Hi everyone, I'm new to PCP Air Guns. What's the best way to store them in terms of maintaining the tank pressure? How long can I store them with touching them? Anything you learned that works best to store them if not used?
Storing pcp air rifles and pressure
- Thread starter rorm12
- Start date
Hey great question. personally I like to leave pressure in them above regulator settings or if they’re not regulated just leave it at above 1000 Psi or so. I like to shoot my guns at least every month to keep it moving
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You can store them until the 0-rings die of old age. I keep mine under pressure, well except for one, it degasses itself.
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Yep, normally anything above regulator pressure (100 to 125psi).
I've had guns sit over a year, with no leakage. Then again, slow leaks aren't uncommon, with the occasional...dumping of pressure !. In other words...all of the above. You toss the dice with any PCP.
Mike
I've had guns sit over a year, with no leakage. Then again, slow leaks aren't uncommon, with the occasional...dumping of pressure !. In other words...all of the above. You toss the dice with any PCP.
Mike
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Mine doesn't have a regulator. I store it at about 25% of max for long periods of time. No problems yet.
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I normally just store them at whatever pressure they are at when I finish shooting. Sometimes I air them up first to be ready for the next shooting session. I don't think it matters as long as you keep pressure in them to seat the o-rings so they seal. Usually I take the magazine out just for safety reasons. Sometimes I leave it in but no pellet in the barrel. I don't store my PCPs cocked. I worry it could reduce the hammer spring force and it doesn't seem safe.
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Some pressure is much better than no pressure. An empty pcp is an open invitation to moisture and seals drying out.
Your gun is made to hold xxxx amount of air. It won't hurt a thing leaving it filled at max. If something does fail, it was going to anyhow.
I have had guns that will leak all the way down if they don't have over a certain amount of pressure in them, but hold fine if they're filled to max. That usually means the poppet seal is getting worn.
Your gun is made to hold xxxx amount of air. It won't hurt a thing leaving it filled at max. If something does fail, it was going to anyhow.
I have had guns that will leak all the way down if they don't have over a certain amount of pressure in them, but hold fine if they're filled to max. That usually means the poppet seal is getting worn.
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I typically maintain a pressure of 2800-3000 psi, as that is the pressure which I shoot. I shoot at least once every ten days and have not encountered any issues in the past four years.
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I store my guns wherever they are when I last shot them. A note goes in the case with a record of the fill pressure for reference (and so I don't have to remember). I've stored my Marauder for 3 years at 3000 PSI without a problem, but I prefer it to be in the middle of the pressure range when it goes into storage for the winter. Same for my Dreamtac, though I've been shooting it in the basement this winter to my surprise.
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I also store my rifles at the pressure they are at when I put them back in the gun rack after shooting.
For regulated rifles this will be above regulator pressure, unregulated will be where I usually stop at the end of the rifle's sweet spot.
I do store at least one at full pressure as I often grab it when we have feral pigeons around, which is daily.
A leaking PCP is not something you will find in my gun rack as I keep them serviced properly - and I have possibly just put a curse on myself now...
For regulated rifles this will be above regulator pressure, unregulated will be where I usually stop at the end of the rifle's sweet spot.
I do store at least one at full pressure as I often grab it when we have feral pigeons around, which is daily.
A leaking PCP is not something you will find in my gun rack as I keep them serviced properly - and I have possibly just put a curse on myself now...
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I know you're suppose to leave pressure in them . I usually leave them with whatever was left when I'm done shooting. I never store them at MAX pressure, cocked or with the mag in them.
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My guns are standby suburban varmint rifles. As such, the spend most of their time waiting for the next shot. I leave them with enough pressure above the regulator for about 10 to 15 shots.
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Anything from 100 over regulator pressure to full pressure seems to work fine. There are way too many real worries in life to put much thought into something that’s supposed to destress us.
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I always wondered, why above reg pressure. In that state, the spring washers are under compression for long periods of time.
If stored just below reg pressure, the springs are at rest and all rings have pressure on them.
Just curious.
If stored just below reg pressure, the springs are at rest and all rings have pressure on them.
Just curious.
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I keep pressure in all PCPs unless they leak down and are un noticed. I have one of my favorite pistols that was the first one I ever had leak down. Need to get to that and fix it. Welcome to the rabbit hole and the Honorable Company of Enablers. I would guess you are one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, God Bless all of you. And thanks for your service. My son was a Special Operations Capable Marine. He has been out for a long time but once in a while your training can be useful, No? Be Well Brothers, Bandito.
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I do it to keep the regulator valve seated. Valve seats keep their shape when closed and under some measure of pressure. My experience with regulator repair is all Feinwerkbau, they use a nylon or some other plastic for the regulator seat.
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