I would post over on the Decor Forum. There are a few people there (my3dogs being one) that have shared their upholstery skills along with the tools they used and where to purchase them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Decor

A good electric stapler will cost more than a small compressor and air stapler.

Have you tried upholstery nails?

I find that I have to press against the top of
the stapler with my other hand to make the
staple penetrate into hard surfaces, with
longer staples.
then sometimes carefully tap the staple
on both sides with a hammer or small
flat bar.

as I get older my hands aren't as strong
as they once were.

best of luck.

Thanks for the advice from each of you.

" Is there a decent staple gun out there without having an air compressor?"

Short answer: No.

Not for less money than a pneumatic stapler and small air compressor.

I have a Senco air stapler. Model SFW10. It is the only stapler I have EVER purchased. No need for spring loaded ones, hammertackers, or any other inferior kind of tool. I can say, with confidence, that purchase saved me money. Not to mention countless hours of time it's saved. I've used it for all kind of projects, from roofing to upholstery.

For pulling staples, a regular office-type staple remover is what I use. It works well to get the staple head up, so you can grab it with pliers.

Good Luck!

I have 4 staple guns..well 6 including the duct wrap
staplers!

one hand stapler (T-50 staples)
3 electric two that take T-50's & one that takes
the odd and hard to find T-20's.

old wood is hard.
length of staple is important.

I use either needle nose pliars or lineman's
pliars to pull staples. never tried office type staple
remover..prolly cause there isn't one in my tool box.

good luck with your project. I have a chair to recover
also...one of these winters I'll get around to it...
maybe!!