Are you ready for a precharged pneumatic?

by Harley Ayre

You've been in airgunning for a while. Lately, you've been looking at precharged pneumatics, wondering if you should make the switch. You love your Beeman R9/Sheridan Blue Streak/Crosman 2200/Daisy 22SG, but you've heard that precharged guns (we call them PCPs) are 1.) easier to shoot, 2.) more accurate or 3.) more powerful and generally more refined guns. Is any of that true and how would you go about taking the plunge?

Let's talk about the claims, first
They're all true! A PCP has virtually zero recoil, so it is much easier to shoot accurately. If you have a multi-pump pneumatic already, this is probably one of the things you like about it. As for accuracy, a Falcon FN-19RW is going to shoot the same size group at 50 yards that your Blue Streak shoots at 15 yards (or your 22SG shoots at 10). It will deliver the same energy on target at that range that the Blue Streak has at the muzzle!

You may like your Beeman R1, and you should - it's a fine spring-piston air rifle. But you'll find that a Falcon FN-19SB that only costs about $65 more is far more refined than your Beeman. Your Rekord trigger is a good one, but when you sample the trigger on a Falcon, you will understand why so many shooters swear by their PCP guns.

"But my Benjamin 392 is lightweight, quick and handy!"
Yes, it is. But did you know that the Falcon Lighthunter 8W is ONE POUND LIGHTER and TEN INCHES SHORTER? The Falcon Lighthunter 8W is just about the lightest hunting air rifle money can buy, yet it's both more powerful and much more accurate than your Benjamin.

What about all the extra stuff I need, like a scuba tank?
This is a big reason why shooters hold off buying a PCP. They hear about all the extras that go along with the gun, and they are either turned off or they're afraid their dealer won't have all the things they need to get shooting. With some airgun dealers, this is a very real concern, but not here at Airhog. We test each airgun, so you are assured of getting exactly what you need to shoot the gun right away. You also get a gun that has passed our tough inspection. If it doesn't shoot good, it doesn't go out. Period!

As for the extra stuff, let's turn that around. When you go hunting with a PCP, you aren't carrying your pump with you every step of the way, like you do with your Blue Streak. The weight savings goes into a larger reservoir, so you have enough shots inside the gun for a full day's hunt. That's the real joy of owning a PCP! Hunters don't shoot a lot of shots like pest shooters do. However if you do want to shoot rats at the dump, we can fix you up with a Pigmee air tank that fits in a holster on your belt. It will fill a Falcon reservoir several times, yet it takes up so little space. There is no need to drag around a 40-lb. dive tank just because you shoot a PCP.

Yeah, but I don't have $665 right now
Fine! You can still get into PCP guns with a Talon from AirForce. For just $460, you get a Lothar Walther barrel, a huge air tank, adjustable power and a lifetime warranty from an American airgun maker. With every AirForce rifle, you can change barrels yourself, which means you can have BOTH .177 and .22 in the same gun! You don't have to buy two different airguns. That's cheaper than buying two R9s!

If you'd like to go even lower, take a look at the Air Arms S200. For $430, you get 16+ foot-pounds in .22 caliber (a little more than an R9) and all the other benefits of a PCP rifle. Remember, this gun is giving you that fine 50-yard accuracy and more power than a Sheridan pumped to the max, and all you have to do is load pellets and pull the trigger!

A buddy of mine told me about a real special deal!
Yes, there are less expensive PCPs. The Chinese make some that are priced in the $350 range. So why hasn't everyone gone that route? Simple - they're concerned. In this business, as in any other, you get what you pay for. With cheap PCPs, the reverse is just as true - you DON'T get what you DIDN'T pay for! If a gun is made without rigid quality controls and backed by dealers who service their products, you could end up with an airgun that doesn't work. That's not too bad when it only costs $39, but when it's nearly 10 times that much, you have a problem. Remember the Yugo? When's the last time you saw one on the road?

There is an economical way to buy a PCP airgun. First, figure out the stuff you really need to buy. It will be more than just a gun. Then figure out what you want to spend. Finally, locate a dealer who has the time to help you make the best choices for your needs. Let Airhog be your expert for that all-important first purchase.