PCP airguns sit at the top of the airgun food chain. They deliver exceptional power, easy-to-achieve accuracy, and high shot count. Moreover, where PCP airguns used to be very expensive, prices have dropped to break barrel airgun levels. But they do have one fairly significant barrier to entry, and that’s their need for an ample supply of high-pressure air. The most affordable means to fill a PCP is by hand pumping. It’s a lot of work, and it can be impractical for airguns with large air cylinders. But not all airguns are out of bounds for hand pumping. Fortunately, many airguns are easy to fill with a hand pump, and that’s what we are going to talk about in this article.
Let’s Start with the Pump
Modern PCP hand pumps can achieve 3000, 4000, and even 4500 PSI given enough effort. But the more pressure you need, the harder they are to use. In fact, it’s not strength that will get you across the finish line, but rather body mass. It’s one of the few times that having a little extra weight can be a benefit. Pumping to 3000 PSI is relatively easy, but as you start to go beyond, you’ll want to have around 200 pounds backing you up. Some hand pumps are easier than others. For example, a 3-stage pump will take more effort than a 4-stage pump. But the cost also goes up. It’s a balancing act. An entry-level PCP hand pump starts at around $100 and then goes up to over $250. At the upper end, you are more than halfway to an entry-level personal compressor. Something to think about for sure.
Things to Look for in a Hand Pump Friendly Airgun
Airguns like the Gamo Arrow PCP have relatively small air cylinders. Smaller cylinders mean less effort is required to get them “bench ready” for shooting. The other concern is a PCPs optimal pressure. Sticking with the Gamo Arrow, it may have a smaller cylinder, but it needs 3400 PSI to fill it. By contrast, something like the Beeman QB Chief or the Crosman 3622 also have smaller cylinders but only require 2000 PSI to operate. So here are our picks for some of the best hand pump friendly PCPs.
Crosman 3622 Air Rifle Pump Combo
The Crosman 3622, as mentioned earlier, is a great first PCP airgun, and it comes with the PCP hand pump. We’ve actually done a definitive guide on this product if you’d like to check it out. It’s very basic, but it’s easy to fill due to the small air cylinder and only needing 2000 psi. And, don’t think that shot count suffers. It’s tuned to operate at lower pressure and delivers 25 to 30 good shots per fill.
Diana Stormrider
The Diana Stormrider is available in both .177 and .22 calibers in a wood or synthetic stock. It features a smaller air cylinder that operates from a 2900 PSI fill. The .22 caliber model can propel lead pellets at up to 900 FPS, making it a great rifle for target shooting, pesting, and small game hunting. It’s lightweight, easy to shoot and operate, very affordable, and a whole lot of fun.
Beeman airgun variants – QB Chief, Chief II, Commander, and Beeman Under Lever
We’ve listed several easy-to-fill PCPs from Beeman airguns. They all operate on the same basic mechanics. The QB Chief operates from a 2000 PSI. The Commander, Chief II, and the Beeman Under Lever Bullpup all require 3000 PSI. Most are available in .177 and .22, with the underlever adding in .25 for good measure. While they are all different in various ways, they all have one critical thing in common. They are all easy to fill with a PCP Hand Pump.
Umarex Notos Carbine
The Umarex Notos Carbine is another great PCP hand pump friendly airgun. It does take more pressure, but the small air cylinder offsets some of that extra work. It’s a regulated carbine that can generate great shot count, energy, and accuracy. It’s a very fun gun to shoot. Also, it’s super quiet and ideal for backyard plinking, pesting, and small game hunting.
Umarex Origin
The last “easy to hand pump PCP” in our lineup today is the Umarex Origin. It’s available in .22 and .25 calibers and comes with the option of an included hand pump. The Origin has a bit of a trick up its sleeve in that it has a gas ram “booster” called the Ever-Pressure Tank System. This ingenious system actually allows shooters to fill the Origin using about half as many strokes. Even though it operates from an optimal pressure of 3625 PSI, it may be one of the easier guns to fill. The Ever-Pressure system also helps stabilize the pressure, acting like a type of regulator and delivering very consistent shots.
Want to Know More?
We’ve only scratched the surface of all the hand pump friendly PCP airguns that we have on the site, but we hope you get the idea. You don’t need expensive tanks or compressors to enjoy the PCP lifestyle. A good hand pump and some hard work will have you spending hours at the bench. And if you are looking for assistance putting together the perfect hand pump friendly PCP airgun package, just let us know. We are always ready to help.
