How many of you tank/compressor owners are still hanging on to your hand pump?

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Bigragu

Bigragu

Member
Jul 8, 2018
4,884
2,357
CA, United States
this topic should probably be in the compressor section, but I have to ask on here. How many of you that have advanced well into this hobby and bought into tanks, compressors, or both, that still hang on to that hand pump you bought when you first got into this hobby? I guess what I’m looking for is a good reason to not sell my nearly new Hill MK4. I bought that thing last year, used it about 4 times, and I was nearing a major spine fusion so that right there would tell you hand pumping was tough on me, so I scrounged up enough dough to invest in an Airhog tank kit. 

I went all out and bought the desiccant kit, extra desiccant packets, made the fill hose longer, blah, blah, blah. Now, it sits in my reloading room staring at me, and if it could talk, it would ask me why the heck I’ve been neglecting it. I feel like I should hang on to it, for a “just in case”, but if I sell it the extra cash could go towards other needed pcp stuff, you know? 

I’ve only been into this hobby a year this month, so I’m looking to the seasoned folks that may have been in my identical situation. Did you sell it, or decide to keep it, and what we’re your reasons for keeping it? Have you ever had to use it for that “just in case” moment?
 
I keep my Hill MK3 in the box and in storage. It's there as a backup, to a backup, to a backup, to a backup... to a backup! No, really! I own 2 high pressure compressors, and can fill my tanks at 3 different fire departments any time I want to. I've got it good but, I don't mean to boast. Honestly, I couldn't justify keeping it, to anyone. I guess I just don't feel like digging it out to sell it. The Hill pumps are among the best available. That's why I originally bought mine and that's why I don't mind it sitting around in a box. Plus, I've got a rebuild kit for it. So, if I do dig it out one day to use it, and the seals are bad, I've got what I need to get it up and running again.

Honestly, I'd tell you to sell it while it's still a current model, in almost new condition. What's the "just in case" you're worried about? The worst case scenario I can think of, with the info provided, is that your filling site suddenly won't allow you to fill anymore. In that case, yeah, you've got a problem until you find a backup source. But, you can find that backup source now and alleviate the stress. On top of that, you're back issues would really suggest you find another way other than a hand pump. 

Maybe you could start a piggy bank towards buying your own high pressure compressor. The smaller ones keep coming down in price. I can tell you from first hand experience, once you get a compressor, you'll wonder why you waited so long. It's a big chunk of change to by one but, it's outstanding once you have one! Even in my case where I have 3 different fire stations to fill at. I'm so happy having my own filling source.

Good luck with your decision!

Tom
 
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I have a hill and an FX pump and am looking to get a small compressor (not sure which one yet) to fill my scuba tank (yes, I still have one, but it's essentially empty now) and my airguns directly. These pumps have been ultra reliable and I can't see myself getting rid of them when I do finally purchase a compressor. They are very portable, don't need any power to run and are easy to use especially for a quick top off. 
 
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I have a practical reason for a hand pump. My regulated tank (4500 PSI to fill, but 2900 out the regulator), only fills to 2900 PSI. When I am heading out to hunt, I use the hand pump to get the airgun all the way to 3000. This give me a few more shots when I am tromping through the woods, and far from a tank or a pump. I travel light when hunting.
 
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Tominco, I apologize, as I did not specify that I already do have a compressor, the Hatsan Lightning. Just used it today, actually, to top off my tank from 3400 to 4500 psi. Love that machine!

yeah, I’m so stubborn. I know my back shouldn’t be pumping a pcp pump. I’m forever locked up with titanium anchors and rods from mid back to tailbone. I can’t even tie my shoes anymore, lol, I have to wear slip on shoes and get them on with a 3’ shoe horn! I probably shouldn’t even think of ever pumping again!



but the stubbornness in me says”ah still got it” like we occasionally say when we reminisce on our old high school football days, lol. 

What im actually hoping is my son one day to come up to me and ask if he could get himself a PCP, and then I’ll hand it to him as part of a care package thing. But, he shows no desire, and is very content just shooting my Beeman R10 spring piston rifle.

Makes me mad I didn’t foresee this wasted expense on a hand pump when I got into PCP guns and bought my Marauder. I never even considered a tank cause the initial purchase of a gun, scope, pellets, scope rings, etc, was like almost $600, so I figured I better get a pump, and be a forever hand pumper. It wasn’t bad at first, but it sure took the fun out of shooting on the bench. I like to buy the best that I can afford when it comes to support equipment, and The Hill MK4 is an awesome pump, and I know no other. I, too, have the reseal kit, and made a seal that goes over the intake of the desiccant kit, in hopes of prolonging it from moisture contamination. 

