The "Ticking Time Bomb" Collection: How I'm Simplifying and Going Back to Basics

[DARKHORSE1967]

I’m with you I’ve been shooting air guns and Springers all of my life When I was in my early 30s I had an accident and lost my right hand so for a while I stop riding motorcycles and shooting guns then in 2003 I messed up my left arm and shoulder and I didn’t shoot anything at all for a couple of years then I decide You know what I might as well have fun while I’m here. I don’t have a lot of money just leaving on Social Security disability but what time I got a few more guys a couple of PCPs I try the hand pump and that only lasted me about five months but I wish you too much And I burned it out so I bought me $150 little compressor and I started shooting even more than above me a couple of good scopes, which I still need maybe one or two really good ones with higher power so I can start shooting competitively and yes, I spent a lot of time And maintenance but like you say set up a schedule learn what your equipment can do and enjoy what you can do because you might not be able to do the same thing later and what the heck we only live once right

It’s posts like this one that reminds me not to ever bellyache

I’ve never been a whiner anyway (different roots and upbringing), but I see a lot of grown men complain about the most trifling of things; it irritates me no end.

This also reminds me of my extremely outspoken American-Iraqi coworker who would always reprimand locals when they complain about the system too much…He’d tell them to stay in Iraq for a week to see what hardship really is

It never fails to disable their traps, lol!

 

[Avator]

PCP’s are complicated machines compared to a PB. You could go back to or switch to a springer, and there are some dang nice ones. But, for me I would always miss the accuracy at longer ranges. Not everyone wants what I want but if I was to give up my PB’s I would go back to PB’s and all the hassle of finding places to shoot and hunting where the power and range of a PB rifle can be safely managed.
I will keep with my PCP’s. Oddly, four years in and I have only had to replace a few breach O rings and had one Impact gone through because I had owned it and shot thousands of slugs through it. It wasn’t leaking and was still shooting well. Just figured an ounce of prevention……….
My other M3 is only a few months newer than the previously mentioned one. Not as many shots through it but I will keep it simple and fix it when it breaks.

What's the difference between cocking a springer for each shot or hand pumping a PCP for several per fill? Either one can be quite physical. many of us are not the spring chickens we used to be. Don't know about anyone else but I got into airguns for the fun. Neither of the afore mentioned options seem to be fun.

 

[Avator]

It’s posts like this one that reminds me not to ever bellyache

I’ve never been a whiner anyway (different roots and upbringing), but I see a lot of grown men complain about the most trifling of things; it irritates me no end.

This also reminds me of my extremely outspoken American-Iraqi coworker who would always reprimand locals when they complain about the system too much…He’d tell them to stay in Iraq for a week to see what hardship really is

It never fails to disable their traps, lol!

Look on the bright side... this bellyaching might bring many more airguns to the classifieds. Maybe you should encourage him.

 

[coastal drifter]

I ran through a few air guns since getting into them over the years, kind of sold some to purchase something different. I do have a nice compressor now and a carbon fiber bottle and like the convenience they bring to the table. I'm down to 4 guns now and often contemplate selling 2 of them because they sit in the safe most the time. The two keepers are an FX Wildcat M3 tube version a (which could be hand pumped if necessary) and a HW95 .20cal.

 

[beerthief]

I'm in the later stages of "down sizing" or "thinning the herd" simply for getting old and health reasons. I still enjoy shooting too much to get rid of everything...only going to keep one or two springers...My primary interest is with the Taipan Veteran type 1's...I don't lay awake at night worrying about an oring failure, I have five type 1's two standard and a compact .22 and two standard .177, the compact and .177's are relatively new to me and I'm having an absolute blast getting to know these platforms, doubt if I'll keep them all going foward but we'll see. Hand pumping is a "swear word" to me after spending two years with an Omaga Trail Charger...In fact I just had my first issue with it within two years to the month of ownership. The little internal circuit board failed...four screws and 55.bucks and maybe an hour to r&r the part...I don't know how I got along without a compressor for so long...I will quit shootin' before going back to hand pumping...can't do it anymore anyway. I'll keep a couple Vets and I still have a Bobcat .25 and a Wolverine .177 I would sell both but I'm out of shipping boxes. I still have too many pellets to quit shooting altogether!

