I'm in decent shape but I never considered getting a pump. I bought a scuba tank before I bought a PCP. I replaced it with carbon fiber tanks before my second fill up. I'd rather spend my time shooting instead of pumping.
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Realistic Assessment - Using a Hand Pump to Fill a Manly PCP
- Thread starter jpbrewer
- Start date
There are a few guys out there that have fabricated motorized methods for running a hand pump. While it would be a fun project you would most likely spend as much or more in time and parts as you could buy a Shoebox compressor for. A Hill pump is $300. plus motor and gear box etc. I have the Shoebox max 4500 model it was $700. It is the least expensive HPA compressor on the market, is designed for PCP airgun use and is very high quality and US made. You can also pump your gun up with it directly without using an air tank. Most people get a tank first then a compressor (if they ever get one) but you can get a compressor first, thats what I did. It was about the same price as the Tiger Shark tank I now have. So there is another choice to think about.
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What is the difference between the Max and Freedom 8? I'm thinking this will be my next purchase. I'm not that concerned about filling my tanks very fast so if speed and adjustable pressure are the only differences I will probably go for the Max.
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I used a hand pump for six months before biting the bullet, and upgrading to a carbon fiber tank.
I was a-okay with the extra workout. But, there were three obstacles that finally forced me to swipe the plastic.
I was a-okay with the extra workout. But, there were three obstacles that finally forced me to swipe the plastic.
- Heartbeat increases, and takes time to settle back down.
- On hot, humid days, pumping was a miserable affair.
- When I was off the beaten path, it was sometimes difficult to find a good spot to pump. I need a very flat, sturdy surface, as I need to drop my weight on the pump for those high PSI fills. An askew surface would send me tumbling.
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Yes as far as I know speed and adjustable pressure output are the main differences. Now the max starts clanking loudly when it gets to around 3,000 psi and over. Its the safety shut off mechanism and is normal. I don't know if the Freedom 8 uses the same system or not. It may not because of the adjustable output feature. Maybe someone one who has one can chime in! Quieter would be nice.
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Hi guys
I pumped my little AA s200 for more than 6 years. I currently have 6 PCP air rifles. I also have 2 high pressure scuba tanks, and 1 carbon fibre tank at 90 CUbic Inch. I also use the Airforce fill adaptor, that fits a K valve, because the main screw for fittings is a1/4" bpss. From that you can go bigger or smaller to 1/8" fittings, most hoses use a 1/8" fitting, and all the foster fittings use 1/8" adaptor. All you fitting needs can be filled at your local hydraulic store.
just my two cents
Biagio
I pumped my little AA s200 for more than 6 years. I currently have 6 PCP air rifles. I also have 2 high pressure scuba tanks, and 1 carbon fibre tank at 90 CUbic Inch. I also use the Airforce fill adaptor, that fits a K valve, because the main screw for fittings is a1/4" bpss. From that you can go bigger or smaller to 1/8" fittings, most hoses use a 1/8" fitting, and all the foster fittings use 1/8" adaptor. All you fitting needs can be filled at your local hydraulic store.
just my two cents
Biagio
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Just to finish out this thread...
My Wildcat came today, and I am filling with a Benjamin hand pump that cost $120 from Amazon.
It was about what I expected. At two pumps per shot, the 75 shot Wildcat was about 130 pumps to take it from the end of the the shot string back up to the top at 250 bar.
I did this by doing 50 pumps, then rest, then a series of 25 pumps. After the first 50 pumps, every new pump is a "put your weight into it" pump. But realistically, It is about as challenging as doing chest press at the lowest weight you work out with. It is a workout, but every press is a foregone conclusion.
So answering my own question, pumping up the Wildcat from 150ish bar to 250 is not too big of a deal. Keep a positive attitude, take a few quick breaks, and you are done in 7 or 8 minutes,
My Wildcat came today, and I am filling with a Benjamin hand pump that cost $120 from Amazon.
It was about what I expected. At two pumps per shot, the 75 shot Wildcat was about 130 pumps to take it from the end of the the shot string back up to the top at 250 bar.
I did this by doing 50 pumps, then rest, then a series of 25 pumps. After the first 50 pumps, every new pump is a "put your weight into it" pump. But realistically, It is about as challenging as doing chest press at the lowest weight you work out with. It is a workout, but every press is a foregone conclusion.
So answering my own question, pumping up the Wildcat from 150ish bar to 250 is not too big of a deal. Keep a positive attitude, take a few quick breaks, and you are done in 7 or 8 minutes,
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Yes from all my research the Hill pump seems to be considered the best. Hill is an English company that has been making all kinds of industrial pumps forever. They are very sevicable and have a desiccant filter for removing water before it goes into your gun and a very nice large gauge. It is a very well built solid pump. And it is user serviceable unlike some pumps. Costs a little more but high quality usually does.
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I guess it all depends on how much you want to shoot. If shooting 10-15 even 20 shots will satisfy your needs, then I guess a pump is good option. If you think you might shoot 20-30 shots on a slow day then a CF tank is probably a better option.
One of the pro's of a hand pump is not having to depend on anyone else to get your air, but if you have a CF tank you will (depending on your rifle) a lot of refills.
For me shooting 40-50 shots a day is average. If my teenage son is out there with me then the amount at least double or triples and its nice to just go refill and all it takes is about 30-45 seconds and your back in the game.
One of the pro's of a hand pump is not having to depend on anyone else to get your air, but if you have a CF tank you will (depending on your rifle) a lot of refills.
