Huben Huben GK1 Loading Question

[Ezana4CE]

Can anyone please explain why it is recommended to fill the GK1 reservoir before loading the magazine? I got this information from the GK1 User’s Manual.

I ask because the magazine release lever and magazine are under less tension at lower reservoir pressures. This makes loading the GK1 easier to me. Are there valid reasons not to re-load before topping off the GK1?

Is this simply a safety precaution?

 

[AirNGasman]

Less chance of shooting your eye out Kid... which with a GK1 could easily be fatal.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Less chance of shooting your eye out Kid... which with a GK1 could easily be fatal.

Well I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot, especially at full pressure This is more probable when loading with a topped of reservoir. Also when loading after topping off the magazine release lever is under more tension and more likely to slam harder against the receiver - something the User’s Manual advises us not to do.

However, if there is a chance that something occurring during the filling process causes the GK1 to discharge a projectile (or projectiles) then whatever is on the other end of the muzzle gets it. I try to maintain the habit of keeping the muzzle pointed at the ground while filling and watching the manometer. These are my thoughts, but I’d like to know the logic behind whats recommended in the User’s Manual.

 

[steve-l]

I believe the advice belongs to an empty air tank, which makes some sense as the shut off valve is biased by tank pressure. In other words there needs to be some air tank pressure. You are also correct that there is less detent pressure on the magazine lever when the tank is at less than max pressure. In that light, I always load my GK1s after I have shot a magazine. Then I recharge the tank to 300 bar. After one 17 shot magazine the air tank is about 200 bar+..

 

[wimpanzee]

i've had my k1, after a jam and drain, discharge the action while filling it back up. its rare and avoidable, but possible, so i can understand the disclaimer.

 

[Ezana4CE]

i've had my k1, after a jam and drain, discharge the action while filling it back up. its rare and avoidable, but possible, so i can understand the disclaimer.

@wimpanzee Did you post about this in an existing thread? If so, can you link that thread?

 

[wimpanzee]

@wimpanzee Did you post about this in an existing thread? If so, can you link that thread?

no, it was years ago when i first got my old k1, like 2018...was figuring out how to not jam it with crappy pellets....

 

[Ezana4CE]

no, it was years ago when i first got my old k1, like 2018...was figuring out how to not jam it with crappy pellets....

@wimpanzee Ok. So that I understand you correctly, after clearing the jam and refilling your Huben, it began to discharge pellets?

 

[wimpanzee]

@wimpanzee Ok. So that I understand you correctly, after clearing the jam and refilling your Huben, it began to discharge pellets?

yeah, it was in a state where the action was partially locked - a jam occurred and it drained the res. It finished cycling when air was applied. to note, it was NOT loaded at the time. I had gotten all the pellet (carefully tapping it back with a small CF rod) and bits and shavings from the jam cleared before refilling it. Because i was aware that the action was in a partially executed state, i had the gun sitting outside, pointing towards my target area when i started filling. when the pressure hit, it went LOUD pop, the action finished cycling, and then worked thereafter.

 

[Airgun-hobbyist]

@Ezana4CE, what @wimpanzee is referring to, regarding the gun going off when filling because the action completes cycling, also happens after the gun is attempted to be shot when the air pressure is too low and doesn't shoot when the trigger is pulled. Sometimes you can get it to shoot with mutliple pulls/tries, sometimes not, and sometimes it is really delayed, and also then, it can then go off when it is re-filled. This is probably why the company manual advises you to do re-fills in the way they describe (so it isn't potentially shooting a projectile at the accidental discharge while filling).

 

[Ultralight]

I ONLY have projectiles in the gun when I am about to shoot. I do everything else first, including setting up the chronograph, target, etc. Otherwise, I never have a projectile in the gun. Basically, loading the gun is my final step before the act of shooting.

I'm curious - you stated it is easier to load at lower PSI. But do you find it difficult at full PSI? I don't and never thought about it. Curious.

 

[Ezana4CE]

I ONLY have projectiles in the gun when I am about to shoot. I do everything else first, including setting up the chronograph, target, etc. Otherwise, I never have a projectile in the gun. Basically, loading the gun is my final step before the act of shooting.

I'm curious - you stated it is easier to load at lower PSI. But do you find it difficult at full PSI? I don't and never thought about it. Curious.

@Ultrlight There is a significant amount of resistance when the GK1 reservoir is topped off. It’s very noticeable to me in the 250-300 bar range. Compare that to when it’s time to top off the reservoir around 120-140 bar. You don’t have to load it. Before refilling to reservoir try flipping up the mag release lever and rotating the magazine at max pressure verses around the minimum pressure (120 bar minimum). Pay attention to the amount of force you have to use to flip it up and the amount of resistance you apply while letting the lever down gently.

 

[BlackICE]

I don't bother to unload the magazine. But I rotate the magazine so that there are multiple empty chambers if I accidentally pull the trigger.

 

[Ultralight]

@Ultrlight There is a significant amount of resistance when the GK1 reservoir is topped off. It’s very noticeable to me in the 250-300 bar range. Compare that to when it’s time to top off the reservoir around 120-140 bar. You don’t have to load it. Before refilling to reservoir try flipping up the mag release lever and rotating the magazine at max pressure verses around the minimum pressure (120 bar minimum). Pay attention to the amount of force you have to use to flip it up and the amount of resistance you apply while letting the lever down gently.

Got it. Now I understand. Yes, true indeed. It does not bothered me but I see how it takes more force to flip the lever.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Got it. Now I understand. Yes, true indeed. It does not bothered me but I see how it takes more force to flip the lever.

The issue is when the lever inadvertently slips or is flipped down. The manual advises against slamming it down and fully pressurized makes for a forceful slam. It seems logical to think that there is less chance of damaging something if it slams shut under minimal pressure.

 

[Ultralight]

The issue is when the lever inadvertently slips or is flipped down. The manual advises against slamming it down and fully pressurized makes for a forceful slam. It seems logical to think that there is less chance of damaging something if it slams shut under minimal pressure.

Ahh....yes. This makes sense. I find that the V1 and V2 lever direction is less prone to this. You can rest a finger under the lever in the closed position, and when you close it down, it cannot slam on the metal frame. They changed it to accommodate left-handers as the lever gets in the way of the trigger finger. I do prefer the V1 and V2 lever.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Ahh....yes. This makes sense. I find that the V1 and V2 lever direction is less prone to this. I don't know why Huben changed the lever direction in V3 onwards. I like the V1 and V2 more.

@Ultralight Without knowing for sure why the literature suggests loading after filling the reservoir, I am left to conclude that it boils down to safety of avoiding accidental discharge versus convenience and limiting the probability that one will damage their GK1 by slamming the lever down under high pressure.