How PCP Air Guns Actually Work

Posted by rosiejoy on December 3rd, 2020

There has been a lot of talk about pre-charge pneumatic technology in air rifles. A lot of the information you will come across is true but there are some details that are just outrageous. For starts PCP air guns do not automatically increase your accuracy. However, you may find them rather convenient and offering easier handling than traditional air rifles. The BSA R10 SE is one of the air rifles that have become dramatically popular thanks to the quality and power that the pack.

The difference from traditional air rifles

Typically, the traditional air rifles fire pellets using air pressure that is built when you break the barrel and compress the spring. Squeezing the trigger releases the spring which then thrusts the piston forward. The air pressure consequently pushes the pellets out of the barrel. These rifles are often called the springer, spring or break barrel riffles. A lot of beginners think that this is how all air rifles work. This is where PCP rifles like the BSA R10 SE come into the equation. They operate in a totally different manner.

Simply put, PCP air rifles come with a built-in air tank which is used to store compressed air. It is this air that is used to propel the pellets. The air is completely normal, breathable air – nothing special about it from a chemical composition point of view. However, this air is compressed to somewhere between 2,700 and 3,000 PSI. You need not be told that that is a whole lot of pressure. Just to put this into perspective, the pressure in a car tire is normally between 30 and 45 PSI; of course dependent on the type of car. A lorry would take between 90 and 100PSI. A PCP air rifle has anywhere between 25 to 30 times more power than a lorry tire burst.

How is the air compressed?

This is a frequently asked question as far as air rifles are concerned. There are two ways of filling the rifle with the compressed air. You can use hand pump. Compressing the air in your BSA R10 Black Air Rifle will require quite a bit of energy. As the pressure in the gun builds up, it becomes harder to pump and it can become quite a tasking activity. Hence the alternative – using a tank.

The largest number of people who want to spare themselves the effort of hand pumps always go for a scuba diver’s tank because it is just that simple. Nevertheless, you must keep a few things in mind. If you are looking to go hunting, the tank will need to be carried along and it is not exactly the lightest of equipment. Secondly, the air in the tank is not ‘eternal’. After filling your BSA R10 black air riflea few times, the tank will also need to be refilled.

Bottom line

PCP air rifles are just everything. They are simple to use, maintain and they pack a punch. If you are looking to procure a potent air gun that will serve you for years, look out for a PCP and the BSA R10 is a great option to work with. You will not be disappointed.