Is Stoeger's new PCP compressor a hidden gem?

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tirian_narnia

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Jan 29, 2025
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Hey all,
I was about to grab the BSA/Gamo PCP compressor, but then I found out it's just a rebranded chinese GX CS3-I. That kinda threw me off, so I started looking for a reliable alternative.

I found the newer Stoeger PCP Compressor (good vfm with 320bar support), but the thing is, I can't really find any reviews or much info about it. I'm wondering if this compressor is actually a solid choice or just another old/rebranded deal.

Anyone here used Stoeger's compressor?
Is it worth considering over the GX CS3-I? They are very similar priced where I live and hard to pick one.
Would love to hear some thoughts or better alternatives
 
I'm guessing you're in Europe? A quick search, and it only appears on European dealer's sites. Its also not on stoegerindustries.com or shopstoeger.com (appear to be USA sites). Considering all Stoeger's airguns are Chinese, and Stoeger doesn't make compressors, it's a good bet that it's a re-branded Chinese model - not that that's necessarily a problem.

I've been using a GX CS4 for almost a year with no problems, though only about 6 hours on it.
 
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TN_Yankee said:
I'm guessing you're in Europe? A quick search, and it only appears on European dealer's sites. Its also not on stoegerindustries.com or shopstoeger.com (appear to be USA sites). Considering all Stoeger's airguns are Chinese, and Stoeger doesn't make compressors, it's a good bet that it's a re-branded Chinese model - not that that's necessarily a problem.

I've been using a GX CS4 for almost a year with no problems, though only about 6 hours on it.
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Found way to many negative reviews on GX. Among them many cases where the GX will produce wet air and cause permanent damage on rifle's internal.

I will try finding a quality scuba diving compressor to fill my airguns, as far as i understand they are usually better equipped to prevent moisture
 
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An understandable desire for dry air is not, in my opinion, good justification for a $2000 compressor. Your money, your choice, however. I am using only the "extra" filter that came with my GX CS2 which is a small absorbent filter. A similar one on my Yong Heng normally stays dry but in really humid weather it can get pretty wet. So the YH has a second filter filled with color changing desicant beads. The second filter was not expensive at all and took a few minutes to install. Something like that is the worst case to get dry air out of a GX compressor and no extra filter may be needed. The keys are to vent every few minutes of run time, have the air line sloped back to the compressor, and check the filters to see what you are picking up. You need at least one filter to not get saturated with moisture. As long as you do that, the air in your gun or bottle will be dry.

A kind of hidden benefit of the GX line is they are relatively quiet. So mine resides inside my house where it is air conditioned and thus never gets terribly humid. The noisy YH sits in a little room off my garage that is not conditioned. In the humid summer in SC, the YH has to deal with very high initial humidity the GX will probably never see. That helps to determine what filtration I need. But the key is to monitor what is happening and if looks like the air is not as dry as you want, put on another filter.

My CS2 may be the bottom of the GX line and thus does not have the feature set of the more expensive models. I am pretty sure the CS4 and 5 have considerably better moisture filters. But still I think the key is to monitor what is happening. If you are unsure, I would add a little absorbent filter to a CS4 or 5 at the end and then open it and check it for a few runs. If you can squeeze water out, you probably need an extra filter. But if you can't, even in humid (for your location) weather, I would think you are good with the stock setup. That is what I would expect would be the case. I like my YH but it seems like the GX compressors are better engineered.
 
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My shop compressor has a dryer system built in, it's an older dental air compressor for a dental office. I use my shop compressor to make feed air for my El Cheapo china HPA pump. I regulate the infeed air to about 5 PSI to avoid loading the piston on the HPA pump. Absolutely zero moisture in my final filter which I could likely do without. I just put a male air line QD fitting on the HPA pump. Next up is a permanent air line from an extra tank I have pump it up to 100 it should last the little one a while.
 
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JimD said:
An understandable desire for dry air is not, in my opinion, good justification for a $2000 compressor. Your money, your choice, however. I am using only the "extra" filter that came with my GX CS2 which is a small absorbent filter. A similar one on my Yong Heng normally stays dry but in really humid weather it can get pretty wet. So the YH has a second filter filled with color changing desicant beads. The second filter was not expensive at all and took a few minutes to install. Something like that is the worst case to get dry air out of a GX compressor and no extra filter may be needed. The keys are to vent every few minutes of run time, have the air line sloped back to the compressor, and check the filters to see what you are picking up. You need at least one filter to not get saturated with moisture. As long as you do that, the air in your gun or bottle will be dry.

A kind of hidden benefit of the GX line is they are relatively quiet. So mine resides inside my house where it is air conditioned and thus never gets terribly humid. The noisy YH sits in a little room off my garage that is not conditioned. In the humid summer in SC, the YH has to deal with very high initial humidity the GX will probably never see. That helps to determine what filtration I need. But the key is to monitor what is happening and if looks like the air is not as dry as you want, put on another filter.

My CS2 may be the bottom of the GX line and thus does not have the feature set of the more expensive models. I am pretty sure the CS4 and 5 have considerably better moisture filters. But still I think the key is to monitor what is happening. If you are unsure, I would add a little absorbent filter to a CS4 or 5 at the end and then open it and check it for a few runs. If you can squeeze water out, you probably need an extra filter. But if you can't, even in humid (for your location) weather, I would think you are good with the stock setup. That is what I would expect would be the case. I like my YH but it seems like the GX compressors are better engineered.
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Thanks for the info, I checked GX CS2 too, in european amazon they mentioned multiple cases the hose literally exploded.
Also it seems stoeger is another GX rebrand (cs1-i)

I am trying really hard to avoid 1000ish+ options like Hill.

