Knowing what you now know, where would you start………..
………with Air Force rifles?
Of course, I want a rifle that will do it all 🙄
I’m looking for a hunting rifle that will have double duty as my kid’s plinking and Hunter Field Target gun.
Based on what I’ve read here on the board, I’m thinking that the Condor is the most versatile platform.
Is it correct that the power of the rifle is derived from the tank and valve/top hat configuration?
If this is so, then switching to the micro meter tank makes it into a docile basement plinker, right? Are there other changes required besides a barrel change and tank change?
I would like to start out with a tuned, shrouded Condor in .22 for hunting.
Then my next purchase would be a .177 barrel and micro meter tank.
Then the .25. I’m assuming that this barrel would require it’s own shroud, correct?
I know this is all old hat to you guys that have been around for a while, but it all seems to run together to me. Thanks for all your help and all input is welcome.
Paul
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Love my TalonSS and I have a Condor also but the SS is what I originally wanted:
A. It’s very compact with the bottle off. Fits in my backpack for covert travel.
B. It’s easily quited down by adding baffles in the frame and a hammer slap mod.
C. TONS of shots on low power http://talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1425 and http://talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1112
D. Over twice the power of my old Sheridan .20 pumper and that easily killed Crows and smaller to 50 yards.
Condor power is amazing and it shatters stuff it hits. Definitely aluring but I like very compact carry and transportation…that’s just me though.
Jim.
Each has it’s own pro’s but I did try dropping my Condor down to 30 ft lbs with a lighter pellet and a Talon/valve tank but grew bored quickly before going back to a 60 ft lb Condor setup then on to a 85 ft lb .25 upgrade.
I guess for me it came down to more power and shooting longer ranges as frankly with a 24 power scope and my Condor missing something at 50 meters was pretty rare when using a bipod thus my efforts to reach out past a 100 meters with my .25 upgrade.
But like I said each are great I would go for the Talon SS for backyard and close range shooting any day but I hunt so the Condor is my only choice as I used have a .22 Patriot before my Condor and it just did not have the range.
Randy
I should have added, ‘without spending almost $400 and taking the whole thing apart’…
Or…
Its easier and cheaper to power down a Condor, than to power up a Talon SS… 😉
I wish I went with a Condor over the TalonSS since I bought 2 extra barrels right off the batt…
Your going to have to back those statements up. The SS starts out a 100 bucks cheaper than the Condor. You can get a barrel, hammer weight and mod your valve or get Tony to do it for you for how much? You can get a high flow conversion straight from Airforce for just under 400 (way to much IMO). How much is it for a barrel, lighter hammer and top hat conversion on a Condor? Just get a Blodnob valve with adjustable power levels and you can go both ways
I say it doesnt matter which way you go, you cant go wrong starting out with a Condor or SS. It really boils down to what you want to do with the gun to start out with.
Man! Now I’ve got to get me one of those Red Ryders!!!
Actuall it isn’t all that expensive to get Condor performance out of your SS. All you need is a 24″ bbl. and the valve kit from AF,. Seems like they are charging apx. 40.00 for it, and it includes a hammer weight. So yes, you can turn a condor into an SS. of visa-versa. Now go have fun!!!
The great thing about the Condor is the power and the ability to keep it quiet.
Since you can get different barrels you can make the Condor just as quiet as the TalonSS but you cannot make the TalonSS as powerful as the Condor.
So, if you want it all get the Condor and a 12″ barrel, if you just want quiet get the TalonSS, but after getting the TalonSS and then wanting it all my only option is to buy another whole rifle, which is THE most expensive way to get everything from the AF line…
Otherwise a short barrel and the LoV tank and viola a TalonSS from a Condor…
It is less expensive to make an SS out of a Condor than to make a Condor out of an SS…
Liberty, as many have already said here, it’s really about what you’re needs are. When I first stumbled apon AirForce guns, my first thought was go for the Condor. Like most guys, I can relate to sayings like “More is just right” but the the more I researched, the more the SS became more attractive to me. It became a ‘want’ vs. ‘need’ kinda thing
I wanted a Condor, but realized I didn’t really need:
1: To spend more for it
2: The very loud report/more money/mods to quiet it down
3: The power/much lower shot count/even more trips for tank refills
So, I went for the TSS
1: Less expensive
2: QUIET
3: Plenty of power for me and a 60 ft backyard
4: Way more shots per fill
I never even set the PW at full power for plinking/target shooting. At power 4, I’m at a even 600 fps which is perfect for this (14.3 gr) On high power, I’ll do Kodiaks at close to 790 fps. I just looked at the crono slip in my drawer. This is more than enough for my backyard plinking/target stuff, as well as any critter that might be buggin’
My nieghbors still hear it, but they might think I’m using some kind of staple gun than any other kind of gun.
Now, because i still can’t quite shake the “More is just right” motto, I’m going to purchase a 24″ barrel in either .22 or .25 to really get the SS moving if I want, which is great, because in a swap that takes just minutes, I can get the best of both worlds. Still not as powerful as the Condor, but more power than I personally would ever need. Anyways, this was my reasoning.. good luck with whatever you decide to do, really can’t go wrong with any of these guns.. Regards… Saugus
But as many keep saying I prefer to do a good job the first time!
Randy
Oh I will tune any Airforce Airgun for free!!
That’s just too funny….lol
You are welcome sorry about your PC.
Thanks alot Randy, I took a huge sip of beer just before seeing the pic you posted… (red ryder) I’m still wiping half of it off my computer screen.. but I guess it was worth the laugh.. to funny. (and quite creative I might add)
TSS all the way, does whatyou need right out of the bo x, deoending on your shooting needs. The condor is better suited for a.25 conversion and needs a shroud and heavy pellets
Start with the SS in a .177..It will fit the 20 ftlb rule for FT…..Then you can use my excuse …Honey the Kids like that gun so much I never get to use it…. So I need this completly modded Condor for myself………..
Liberty; The TalonSS will cost you less to get into compared to a Condor. And it will be delivered with an integral sound suppressor included. The regular Talon is quite loud without a moderator. The Condor is even louder without modification. Then again, little children and skiddish dogs will run when either the Talon or Condor is fired without a lead collector.
As far as a family gun, you can turn down the power on a Talon and shoot and shoot before a recharge of the tank becomes necessary.
Then again, a Red Ryder is really something to consider. The kids would love it and your wife can quote movies “You’ll shoot your eye out!” I just hope she doesn’t have a shrill voice for your sake. AKULA
Okay. Which way is more cost effective?
Paul
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I voted Talon SS. It is a good all around gun. You can turn it down for low power plinking and turn it up when you want to do some hunting. It will easily go through a heavy metal can filled with water at 50-60 yds so that is plenty to get the job done on small game that far out. It’s also pretty quiet right out the box even on high power.
After saying that I am going to go with a little higher power on my Talon SS….It’s a disease. 😆