New to Airgun Nation and haven't been in a forum for a very long time. I a few PCP guns but none of them are regulated. My question is a regulated pcp a better gun from shot to shot. My inventory of guns are FX Ranchero, FX Tarantula, JTS Airacuda, Hatsan Flashpup QE & Umarex Guantlet G1 that is in the process of getting some upgrades. Any input about this would be greatly appreciated.
Regulated or Non-Regulated
- Thread starter J.C.
- Start date
@J.C. Welcome to Airgun Nation. I'm not sure exactly what you are asking. A better gun for what exactly from shot to shot?
A properly and efficiently tuned regulated airgun should provide the shooter pretty consistent velocity while shooting projectiles of the same weight and style from the same batch, box, tin, etc. until the airgun reservoir drops below the set point of its regulator. At this point the airgun behaves as an unregulated airgun. I don't know if this is what everyone wants so it's tough for me to say if it's better for anyone else. I shoot regulated and unregulated airguns. I shoot them for different applications. I like them both for different reasons.
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Welcome to the best A G N ! Ask away more info than you will need is at your finger tips .
P.S. you already have some great guns
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I can only speak for myself, but I prefer regulated systems, albeit in a slightly different manner than most. I shoot tethered with a non-regulated PCP, which allows me to enjoy the best of both worlds—power and accuracy. However, if you find a regulated PCP that matches the power level you are seeking, it will provide greater shot-to-shot accuracy.
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Regulated guns have become the norm among higher end air rifles, but I'm not sure that is really justified in application. If shot-to-shot consistency is critical for your use, and the number needed is greater than the sweet spot can provide in a non-regulated rifle, than a regulator is of real value. But, if you can take the extra time to watch your fill pressure and the pressure drop while shooting, then a non-regulated rifle should work fine. Why consider it? Well, when I think of the parts in the assembly of most air rifles, the regulator is usually among the highest risk for repair or maintenance. Not that the risk is great, but on a relative basis, it is close to the top. I see it as more of a convenience than a necessity, unless you are competitive shooter. If you are considering a higher end rifle, then it's almost moot, because they are virtually all regulated.
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It depends on the gun and how well it's engineered. Cheap guns may not work well unregulated and probably don't work well regulated either. My Daystate Revere in .177 cal is unregulated and gets around 90 shots per fill. The velocity curve is not quite flat but good enough. If you want to, you can shoot it between the pressures that will give you the most consistency.
I don't think regulators affect accuracy, they affect velocity consistency. But too much velocity variation turns into vertical dispersion of shots so in that sense the regulator improves accuracy. The data provided by JPS2486 is great to illustrate what happens in an unregulated gun. His gun gives him over 100 shots but that is with about 100 fps velocity variation. 100 fps is very noticable. Even half that much and I will adjust my hold point at the start and end of a shot string. I only shoot at 35 yards and less almost all the time because that is all the distance I have at home. For that distance I want to see velocity variation of 20 fps or less. Longer distances may need even tighter velocity variation. If you pick a fairly tight pressure range an unregulated gun can give you 20 fps maximum velocity variation. But a regulated guns can give you a lot more shots within that sort of velocity variation.
It's totally reasonable to ask whether we need a velocity variation of 10 or 20 fps. For most purposes we do not. My one unregulated gun is a Marauder pistol (Prod) and it's tune gives me about 40 fps variation over 20-24 shots. If I shoot a 30 yard challenge target (and I have) I aim high at the start and end of the target. 40 fps moves my point of impact about 1/4 inch at 30 yards. For hitting a squirrel in the head, 1/4 inch is insignificant. For hitting a 1/8th diameter 10 ring it is not. But my Prod has produced a >190 30 yard challenge target. The velocity variation is not an issue in doing better, I can adjust for that. The limitation is my home made stock which flexes for me to feel comfortable shooting it bench rest. With JPS2486's gun, he can easily pick a pressure range that gives him 20 fps or less for enough shots to shoot a target. He may have to adjust his hold or scope if he wants to keep shooting targets but for one target, his gun will give him tight enough velocity variation.