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I have the same compressor . 6 years old now (old wives tail "maybe i should not have said this " hahaha i only buy tube guns , just can't like the bottle look .

 

[Dstrac]

I know I've written some posts before about simplifying my collection, and I wanted to share the next step in that process. Like many of you, I jumped into the airgun hobby hard and fast, accumulating a bunch of gear in a short amount of time. I had a full PCP collection, which I've since sold, keeping only my Talon P. My current fill setup is a bit much for just one rifle: an 18 cubic foot air tank, a powerful Omega Trail Charger compressor, and a smaller GX 2 battery compressor.
Over time, I started to feel like I had a collection of "ticking time bombs." Not that they'd explode, but all that equipment had seals and parts that could fail. I was spending more time worrying about maintenance and hydrostatic test dates than I was shooting.
So, I made a tough decision. I got rid of all the guns except my Talon P. Now I'm thinking of going even further. My plan is to sell the big air tank and the Omega compressor. I'll keep the GX compressor for quick fills, but I'm seriously considering selling that too and just buying a high-quality hand pump.
The reason this feels like a real option is that I only fill my Talon P to 2000-2400 PSI, which is a much more manageable range for a hand pump. It's a great workout and completely eliminates the need for all the expensive, high-maintenance equipment. I'd be trading some convenience for ultimate simplicity and reliability.
Has anyone else gone through a similar process of downsizing their gear? What are your thoughts on using a hand pump for a powerful gun like the Talon P, especially with a lower fill pressure? I'm excited about this new, simpler path and am curious to hear what you all think.

All of our equipment has an expected lifespan. At some point guns or compressors will leak or break and require repairs, or need replacing.
I have the exact opposite issue, i love tools and equipment....I find comfort in knowing if something happens to my compressor i have a yong heng with new piston assembly installed on standby ready to go. Same thing with tanks. I have backups for backups. Im ok with owning and maintaining equipment its part of the hobby to me and I enjoy it.

 

[PasadenaMike]

Although I’m a tech by trade, during my off hours my wife and I are full-time caregivers. We look after our autistic son, our other child, and help care for my elderly mother-in-law who also has an adult special needs dependent.

It's so normal for me to be in constant motion that I sometimes forget: there’s no time for repairs—things either work or they’re gone. My wife leases a new car every three years because downtime simply isn’t an option.

That mindset is what’s driven me to reduce and simplify. When I open the “man closet” (I don’t have a garage), I want to feel peace—not anxiety. That’s also why most of my airguns and gear are gone. I can’t afford the potential headaches anymore. Everything in my life has to serve a purpose and do so reliably. No drama, no fiddling, no wasted energy.

 

[smythsg]

I have a YH compressor that works fine, but just don't use it that often anymore. Like you Mike, I can easily, well not quite as easily as I used to be able to do, hand pump my Airforce Escape UL to 2300 psi and off I go. Sometimes I will use the compressor for my .30 cal AEA (up to about 3200 psi) which I do plan to keep, but just don't shoot very often and can hand pump if necessary.

There is also a new appreciation for my XS60C CO2 rifle. Just pop in a couple CO2 carts and I have 20 shots at about 19 fpe with 18 gn pellets that will do the job on yard critters at up to 30 plus yards..

 

[steve123]

Over Simplifying, it's a thing, usually when you're old enough to wear a diaper again while in hospice.

Mike, even though I was mostly kidding I see now you're in a tough situation that I can't relate too so I apologize and hope the best for you.

 

[PasadenaMike]

Mike, even though I was mostly kidding I see now you're in a tough situation that I can't relate too so I apologize and hope the best for you.

No worries brother . I kinda forgot that minor detail lol It’s such a normal thing to me that it happens.

 

[JaketheMeatGOD]

Although I’m a tech by trade, during my off hours my wife and I are full-time caregivers. We look after our autistic son, our other child, and help care for my elderly mother-in-law who also has an adult special needs dependent.

It's so normal for me to be in constant motion that I sometimes forget: there’s no time for repairs—things either work or they’re gone. My wife leases a new car every three years because downtime simply isn’t an option.

