Hatsan Flashpup - Dipping my toe in PCP

TheWhiteBuffalo · Jan 29, 2021

I just ordered my first PCP air rifle, after scouring the internet for about a week, trying to absorb as much info as I could relating to the hobby. I finally settled on this model, as it seems to fit my needs. I was looking for a .22 caliber carbine, something relatively lightweight and maneuverable. I wanted accuracy, because my sole use will be target shooting and plinking cans, bottles and frying pans.

My next step will be to order a compressor (about $300), because I’m too fat and lazy for the manual pump. I also should probably invest in a portable scuba bottle (another $300), but I will wait on that.

I guess I will stock up on pellets, because with my luck, that’s the next big shortage.

Nice video review of the Hatsan Flashpup;

I will keep you all advised of my success......or failures on my new exciting journey

.

John from MD · Jan 29, 2021

Here is some advice from someone who has been shooting PCP's for almost 10 years now. First, learn as much as you can about your particular rifle from the various airgun forums. Since your rifle is under 3000 PSI, I suggest getting an 80 CU FT scuba tank. You can get a used one off ebay or from a local dive store. I have bought a few from a dive store in Middle River for @ $75 to $90 bucks. Hopefully you have a dive club nearby that you can join (I belong to Calypso in Severna Park) to get your tank filled. ($9).
I suggest you use a dive club fill for a while so you can determine what compressor you want. HPA compressors are a very different animal from what you have been used to before unless you worked with them on a job or something.

You will need a yoke, gauge, hose and adapter to fill your rifle from the tank (or from a compressor). Don't scrimp on this as a blown line can maim or kill you. I recommend buying those things from Joe. http://www.airtanksforsale.com I knew him from his Long Island days and what he doesn't know about HPA, doesn't exist.

Another reason to use a club fill before jumping into a compressor is that you have to set up an air drier/water separator from the compressor to the rifle or the tank. The small so called water separators are not good enough and you don't want moisture in your aluminum tank. I have seen what happens when corrosion causes 3000 PSI to burst a pressure vessel. Think hand grenade damage because that is what it looks like. Here is a link to a good video where Joe explains HPA safety issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBd9VF2OoxI

I can go on and on but I find its better for people to ask me questions and I'll answer if I can. PM me any questions you may have.

TheWhiteBuffalo · Jan 29, 2021

Thanks John!

I’m sort of terrified now.....lol. You have suddenly made me want to do some exercise and use a hand pump for safety :lol2:

John from MD · Jan 29, 2021

TheWhiteBuffalo said:
Thanks John!

I’m sort of terrified now.....lol. You have suddenly made me want to do some exercise and use a hand pump for safety

When you are aware of the issues, you will be able to mitigate the danger by using safe practices. :thumbsup:

As for a handpump, I used one on my first PCP, a 2000 PSI rifle, and it worked fine. However, for a 3000 psi rifle, I found that I was rebuilding it often as the orings couldn't take the heat. That's when I bought my scuba tanks. I used them alone for several years before I bought my Yong Heng compressor as my Air Venturi Avenger is a 4300 PSI rifle.

https://www.amazon.com/Compressor-P...11935835&sprefix=young+hang+,tools,141&sr=8-3

hobiecat590 · Jan 29, 2021

John from MD said:
Here is some advice from someone who has been shooting PCP's for almost 10 years now. First, learn as much as you can about your particular rifle from the various airgun forums. Since your rifle is under 3000 PSI, I suggest getting an 80 CU FT scuba tank. You can get a used one off ebay or from a local dive store. I have bought a few from a dive store in Middle River for @ $75 to $90 bucks. Hopefully you have a dive club nearby that you can join (I belong to Calypso in Severna Park) to get your tank filled. ($9).
I suggest you use a dive club fill for a while so you can determine what compressor you want. HPA compressors are a very different animal from what you have been used to before unless you worked with them on a job or something.

