New Hatsan Piledriver not airing up

Howdy from Texas! First post here after lurking for a few months researching big bores. I settled on the Hatsan Piledriver in 0.457 for various reasons. I received my new Piledriver today and, after reading the manual, proceeded to air it up with my PCP compressor without success. The air cylinder is completely empty (0 PSI), and I read on Hatsan website sometimes needing a "shock" of air to set the seal. I attempted to blast some lower pressure but higher volume air with my regular home compressor, but that didn't seem to help. While doing so, I hear air escaping through the open chamber (where you would insert a slug with the cocking handle pulled back). Any suggestions on how to proceed? I have fired off an e-mail to Hatsan support, but thought I'd see if the forum had any guidance in parallel.

Some background: I am not new to the PCP world and have been really enjoying my Air Venturi Avenger in 0.25 for the last couple of years. But I was looking to add something with a little more punch for the feral hogs I have cruising through my property. The Piledriver in 0.457 checked a lot of my boxes so I was really looking forward to getting my hands on this new toy/tool, but obviously disappointed with the out of the box experience thus far.
 
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Hey, thanks everyone for the responses. Yes, the cocking handle was pulled all the way back when I was attempting to fill with my compressor. Hatsan support did get back saying a tank or large compressor will be needed for that initial shock of air to seat the valve, confirming some of the feedback y'all provided. I tried striking the gun butt a couple of times with compressor running, as suggested by WorriedMan, but I wasn't able to get that to work. I'm reaching out to a few folks nearby to see if they have a tank I could connect to for the initial fill. Thanks for the suggestions thus far. I'll let y'all know how things turn out!
 
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If you feel inclined….take a nice drive and come to Boerne’s FT match tomorrow. Can’t shoot the Piledriver, a bit overpowered for our site but we can air it up for you with a 4500 psi tank and try to help. I know at least one of us has a Piledriver and may be able to help. Great place to meet fellow Texas airgunners and industry pro’s.

33 Shooting Club Rd, Boerne, TX 78006, United States

Gates open at 8, we will be there pretty much till sundown. 9am FT 12:30pm FT and 3:30 Benchrest
 
Just got mine too & had same problem. Sent one back for a replacement. Still wouldn't fill. Called PA and they said to smack it on something hard while filling. Finally started taking air and was filled in about 25 minutes with the little JTS-1 compressor. But if your scope is mounted, make sure you take it off prior to banging it or you'll have to resight it. Make sure rifle's cocked, open and side lever extended
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Following up here...I was able to borrow a neighbor's tank and, sure enough, with a strong enough blast the gun started holding air. At which point I could connect up to my little CS2 compressor and get it up to max pressure (it took a while, though). I've shot it about 6 times, and was hoping to get back out later today but weather isn't cooperating. This thing is a beast! But now I have a sneaking suspicion I have a small air leak, so I want to shoot it a few more times and then monitor the pressure really closely. Onto the next challenge. :)

Is this a common thing for airguns with 0 psi...to need to re-seat the valve? Is this a big bore thing? I never experienced this with my Avenger, but I also don't think I've ever had it down to 0 psi (I don't remember if it had any pressure when I first got it). It sounds like this isn't uncommon (see Mystique's response), so I'm surprised this isn't communicated more clearly to new purchasers.

SqrlHntr, thanks for the heads up about the match. Too much going on this weekend, but sounded like fun. Hope y'all had a good time!

Mystique, thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you got yours sorted out. Nice arsenal you got there. That Blitz looks insanely fun!