It's totally reasonable to ask whether we need a velocity variation of 10 or 20 fps. For most purposes we do not. My one unregulated gun is a Marauder pistol (Prod) and it's tune gives me about 40 fps variation over 20-24 shots. If I shoot a 30 yard challenge target (and I have) I aim high at the start and end of the target. 40 fps moves my point of impact about 1/4 inch at 30 yards. For hitting a squirrel in the head, 1/4 inch is insignificant. For hitting a 1/8th diameter 10 ring it is not. But my Prod has produced a >190 30 yard challenge target. The velocity variation is not an issue in doing better, I can adjust for that. The limitation is my home made stock which flexes for me to feel comfortable shooting it bench rest. With JPS2486's gun, he can easily pick a pressure range that gives him 20 fps or less for enough shots to shoot a target. He may have to adjust his hold or scope if he wants to keep shooting targets but for one target, his gun will give him tight enough velocity variation.
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JC,
Not aware of an unregulated Umarex Gauntlet, regulated was one main reason I chose as first PCP. WM
Not aware of an unregulated Umarex Gauntlet, regulated was one main reason I chose as first PCP. WM
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Just trying to gauge if its worth getting one for shot count and consistency. The Guantlet is in 22 and shows signs of good accuracy but horrible shot count, after 20 shots it starts to drop off. Thats why I am going to do a tune kit on this weekend and replacing the tank and regulator. I am a hunter and a paper puncher but may want to get into some competitive target shooting at some point.
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It is regualted just not adjustable yet. My Airacuda is a standard model in 25cal and I am able to adjust the transfer port output and can get 30-40 shots on high power before I start to see a change.
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@J.C. As a hunter, I usually don't run through a magazine on a hunt. Every now and then I can on a long day's (tree) squirrel hunt.For me shot count isn't too important as long as I can make it through a mag on a fill. I expect to get at least 3 mags on a fill with .30 cal and below. If you hunt ground squirrels, rats, pest birds like pigeons or starlings then I can understand the desire for a high shot count. For punching paper I can understand the desire for high shot count. For competition shooting like benchrest shooting I'd want a regulated rifle with a great barrel.
Is a regulated rifle worth getting for your purposes? I'd say try one and see. As I stated before, I shoot both and like them both. They do require more maintenance.
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I myself prefer regulated as the FPS is so consistent which like said above helps immensely with accuracy. Each shot, the report/sound is also the same from a regulated PCP.
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Be glad to share Gauntlet story, just ask, if interested. As thread deals with regulated versus unregulated, I'll explain my preference for regulated. Pellets prefer specific air pressure pushing them for best, most consistent, accuracy. Compare the air reservoir in an unregulated airgun to releasing a full balloon, maximum pressure to start then fading away. The pellet will prefer air pressures in mid-range, up front, too much, back end, too little. A regulator releases metered amounts of air pressure, start to finish, so even though shot count is the same, consistency is much improved. WM
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I bought my first PCP in 2020, my Prod. It has not required any maintenance so far. My second was an Avenger which leaked when I got it. So I sent it back and it has been fine since. I doubt I've shot it 1000 times so far, however. I like it but it is really long. I got it in early 2021. I got a P35-25 in late 2021 and I like it a lot better. I've rebuilt the regulator once and replaced other O-rings but it's shot thousands of shots. I got my P35 in 22 and 177 in June 2022. I have replaced some O-rings in my 177 and recently opened the 22 for the first time to rebuild the regulator. While I was in there I replaced many more O-rings. I got my Caiman X in April 2024. The regulator failed almost immediately but I rebuilt it and it has been fine since.
I'm providing this information so you can judge the maintenance needs of regulated PCPs. I have had some but I don't see it as a big deal. My regulators have failed because of too much silicone grease where none was needed and not any where it is needed (Caiman) and for less well known issues that were fixed with new O-rings lubricated correctly (P35s). Cost is very low and time required is pretty low too as long as you have the necessary O-rings on hand.
I'm providing this information so you can judge the maintenance needs of regulated PCPs. I have had some but I don't see it as a big deal. My regulators have failed because of too much silicone grease where none was needed and not any where it is needed (Caiman) and for less well known issues that were fixed with new O-rings lubricated correctly (P35s). Cost is very low and time required is pretty low too as long as you have the necessary O-rings on hand.
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