What does it cost to get set up to run nitrogen? Rent a tank from a welding place?
Here is a link to welding supply stores in your area.
If you would just buy a Bauer, Alkin or Coltri or other compressor that comes with a molecular sieve you have no worries as long as you maintenance it as required.
Some airgun manufacturers recommend scuba quality air, referred to as Grade E air. Grade D air is also fine for airguns. Fire departments that have compressors for their firefighter SCBA’s only need Grade D air. Grade D air allows slightly more moisture than Grade E. Scuba air (Grade E) is drier because moisture in a scuba regulator can cause icing when diving cold water which can result in a freeflow which dumps air quickly underwater.
It’s possible all compressors at FD’s are Grade E but I don’t know that for a fact. It’s possibly just a molecular sieve difference. I’m going to research that. I’ll make it my #2 item on my 2024 list of “to do” things. I’m curious.
The problem with your question is that everyone has an opinion and/or experience with the air they run in their guns. People that get their SCBA’s filled at dive shops or are fortunate enough to get their tanks filled at FD’s (lucky bastards) will stand behind dry air because they aren’t getting any moisture, same goes for the fortunate nitrogen guys. Nitrogen, via physics is most likely the driest.
I have only been tinkering with airguns for about three+ years. I started with a Benjamin Marauder .25 and a buddy bottle and hand pump. I got the buddy bottle filled at the local paintball shop but they would not let anyone see their setup so I had no idea what quality air they were pumping. I doubt they gave a
. So the limited amount of fills and then resorting to hand pumping at the range got time consuming so I bought an Omega Air Charger compressor and a molecular sieve filter/drier. About the same time I upped my game in guns too, and two 74CF SCBA’s. Then because the little addiction voice in my head said “you’re retiring soon” and will need lots more air I upgraded to the Alkin W31 dark side.
The W31 pumps Grade E (scuba) air.
You can read about users that strictly hand pump with no drying or filtering that have not experienced any issues. I didn’t feel like taking that chance. To be honest, I don’t care what anybody puts in their gun, I put dry air in mine and hopefully any problems I might see aren’t air quality related.
Dana@Mountain Air Sports recently beat the snot out of three decent quality airguns, it would be nice if he could do some testing with and without air drying tests on two identical guns to see the effect of dried air vs non-dried air. But then it also depends on your locale as to what relative humidity is at time of the testing. Way too many variables as far as I’m concerned.
So it’s like my wife, a retired RN, tells people that call her with medical issues. She tells them, “ if you’re concerned enough to ask me, talk to your doctor”. She’ll tell them what she knows, but beyond that, talk to your doctor.
Same here, if you’re worried about wet air, dry it! My PCP’s are expensive. I don’t mind working on them when necessary because of normal parts wear or finite component life, but having to work on them because of something I caused or could have prevented, that’s just dumb.
In the scuba business we had recommended service intervals that SHOULD be observed (seldom were) but that was life support equipment, airguns ain’t so all bets are off. Then there’s the cost of dry air and your budget.
