i have read online that the hand pump is not really recommended and a compressor is much better. i would really like to hear from some one with experience who has one. and what compressor makes the best choice. i never owner a PCP and don't want to waist money on stuff i really don't need.
Other thinking about buying an avenger, for plinking and some occasional hunting. would a hand pump be reasonable or a compressor is a must?
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A HPA compressor is undoubtedly better, but your assumption is correct you can “initially” get by with a HPA hand pump. Then after getting your feet wet you can better assess “your” needs. I own a HPA compressor and use it to fill my two SCBAs from which I fill my two “bottle” PCPs. My two smaller PCPs? I still hand pump for the heck of it…
P.S.: My first PCP was a Gamo Urban and a hand pump and the hook was set…
P.S.: My first PCP was a Gamo Urban and a hand pump and the hook was set…
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If you're able-bodied, filling with a hand pump is not a big deal. Been doing it for about 15 years. I wanted to say it's a good excuse to get some exercise, but that would be to exaggerate how strenuous it is.
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The main situation where hand pumping is a drag is filling a gun from zero with a large bottle. Topping off between sessions is generally not too bad.
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I started with a marauder and a hand pump. Unfortunately my plinking sessions tend to be a lot of shooting. The hand pump got old very fast. It worked fine, but I quickly realized I was pumping more than shooting.
plus with the hand pumps you have to wait for it to cool when pumping, so I couldn’t ever get the gun filled without waiting a bit before I could continue pumping to get a filll and get back to shooting.
I got good at rebuiling the hand pump from getting impatient and pumping it too fast.
if you can get a cheap hand pump at first to try it out to make sure you like the sport, then great. But it won’t take long before you will be wanting a compressor. I got a Yong Heng and have been happy with it. But I don’t shoot all that much anymore, so it still has a low amount of run time on it.
good luck with your shooting endeavors, and remember you are doing it to have fun.
plus with the hand pumps you have to wait for it to cool when pumping, so I couldn’t ever get the gun filled without waiting a bit before I could continue pumping to get a filll and get back to shooting.
I got good at rebuiling the hand pump from getting impatient and pumping it too fast.
if you can get a cheap hand pump at first to try it out to make sure you like the sport, then great. But it won’t take long before you will be wanting a compressor. I got a Yong Heng and have been happy with it. But I don’t shoot all that much anymore, so it still has a low amount of run time on it.
good luck with your shooting endeavors, and remember you are doing it to have fun.
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For low volume shooting it is fine. Start shooting a lot and you will want a tank or compressor. I still use a cheap aluminum scuba tank to fill from. It only holds 3000psi max, but I tune most of my pcps to around 2400 psi fills. This way the tank only needs filled once a year or so with moderate shooting.
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I got by with hand pumps for my first ten years.
Still have them but im too spoiled wth my compressors to use them again.
Still have them but im too spoiled wth my compressors to use them again.
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I hand pump all my PCP, most are easy, some are not easy,I find I do not shoot my "not easy" to pump ones much..by-the-way I do have a compressor,it all depends on your PCP , small cylinders are easy as is under 3000psi.Over that it better to have a compressor,.
I think you are asking whether I should invest or save money for a compressor. It is part of the package, like a scope.
I think you are asking whether I should invest or save money for a compressor. It is part of the package, like a scope.
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I have an Avenger that I fill by hand pump to 3800 psi, with reg set at 2100 psi. Refill when it gets to reg set point, (2 sets of 50 strokes each). But, I have gone through my pump to make it more efficient. Works for me.
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