Greetings from Louisiana! New Member Intro
Hi folks! I’m Chad Hauser, a decoy maker and long-time airgun fan with a freshly renewed interest in airgunning. I started out, like a lot of guys, with a Daisy RR, then a Crossman 7xx series rifle, then an RWS Mod. 25 springer. Then came a Ruger 10/22, a couple of shotguns, some H&K handguns, and only recently a squirrel problem in a residential area. None of the afore-mentioned were appropriate for squirrels in the attic, so I “invested” in one of the Wally-World Daisy Powerline 1000s. That worked. A little while ago, I got a hankering for a good pistol that I could shoot around the house. A Beeman P1 came to me from the ether. While I LOVE that pistol, I’m a long-gun man. Always have been more comfortable with a long sight radius over a handgun. So a great deal of searching and sleuthing lead me to the world of PCP. I’d never heard the term until a few months ago. Being from the land of “Real Men Shoot Centerfires”, airguns are not well received, outside training kids until they can handle a “real” gun. The mention of Adult Airgun around these parts will get you variety of responses, cheifly, “Those thangs ‘r pricey! I seen one sellin’ fer two-hunert fifty dollars! What you need’s a good .22!”
So, more surfin’ and I stumbled across this site. I’m HELLA-STOKED to see that AirForce airguns are not only inexpensive, but their users are FANATICAL about them. Modding is not something I’d be given to try or desire on many tools, but on the other hand, if I can take a good, stable tool and turn it into an AWESOME tool for only a few extra dollars…well, I’m all over that.
Now, I’m here. I’m looking to either trade out of the Beeman P1, or bite teh bullet and buy a Talon or Condor outright. After all the research I’ve been able to do, I’m convinced I don’t need a Condor. But I WANT ONE! Realistically, think a Talon SS in .22 and an extra 18″ or a 24″ .25 bbl. The .25 bbl is more of a curiousity to me than a requirement, though.
So, without wasting any more of your time, I’ll throw a couple of questions out: Talon or Condor? Any reason to look at the .20 over the .22? Any reason NOT to go straight to a .25, aside from the price of ammo? And maybe the most important question: What advice do y’all have for a guy that’s never seen a PCP in person, much less fired one?
Thanks for such a great forum. I can’t wait to see what fun awaits me!
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Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
Welcome Chad! Hi guys! It’s nice to be here! My second post!
And, thanks for the welcomes, as well. I’m still not sure what I want to do. I know the Talon SS would be sweet.
I spoke with a local paintball shop, and they indicated a charge of $30.00 (or so) to fill my big 3′ tall C02 tank. So, besides the Talon SS kit that I spoke of in my first post, I guess all I need is the C02 adapter to get going. Is that right?
I’m thinking too, that even if I get started using C02, I can later switch over to air. I don’t think I’m really that concerned about higher velocity. I’m not hunting. I shoot 1/2 liter water bottles, and paper, mostly. 🙂 And, I will shoot out to around 150+ ft.
I was having pretty good fun shooting my old Crosman 2250 out to 100ft. And, now that I have the 850 AirMagnum, distance is no issue, anyway.
Hi Chad and Ribbon,
Let us know if you have any problems or questions.. were kinda rowdy, but like to help and dont mind questions.
A big welcome to all you guys. Glad to have you here and let us know if we can answer any questions! 😀
Hi Chad, welcome to our world. I guess that you have noticed that the guys who created this site have done a great job.
I have a Talon SS. I love its power, and accuracy. At only 5.25 pounds it out performs tha RWS 54 springer that is twice its weight at 10 pounds, (in my opinion). While I love High Pressure Air, there are people who swear by CO2. So, there is another great feature of the Air Force guns, they are multi-fuel and run on both. Too cool. Some of the basic modifications are easily performed and yield instant results. Or Tony at TalonTunes will fix it up right for you. Many different gizmos can be mounted on the AF guns. It is very versatile.
