AliExpress Handpumps are all that you need - Change My Mind

[Ironwood]

I purchased a Hatsan Tactair 3 handpump, which is a Chinese pump with a Hatsan label.   I am meticulous about lubing and taking rest periods while pumping to prevent  heat build-up, but it constantly requires resealing, like after every 15-20 uses. The spare parts bag that came with it looked pretty complete on first glance but actually had many orings and that were either the wrong size or too hard.  I was able to source rings and check balls, etc. from Ace Hardware and AliExpress. 

So...my mileage has varied compared to others with good luck in this thread on a chinese pump, I should have sent it back to Hatsan, but am out of warranty now.   It still works, but I never count on it to do so, and have since purchased a SCBA

[Van]

  I ordered one from Amazon over a year ago that has worked flawlessly.  I'm retired and shoot my Disco tube guns quite a bit, so it gets used most days at least once to top them off.  All I have had to do to it was tighten all fittings when I unpacked it (as instructed in the manual) and lube the shaft with silicone oil when needed.  I have the included rebuild kit but have not needed it so far.  I'm thinking of ordering another China pump to store away as a spare.

[AK]

If these Chinese pumps were reliable they would be great, but they have a lot of issues, I have had 3 so far that did not work right out of the box, leaks air, won't hold pressure correctly, not sure how many I have to go through to get one that does what it is designed to do and works.

Where did you buy it from? I have heard that Amazon is a terrible place to buy these things from - I’d go to aliexpress. On the downward stroke I always have a leaking noise from the ball in seating in fully - but I can still pump to 4K psi so I don’t think it really matters.

AK

I just looked at the ALIExpress site,

and the pumps they sell are the same that Amazon sells,....LOL

The reason I said that was because I have heard no bad experiences with the pumps that came from AliExpress while a big lot of bad experiences when the same pumps were bought from amazon.

AK

I'm pretty confident these pumps came out of the same 1 or 2 Chinese factories. I'm also certain they probably don't really do much in terms of QC. So, you're likely to get batches with poor assembly and/or unnoticed defective parts, such as o-rings. Therefore, for consumers, it's luck of the draw.
Then you have to wonder, if many of those negative reviews are from people who actually know about heat build up that's an o-ring killer. There are times when the fix is simple, but not everybody is mechanically inclined enough to resolve an issue.
I read plenty of reviews, and many times just have to roll my eyes at the unbeknownst user error(s).

The funny thing for me is that even mechanically-inept me will disassemble this thing and re grease the O-rings no problem. They are soooo simple to maintain that its kind of funny that people have problems disassembling it at all.

AK

[triggertreat]

Anyone have a link or two to these great, cheap hand pumps?  I wouldn't mind a backup that can do 4000 psi effortlessly.  I know, it's a hand pump, but I got a Benjamin pump that just wouldn't be a good backup.  Looking for something much better and easier to work incase my compressor takes a break.

[Xraycer]

Anyone have a link or two to these great, cheap hand pumps?  I wouldn't mind a backup that can do 4000 psi effortlessly.  I know, it's a hand pump, but I got a Benjamin pump that just wouldn't be a good backup.  Looking for something much better and easier to work incase my compressor takes a break.

I found this one on Amazon that goes to 6000psi. Remember to click the 10% coupon box, which should bring it down to about $44. Looks to be US stock.
HeavenBird PCP Hand Pump 6000 psi Compressor 40Mpa 3 Stage Stainless Steel Foldable Portable

[AKM]

I have one with the cooling water inside. It pumps a little faster then my Hill but also requires more effort.

It does not have the filtering or moisture control like the Hill so long term use could lead to pitting inside the rifle.

The bad thing about the Hill is it requires lubrication very often so the O-rings hold up. I have seen people kill Hill pumps in no time.

[Ribbonstone]

LIFE WITH PUMPS (kind of a collective re-post):

Started all the PCP stuff with tanks. I still dislike tanks....someone else has to create the compressed gas, it's always running out, have to spend your time getting it filled when you want to be shooting.

