Which handpump as a backup

[AustinMatt]

Took the Gamo TC45 out this weekend and finally got it on paper and even took it to the deer stand. Sadly too many acorns and a nearly full moon meant no deer to be seen.

In getting the TC on paper I found myself pumping it back up ever 3-5 shots. Right now I just have a cheap chinese handpump. On about the 5th refill the pump stopped working. took it apart and checked everything and there just was nothing I could see wrong. New seals and still nothing. It catches a bad vacuum and wont pull up or push down once the gauge gets to about 1000psi.

So I know all the pumps look the same, but is there real difference in build quality? Taking mine apart I was not super impressed.

So looking at the following:
Benjamin
Hatsan 90400
Hatsan 91015
Air Venturi G7S

Or another cheap chinese.

My plan is to pickup the new super compressor if and when it shows up. Pumping at the range this weekend sucked, so not how I want to go moving forward. But I want a pump as a backup.

So spend another $60 for maybe junk or spend $120-$150 for something better, if they really are better.

[Chilihead]

My chinese hand pump got me through my first year of PCPs before I finally bought a Nomad II. It has been relegated to backup, but still works fine.

The thing about the other pumps you list is, of course, the warranty. I'd probably go with a name brand unless you think you'll be getting the compressor soon. 

[Bicycleman]

I bought one of the $32 hand pumps as a backup to my *Benjamin Hand Pump I bought in 2013 as part of a Discovery .22 Combo.  I then rebuilt the Benjamin and put it in the closet as a backup to the $32 model. 
I have been using both lately - I start pumping with one.  When I reach 50 strokes, I switch.  (The Marauder takes about 100 strokes sometimes.)


*The $32 is actually easier to pump than the Benjamin.

[JeffB1961]

i'm using a $40 yosoo/hivbee i got from walmart about 2 months ago with no problems .

[Eddie_E]

I have exactly 1 yr on the $35 Yasoo hand pump and it's still going strong. They all need a drop of silicone on the high pressure rod once a month.

[AustinMatt]

so for mine, I put way more than 50 strokes into it weeks ago when I filled the gun from 0 to 2500. But took my time doing so. This weekend I was putting maybe 20-30 strokes into it at a time, then long pause.

So maybe yet another cheap pump and hope it works till the xisco compressor finally gets here.

[Bicycleman]

Some of the pumps will handle the heat better than others.  I have overhauled both of mine - and will probably do them several times more before I consider them worn-out.
(The part about 50 pumps is because that is when I start breathing hard.)   

[JeffB1961]

when i initially filled my gauntlet i did 40 strokes at a time with 5ish minute breaks in between . topping it off i do two rounds of 45 with one break in between for a total of 90 . i've read not to do more than 50 strokes at a time on a hand pump and give a few minute break to allow it to cool off . some folks don't , that's their money .....
that's a 13 cu. tank @ 3000psi .

[redlined_b16a]

I have used a Xisco hand pump for years with zero breakdowns,never oiled it or changed any seals.
50 pumps each time with about a 5 minute break in between.
I'd refill from 2000-3000 in my hatsan at44 with 74 pumps every 20 shots.
I have documented 15,000 shots thru that gun only owning the Xisco hand pump.

Still works great and came with a rebuild kit.
I'd highly recommend it.
I think its $160 shipped.

[douglasr]

$40 Ebay pump 2 years strong

[Earl]

My 2 Chinese pumps work good.
I think I gave $37 for the last one.
My Benjamin never did work good and it is junk now.

[Martis 1]

For what it’s worth, about 30 minutes ago UPS delivered the “Hiram” Chinese pump I ordered from Amazon.  Don’t know if it works or not, because the qd fitting won’t fit under the TKO on my Disco.  Tried pushing it on but as soon as I start pumping it blows off.  It clicks into place and seems locked on, but not under pressure.  Just packaged it up and am sending it back. 

[Techie]

Of the pumps you mention, I doubt any of them are any better than the cheap ebay pump, and some people here have said they are worse.  I'd go cheap on this rather than risk getting less for more.

[Martis 1]

My Benjamin pump worked great for 4 or 5 years and never failed.  It wasn’t until I opened up my leaking Marauder and found rust that I thought to tear into my pump.  That’s when I found moisture and a lot of corrosion.  It’s toast now, but I think if I had serviced it every 6 months or year it would still be going strong.  Now, after reading reviews, I’m starting to think there is no such thing as a guaranteed  “good” pump, no matter how much you pay...

[smythsg]

Had not used my hand pumps since I got my compressor almost a year ago. Pulled them both out last week for a go filling my rifles, and both worked fine... one Hill MK3 and one China pump.