That mindset is what’s driven me to reduce and simplify. When I open the “man closet” (I don’t have a garage), I want to feel peace—not anxiety. That’s also why most of my airguns and gear are gone. I can’t afford the potential headaches anymore. Everything in my life has to serve a purpose and do so reliably. No drama, no fiddling, no wasted energy.

I totally understand you, when other parts of life gets too complicated, you'd like your hobby to be simple, because hobby time should be fun and relaxing, and in this scenario, simple is fun and relaxing.
It's also true for the other side, simple easy life requires something complicated to preoccupy yourself with.

If hand pumps were not invented, I personally wouldn't consider PCPs as a practical tool, I'm a hunter, and running out of air in the middle of nowhere, far far from the air source is a nightmare for me.

And for other shooters here, I think we really should encourage each other to use hand pumps in PCP airguns, it's healthy for us, and you appreciate and enjoy every shot you take from that rifle even more, because effort has gone into it...

My grandfather at the age of 80 or so was swinging axe at wild pistachio tree and taking them down(some of THE Hardest wood I know), and he last up to 96, workout does not expire us but rather the lack of it.

Stay healthy.
Jake.

 

[PasadenaMike]

GX hand pump on its way let’s give hand pumping another try after 5 years

 

[coastal drifter]

I totally understand you, when other parts of life gets too complicated, you'd like your hobby to be simple, because hobby time should be fun and relaxing, and in this scenario, simple is fun and relaxing.
It's also true for the other side, simple easy life requires something complicated to preoccupy yourself with.

If hand pumps were not invented, I personally wouldn't consider PCPs as a practical tool, I'm a hunter, and running out of air in the middle of nowhere, far far from the air source is a nightmare for me.

And for other shooters here, I think we really should encourage each other to use hand pumps in PCP airguns, it's healthy for us, and you appreciate and enjoy every shot you take from that rifle even more, because effort has gone into it...

My grandfather at the age of 80 or so was swinging axe at wild pistachio tree and taking them down(some of THE Hardest wood I know), and he last up to 96, workout does not expire us but rather the lack of it.

Stay healthy.
Jake.

another good reason to own a springer

 

[JaketheMeatGOD]

another good reason to own a springer

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Lovely Weihrauch, just a high quality tool that delivers.

 

[coastal drifter]

Lovely Weihrauch, just a high quality tool that delivers.

yes its a .20 cal ...1 inch groups all day long @ 30 yards with the peep sights. BTW I'm totally enjoying your posts with all the pictures. Thanks

 

[JaketheMeatGOD]

yes its a .20 cal ...1 inch groups all day long @ 30 yards with the peep sights. BTW I'm totally enjoying your posts with all the pictures. Thanks

.20 cal. is so unique, sounds like a great caliber for springers, pellet weights are at the sweet spot, although I've never seen one from close up .
Thank you mate. It's always nice to meet fellow hunters and share stories with and hear stories from.

 

[Vetmx]

I just showed up at my parents house to do chores. Saw my dad’s BSA laying on the bed in the spare room. Asked him what he was blasting. He said check the gauge. It was almost empty. I got this gun maybe 13 years ago and regulated it 9 or so years ago. Time bomb finally went off. Thought about this topic. I think some guns because of how long they last, it’s more traumatizing when you finally have to work on them.

 

[PasadenaMike]

thats exactly what my anxiety is all about its the "oh crap when and where do i find the time to repair this?"

 

[JW.]

Over Simplifying, it's a thing, usually when you're old enough to wear a diaper again while in hospice.

Cold, dead hands before that day.


I tried the hand pump until I had to refill mid match.

 

[JW.]

thats exactly what my anxiety is all about its the "oh crap when and where do i find the time to repair this?"

I consternate for days, sometimes weeks on getting into a pcp to change the reg, replace seals, etc, but when I do its always easier than I thought and I wasted lost of time not doing what was ultimately easy to do.

Now I have not gotten into my FX M3 mostly because there has been no need, that one will not be easy nor fun. USFT, Thomas, older EdGun, Cricket, all very easy to work on.