You will need a yoke, gauge, hose and adapter to fill your rifle from the tank (or from a compressor). Don't scrimp on this as a blown line can maim or kill you. I recommend buying those things from Joe. http://www.airtanksforsale.com I knew him from his Long Island days and what he doesn't know about HPA, doesn't exist.

Another reason to use a club fill before jumping into a compressor is that you have to set up an air drier/water separator from the compressor to the rifle or the tank. The small so called water separators are not good enough and you don't want moisture in your aluminum tank. I have seen what happens when corrosion causes 3000 PSI to burst a pressure vessel. Think hand grenade damage because that is what it looks like. Here is a link to a good video where Joe explains HPA safety issues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBd9VF2OoxI

I can go on and on but I find its better for people to ask me questions and I'll answer if I can. PM me any questions you may have.

Agree w/ most of the above, but get a HP steel 120 cu tank that can take a 4500 PSI load w/ a DIN valve. These will refill smallish PCP guns mult times before dropping below your 3500 or 3K PSI target. Even better is 2 tanks. One to fill 80% of the gun tank volume and the 2nd one to top it off to 3500 PSI or whatever.

The AL 80's are limited to 3000 PSI fills at most shops. Many PCP gun like 3500 PSI for a max fill.

If you go the ebay or used route, make sure that the seller provides the last Hydro test date for the SCUBA tank that need to be Hydro'ed every 5 years and visually inspected every year or they will not be filled. A Hydro and Viz is like $60. A viz inspection is like $12 every year. Have fun.

John from MD · Jan 29, 2021

hobiecat590 said:
Agree w/ most of the above, but get a HP steel 120 cu tank that can take a 4500 PSI load w/ a DIN valve. These will refill smallish PCP guns mult times before dropping below your 3500 or 3K PSI target. Even better is 2 tanks. One to fill 80% of the gun tank volume and the 2nd one to top it off to 3500 PSI or whatever.

The AL 80's are limited to 3000 PSI fills at most shops. Many PCP gun like 3500 PSI for a max fill.

If you go the ebay or used route, make sure that the seller provides the last Hydro test date for the SCUBA tank that need to be Hydro'ed every 5 years and visually inspected every year or they will not be filled. A Hydro and Viz is like $60. A viz inspection is like $12 every year. Have fun.

Not all dive shops have above 3000 PSI capability that is why I recommended the 80's.

PowPow · Jan 30, 2021

TheWhiteBuffalo said:
Thanks John!

I’m sort of terrified now.....lol. You have suddenly made me want to do some exercise and use a hand pump for safety

Yeah, you can say that again. I had visited the airtanksforsale site a few weeks ago out of curiosity, wondering what it would take to fill my own if I got a PCP. Serious business.

Just like reloading or casting - you need to give it the attention it deserves and have a willingness to learn, invest, and do your part to stay safe.

Bugthor · Jan 31, 2021

I can attest to the initial investment being stiff. However, for the sheer joy and ease of shooting, PCP is the way to go. I bought one of Joe's tanks from airtanksforsale and can say the quality is terrific and he ships in serious packing materials. I had a local paintball place fill my tank, but they got to be too difficult so I bought a used compressor. I don't regret the expense, because I can shoot in the Republik in my basement anytime without hassle.

John from MD · Jan 31, 2021

Bugthor said:
I can attest to the initial investment being stiff. However, for the sheer joy and ease of shooting, PCP is the way to go. I bought one of Joe's tanks from airtanksforsale and can say the quality is terrific and he ships in serious packing materials. I had a local paintball place fill my tank, but they got to be too difficult so I bought a used compressor. I don't regret the expense, because I can shoot in the Republik in my basement anytime without hassle.

I do the same in the winter, I have 10 meters in the basement and outside I shoot 25 and 50 yards with a muzzler.

hobiecat590 · Jan 31, 2021

John from MD said:
Not all dive shops have above 3000 PSI capability that is why I recommended the 80's.

Yup, it is really annoying to have a HP tank only filled to 3000K or < 75% capacity.

