Hi guys. As some of us don't have a de-gasser tool to empty our pcps.
Will it do any damage to the gun if you want to empty it. Thanx
Will it do any damage to the gun if you want to empty it. Thanx
DRY FIRING YOUR PCP ??
- Thread starter drid
- Start date
Sometimes at low pressure the valve can bottom out, that's not the best. You can always take out the hammer spring retainer, then remove the hammer spring and put an approprietly sized Bolt or Rod or similar and slowly screw the hammer spring retainer back to let out the air.
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G
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Guest
I've only owned two PCPs. One was a Lonestar I regulated myself and the other is a Condor. It was not harmful to either of those guns. I've been around PCPs for a few years and have never heard anyone say that dry firing a PCP would harm the gun. Someone mentioned above that you might bottom out your valve at low pressure. I think what he means that once the cylinder gets pretty low your hammer might slam your valve into the valve stop and damage it. If that is the case I'd empty it most of the way and then reduce the hammer spring tension (set the power to the lowest setting) and continue to dry fire till it dumps. Dumping is what happens when the pressure inside the tank is just sufficient to hold the valve open and let all the remaining air out.
Mind you there are a lot more experienced PCP guys in here and I'd give them a chance to call me out on this before trying it. It works for me, ON MY GUNS. YMMV
Mind you there are a lot more experienced PCP guys in here and I'd give them a chance to call me out on this before trying it. It works for me, ON MY GUNS. YMMV
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There is no problem with dry firing a "Cricket" according to the manual! YES I ALWAYS read the manual! Given what is stated below I don't think I would fire it till empty (my opinion to err on the safe side)!
From Brian at EdGun West: "There is not problem firing a gun with no pellet. Firing a regulated gun far below it’s regulator setting will snap the valve and possibly damage the rear of the plug."
Brian further states: "Well I have repaired at least 100 airguns. Many of them found their way to my bench because people used the trigger to empty the gun. Most manuals will tell you not to shoot below a specific pressure. Airgun manuals are often poorly written. "
The rule is ALWAYS go to the manufacturer / importer / service center / manual for informed answers. Opinions are cheap and often WRONG and can be VERY costly as a result!
Thurmond
From Brian at EdGun West: "There is not problem firing a gun with no pellet. Firing a regulated gun far below it’s regulator setting will snap the valve and possibly damage the rear of the plug."
Brian further states: "Well I have repaired at least 100 airguns. Many of them found their way to my bench because people used the trigger to empty the gun. Most manuals will tell you not to shoot below a specific pressure. Airgun manuals are often poorly written. "
The rule is ALWAYS go to the manufacturer / importer / service center / manual for informed answers. Opinions are cheap and often WRONG and can be VERY costly as a result!
Thurmond
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I made the mistake of firing my AA S200 too many times while attempting to adjust the magazine index screw. After a number of shots, all of the air immediately dumped at once accompanied with a pop and hiss noise (the "oh s**t" moment). Refilling the tank was futile, with air escaping before it could even begin to build up pressure. My rifle is now at Pamona Air awaiting repairs... long story short- don't degas by repeatedly firing unless the manufacturer clearly states it is safe to do so..... something I wish I knew before.
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Do not dryfire Fx guns when low on air pressure, ie do not fire to dump air. This will damage the valve and you will know because the air will leak down the barrel when you try to fill. The area around the valve stem gets hammered and the valve will not close so the gun will not hold air. Don't ask how I know this.
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A. Dry Fire Method
••Keep the air rifle pointed in a SAFE DIRECTION.
••Remove all the air from your air rifle by repeatedly cocking and
dry-firing with the air rifle pointed in a SAFE DIRECTION) until the
pressure gauge on your airgun shows no pressure and air cannot
be heard when the shot is fired.
Direct from the manual!
Thurmond
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My view
DO NOT 'DRY FIRE' below approx 30 BAR - otherwise you could cause the considerable damage to the 'hammer' - quite a small and difficult (or near impossible) thing to repair.
At approx 30 BAR (retained in cylinder, as shown by the rifle's manometer) it would be fairly safe to use a dowel rod or a precise fitting bolt, slowly screwed in, to empty the cylinder (if that is required).
If you own an FX airgun then usually the cylinder can be unscrewed/removed without any of this drama ... couple of other airgun makers too.
DO NOT 'DRY FIRE' below approx 30 BAR - otherwise you could cause the considerable damage to the 'hammer' - quite a small and difficult (or near impossible) thing to repair.
At approx 30 BAR (retained in cylinder, as shown by the rifle's manometer) it would be fairly safe to use a dowel rod or a precise fitting bolt, slowly screwed in, to empty the cylinder (if that is required).
If you own an FX airgun then usually the cylinder can be unscrewed/removed without any of this drama ... couple of other airgun makers too.
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