I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kind, sincere responses about the topic. I could more or less imagine all the specified reasons but regarding my current desire and role for airguns the PCP is less appropriate.
Basically I got into it as a gateway drug for my boys aged 6 and 8 whom we do a lot of outdoors and ranged weapons activities. Ever since the electronics were shut off a year ago the books, archery, hikes in the woods, fireworks and (low load) black powder cannons came on. Everything was fun and dandy in the back yard because there are more than a little woods around us but I cannot discharge firearms. Then not that long ago there was an open house at a local range not 10 minutes from my house and before I knew it I put myself on the waiting list waiting for my long since dormant weapons to come back on line (anyone watch Miyazaki with the "old world superweapon" theme that always lies dormant for the epic ending?).
I take huge satisfaction in the quiet art of archery shooting up to 50lbs longbow after a year of practice able to hit the target at 30 yards 95% of the time (not bull's eye), and for radical modification of old furniture particularly the neighbors' they are throwing away, don't ask. Other joys abound in the likewise pre-trash modification of broken electronics, where the slingshots with .50 cal ball bearings are highly impressive. But there is something about pulling the trigger time after time. I can see how you guys feel about PCP's because the pistol crossbows are fragile and don't last long for the amount I shoot them, and the .177 pellets just lack the punch (or size) to be totally satisfying, as do regular crossbows, though intuitive shooting, archery or slingshot, has its satisfactions.
I might eventually get into PCP's because they seem so cool, but I'm just not ready at this time given the amount of other hobbies I already have. I won't commit, but I can see the draw and respect it, maybe getting pulled in some day.
Sad to see how things are in OZ. Let's not touch that button.....