FX:Not sure of the name...was one of the first  versions....Varipump?  Versapump?...something like that. Came to me used about 13-14 years ago (About 2006) along with a 5mm Sumatra.  Sumatra still working, but I murdered the pump.

Kept working and working and working with no problems for 3-4 years.  Might still be working if it hadn't gotten knocked over the side into  8 feet of salt water...and unable to attend to if for about 12 hours.

Did retrieve it (bobing up and down in about 8 feet of water, naked, and feeling with my feet), but by the time we headed in,was pretty much a murder victim.

Hill's: Guess you'd call it the "orginal" ( about 2009-2010).  Was a 2nd hill, a newer version....but not that much different in design.

Needing to replace the dead/corroded FX,decided I'd go with a Hill's.  HAd the rep. (still does for many)and are impressivly solid/heavy well constructed pumps.

That ended up needing a rebuild/reseal about  once a year.   Will admit, the newest versions seem simpler (the rebuild kits have fewer parts...so I assume it's simpler to rebuild).


Forgotten pump:

Can't even remember where I ordered it...was on the market for like 2 or 3 months....evidently none of them worked,nothing made now reminds me of it, and it got reboxed and shipped back the day after arrivial.

Cheap Chinese #1 (stillusing the Hills and rebuilding about once a year) about 2014.

This one came as a "bundle" with the old Flying Dragons $100 PCP (rifle is still working).

Thinking that this cheap thing just can't work for long, decided to use it exclusivly until it died.

6 years later, it is still working.  Did blow the o-ring where the pump screws onto the base,and had one of the folding feet work it's pivot screw loose, and it's not quite as efficient as it was.....so time to use the rebuild kit that came with it (came with the rebuild kit and wrench-tool).

Meanwhile, the Hill's pump I put aside is dead as a doornail from just sitting there neglected

Chinese pump #2:  With the Hill's dead,thought about anotherHill's rebuild (about 2016)

Thinking about it....looking at the cost of another Hills rebuild kit, and how big a pain in the butt it is to seal the Hill's....bought another Cheap-China pump. Hills is still sitting in a corner,still neglected, and not likely to be revived other than as parts.

This China-pump was about $50-$58 (are cheaper ones now)...and as far as I can tell, the same pump that came with the FDPCP with a few little cosmetic changes.

Chinese pump #3:  (about 2017)

Bought this one to give to my Nephew (along with my old Discovery)..really cheap (like about $40-$42).  It's still working for him.

Same basic design as the other two.  Some changes in the bleed screw threads,evidently stainless steel tube (or maybe they all do and are just not painted/powder coated),and maybe some internal changes I'm unaware of (the rebuild kit seems different).

About 2018-2019 bought one of the cheap-China-compressors.  Retired for the 2nd time (25 years teaching/20 years X-ray/surguy tech) and figured my old-self could use a bit of help.


Wasn't "perfect"...showed up without the bleed screw and leaked oil.   Rather than deal with  a send-back, made a bleed screw and found the leak (the oil-fill clear cover was loose).

About 1 1/2- 2 years,,,,no problem with the water-sucking compressor. Just use good oil.

Turns out, I don't use it all that often.  IF I have to fill any of them from "zero", I'll set it up.  IF I have the urge to shoot one of the big-volume guns, will set it up.   For filling "normal" PCP's from the bottom of the sweet spot to the top, I'll still pump.

MAYBE even more important when you get old.....pointless exercise at a guy vs. productive exercise.....same concept as a staionary bike vs. a real bike to get somehwere.

[triggertreat]

Anyone have a link or two to these great, cheap hand pumps?  I wouldn't mind a backup that can do 4000 psi effortlessly.  I know, it's a hand pump, but I got a Benjamin pump that just wouldn't be a good backup.  Looking for something much better and easier to work incase my compressor takes a break.

I found this one on Amazon that goes to 6000psi. Remember to click the 10% coupon box, which should bring it down to about $44. Looks to be US stock.
HeavenBird PCP Hand Pump 6000 psi Compressor 40Mpa 3 Stage Stainless Steel Foldable Portable

Thanks!  I'm not real sure about the 6000 psi claim, but 3800 is all I really need currently anyways.

