Springer vs. PCP?

conty1 · Post by **conty1** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:59 am

I was reading a very interesting debate on another forum and am wondering what our Indian air gunners have to say on this topic.

Cheers,
Amit

biking3819 · Post by **biking3819** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:39 am

hi,
which forum are you referring to?
-sanjiv

fantumfan2003 · Post by **fantumfan2003** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:41 am

I picked up a few 2007 Airgun World issues from a Raddi shop after more that 25 years and all you see in them are PCPs now. So I guess we will go that way too....But its gonna take a looooong time.

Springers rule here......

Things might change if IHP launches its 10meter PCP sooner than expected...Sure would be interesting to convert it into a jazzy looking sporter....scope and all....WOW....

M.

conty1";p="48455 wrote:I was reading a very interesting debate on another forum and am wondering what our Indian air gunners have to say on this topic.

Cheers,
Amit

HydNawab · Post by **HydNawab** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:21 pm

The air rifles with the spring mechanism have more durability and the mechanism too is simple, so if there is any problem with the air rifle, it is easily repairable.The only problem with the spring air rifle is the cocking part.Some models like the Diana 54 have a real hard cocking mechanism.But still, I think the power of this air gun compensates the hard work.

I have owned a PCP air rifle in the past and there was no problem with it for some time till the bottle started leaking.I could fire 30-40 shots with out a problem but when I put it away for a week and tried shooting with it, there was no pressure left in the gun.So every time I wanted to shoot with it, my poor driver had to pump it up for me.It was a Logun S16s. The PCPs make life a little easier when you dont have to cock the gun each time you want to shoot.A disadvantage would be the refilling part, unless you own a bottle ofcourse.

I think I would go in for PCP still.

Ashar

Hunter · Post by **Hunter** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:29 pm

Springers have more soul.....IMO that is!

Post by **Mack The Knife** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:14 pm

As I said earlier this morning, I like both systems but not the additional cost that most quality PCPs command.

If I HAD to choose just one, it would be a spring-piston airgun because of its self contained power source.

striker · Post by **striker** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:26 pm

In india only springer can survive in case of service\repair .

cheers
sankar

Post by **Mack The Knife** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:33 pm

Striker,

There are hundreds, if not a few thousand, Indian target shooters who only use PCPs. I used to have the same worry as you but I was once given a brand new Air Arms S400 to fix and even though it was my first PCP project I managed to get it working in a few hours. Another friend, did the same with his newly acquired pcp and neither of us have an engineering background or prior experience of working on PCPs. They are not as daunting to service as some of us think them to be.

Just remember to bleed away all the air from the air reservoir before working on one.

conty1 · Post by **conty1** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:41 pm

I've never shot a PCP. Never even held one in my hand.

Somebody in the other forum said when he did get a chance to shoot one for the first time, he was amazed at how when he looked through the scope and squeezed the trigger, the gun didnt budge at all and he was still looking through the scope at where he had hit the target. And this guy owned a HW97!!!

Kinda wants me go get me a PCP really.

Post by **Mack The Knife** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:56 pm

Conty,

By all means get yourself a pcp but not because of what you read on the other forum.

If the person could not see the shot hit the target with his HW97K then he is making the cardinal mistake of not following through. It really is as simple as that. PCPs are definitely more forgiving to shoot but by this very fact they can also aid and promote the gradual ingress of bad shooting habits.

conty1 · Post by **conty1** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 10:46 pm

When I compare both a .22 rimfire rifle and a .22 springer, the disadvantage with the springer, as I see it is that it is hard to follow through, as you put it. While with the rifle, it is almost a no issue at all. So than I'm thinking, if I can get the 'versatility' of an airgun with the 'easy shooting' and accuracy of a rifle, why the heck not?

And yes, the self contained power source of the springer is really a BIG plus, but let's leave that aside for just a second and assume that we have a trustworthy and handy source available for a PCP.
What would you choose than? Does the PCP lose its 'power' overtime? Can we still trust it after lets say 10 years... like you would a springer well beyond that. And, is maintenance and repair that big of an issue with them?

- Amit

Post by **Mack The Knife** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:34 pm

the disadvantage with the springer, as I see it is that it is hard to follow through, as you put it.

It is not hard to follow through if you initially discipline yourself to follow proper shooting techniques. Gradually it will become second nature to you. I have a 97k and I have absolutely no problem in spotting the point of impact through the scope even at the short range of 10 metres.

So than I'm thinking, if I can get the 'versatility' of an airgun with the 'easy shooting' and accuracy of a rifle, why the heck not?

There is absolutely no reason why you should not have a PCP. Just make sure that the more forgiving system of the PCP does not let bad shooting habits creep in.

And yes, the self contained power source of the springer is really a BIG plus, but let's leave that aside for just a second and assume that we have a trustworthy and handy source available for a PCP. What would you choose than?

I own both formats and since I no longer compete, my choice is dictated by my mood.

Does the PCP lose its 'power' overtime?

Not at all. So long as it is well maintained, you have nothing to fear on this account.

Can we still trust it after lets say 10 years...like you would a springer well beyond that.

You can trust it for a couple of lifetimes if you maintain and service it well. I have a Steyr that completed five years on the 21st of July and so far it hasn't needed one part to be changed. Not even an o-ring. Come to think of it, my springers need more attention after 10 to 15,000 shots - breech seals, piston washers and sometimes even the main spring. The Steyr has had about 30 tins worth of pellets through it and is just as consistent and accurate as the day it first arrived.

And, is maintenance and repair that big of an issue with them?

Maintenance is just as easy. I have only repaired a pcp on one occassion but from what I saw, it takes no special skill and is damn side easier and cleaner to maintain.

striker · Post by **striker** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 9:01 am

Oh we have a pcp specialist (Mack The Knife)onboard

Post by **Mack The Knife** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 10:50 am

conty1 · Post by **conty1** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 2:05 am

LOL

Anyway... so what are the 'sources' of 'air' for a PCP airgun? And is the hand pump usable with all guns?

Cheers,
Amit

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