Bad to let a pcp sit filled to max pressure?

[Tweeter]

I normally fill a rifle before I shoot and put it away needing to be refilled the next time I shoot.   I figured the less stress on the seals while they sit the better however it would be nice (since I hand pump) to fill my guns while I have time and then they're ready the next time I use them.  Does anybody fill their guns before they put em up?

[wolverine]

i always put it away filled, but i also haven't gone more the 2 days with out shooting it.

[Tweeter]

I rarely go more than a week without shooting them except in the summer when work is real busy...

[Motorhead]

Always kept at a usable pressure around here

[avator]

Yep... keep em topped off and at the ready.

[Tater]

Does the same apply for someone that goes weeks or months without shooting, like me? Topped off, or filled to about 1k?

[AGEnthused]

I still have my Marauder filled to 2900 psi from September of last year, I don't expect any trouble.
The pcp rifles I have rarely get used during the winter months.

[Tucobenedicto]

I stock my PCP at full refill pressure almost ever,in this period i shoot my Prod and my 850 airmagnum PCP converted is stocked in his case. i filled it at 3000psi about four months ago and it lost only about 200psi.
I pump up the pressure after almost every session and keep my guns ready to use.
I don't think the seals can suffer in a static pressure situation,normally seals fails for aging or friction wear.
Just my opinion and personal experience.

[longislandhunter]

I've been storing my PCP's at full pressure, or close to it, for as long as I've had them and I've never had any problems develop. 


Jeff

[wimpanzee]

I keep mine ready to shoot.

My 909s sat for 6 months between shootings last year with 0 pressure drop. And it was (still) spot on at 50 yards when I did finally shoot it.

[Motorhead]

Does the same apply for someone that goes weeks or months without shooting, like me? Topped off, or filled to about 1k?

On the MECHANICS / PNEUMATICS part of the question ...

O-ring stress and there disfiguring / wear will be less at lower pressure 
So ... if you have zero need for GRAB-N-GO shooting, then storing you PCP at lower pressure has potential to buy you a bit of time between o-ring replacement servicing 

[anti-squirrel]

My experience is probably very different from most of you... but I got to work on some of the most expensive HPA systems on the planet (US Navy Submarines); I use that experience, along with my time as a QA Inspector in the Navy Subsafe program, as a guideline:  leave 'em with no less than 1000 PSI unless taking apart for shipping or service.  These aren't very dynamic systems.  If they can't handle being stored at operating pressure, they can't handle be used at operating pressure.  Basically, these systems should be PM-serviced prior to component failure.  You don't wait until your engine is locked up to change oil, right?

I also make a point of shooting my airguns regularly.  Much like a tire left by itself, if it is stored without air for an extended period of time, you want it OFF the rim (and preferably store on it's side or in a carousel where it will rotate the load periodically).  If stored with air, rotate the tire to redistribute the load of gravity.

[Tweeter]

Yes, the first time I let my hand pump sit for two weeks it started having problems.  I suspect if I had been using it regularly it would still be fine.  Both my pcp's always have atleast 140bar in them so I should be alright.  I think I will start leaving them at least partly aired up so it only takes 1 pump session to get me shooting.  Time management, you know... 

[Ribbonstone]

Thinking there were a couple of rifles years back that tended to mash out the valve stem seal....large diameter seals and maybe a softer than ideal seal material?

Anyway, the way the problem was stated, the large diameter seal (and pressure acts on area) would eventually conform to the valve seat, making for a larger diameter and a more form fitting seal, which ended up causing low speeds.

Memory is a fickle mistress, but I do remember Tim (MAC 1) once mentioning it about Early Sumatras and in some other posts about the same thing happening to BSA LoneStars.

Over the years, got in the habbit of leaving my PCP's near the BOTTOM of the sweet spot.  Still enough pressure to get  regular speed shots if you need to just snatch up the rifle ans shoot something,  but would need to fill it to the top pressure for anything else.

[ackuric]

The system is meant to operate under pressure, including the seals. I would imagine depressurizing + pressurizing to extremes (ie: 0 psi to 3k psi) are the most detrimental to your seals. Therefore keep it within operating pressure unless you're doing LONG term storage or disassembling the pressure side. 

[RandyC]

That was also something I wanted to ask, how long can you leave a PCP charged without shooting it.

I want to get one for pesting, but can go weeks without seeing something

[Motorhead]

That was also something I wanted to ask, how long can you leave a PCP charged without shooting it.

I want to get one for pesting, but can go weeks without seeing something

Indefinitely ..... some pressure good, no pressure bad

[Wayne52]

I keep my pcp's topped off

[454 Big Block Chevy]

my condor sat over winter, only shooting it once or twice, at 2400 psi.  of course, my tank is rated up to 3625 psi, so far from MAX pressure, but