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All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General > PCP/CO2/HPA Air Gun Gates "The Darkside"

General longevity of a PCP? What do you have to worry about breaking?

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NickB79:
So, I purchased a Benjamin Trail Nitro Piston basically on a whim, having only shot pump-up Daisy's as a kid before progressing to rimfire and centerfire rifles.

After spending time here trying to figure out how to make it shoot to it's full potential, the impression I'm left with is that eventually I have to start worrying about tearing it down to replace gaskets every few thousand rounds, and maybe replacing the nitro piston after a few tens of thousands of rounds.  That has been erking me, because I have fired tens of thousands of rounds of .22LR with no mechanical problems whatsoever from various rimfire rifles I own.  Plus, I'm not mechanically gifted and tearing it down will require I build a spring compressor (ugh).  If I have to tear down the gun every few thousand rounds, I'll be taking it apart every month or so in the summer!

So, I have been looking at the Benjamin Discovery PCP as an eventual replacement, but I'm wondering if you run into the same problems down the road with PCP's as you do with springers in failed gaskets and replacing various parts after only a few thousand rounds?

Gary:
I have a disco and have taken it down, but not because of a problem. Caliber change and other mods is the reason. From what I have seen of this and other forums is that the orings will really be the most of the problems. They are fairly simple to replace,so simple in fact my idiot self can do it.
Gary

CitySniper:
Decades? Seriously there are people who have owned their PCP's longer than the age of some forum members I'm sure. Normal stuff like the breech Oring , fill probe orings. not too bad

and maybe....this is a big maybe, but you could send the gun back to the factory every 5-6 years to have it inspected. but that is more peace of mind i think


good luck

daveshoot:
Seals/O-rings, mainly. Sometimes leaky fill valves. Over time, some PCPs are reported to be more susceptible to internal corrosion in the air cylinder, but I don't think there are any reports of them bursting.

I think they require less maintenance in the long term than springers- but we are talking long term.

daved:
The truth is, springers can last a VERY long time without needing any major maintenance.  Sure, there are 3 primary parts that need periodic replacement, but if you start with quality parts, that period can be in the 10's of 1000's of rounds.  And when it's time, a spring, piston seal, and relube can be done in 30 minutes or less, start to finish.  If it's a first time tear down, add an hour for cleaning, polishing, and deburring.  Really not a big deal, and you don't have to be a mechanical genius to do it :-).

PCP's are great, and there really isn't anything likely to break, although as already stated, orings need periodic lube and replacement.  They're a little easier to work on than springers since you don't need a spring compressor, but they're slightly more complicated.  I like both and have worked on both a lot, I tend toward the "if it works, take it apart to find out why" school of thought :-).

In short, I wouldn't worry too much about your air rifle breaking down.  When the Benjamin breaks down, send it back to Crosman for a rebuild, or replace it with a better gun.  Or get a PCP and sell the Trail, they seem to be popular rifles.  But in the meantime, just enjoy it, knowing that's it much cheaper to shoot than your powder burners, and you can shoot in your back yard or basement.  Later.

Dave

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