The large bore Hatsan Pile Driver needs 4500 PSI to push a 50 cal slug at 800fps. I wonder what FPS a 44 cal sabot would reach.

TheWhiteBuffalo · Feb 1, 2021

My hand pump hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m thinking it’s nice to have one for a backup anyways.

Most of my shooting will be at home, so I think I will go for the compressor to rifle, skip the bottle all together. Other than a high quality compressor with good fittings, are there any other precautions I should take while filling the rifle? I come from an RC car background, where I would take great precaution in the charging and storing of lipo batteries. If I need to purchase any other safety devices, I would definitely do it.

John from MD · Feb 1, 2021

TheWhiteBuffalo said:
My hand pump hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m thinking it’s nice to have one for a backup anyways.

Most of my shooting will be at home, so I think I will go for the compressor to rifle, skip the bottle all together. Other than a high quality compressor with good fittings, are there any other precautions I should take while filling the rifle? I come from an RC car background, where I would take great precaution in the charging and storing of lipo batteries. If I need to purchase any other safety devices, I would definitely do it.

One important component in charging your rifle is the oil/water separator filter. Even on a hand pump, you need to put a water separator filled with desiccant as you will be compressing air and making water vapor. Colored Desiccant will turn from blue to pink as it absorbs water.

The oil/water filter separator for the compressor is another animal. There are several types that you can use but one thing must relate to all. Your setup must have a fine filter to keep out compressor oil and desiccant or molecular sieve or a combination of both.

https://www.amazon.com/Wisesorb-Reu...202407&sprefix=molecular+sieve,aps,385&sr=8-3

https://www.amazon.com/Wisesorb-Reu...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Some filters contain everything in one long tube. I use to separate smaller tubes, one with an oil filter and the other with a 4a molecular sieve with some indicating silica jell sprinkled on top. I check the filters before I fill my tanks to insure I fill them with clean dry air. You want to make certain that you put clean dry air in your rifle too or it could corrode and a corroded pressure vessel is not safe.

I suggest you google HPA oil water separator and look at several of the videos as it is quiet enlightening.

TheWhiteBuffalo · Feb 3, 2021

One step closer. The assortment of pellets arrived today.

John from MD · Feb 3, 2021

I just got a load from Pyramid on Friday. But it has been too damned cold, wet, windy (check all that applies) for me to do any serious shooting. I put a target 50 yards out in the woods and shot from inside the garage. I wound up with a two inch pattern of sorts. :rolleyes:

TheWhiteBuffalo · Feb 5, 2021

John,

After I’m done shooting, should the rifle be stored empty or full? Does it matter?

Thanks!

John from MD · Feb 5, 2021

All PCP and multi pump guns should be stored with air in them. It doesn't have to be full but you need enough pressure to keep the outside air (moist) from entering the pressure vessel. Additionally, keeping a couple of pumps on a multi pump gun keeps the seals from becoming malformed and loosing their ability to hold air.

TheWhiteBuffalo · Feb 5, 2021

Thanks, my friend! I’m hoping to get outside tomorrow to give it a quick test.

John from MD · Feb 5, 2021

Better enjoy Saturday because Sunday weather won't be anywhere near as nice. :sad20:

TheWhiteBuffalo · Feb 15, 2021

This is a lot more work than I envisioned :tdown:

If the whole package ends up on the classifieds, please don’t hate :lol2:

John from MD · Feb 15, 2021

That's why it is easier to get a used scuba tank and have it filled at a dive club. Usually, they will through a couple hundred pounds more into the tank when they know it's only being used for air rifle. What I did, before I bought my compressor, was to used the pump only to top off the rifle.

Depending on what kind of shot string you tune your rifle for, you don't need to always fill it to 3000. Many people tune for 26 to 2800. When my tank would get down to 2500, then I would top off with the hand pump. Depending on the pressure needed, it might take me 25 or 35 strokes to top off. That is a breeze compared to shooting down to 1800 and pumping back to 2800.

Hatsan Flashpup - Dipping my toe in PCP

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