Firstly these are just personal observations. I only own four PCPs and started shooting PCPs two years ago. The one thing that I’ve done from my first PCP (Gamo Urban) to my fourth (Bantam Sniper HR) is run a few patches. Then it’s shooting time. A few tins of pellets down range and then I might think of “adjusting” or “tinkering”.
I believe that the more diligent manufacturers tune/set their PCPs as close to their stated specs as possible. Then as received the gun should be allowed to settle in. With a new gun you as the shooter, by shooting it a lot are allowing parts to wear in together. Too many times a user will get a new gun, it’s shooting fine, might post some numbers (FPS, FPE, etc). Someone might chime in, about adjusting “this,” tweaking “that” to get “more” performance. Person starts to tweak away and then when things don’t get better. Or even get worse, blame the manufacturer of the product. Of course this doesn’t apply to those who know what they are doing.
For myself while I do think I have a simple understanding of how a regulator works, what a plenum does in theory. In practice I’m reluctant to make changes unless I have to. For instance I’ve owned my deadly accurate Compatto for over a year. No adjustments at all “out the box” to this day. I will be lightening the trigger, because the trigger on my Bantam is much lighter. The only thing I’ve done to the Compatto is change out the o-ring on the inlet valve. I will do the same with my Sniper, send thousands of pellets down range before I even think of tinkering with something that’s already performing to its specs. I want to get know my gun “before” I try and change things. The above has held true with my Urban (took tension off barrel band screw). pp700sa, same thing, break it in, start killing rats, no fussing, just shooting...
One last thing, 25 yards groups don’t mean a thing most decent PCPs can really group great at 25 yards. 50 yards should be the accuracy distance especially for the more expensive PCPs.
I believe that the more diligent manufacturers tune/set their PCPs as close to their stated specs as possible. Then as received the gun should be allowed to settle in. With a new gun you as the shooter, by shooting it a lot are allowing parts to wear in together. Too many times a user will get a new gun, it’s shooting fine, might post some numbers (FPS, FPE, etc). Someone might chime in, about adjusting “this,” tweaking “that” to get “more” performance. Person starts to tweak away and then when things don’t get better. Or even get worse, blame the manufacturer of the product. Of course this doesn’t apply to those who know what they are doing.
For myself while I do think I have a simple understanding of how a regulator works, what a plenum does in theory. In practice I’m reluctant to make changes unless I have to. For instance I’ve owned my deadly accurate Compatto for over a year. No adjustments at all “out the box” to this day. I will be lightening the trigger, because the trigger on my Bantam is much lighter. The only thing I’ve done to the Compatto is change out the o-ring on the inlet valve. I will do the same with my Sniper, send thousands of pellets down range before I even think of tinkering with something that’s already performing to its specs. I want to get know my gun “before” I try and change things. The above has held true with my Urban (took tension off barrel band screw). pp700sa, same thing, break it in, start killing rats, no fussing, just shooting...
One last thing, 25 yards groups don’t mean a thing most decent PCPs can really group great at 25 yards. 50 yards should be the accuracy distance especially for the more expensive PCPs.
