Okay, what is a PCP air rifle? It's a pneumatic, meaning that it runs on compressed air, just like vintage pump up air rifles such as Sheridans, Benjamins and Crosmans. The difference is that with a PCP, there is no pumping needed between shots. You just keep shooting until the compressed air reservoir on the gun drops down to a minimum pressure level, then you do a refill.
So let's take a look at the Discovery to see why PCPs are state of the art, now, in the air gun world. First, physically, the Discovery is a delightfully light rifle. Even with the scope, it still weighs just under 6 pounds. I could carry this gun in the woods all day. Don't let that size fool you, though. Despite it's very manageable size and weight, the Discovery is actually more powerful than any of our spring piston guns. It will propel a 22 cal pellet at 900 fps and develop more than 25 fpe.
To appreciate what this power level means, let's compare it to a spring or gas piston gun that can get 25 fpe, though, in truth, very few piston rifles can reach 25 fpe. Most of the "magnum" piston guns can just manage to break 20 fpe. Here's what a 20 fpe piston gun looks like. It's a large, heavy gun that requires a lot of force just to cock, some more than I can physically manage. It's also a gun that produces wicked piston recoil. That makes these "magnum" piston guns especially difficult to shoot and that same recoil makes these magnum piston guns notorious scope eaters. Have had them destroy cheap scopes in under 30 shots. Special mounts are often needed just to keep the scope from moving in the rings and/or on the gun.
By comparison, NO recoil on the Discovery and NO special scope or mounts needed. I use an ordinary budget 22 scope like a Simmons on mine. No recoil means no special technique needed to shoot a PCP. Shoot them just like your 22. And the Disco, like all PCP guns, is accurate. Never a problem getting under one inch groups at 50 yards and, now and then, manage to do one of these.
In general, PCP guns are also the quietest air guns to shoot because most come with a moderator (we don't call them silencers.). Here the Discovery is an exception. Does not come with a moderator, so it is loud, out of the box, though still not as loud as a rimfire rifle. With the attached moderator, though, the Discovery, as with most PCPs, is almost unsettling quiet. Just a quiet phisshht! The pellet hitting the backstop is louder.
Another plus for the Disco is all the aftermarket add ons made for it. It's kind of the 10/22 of the PCP world. Mine has a so-so trigger, but it's useable. Will be adding a trigger kit to it at some time.
Pretty neat, huh? Light weight, lots of power, accurate, no special technique needed to shoot, scope friendly and more. Little wonder, then, that PCPs rule in formal competition shooting and are the most popular air rifles for hunting. So what's not to like? As with all types of air guns, there are trade offs. Stay tuned for Pt. 2
