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Benjamin Discovery still the best entry level PCP air rifle!
The Top end hobbyists are forever and always going on and on about their “PCP” (pre-charged pneumatic) air guns. So why do you or I need this “new” technology and what is it anyway? First it’s anything but new. The principles that are in action in this class of air gun were well known to the ancient Greeks; though they didn’t build any air guns. Around the time of Napoleon they were in use. Even the historic journey of exploration of the American West led by Louis and Clark includes the historical use of a pre-charged air gun. So what makes this different from other air guns? The difference is how the air gets into the gun and how many shots it can contain. Instead of pumping after every shot or having to cock a heavy spring the Discovery can shoot many times from one fill up. It is available for sale bundled with a hand pump. This pump and rifle combo provide an inexpensive gate way into what was once the realm of advanced air gunners. It includes everything you will need to get out on the range.
My .22 test “Disco” shoots at 800 feet per second with crosman premiers (14.3 Gr) and doesn't need to be pumped again for many shots (30). This is a powerful Air rifle! Unlike Co2 air guns the discovery is not affected by the cold and you don’t have to buy power-lets big or small. Unlike spring piston air guns it has absolutely no hold sensitivity and for all practical purposes is completely recoilless. It has no mainspring that will wear out and weaken. It requires no special shooting skills to master. It should be stored with air in it. Filling the Discovery is a breeze. Many high end PCP air guns require air pressure around 3000 psi. That would be a lot of pumping! Most advanced hobbyists use dedicated air tanks filled by scuba tank compressors just to avoid this chore. The Discovery only requires 2000 psi to reach full pressure and I have found is at its best around 1800 psi. It takes a bit over 100 pumps to completely fill from empty but only 25 pumps or so after 20 shots. Filling up is accomplished by removing the plastic end cap and connecting the quick connect foster fitting between the rifle and the pump. This is done by pulling back on the spring loaded collar on the hose filling and slipping it over corresponding part on the rifle. After that just watch the pressure gauge on the pump so as to not overfill. When the appropriate pressure is achieved the pump can be removed after using the knob found directly under the air hose connection on the pump to bleed off the pressure in the hose. Pull back on the spring loaded retaining collar on the hose end fitting and you are ready to go.
The trigger is plastic, the whole trigger group is plastic. It does work and my rifle has a fairly crisp let off with only a bit of creep. It is predictable at least and is inline with the cost of the rifle. The safety is also plastic and of the cross bolt type located behind the trigger and it is positive in its functioning. It is resettable which is important for field use. The open sights have tru glo inserts and seem to be of good quality. So what’s not to like? Industrial looking metal finish. The stock shape and finish are utilitarian (like baseball bat or shovel handle). Small loading port. Heavy long pellets like Beeman Kodiac can be fiddly to load. A second barrel band would be nice instead of the floating friction muzzle arraignment. The cost saving compromises have brought about a serviceable tool at a good price and most importantly its very fun! Still the best value in the entry level position.
My .22 test “Disco” shoots at 800 feet per second with crosman premiers (14.3 Gr) and doesn't need to be pumped again for many shots (30). This is a powerful Air rifle! Unlike Co2 air guns the discovery is not affected by the cold and you don’t have to buy power-lets big or small. Unlike spring piston air guns it has absolutely no hold sensitivity and for all practical purposes is completely recoilless. It has no mainspring that will wear out and weaken. It requires no special shooting skills to master. It should be stored with air in it. Filling the Discovery is a breeze. Many high end PCP air guns require air pressure around 3000 psi. That would be a lot of pumping! Most advanced hobbyists use dedicated air tanks filled by scuba tank compressors just to avoid this chore. The Discovery only requires 2000 psi to reach full pressure and I have found is at its best around 1800 psi. It takes a bit over 100 pumps to completely fill from empty but only 25 pumps or so after 20 shots. Filling up is accomplished by removing the plastic end cap and connecting the quick connect foster fitting between the rifle and the pump. This is done by pulling back on the spring loaded collar on the hose filling and slipping it over corresponding part on the rifle. After that just watch the pressure gauge on the pump so as to not overfill. When the appropriate pressure is achieved the pump can be removed after using the knob found directly under the air hose connection on the pump to bleed off the pressure in the hose. Pull back on the spring loaded retaining collar on the hose end fitting and you are ready to go.
The trigger is plastic, the whole trigger group is plastic. It does work and my rifle has a fairly crisp let off with only a bit of creep. It is predictable at least and is inline with the cost of the rifle. The safety is also plastic and of the cross bolt type located behind the trigger and it is positive in its functioning. It is resettable which is important for field use. The open sights have tru glo inserts and seem to be of good quality. So what’s not to like? Industrial looking metal finish. The stock shape and finish are utilitarian (like baseball bat or shovel handle). Small loading port. Heavy long pellets like Beeman Kodiac can be fiddly to load. A second barrel band would be nice instead of the floating friction muzzle arraignment. The cost saving compromises have brought about a serviceable tool at a good price and most importantly its very fun! Still the best value in the entry level position.
Rick Klages
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