I am doing some research on another cheap chinese brand called smaco
 
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IMO a 2 stage system has a lot of merit. I am on the wet West side of the Cascades, rain and high humidity is the norm. Dessicate (dry) your infeed air for the HPA pump. Ideally we dry the air between pump 1 and the pump one air storage tank. An air to air aftercooler, desiccant stack, and back purge for the desiccant stack, regulate pump 1's dry air storage tank output to 5 PSI to the input air connection of the HPA pump. Very dry very clean air.
 
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Thanks JimD, good to know that parts are available, that's a big deal on these cheapo HPA pumps. My El Cheapo from Temu is straight to the trash when it has major failure. I have no clue who even made the thing. So far it continues to make air, I may get some life out of it by focusing on cooling and good oil, all my guns are bottle babies now I'd like to get one more air bottle gang them for home, take one bottle with for the field. I think mine is either 30 or 45 min SCBA lots easier to find the smaller SCBA bottles on ebay. Lovin the PCP guns, been shooting a little trap lately too. I love the smell of burnt powder too.
 
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I've been using my GX CS3 for a couple of years in which it does some PCP filling at home and runs for 2-3 hours each week at the range. Other than to clean the check valves, it hasn't required any intervention. I have pulled it apart to remove the orginal gearbox grease and to apply a higher quality grease, and similarly service the connecting rod and linkage.

I have owned several (5 IIRC) Yong Hengs, a clone of a GX CS1, New Warrior, and worked on many other compressors.


Parts are available from several sources, so that's not a problem. I have serviced air compressors for commercial operations as well as SCUBA filling, and a number of PCP compressors.

Regarding water, and I hate to address the subject because there is so much bad information: If one compresses air, humidity/water in the air will be more likely to phase change into a liquid and drop out of the air. This basic physics, no mystery and easily confirmed by observation and calculations. The amount of water which will drop out as a liquid has nothing to do with the compressor and all to do with the original water content of the air being compressed, temperatures, and any water extraction devices.

I open the vent valve periodically on longer fills, to flush any liquid water. It only takes a second, or less to dislodge any water. I only do this such as when filling an empty PCP reservoir, because filling a PCP takes only a short run after which venting the pressure also vents the water. I don't bother with desiccants, or filters because I have measured ambient air humidity, measured the ambient humidity of the compressed air, and inspected many guns that have been opened up. No water, no signs of corrosion in my guns.

A problem with adding additional traps, filters and such to the compressor is the requirment to pressurize the additional devices whenever a pumping cycle is undertaken. If filling SCBA tanks, SCUBA tanks, or other larger volumes, the volume of the additional devices can require more compressor operating time than without = additional compressor wear. IMO, that is a larger factor than water, unless someone actually demonstrates the presence of water.

I would not buy another Yong Heng for a number of reasons, that include quality/failures and that they are not portable. Others have had good service from them so.... I would buy another CS3, and recommend them to friends, FWIW.
 
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Air leaks have taken out more compressor pumps than any other cause IMO. Both Lowes and Home Dopey sell leak detector, a small bottle is enough for your entire club. The liquid is quite benign, I've not had it damage anything. Small leaks make for longer run times, and longer run times equal more heat. Leak detector is better than liquid soap, useful stuff and less than 10 bucks.
 
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Trucker3573 said:
No idea what you are even talking about but I would bet with a high certainty it isn’t anything unique but a rebranded something. They all are.
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I was going to post the same thing. From some very convincing reports I have seen from several sources, the Omega Trail Chargers are also made in the same factory as the GX CS4. They have a few upgraded parts/materials but mostly the same unit. Considering what is on the market as I type this, and how few options we had just a few years ago; you cant really do better than a GX CS3 as an entry compressor. When I started into pcps $1500 was the only real budget option, and everything else needed lots of work in upgrades or was several grand. I have a CS3, and while I do consider it a throw away unit; I can fix and rebuild it a few times before that point.

As for moisture, all compressors will condense water vapor in the air. If you live in a humid climate you should invest in a pre-filter setup no matter what brand you chose.
 
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MongooseV8 said:
I was going to post the same thing. From some very convincing reports I have seen from several sources, the Omega Trail Chargers are also made in the same factory as the GX CS4. They have a few upgraded parts/materials but mostly the same unit. Considering what is on the market as I type this, and how few options we had just a few years ago; you cant really do better than a GX CS3 as an entry compressor. When I started into pcps $1500 was the only real budget option, and everything else needed lots of work in upgrades or was several grand. I have a CS3, and while I do consider it a throw away unit; I can fix and rebuild it a few times before that point.

As for moisture, all compressors will condense water vapor in the air. If you live in a humid climate you should invest in a pre-filter setup no matter what brand you chose.
Click to expand...
I stick with gx. My 2 year old cs2 is still going strong
 
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What I have learned - with scopes also with compressors - in recent several years so many Brands surfaced, and after some 2-3 years most of these new Brands disappeared for whatever that could be reasons. Cloned, copied, rebranded products when came to the end of warranty claim there was just not enough business case to keep these alive.
For a long run, me personally I would stick with a Brand that was on the market in 2020 and still sells today.
Like YH as one example, but you can and shall do your own research.
 
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