Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Air Guns PCP compressor?

I'm looking for recomendations on a compressor. Just got into the air rifle game, keep reading that the handpumps are doable but the compressor is the way to go. Looking at the 4000 psi compressors on amazon currently.

I'm still hand pumping my PCPs. I've been looking at a few YT reviews on the Vevor compressors. Reviews seem pretty good. They are not that expensive with some models under $300 now.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vevor+air+rifle+compressor

I bought a gx cs2 compressor off Amazon about a year ago for my FX Impact, so far I’m happy with it. I hand pumped a Marauder and that was a chore, wasn’t going to do that with the FX.

I use this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0922773T3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1

I started with a hand pump and works great to top off a PCP. But to fill a PCP from 2,500 to 3,000 or higher is a chore. So I switched to a SCUBA tank fill as I had one laying around. That works great but then it's a PIA to get the tank filled. So I switched to an AirVenturi Nomad III through Paramay Air. Works as advertised.

The failure rate on the less expensive Chinese pumps is high so it seems to be hit of miss with them. Didn't need another headache so paid a little more for better reliability. AirVenturi and UREX seem to have the better pumps for PCP.

Wherever you purchase it from, make sure you can easily return it. They all seem to fail at some point.

No PCP here and don't even know what PCP stands for, but if you have access to a scuba tank and shop to fill it, that isn't a bad thing to have around the house. My scuba days have come and gone though my old 3,000 psi 80 cu. ft. aluminum tank is always filled and ready. That tank and Schrader valve attachment is portable and has saved me and the kids untold times for blowing up a flat tire, kiddy pool, air mattress, etc. It is no lightweight and I'd rather have an aluminum 50, but that is a lot of compressed air in one of those tanks and I'd sure think that it would fill a lot of PCP shooting rifles. The local scuba shop here charges around $5.00 to fill mine.

PCP = Pre-charged pneumatic

And yes, an 80 cu/ft tank can fill a PCP many times BUT, if you want to maintain 3,000 psi, then the number of charges drops pretty quickly. I cannot remember how many times I topped off with a tank but it was quite a lot.

BTW - I have a SCUBA/PCP adapter for free if anyone is interested.

Also - If you have an older tank, most places will not fill it unless it has a current hydrostatic test and you have a SCUBA license...

If it is sold by Airguns of Arizona it will be a good one.

Check them out.

A PCP compressor MUST filter out all moisture.

Buy the cheap water cooled chinese pump listed on Walmart.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Miumaeov...er-Automobiles-2800r-min-Blue/1584963839

I went with a GX compressor as well. So far, so good. After something like 6-7 years of hand pumping, it was time.

Are you guys filling 4500 tanks with these compressors or just filling the pcp reservoir? TIA

Just the PCP. Filling larger tanks begins to tax the cheaper units.

I top mine off with the Nomad III in 2 - 3 minutes depending. Most of the time from 2.200 PSI to 3,000 PSI.

Ive got the GX CS4 compressor and it fills my 45 minute SCBA tank no problem, Ive got 12.5 hrs on it so far and no problems.
I also have a VEVOR 4500 psi compressor that has about 70 fills on it ut just use it as back up to the GX now...fill a gun every so often just to keep it in shape.

Thanks for the replies. I looked at prices on the larger compressors. A little bit above my pay grade. I could see one of these smaller ones.

The Air Venturi RovAir and the JSI pumps are on sale at Pyramyd if that fits better into your budget.

https://www.pyramydair.com/air-guns/accessories/pcp-parts

Tell Wally world to shove their junk and listen to experience above. Airguns Of Arizona. Chinese crap is OK if you are rich. So you can throw it away and buy another when it dies. Buy several pumps at a time if they are cheap Walmart quality. RZ.

I use this
Vevor 4500PSI compressor
(It plugs into a wall, or you can run it off a car battery).

To fill this 97cuft Great White Tank
97cuft 4500 psi tank

For this 45 cal air rifle that spits 405gr 45-70 bullets
457 Texan

4 refils of the big Great White tank, at Scheels, costs me the same as 1 of these compressors. I figure, If I get 8 or more refils out of this compressor, I have halfed the cost of shooting PCP.
No, I do not fill my great white tank in 1 run with this little compressor, I want to try and make the compressor last more than 1 use. I fill for 15 minutes, then turn the compressor off and leave the fan running for 10 to 15 minutes to cool. Then I fill another 15 minutes. I continue this cycle until the tank is full. All I do is set a timer to go cycle the compressor on/off in 15min increments, until the tank is full. It takes my about 4-5 cycles (1.5-2hours total) to bring my tank from 3000psi back up to 4500psi. I usually do this when i'm cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, or other things I have to stay at home for. Might as well fill it while I'm working instead of wasting my free time to fill it. So far I have filled my tank 5 times with this compressor and it is not sounding any different than the day I got it. I think the key is to run these compressors in light duty cycles of 15min.

I think if you shoot about 50-75 shots a week, one of these little compressors will serve you well, but if you are going to do really high volume shooting, then the expensive compressors or having someone fill it for you would be the best option.

If I remember right, I get about 12-15 refils of my rifle tank off the big tank, to give you an idea of why it's nice to have a big tank handy to keep topping off with. If you don't have scuba shops around you, it is a major pain in the ass to find a place to fill your tank and it costs you the fuel to go drive to the 1 out of 50 places you tried and finally founs someone who will fill your tank. Thats what prompted me to buy the cheap $174 compressor.

Been using a Yong Heng for year's to fill my pcp. 30 seconds 170bar to 250bar.Good filtration,cold water,good oil a must.

I use a scuba tank to fill my tank on my PCP. No you do not have to have a license to fill scuba tank. You must sign a release for them to fill for a PCP. I love my PCP and I kill a lot of critters with it. It is a Benjamin Marouder and it is extremely accurate.

Yong Heng here also. Have a 75 cubic foot tank that I fill my PCP with and I keep the tank topped off with the YH.

I have a 7500 psi tank

I was recently at AOA and saw their selection of compressors. The better ones were branded Daystate. If i could post pics i would.

I just got a Nuoge compressor to try with my Hatsan Piledriver. Haven't used it yet, doing some other "updates" to the gun. Bought it used. Guy I got it from said he used a foot pump - but I had to send it to Hatsan for some repairs, so I'm not so sure of any of his info. Should have an update report soon, on both gun and compressor.

Mike Holmes

Plugged the Nuodge compressor in and hooked it to my Hatsan today. Pumped it to 300 BAR (4,350 PSI) in 4-5 minutes, as it was supposed to. Letting the gun sit pressured up overnight as a check against leakage before firing off some shots, but looks like it may be a good deal. This little compressor works off 110V or will also work with a 12v adaptor for use off a battery "in the field". My only "complaint" so far is that is IS a bit on the loud side.

Mike Holmes

Don't buy cheap Chinese compressors and then be upset when it goes south. It will at some point. Save your money and get a Coltri/Daystate. Then follow the instructions. I added an extra drier. This compressor is one sold by AOA, sound familiar? I tether while tuning and if hunting can carry my Hill hand pump. Or return to the truck if more pressure is needed. The cheap pumps will perform for a while perhaps but at some point die. It is hard to get support. I trust AOA to back up their products. Maybe buy a good quality Hill hand pump for topping off and save up. You will be dollars ahead. RZ.