For me shooting 40-50 shots a day is average. If my teenage son is out there with me then the amount at least double or triples and its nice to just go refill and all it takes is about 30-45 seconds and your back in the game.
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Yes I have a Hill pump a Shoebox Max 4,500 psi compressor and a Tiger Shark 4,500 psi carbon fiber tank so I have all the bases covered. It really is worth it if you plan on enjoying this hobby going forward. I started my pcp adventure with a used .22 1st gen. Marauder and my Hill pump. But quickly realized that hand pumping would get old fast. So desided to get a compressor and air tank and be done with it. And it has been very nice! Ya its a lot of money up front to get started but if you're going to play this game you will likely end up with this stuff eventually. I shoot benchrest mostly and can easily shoot 3-400 pellets at a sitting. Now that I have all the support equipment I can kick back and shoot to my hearts content and not be dependent on anyone.
Been learning on the Marauder and now know what I want in a high end rifle so I just ordered my dream gun.
Good luck with your decision.
Been learning on the Marauder and now know what I want in a high end rifle so I just ordered my dream gun.
Good luck with your decision.
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I started with scuba in Fla., moved to NO WHERE and purchased a genii FX pump ( side note that FX pump had a bad gauge so I pumped all my big-bore and a nice MPT to 260bar! Bummer) used it for 5 years, never a problem, 50 strokes, lift handle & allow it to cool, repeat.
One thing I didn't see folks mention is, technic ! You sometimes can read about people pumping and tell they aren't doing it the easy way.
Lift handle, push handle down until your elbows are straight, lock elbows and fall/drop all body weight on pump without bending elbows.
Super easy. Now if you try bending at the waist and using your arms or such, oh my a workout indeed .
John
One thing I didn't see folks mention is, technic ! You sometimes can read about people pumping and tell they aren't doing it the easy way.
Lift handle, push handle down until your elbows are straight, lock elbows and fall/drop all body weight on pump without bending elbows.
Super easy. Now if you try bending at the waist and using your arms or such, oh my a workout indeed .
John
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People said it was too hard to pump my Mrod to 3000. Nah. It takes a lot of pumps to top if off, but it is more the time that is the hassle. And since I have been pumping all the time I've got stronger. With a PCP you always going to have an air hassle unless you have a nice compressor. It is either pumping or driving back and forth to a fill center-and for me that is an hour away. It is just the price we pay to shoot these unique guns.
I actually looked at the numbers--reservoir and fill level on the Wildcat.--because I was interested. A little more effort than MRod--but it was nothing that worried me. You can always go to a tank if and when you find it a hassle.
I will add that the whole thing also has something to do with body mass--because you sort of lean on the pump rather than push. I am over 200. I would say that if you are of a small frame it could be tougher and you might consider the tank.
I actually looked at the numbers--reservoir and fill level on the Wildcat.--because I was interested. A little more effort than MRod--but it was nothing that worried me. You can always go to a tank if and when you find it a hassle.
I will add that the whole thing also has something to do with body mass--because you sort of lean on the pump rather than push. I am over 200. I would say that if you are of a small frame it could be tougher and you might consider the tank.
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According to AoA's chart.....their 75 CF tank will top off a Marauder (210cc) 49 times to 3000 and a FX Boss , 11 times to 500CC. I pump my Marauder with no problem. But a 3600fill with a big reservoir is a much bigger job. As long as the biggest job I have is the Marauder--I will just pump. If I was going to move to a really high pressure 500cc tank--well, even a hard-core pumper like me might have to reconsider.
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I just tried my Benjamin pump on my brand new FX Streamline 22. I'm 220 lbs and in good shape. Getting to 3000 psi was tough. I'll let it sit overnight to see if there are any leaks.
If not, I'll try for the last 300 psi and see how it goes. I can tell already that I'm either going to get a better pump or a tank.
If not, I'll try for the last 300 psi and see how it goes. I can tell already that I'm either going to get a better pump or a tank.
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No leaks overnight.
Though I just ordered a Hill pump kit. The one that comes with a moisture filter, serviceable and a higher pressure rating. Should make pumping to 230 bar not so bad.
Though I just ordered a Hill pump kit. The one that comes with a moisture filter, serviceable and a higher pressure rating. Should make pumping to 230 bar not so bad.
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What I have found after using pumps for years then a tank then a compressor then more multiple size tanks is this. You will shoot MORE and higher powered guns. So sense shooting is a perishable skill in the end you will become a better marksman and have more fun getting there. If you want to shoot more get the tools to do so. I said the same things that were mentioned above over the years and yes when you're a young strong kid pumps are easy to you. Break some bones and get older not so much. Just like the better PCPs you can climb the mountain or parachute on top of it. It's all how you want to get there.
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My Hill pump arrived today. I assembled it and then tried it out on the Streamline. Going to 230 bar was a breeze!!
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What would you guys say about using a $39 hand pump to fill a gauntlet? I figured itll be about $50 shipped and i am wanting to get a yong heng compressor for $350 shortly after. I am just confused on really how many pumps and how much time it woukd take to fill this gun. Does anybody know?
Would that pump be just a waste of money for the gauntlet?
Would that pump be just a waste of money for the gauntlet?
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I don't know what kind of pump that money gets you, but I can say that filling my Streamline with the Benjamin pump was extremely difficult, but it did fine on the Maximus.
The Hill pump fills the Streamline to max pressure with no problem. I don't know what makes one pump more effective than the next, but a low dollar pump might not be able to handle a high fill pressure.
The Hill pump fills the Streamline to max pressure with no problem. I don't know what makes one pump more effective than the next, but a low dollar pump might not be able to handle a high fill pressure.
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