I've looked around on eBay and AMZ, and it looks like plenty of unbranded Chinese hand pumps to choose from.  I've decided to wait for my compressor to break before ordering one, if at all.  I still remember my Benji pumping days to well.  I could have one delivered in just a couple of days, if needed.

[Nomadic Pirate]

I have this one,...works great




I have 3 more sitting in the boxes untouched

[triggertreat]

I have this one,...works great




I have 3 more sitting in the boxes untouched

Well, I believe you do a decent amount of pumping to test them well.  I have been looking at that same one (I think) on Ebay at a better price.

[Nomadic Pirate]

I have this one,...works great




I have 3 more sitting in the boxes untouched

Well, I believe you do a decent amount of pumping to test them well.  I have been looking at that same one (I think) on Ebay at a better price.

Yep, I don't baby them for sure ....I don't even stop at the classic number 50, often go way past that

[E30_S50]

A couple months ago I bought that same one you had recommended and it's still going strong. Glad I got it.

When I first got in the pcp game, I bought a yong heng compressor and a carbon fiber tank. I had it pretty easy from the get go... unlimited air with no work... sort of like cheating!

Once I got the hand pump, it became much more tangible how much energy is actually stored in these air tanks! There is a lot of arm/muscle pressure behind each trigger pull! It definitely makes me appreciate how much work that electric compressor really does!

[MagnumPI45]

If these Chinese pumps were reliable they would be great, but they have a lot of issues, I have had 3 so far that did not work right out of the box, leaks air, won't hold pressure correctly, not sure how many I have to go through to get one that does what it is designed to do and works.

Where did you buy it from? I have heard that Amazon is a terrible place to buy these things from - I’d go to aliexpress. On the downward stroke I always have a leaking noise from the ball in seating in fully - but I can still pump to 4K psi so I don’t think it really matters.

AK

All were from ebay, ebay prices were the best, you have to look out now for return window, many say the buyer even has to pay to return it if it is defective from the get go so it is harder to find free 30 day returns, normally just for the 4500 labeled psi ones.  The ads are exactly the same on ali express, they are a little more on that site but I may try them if you had better luck, not sure why it should matter.  Amazon selection is not very good and they tend to be more expensive, I was thinking Amazon or Wal Mart may be more selective about quality.   I am not sure if going with one labeled 6000psi would be any better, it looks to be the same pump and in the description it normally says max psi 4500 which makes no sense.  3 bad ones in a row is just really annoying and unacceptable.  I did tell the sellers they need to contact their supplier and tell them there is a problem with quality, materials.  There are several threads, reviews, and replies on these bad pumps in the last 2 or 3 months so my experience is far from unique, it seems when people bought a year or two ago or even 6 months ago they lasted much longer and there were fewer dead/leaking ones out of the box. 

[Bigragu]

I’m gonna chime in on the “same stuff different branding” comment. But beforehand, I have to say my hand pumping to pcp’s Is limited to only two attempts of about 100 pumps each, in which I decided that trying to pump with a fused up back from level T9 to Lumbar wasn’t such a smart idea on my part. So I boxed up the Hill MK4 and set it aside. So, I’m telling you all up front I don’t have the hand pump expertise as you all have.

But as far as comparing pumps by looking at the outside of them, I’m gonna go with the theory that was explained to me by many, including reps of said products, that a Price Pfiester $300 model X kitchen faucet from a plumbing store outlet when compared to the same exact faucet at Home Depot that has them for $180 is not like for like. Same with a Dewalt impact drill from Home Depot vs buying from a Tool outlet store where the “Pro” contractors buy from. Same exact drill sells for $250 at Home Depot and $350 at the Pro store. Why is that? It’s because the internals of these products are built with cheaper materials. That’s a fact. When a big box store approaches Dewalt and says they’re gonna buy a million of those drills from Dewalt but only want to pay $100 per, Dewalt gonna want that business, so they’ll find a way to make it profitable for them, thru cheaper internals.

