How do pneumatic guns work?

[Arkman]

I was just given a mares cyrano spear gun. I'm not sure that I'm actually going to use it at all but when I read the directions they make it seem that you never have to repump the gun unless something is wrong with it. How does this work?

I'm assuming that when you pump it you get to a certain pressure then when you push the spear in you make that even greater. Then when you pull the trigger the air pushes the spear out but does not leave the chamber, just goes back to the original pressure until its loaded again. So as long as all the seals are good and the gun is functioning properly the air never leaves the chamber?

Is this correct?

 

[Lobzilla]

Yes, pneumatic guns use compressed air as a 'spring' to propell the spear. The more air you pump into the gun before using it, the stiffer the 'spring' is.

 

[cmburch]

Store it with muzzle down - handle up to keep o-ring lubricated. Rinse well after use and a drop of fork oil in muzzle.

Some use an expensive gauge to determine pressure. Some release all pressure and count number of pumps to repressurize.

If the pressure seems low when firing, I pump it up about once a year.

 

[Valery]

I should also add that the deeper you go the less punch it has.

 

[Arkman]

I should also add that the deeper you go the less punch it has.

Thanks guys. I'm not too worried about that even if I decide to keep it since I won't do anything beyond 20' or so.

 

[CAPTAINBUCK714]

:A friend of mine uses pneumatic guns and won't use nothing else but said never shoot them out of the water. Just a heads up!!! Buck off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!