Colt SAA PCP?

[89diesel]

I'm completely new to "air" anything.
What are these PCP things that use bullet type ammo, such as a Tanaka Colt SAA? Do you charge each individual shell itself? Are they actually a BB/pellet gun or some sort of airsoft toy?

I can only find a few videos of these, but no real information.

 

[srnm]

PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) are filled using an air cylinder/reservoir that is attached to the airgun (high pressure). the cylinder is filled by using a handpump or electric. In the long run it is cheaper then Co2, but the set up cost is expensive. PCP just use the same pellets as any other airgun they aren't individually charged. PCP and other airguns (not airsoft, completely different) can be used for plinkering, or hunting (which is pretty common)

 

[leonardj]

I believe that the OP is referring to one of the Brocock Air Cartridge pistols.
These guns use small cartridges, that are individually charged by a hand held, or a bench mounted pump. A regular lead airgun pellet is then inserted into the forward end of the cartridge.

The charged air cartridges are then loaded into the pistol in the same way as one would a powderburner. The firing pin of the hammer strikes a valve stem pin, in much the same way as the firing pin of a powderburner strikes the primer of a CF cartridge, and the pellet is fired.

They are a very interesting gun, but very labour intensive for an afternoon of shooting, with each cartridge requiring up to 6 strokes of the pump to fully charge.

 

[89diesel]

I believe that the OP is referring to one of the Brocock Air Cartridge pistols.
These guns use small cartridges, that are individually charged by a hand held, or a bench mounted pump. A regular lead airgun pellet is then inserted into the forward end of the cartridge.

The charged air cartridges are then loaded into the pistol in the same way as one would a powderburner. The firing pin of the hammer strikes a valve stem pin, in much the same way as the firing pin of a powderburner strikes the primer of a CF cartridge, and the pellet is fired.

They are a very interesting gun, but very labour intensive for an afternoon of shooting, with each cartridge requiring up to 6 strokes of the pump to fully charge.

Brocock..Thats it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are these something new or have they been around for a while? Where can a guy get them? Any idea about velocity? Can the cartridges be filled from a bottle? Geeez! I sound like my lil grandaughter with all the questions!

 

[trevj]

They 'were' mostly available from the UK. They have pretty much stopped making them as far as I know.

Most of the models were made from real pistols, with enough parts changed to prevent them from shooting live ammo. Apparently not enough parts though, as it seems a bunch were re-converted.

For all intents and purposes you are pretty much just pissing into the wind, trying to find one.
Not saying that they are not out there, just don't expect them to be cheaper to get than a real handgun, and don't expect to find parts to service the cartridges if they are not functioning.
There was adapters that allowed you to fill them from a scuba tank. Then you need to buy the tank, fittings, etc... $$$

IIRC the Brit laws required the guns to be on a Firearms Certificate if they ran more than 6 foot/pounds energy for handguns.

Just another crappy solution to bad gun laws.

Cheers
Trev

 

[89diesel]

I was more looking to get the grandkids involved in shooting. From the little info I could find, it looked like this would have been sort of what I was looking for-all steel, a chance at realistic reloading, realistic firearm type operation, etc. Also, the required work to reload would make the kids take aiming more serious than just pouring in a mess of BB's and seeing how fast they can shoot em out!

It would probably be a bit safer than turning them loose with my old antiques as well. An 1858 Remmington w/8" barrel isnt the lightest thing for a 7 yr old to hold! Plus, I dont worry shootin old iron myself, but lets face it, things "could" come apart on a 150 yr old gun. I'd like to see the kids keep their fingers and eyes for a while yet.

 

[leonardj]

Trevj summed things up quite well.
TMK, they are outright banned in the UK, for the reasons stated.

The cartridges are resealable, but the cartridges just don't seem to stand up very well. Some of the Brocock cartridges for the rifles, like the Saxby Palmer Ensign or Galaxy, were not resealable, relegating the cartridges to paperweights if you did not have the skills and equipment to reproduce the cartridges.

Another option that you may wish to explore is one of the conversion kits that basically use a primer to fire an air gun pellet, for practicing with your favourite CF revolver. These kits usually include a slide in barrel insert to convert the gun to .177 cal, and six cartridges that accept a live primer, and are bored at the forward end of the cartridge for a .177 pellet. This may be a more economical approach to what you wish to accomplish, as IIRC, these kits are usually less than $100.