Any ideas, suggestions, help ?
I have talked with Crosman about this issue. A hand pump can't insert enough pressure into the air tube quick enough to seal the valve. (This is one of the reasons why they ship their PCP's with 500psi of air.) You will need to do an initial fill from a tank of compressed air - at least to get the rifle up to about 500psi, and then you could hand pump from there. A paintball shop, dive shop, or maybe even a fire station should be able to help you out.
Does the valve stem give any resistance if you try to push it by hand?Joe
My Marauder gen II .25 was received with no air in the tank and I had to cock the rifle and then pump like a mad man for about 15 strokes before the valve sealed completely that is when I decided that if I was going to continue with PCP rifles a tank and Freedom 8 were essential since I like to tinker not pump lie a man possessed to get the valve to seal after I made mods to the rifle that required that all air was released from the tank
During all of this, did you remove the barrel from the breach? If so, it may have been put back with too much hanging out into the magazine slot. I have heard the way to put the barrel back in is to first insert a mag into the slot and then try to install the barrel. That way the magazine is sure to fit afterwards.