I'm in a massive Dilema?

[Books 14]

I have been doing some research into several models of Air Rifle and tried to break it down into a handful of guns before I go and look at them and purchase.

 

I was pretty much all set into biting the bullet and going pcp (heavy expenditure at the outset) until I came across a major stumbling block - that being the Divers bottle. I simply can't locate anywhere they will fill a bottle without a divers certificate, even though I have explained its for an Air Rifle. A local chap I know had already told me that I would have problems and he was right! It seems that more places are now refusing to re-fill unless they already know the person.

Using a pump is of course an option, but I have heard horror stories about that - dirt getting in etc.

 

To be totally honest here, I am not unduly bothered because I didn't intend to spend £750 + for a really decent pcp rifle and initial set up anyway. I was only doing it because it seems almost everyone is using them.

 

My major dilema now is finding a springer that does not weigh a ton. I like springers and have no problem with them, I just can't find one that can fit a silencer unless its a high end model which always comes out very heavy.

[paulus 26]

most dive centres will fill bottles that are in test without any problems, you dont need a divers certificate to get them filled ask at your local gunshop they will be able to point you in the right direction

[falcongit 242]

hi bud,i never used a bottle when i had my pcp i used a pump and never had any problems at all with it never did my rifle any dammage,but i have now got a springer, you are right they are heavy but you need it because of the recoil,but i went for hw 97kt the thumbhole for better grip its a great rifle.hope this helps mate.

 

atb symon

[Buster321c 1,010]

If you class that as a massive dilema , then jesus christ you better hold on to your pants and wait to see what the rest of your life throws at ya !!!

[Books 14]

It is a massive dilema if you have a gun and can only use it as a door stop!

 

Sorry Donator but I have tried everyone I have been able to locate within a 30 mile radius and they all said no. Local gunshops don't really exist here, well there are a couple of places that sell guns but they don't have a clue either.

I was told about this a couple of weeks ago (didn't listen), and have now given up on it because its winding me up. Oh there are plenty of places, but they wont fill a bottle unless I have a divers certificate.

Wont go the pump route. I know plenty have no problems but there are plenty that have. It has been mentioned on here several times about dirt etc and I don't want to chance that.

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

Well it seems your dilemma has turned out as one option, if your not willing to pump a pcp

your going to need a springer and put up with the weight (as falcongit says it helps with recoil)

hw 97 kt is a great choice. heavy but you could always fit a sling.. and what % of HUNTING shots are taken standing? Really.. i always try to kneel or rest my shots where possible.

Although yesterday i took a standing shot at 8 yards at a grey squirrel i was confident with my hw 95 k which is a little lighter than the hw 97 kt. i didnt have time to kneel or i wouldnt have got a shot and it would have got into its drey n the same tree it ran towards.

 

Anyway hope you make the right choice and are happy with your rifle

 

good luck and all the best

Edited August 19, 2012 by Skot Ruthless Teale

[The one 8,493]

Using a pump is only a problem if you empty the gun if your topping it up its no so bad

[villaman 9,983]

I cant under stand why a dive shop will not fill your bottle if its in date Ther must be another shop in the area

[secretagentmole 1,701]

Right this filling with a divers certificate thing, complete bollocks. Right sodding crap! How do I know? I use an IDEST accredited testing and filling shop, he knows I do not dive, he fills my air cylinders. He tests my cylinders. My cylinders have a surface use only valve which means they cannot go underwater so I do not need a diving certificate. When I had a 232 cylinder with a diving valve on he still filled it for me. You do NOT need a diving certificate to get a bottle filled. If they come up with that load of tripe ask them then how you can go diving with a cylinder with a surface use only valve on it?

 

The local Scuba club round our way fills air bottles for daonations, for people with no diving certificate too!

 

You could always try your local fire station, they fill their respirator bottles to 300 bar and I bet quite a few of the firemen do not have diving certificates either.

[Books 14]

Skot. Love springers and your right - probably only target shooters use a standing position because they got to do that. I would like something light with a silencer. HW 97 is a brill bit of kit, just too heavy for me. Same as an Air Arms TX200, great guns but not for lugging around all day though. I know plenty do but to me I'm not a fan because of the weight.

 

Secretagent, your not wrong but I come across this all the time in some form or other. It seems like they just made a policy not to fill unless a certificate is produced. Other than that I don't know and arguing is pointless because of the cost involved. What I mean there is if it cost say £50 to fill, then I'm sure they would be happy to. As it costs only a fiver or so, they are sticking by their policy. They just can't be bothered I suppose for a little money.

 

It does throw a spanner in the works right enough unless I took a chance with a pump. Then again I would have to join a gym to be able to use the thing ha

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

Lightweight springers then lads lets get some suggestions.

 

Bsa lightning / xl + supersport

weihrauch hw95 k. its a bit heavier but not much and its a lot better quality

weihrauch hw 99 s very nice little rifle.

 

Dont know any others lol.. of decent quality.. You dont want any SMK crap lol ( come on milegajo )

 

 

[ghillies 209]

land or water you actualy want that mot because if one went off you wouldnt find it this side of 10 mile lol... and for land fill its only the every 5 year one.

[Mark White 25]

I dont see why weight a problem as long as it balanced well you should be ok with most high end rifles hw 90 95 have you considered the sharp and nover it a pump up rifle 3 pumps for each round and it at full power 2 pumps takes it to about 10lb and 1 pump its at pistol power they are a little timely but it can be done very quietly all though I dont no if you can still get them. the other way is by a spring one at a weight you like and fit a therbon gas ram system but check what rifles they say they can fit I know they work in most makes of rifles and need know gas bottle.

[Skot Ruthless Teale 1,701]

that new bsa lightning xl.grt (gas ram technology) would probably be your best choice. i think they also doing the standard/older style lightning grt aswell.

 

already fitted with silencer. bsa barrels are highly rated aswell.. light as a feather aswell with a small/medium lightweight scope you should have a nice accurate quiet low recoil rifle.

 

just another thought

Edited August 19, 2012 by Skot Ruthless Teale

[pianoman 3,587]

Hi Books. Oh dear me you seem to have worked youself into a bit of a corner.

 

I'd have thought a Weihrauch HW95 was the perfect solution to the problem you have Books. It's light and superbly accurate and manageable. And it will shred that Gamo-built BSA for breakfast in a capable pair of hands.

 

Weihrauch HW98 is another option. Same gun exactly as the HW95 but with a shrouded bull-barrel and a fully adjustable stock (this could well be the one for you!).

 

Let's be honest. Springers do not weigh a ton. Unless you really do have some form of severe disability in your arms and shoulders.

 

I've carried most of the famous and beautiful Webleys and brilliant Feinwerkbau Sport 124 rifle; and the early Weihrauch 35E and HW80 through my boyhood into adolescence. Latterly TX200s, HW80s and my HW77 I carry all day, dawn to dusk without a problem for years. I have a slightly arthritic left shoulder as a legacy from a lifetime of shooting every type of full-bore rifle, military assault, battle, sniper,, Deer, Boar and shotgun there is and my springers are my pride and joy.

 

Come on and look what your missing out on. You don't really have noodle arms do you laddie?

 

Best wishes and regards.

 

Pianoman