PCP air rifles are loved by a range of shooters due to their versatility and ease of use. Those who have only used spring or break barrel air rifles in the past may be considering whether a move into the world of PCP rifles is right for them.

For those still not sure, we break down everything you need to know about PCP rifles and their benefits.

What Does PCP Stand For Regarding Air Rifles?

PCP stands for Pre-Charged Pneumatics – some people will simply shorten this to pre-charged. This refers to the way the gun works and the internal action used to fire the pellets.

How a PCP Air Rifle Works

These rifles are called ‘pre-charged’ because they are filled with compressed air before they’re fired. This acts as the propellant that fires pellets from the barrel. The gun’s air tank is filled with breathable air compressed to 2700-3000 psi. To put this in perspective, a typical car tyre fills to roughly 30-35 psi.

You can fill the gun’s air tank with a high-pressure hand pump or a scuba tank. Once the tank is filled to the desired pressure level, the rifle can be used.

Once it’s been filled, the firing sequence is simple; when the trigger is pulled, a burst of compressed air is released, travelling up the barrel and pushing the pellet in front of it. Each time the gun is fired, the pressure and volume of air in the tank are reduced slightly, meaning it does have to be refilled once the air pressure is essentially used up.

At their core, this is how all PCP air rifles work, from the budget models to the top-performance guns. The differences come from how the pulse of air is released.

An air rifle with a scope on grass

How Long Does a PCP Air Rifle Last Before Recharging?

Eventually, the gun’s air tank will not have enough pressure or volume left to propel a pellet at the velocity needed to maintain trajectory. When this happens, subsequent shots will become unpredictable. To maintain accuracy and velocity, the gun needs to be recharged/refilled.

There are many factors which can influence the number of ‘usable’ shots you can get from your PCP air rifle, including:

  • The gun’s power
  • On-board air capacity
  • Calibre
  • The distance you are shooting from
  • The original charge level

These potential differences mean you cannot attribute an exact figure to how many shots can be made before recharging. However, you can monitor the performance of your shooting and determine when it is time to recharge.

When to Recharge Your PCP Air Rifle

The main sign to look out for is an unstable, unusable shot.

Shots with a flat, predictable trajectory can be labelled as ‘usable’ shots. But, when the trajectory starts to degrade due to a lack of air pressure, they start to become unpredictable and unusable, which means it’s time to fill up your rifle again.

Some models will come with a built-in pressure gauge which removes the need to guess when it has to be recharged – these are often colour-coded red, yellow and green, with red showing you when it’s time to recharge.

Many manufacturers will also quote a shot capacity, but this should be treated as an approximate number as ‘usable’ shots may vary according to the user. Some guns claim to shoot in the 10s with each fill, while others say they can make 100s of shots per fill, so it’s certainly not always an exact science.

Air rifle finance options

How to Charge a PCP Air Rifle

There are several ways to fill your PCP air rifle:

  • Hand pump
  • Diver’s bottle/air tanks

A hand pump is similar to a bicycle pump but can reach much higher pressures, whereas a diver’s bottle or scuba tank requires less physical exertion to reach the desired pressure.

There is no right or wrong refilling method, and there are pros and cons to each method – ultimately, it will come down to personal preference.

Using a Hand Pump to Fill Your PCP Air Rifle

A hand pump requires multiple strokes to fill the tank, and although they pump quite easily, the process can be tiring. However, it is portable, which means you can quickly top up your air supply when you’re shooting.

Using an Air Tank to Fill Your PCP Air Rifle

On the other hand, you can use an air tank. These make recharging your air rifle very quick and easy, proving the preferable option for some. However, scuba tanks themselves need to be refilled at a store. They also need to be tested every five years and tend to be very heavy.

It’s worth noting that most guns will require an adapter to be recharged, so make sure you have the right attachment for your air rifle – these are usually supplied with the rifle.

Do You Need a Licence for a PCP Air Rifle?

You must be 18 or over to buy an air rifle, but you do not need a licence or certificate provided the rifle is within the legal limit and is not classed as ‘specially dangerous’. Air rifles, including PCP rifles, that do not exceed a kinetic energy of 12ft/lbs are within this legal limit.

For air guns more powerful than this, you will require a firearms certificate. Most hobbyists will not require anything that exceeds 12ft/lbs.

How Accurate are PCP Air Rifles

PCP air rifles are usually considered the most accurate of the various air gun types. There isn’t much of a learning curve, allowing novices to make shot after shot without having to get too used to the gun. This makes PCP rifles ideal for beginners and younger shooters.

What is the Difference Between PCP & CO2 Air Rifles?

Along with spring-powered and PCP rifles, you’ll also find Co2-powered air rifles. Unlike with PCP guns, Co2 rifles require capsules of gas which propel the pellets. The air in PCP is compressed at a much higher pressure than the Co2 in the capsules – air for PCP rifles is at around three times the pressure of the Co2.

This means Co2 guns propel ammo slightly slower, meaning PCP rifles are often more accurate and consistent. Co2 capsules can also be affected by temperature changes, whereas pressurised air for PCP guns is not.

Someone aiming an air rifle in the woods

The Advantages of PCP Air Rifles

Using a PCP rifle comes with many benefits, making them a great investment:

  • Fantastic accuracy
  • Minimal to no recoil
  • Very quiet
  • Compact
  • Easy to use

However, like with any air gun, they do come with some disadvantages that are worth considering. PCP rifles’ main downfall is their cost – they’re known for being more expensive than other types of guns, with even the more basic models coming in at hundreds. They are certainly an investment but a brilliantly worthwhile one!

If we’ve sold you on PCP rifles or you just want to have a look through what’s available, remember to check out our range here at Surplus Store.

To get you started, here are some of the best air rifles on the market right now, with some great PCP options.