I bought a .22 caliber after trying out a Beeman R9 in .20 caliber. What sold me on the .22 is the fact that .22 makes bigger holes! I didn’t notice any difference in accuracy, but I liked the bigger holes. 😀 Have you looked under “HUNTING” on this forum? Check out the thread “Squirrels, lots of them”, that’s what really sold me on my AF. Also, somewhere there is excerpts from the AF DVD. It explains how the gun works, and that also motivated me to buy. I think it was posted by Hellratter.
I think that you will find that a squirrel infestation is regarded as a Godsend around here. It is an opportunity to use your Talon SS in .22 caliber with a Tri-rail and a 3-9×40 to 50 mm AO mildot scope and a Harris bipod with four extra baffles added to the inside of the frame and a vented forward bushing to eliminate said pests quietly. Happy is a target rich environment. Sad is the day when you realize that you have run out of squirrels. Which brings us to squirrel calls! 😀
I recommend PyramidAir.com as a source to buy from because of the positive experiences that I, and others, have had with them. They offer a 30 day return policy, and buy 3 tins of pellets and get the fourth free. And, free shipping on orders of $150 or more. But there are other great retailers that others recommend here on TAG. Go with the one that you feel most comfortable with. Whoever you buy from, I am sure that you will be pleased.
Ribbonstone; Welcome! As far as a hand pump vice an HP tank…pumping ain’t so bad. AKULA
Also need to introduce myself as a new poster…is my second post, and I was rude not to take care of the “hellos” first.
From the other end of the state (Jefferson Parish).
I’ve shot the Condor and a couple of Talons. Condor NEEDS to be in .25…just too much air being used to waste on anything smaller than heavy weight .22’s or .25’s.
Talons are a bit more sedate… a different valve and hammer at work…still giving great power, but probably a more reasonable choice for a 5mm (I’m still not sold on he .177’s).
If you’ve not shot a PCP rifle, you will be impressed with two things: (1) they ae powerful and (2) they are loud.
Going to need the complete package…rifle, pump or SCUBA connector…SCUBA tank….place to get high presure refills. The pump is NOT a lot of fun, the tanks come dead empty out of the box, and it takes a crap-load of pumping to bring them up to pressure. From then on, you just keep topping them off as the pressure drops with shooting (not nearly as hard as starting from empty).
For myown use, bought the 5mm TalonSS (12″ barrel), co2 adaptor, a 24″ 5mm barrel, different end-cap, air tank, foot pump.
Nope I’m in Biloxi MS (Keesler AFB) been here since the beginning of October…
I’m sad we didn’t cross paths either…Jim.
Blackops, where are you from? You’re not telling me you’ve been in Shreveport, are ya? That would suck some serious arse if I’ve missed a chance to try out a rifle recently.
PCP’s are just plain plain awesome and you are going to love it. If you get a condor, I wouldn’t go to .20 (Of course, It depends on what you want the gun for). I would just go straight to .25. I’ve had a 12″ .22 and a 24″ .22 in my ss, and now I have the .25. I really wish that I had jumped straight to .25 from the very beginning. Its an amazing caliber in terms of energy and accuracy. The trajectory isn’t so bad either. Also, .25 isnt that expensive.. 31 grain kodiaks on pyramydair are around 3 cents per pellet. Thats a bargain compared to most firearms, and not much different than .22.
Good luck with your trades.
Damn brother I JUST missed you! I’m in Biloxi MS right now but leaving Wed afternoon…tomorrow I’m booked getting ready to leave. I’ve been out shooting just about every weekend too…damn…
Welcome aboard and wish we would have had a chance to hook up! I brought a couple guns with me and I could have shown you the ropes…
There is an airgun club here somewhere and they would be more than happy to fill you in… click on the link at the top of the page “The Yellow Forum” register and ask there about the local club or members.
.20 over .22? I think it is a toss up but you can’t go wrong with either…there are a few die hard .20 fans but there is no real proof it is any better than .22 so I write it off to personal preference.
Jim.
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Alright Chad..
Welcome to the Brotherhood.
Tony