I guess I should hang on to it, but not for me to pump. For my 22year old boy to pump for me, lol
 
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I bought my Airhog tank kit from a local paintball shop that bought into Airhogs business. JF paintball in Grass Valley is an authorized Airhog distributor. Along with carrying high end paintball and airsoft guns and gear, they carry all the Airforce guns, marauders, and some spring piston Gamo guns, and they sell slugs, pellets, and scopes. They set me up with the 88 cu foot carbon fiber tank, shut off valve with gage, 5’ of fill hose, and a set of clamp on aluminum bottle stands. It costs $9 to fill each time I go in. If I’m below 3000 psi he charges me $9, if I’m above 3000 he charges me around $5 to top off to 4500. I liked that arrangement for awhile, till I learned about tuning the Marauder. As you all know, tuning and re sighting in for the tune consumes a lot of air, and with a 45 minute drive one way, I decided to get a compressor to compliment my set up. Now that I own a Hatsan Bully that takes in 3600 psi, I’m glad to have that compressor cause it doesn’t take long for my tank to run low.



Now my hand pump just sits there, all lonely, and hence why I started this tread. Thanks for all the input, fellas.
 
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i keep my hill 3 in the jeep...idk why , i never use it.... i have a benjamin pump that seems to work as well as the hill , still has the foam around it (as new)....everyone who brings their pumpers and spring /piston guns for repair likes the little 2400kt-based pcp's i make, so i tell them they'll need this - $100 extra for the pump...........it never moves. no one is even inclined to try it..... my hunting buddy has a daystate compressor and he refills my 44cf interspiro, which was new in 2011 and needs a new hydro test stamp.... i honestly mostly use the tank for pcp reseal jobs i get....i have a really cool, ultra reliable walnut benji disco - they seemed better back then than these newer discovery rifles.... actually, all of the extra-curricular crap for pcp's i have was a direct result of my hunting gun of preference - my old disco........23 ftlbs is plenty for small game, which is all i used to take and eat (cotton tail and dove)....
 
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I keep my Hill MK3 in the box and in storage. It's there as a backup, to a backup, to a backup, to a backup... to a backup! No, really! I own 2 high pressure compressors, and can fill my tanks at 3 different fire departments any time I want to. I've got it good but, I don't mean to boast. Honestly, I couldn't justify keeping it, to anyone. I guess I just don't feel like digging it out to sell it. The Hill pumps are among the best available. That's why I originally bought mine and that's why I don't mind it sitting around in a box. Plus, I've got a rebuild kit for it. So, if I do dig it out one day to use it, and the seals are bad, I've got what I need to get it up and running again.

Honestly, I'd tell you to sell it while it's still a current model, in almost new condition. What's the "just in case" you're worried about? The worst case scenario I can think of, with the info provided, is that your filling site suddenly won't allow you to fill anymore. In that case, yeah, you've got a problem until you find a backup source. But, you can find that backup source now and alleviate the stress. On top of that, you're back issues would really suggest you find another way other than a hand pump. 

Maybe you could start a piggy bank towards buying your own high pressure compressor. The smaller ones keep coming down in price. I can tell you from first hand experience, once you get a compressor, you'll wonder why you waited so long. It's a big chunk of change to by one but, it's outstanding once you have one! Even in my case where I have 3 different fire stations to fill at. I'm so happy having my own filling source.

Good luck with your decision!

Tom
Click to expand...

I have four backups before I have to use the pumps (HEAVENS! NO!!!), The Coltri MCH6 primary compressor, then the Altaros Booster with a High CFM shop compressor, an additional Altaros Booster set up as a stand alone with 2 tanks with inline adjustable regulators. I AIN'T PUMP'N NO MO'

I have many (lost count) carbon fibre tanks ranging from 88cuft to 66s to 44s and a weird UK spec one. 

OH my last backup is my 177 Nova Freedom which is used as a primary gun right now. Plan on getting the 22 version sooner or later, that would be a backup for that backup for the back up for the back up for the back up for the back up of the primary compressor.

CA
 
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I have a compressor and tank but I’d never sell my hand pump. I like to go on long hunting hikes and if I shoot out my air I bring a pump to refill intstead of my 45cuft tank. I fee like I’d have a bomb strapped to my back with a tank for some reason. Plus this UTG back is fantastic and fits everything I need!(I also wouldn’t sell it because it was $40 new and nobody would buy it, haha!)

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I have never owned a hand pump. But interestingly enough, keep thinking about getting one ine of these days. Not as a backup (I use an Altaros) but to play with and mod it. I have several ideas (evil laugh) that I keep thinking about trying one of these days. (Don’t ask, they are top secret ideas that will probably make me a multi-Gazillionare) 
 
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