Tippmann 9ci/13ci HPA tanks...where did they go?

[Drunkscriblerian]

So a couple of potential projects of mine would need smaller air tanks, and despite them not being the best Tippmann aluminum tanks are priced at what I can afford. However, when I went shopping for them they are just...gone. Tippmann 9ci tanks are listed as "SOLD OUT" everywhere I go, and when I tried to place an order at tippmannparts.com for a 13ci model, I was informed they were on back-order. I ended up ordering one from Valken.

Does anyone know what gives? Did Tippmann just stop producing the smaller air tanks?

[Chuck E Ducky]

The Tippman tanks are the same 9ci tanks as the other brand with Tippmans name printed on the outside. They are lifetime hydro exempt as well so they are one and done. There regulators are factory set at 800psi output and are actually good quality and consistent.

My local proshop has 10ci in stock last time I was there if you need one I can grab one and ship it.

[Drunkscriblerian]

There's a guy who plays at my field who used a 9ci air tank on his Phantom and was dissatisfied with it, I'll hit him up next time I see him and see if he wants to sell it.

EDIT: Not to crap on your generosity for offering to buy me one (thanks again), but shipping is murderously expensive lately - and you are across the country from me. If I can source locally I will.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Np. I love my 9ci I got mine shimmed up to 825psi. I run my Phantom on stock silver springs and can shoot my joyride empty (150 shots) on a hot fill with it. Its great when it gets to hot or to cold for 12g.

[Drunkscriblerian]

Yeah, temperature issues are why I wanted to make sure my Phantom build could use either HPA or 12 grams - we all love our C02 but let's face it, there are times and places where it just doesn't work.

My basic idea was to use a VASA with either a 12-gram changer or a 9ci tank, and just have to buy a VASA and a 12-gram changer...I'm pretty sure I have the parts required to run the VASA to the bottom-line. At that point all I'd have to buy would be a 45 frame (I can make my own grips) and the necessary raw materials to make an L stock that can plug into a 45 frame. Put the ASA under the stock, screw the tank/12ie adapter in, and let's goo!

It all seemed so easy...until small air tanks disappeared off the horizon lol.

[Chappy]

https://ansgear.com/tippmann-13-3000-flat-bottom-aluminum-compressed-air-tank/

If don’t mind ans. Also there’s probably more than a year off the hydro based on their discount.

[Grendel]

I have one or two 13 CUIN I would let go for cheap. Neither have much if any use on them.

[Drunkscriblerian]

Thanks for all the offers, y'all....truly, this is the best community. But like I said in my OP, I did find a 13ci tank from Valken, and it should be to my place in a few days. I've more or less got what I need.

Mainly I was curious about why the smaller tanks have become harder to find recently. A lot of online vendors were listing as "sold out/back order" on the Tippmann 13ci tanks and 9ci tanks are basically unobtanium as far as I can tell unless you want to pay large $$$ for a fancy self-defense-oriented one. Anyone have any idea why this is?

[Chuck E Ducky]

They are mass produced in batches. There are only a few manufacturers that make them as well, so they make a large batch and wait on the return. It's not worth producing right after a batch because they don't age out like a carbon tank and there are only so many customers to go around. They sell fast with demand then it kills its own demand for a while. until new players (customers) enter the Game. It's also a small market within a small market. They are often 800psi regs because of who buys the most of these things (new players). While yes the pump guys love them, we are a onetime customer. That's not their market, the people screwing them into the T98 they found at a yard sale that are just getting into the sport are buying the bulk of these. They come and they go and will likely upgrade to a 4.5k soon after if they stay.

Demand has gone down for 3k tanks now that a lot of manufactures er making 4.5k options as well. From a manufacture standpoint these make better investments. They are consumable, more expensive, and have higher return with a larger mark up. You will likely see less manufactures making them as much with demand dropping.

For instance, I can go the rest of my Paintball career without ever buying a 3k 2AL 9ci,10ci,13ci,and 18ci. The same can't be said for any of my CF variants.