When a Dewalt and a Milwaukee rep stocking the tool shelves at Home Depot tell me, a tradesman shopping for a sawzall, to not buy their tools from there but instead go to the White Cap(local pro vendor supplying tools and construction materials to the industry), that tells me that the old dude that owned a plumbing store where I bought all my fixtures years before was schooling me on the truth, about box store products.

[Duane38]

A few years ago I too purchased one, named "Bull PCP Pump".  Still impressed with it.  Vert smooth operation, all stainless steel, pumps over 4k psi.  Oil filled manometer and oil/water (probably mineral oil) filled inner pump cavity for cooling, folding foot stands, oil, and even two sets of o'rings. 

Has been a superb pump that hasn't even needed a single seal change.  I'm blown away, actually. 

So good, in fact, purchased four more for our tactical/SWAT officers so they could fill 13ci bottles for their pepper ball guns.  They do have a couple of scuba tanks, but wanted something stand alone in the event they needed it.  They certainly have used them without incident.

Can't attest to others out there, but stand by the Bull pumps, and that ain't no Bull!

[KnifeMaker]

True story Big! Same with electronic items from wally world. Same brand, same name, same model. Different components inside. Of course they are cheaper at wally world.


Hp will NOT work on a Wally world HP computer. Simply throw it in the dumpster and replace. From office supply, they will gladly repair. Only two  numbers in the serial number different. One Chinese, one Japanese. Huge difference.


Now you know how and why the every day low price guarantee is met. The cheat the "L" out of the public. and this does not begin to cover the (Legal counterfeits) they sell as genuine.

I remember well back in the late 80's that had the made in USA advertising going on. They got caught, as only the label of the clothing was made in the U.S. The actual items were made in  Indonesia, china, and India  mostly. They managed to talk the Government  into not letting the inf of their getting caught until two weeks after the Christmas Shopping time.  Complete crooks and we flock to them. 


Wish I could use a pump. Serious COPD. I wouldn't live thru it. 


Knife

[triggerfest]

Interesting topic !

Well, I have a tank, but would like to have a pump as back-up.

Does someone of you has a link to your favoratie pumps on AliExpress please ?

[AK]

Interesting topic !

Well, I have a tank, but would like to have a pump as back-up.

Does someone of you has a link to your favoratie pumps on AliExpress please ?

I believe this is the one I got. If not, it’s still probably the same thing 
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32898037118.html?algo_pvid=6450ac95-eaeb-4640-bfc0-a7f2772a2176&algo_expid=6450ac95-eaeb-4640-bfc0-a7f2772a2176-8&btsid=0ab6f8ad15846556895176685ef2eb&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

AK

[Franklink]

Needs vs wants......

Yes, a hand pump is all anybody NEEDS, but with the volume of shooting that I do, I WANT a tank and/or compressor.

I pumped a Discovery for 8-10 #500 count tins when I first got into PCPs. Yeah, that pump kept me shooting, but I was always dreading filling back up.

The needs vs wants discussion is a slippery slope in a hobby where guys drop Impact/Red Wolf/Delta Wolf type money though.

[Dan H]

Needs vs wants......

Yes, a hand pump is all anybody NEEDS, but with the volume of shooting that I do, I WANT a tank and/or compressor.

I pumped a Discovery for 8-10 #500 count tins when I first got into PCPs. Yeah, that pump kept me shooting, but I was always dreading filling back up.

The needs vs wants discussion is a slippery slope in a hobby where guys drop Impact/Red Wolf/Delta Wolf type money though.

x2.... if you don't have the cash when you first get into pcp ,you are forced to go with a hand pump ,or for emergency back up , most people find out real quick they want/need a compressor/ tanks to fill with  …

 if you are into shooting big bores a lot its a must have to have a compressor  considering just a few shots unloads those  guns  fast , its not practical at all with a hand pump especially bench shooting a lot with big bores , teathering with a regulator off larger cf tank is the best way to go to do a lot of BB shooting , and of course a lot more fun …