles I got cheap that I found at various places.  I bought fill assemblies but even this option was reasonable.

Here's an example, there is a carbon fiber bottle on sale at ebay right now for $115 plus $20 shipping (MFD 2008 so still a lot of life).  You can get a fill assembly for about $125.  That's comparable to a Hill pump and you can get many fills before having it recharged.

[StevenG]

Apples and oranges. If you want to compare used tanks, you need to price them vs used pumps. The hill pump is the top of the line, that tank is likely not the fanciest one made.

The Benjamin pump costs new $180. The Air Venturi/Flying Dragons pump is $165. Those are what people are comparing tanks too.

[blackdiesel]

Here are links to the stuff I quoted in my previous post.

90ci CF tank with 2900 psi output reg-$179
http://www.paintball-discounters.com/ninja-airgun-only-90-ci-4500psi-hpa-tank-2900-output/

Fill assembly-$69
http://www.paintball-discounters.com/ninja-airgun-fill-station-hpa-bleeder-long-ufa-pin/

Large CF tank-$115 +18 S&H
http://www.ebay.com/itm/371107005440?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[blackdiesel]

Apples and oranges. If you want to compare used tanks, you need to price them vs used pumps. The hill pump is the top of the line, that tank is likely not the fanciest one made.

The Benjamin pump costs new $180. The Air Venturi/Flying Dragons pump is $165. Those are what people are comparing tanks too.

I understand, but still if one wanted to go cheap, a used scuba tank with up to date hydro can be had at most dive shops for $100-150.  A basic scuba fill adapter can be found for under $75.  I found one for $35 so even comparing to used equipment tanks are not much more than hand pumps in the big scheme of things.  Sure the hand pump offers more freedom because there's no need to fill it.

[StevenG]

Absolutely correct, I just wanted the comparison to be fair that is all.
When I finally have to switch to tanks I will likely go that route. 3000psi air is easy to get and steel tanks last just about forever.

[Case Stuffer]

Deleted Dup

[StevenG]

A manual pump will work just fine if you add a desiccant  air dryer  input filter , you pump faiiiirly slow and not over  a few minutes at a time and perhaps most importantly you are in decent shape ,weight 180 pounds or more and enjoy a workout.

I hand pumped my Discovery from 1,000 to 2,000 PSI  for two days then ordered a 18cf 4500 PSi cf tank with complete fill assembly and a Shoebox Max compressor to fill it.  I am 70 years old weight 165 and did not enjoy the shooting due to knowing I was going to have to refill the Disco  every 20 to 25 shots.  With my  tank and compressor I shot it around 300 times  per week and truly enjoy it.

Recent thread here

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96395.0




http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96395.0

I am 150lbs, this is really my only exercise and I work a desk job. I find pumping part of the fun of shooting. I am 33 though, so that might have something to do with it.

[Case Stuffer]

A manual pump will work just fine if you add a desiccant  air dryer  input filter , you pump faiiiirly slow and not over  a few minutes at a time and perhaps most importantly you are in decent shape ,weight 180 pounds or more and enjoy a workout.

I hand pumped my Discovery from 1,000 to 2,000 PSI  for two days then ordered a 18cf 4500 PSi cf tank with complete fill assembly and a Shoebox Max compressor to fill it.  I am 70 years old weight 165 and did not enjoy the shooting due to knowing I was going to have to refill the Disco  every 20 to 25 shots.  With my  tank and compressor I shot it around 300 times  per week and truly enjoy it.

Recent thread here

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=96395.0

Direct link to starter tank and fill station

http://www.topgun-airguns.com/SCBA-tank-with-adapter_p_94.html

just under $300 with hose and shipping.

FYI   My 18 cf   was a little over $400 but  is new  and has top of the line hardware.


http://www.airtanksforsale.com/



FWIW there is a forum for PCP Support Equipment

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?board=159.0

[YEMX]

    I would look into a compressor, like an Omega or a Shoebox.  In the end, most (not all) shooters end up selling the hand pump and buy a compressor.  Do your research, and buy once- cry once. 
    As far as tanks, buy the most you can afford.  I bought the 97 cf 4500 psi Great White from Joe Brancato (AirTanksForSale.com) w/all the trimmings.  Expensive?  Absolutely.  But the tank is super quality, Joe is a great guy, and it will take care of ALL my pcp rifle's and pistols no problem.  If all you can get right now is a smaller tank, that's fine- it'll get your foot in the door, and it's still easier than pumping.  Unless you like that sort of thing, of course!     
    The smaller tank will also buy you time. Time to make the decision of whether or not to go up in tank size, what compressor, etc.  Besides, if/when you do get the bigger tank and compressor, you can fill the small one and use it for hunting trips- just throw it in your daypack.  So it's not like the small tank would be money wasted.  Pick the tank size good for your current rifle, and it'll fill your gun (depending on settings of course) 3-13 times!!  Perfect for now, then later on, perfect for a day hunting trip!

EDIT: Case Stuffer beat me to it!!   

http://www.airtanksforsale.com/

FWIW there is a forum for PCP Support Equipment

http://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?board=159.0

[Deckard1973]

I got a Benji pump with my M-Rod. 
I dont mind the exercise.  My wife says she likes my guns, and I am not talking about the M-Rod! 
If I shooting for fun, I take it from 3k down to 2k before I attach the pump.  Ok, that takes a bit of effort.  But I will do 20 or so pumps, reload a magazine, another 20 pumps, reload another magazine etc. 
When shooting to dial in a pellet at a new yardage, I shoot 10 shots, then bring the M-Rod back up to 3k.  That only takes a few pumps to get it there.  Then shoot for record. 

[lagger]

Apples and oranges. If you want to compare used tanks, you need to price them vs used pumps. The hill pump is the top of the line, that tank is likely not the fanciest one made.

The Benjamin pump costs new $180. The Air Venturi/Flying Dragons pump is $165. Those are what people are comparing tanks too.

I understand, but still if one wanted to go cheap, a used scuba tank with up to date hydro can be had at most dive shops for $100-150.  A basic scuba fill adapter can be found for under $75.  I found one for $35 so even comparing to used equipment tanks are not much more than hand pumps in the big scheme of things.  Sure the hand pump offers more freedom because there's no need to fill it.

I use one of these   with a microbore hose, I use 2, 3200psi scuba tanks and cascade them so I get plenty of fills for my 2 mrods and cricket rifle

[DavidS]

No matter what if you go with a tank you have the expense of getting it filled (unless you get a small enough tank to fill from a hand pump) plus the cost of getting it hydro tested every so often.    If you go with a Benji pump you only have the minimal cost of replacement seals (I think it comes to about $15, if memory serves me) from time to time, not often.

The pump is the lower cost way to go for sure.    Getting a small pony tank that you can pump up is a good addition eventually.

Though do not listen to me, I am still new to the darkside.   These are just my noob type thoughts on the matter.