How important is the second air cylinder?

[Green_Canoe]

As I'm budgeting for a new mechanical triggered air pistol, I'm finding they are all about $1800 USA give or take. Except for the Steyr they all come with two air cylinders. How much will I miss the second cylinder if I decide to purchase a Steyr? I'm basement shooter who has never shot a real competition yet and if I did in the future it would be only occasionally.

[brent375hh]

I shoot an LP10 M. I went for 6 years with only one cylinder. I didn't really need one, but bought one because I wanted a blue one. A full charge gets me about 130 shots, and I get my scuba tank refilled when it drops to about 150 bar, which gets me about 100 shots before refilling.

Just because I may travel to a match, I also bought a second regulator, firing valve, and o-rings.That way I am able to swap out any items in the event of failure in about 7-10 minutes.

[nmondal]

After close to 1 year of my air pistol ( Hammerli AP 20 Pro ) the silver cylinder started leaking over 150 bar.
Luckily, I had a spare one - another I ordered.
So.. if you are lucky, and cylinder does not leak, you are good.
Unluckily, I am in India - changing the cylinder itself is a crazy problem to solve.
Thus - I am waiting for new gun to arrive, and then will send the whole older pistol back to Walther to check.
Hence I would say - depends on how much you want to shoot.

[pbrejsa]

The second cylinder can certainly be an advantage, especially if the current cylinder will not hold air and it will be necessary to send the leaking cylinder for repair. If a compressor, dive bottle or hand pump is available, a second cylinder is not immediately necessary. With the lifespan of today's proven pistols, it's no problem to shoot with them for 20 years or more. It would be more economical to buy a second cylinder after 10 years and buy, for example, ammunition from one batch for the money saved. Two cylinders were almost a necessity in the age of CO2 or a refill valve on the gun. I use 3 Steyr pistols. All are older than 10 years and of course the number of cylinders is increasing, but only one has a valid production date. I use it in competitions in which this stupid requirement is applied.

[robjob]

In my Jr program, we just took the plastic off if one of the spare cylinders... it expires in 2023... never been used...

Second cylinder should not be the deciding factor on air gun purchase... they really aren't needed unless you have no means to fill. But for the price of a second cylinder, you can buy a pump or scuba tank...

Just my thoughts

[B Lafferty]

In my Jr program, we just took the plastic off if one of the spare cylinders... it expires in 2023... never been used...

Second cylinder should not be the deciding factor on air gun purchase... they really aren't needed unless you have no means to fill. But for the price of a second cylinder, you can buy a pump or scuba tank...

Just my thoughts

I have a full sized scuba tank that I bought used for $90. With the exception of the AP20 cylinder having no pressure gauge, most air pistol cylinders are about twice the price. Examples: FWB $181; Walther $205; Pardini $235.

[spektr]

I bought a P44 with 2 tanks. I have only needed both tanks once. That was an outlier. I have shot contests and just take the tank adapter with me. Truthfully, you should spend some of the money a second tank would cost and buy the adjustment weights and alternate front sights and things you can fiddle with ......