Pump performance, or lack thereof…
This refers to the sticky about AF pumps, as well as all the other pumps out there.
As you might know (or maybe not, it doesn’t matter), I bought a brand new AF pump from a most righteous member of the forum here.
It’s working perfectly, despite the headcase that all the bad reviews about it gave me…
So I’d like to drill down a bit on everyone’s opinion.
In order to quantify a pump’s performance, you gotta give a notion or example about how you’re using it, yes?
In other words, before you slag it, how many times do you use it during a shoot session? Were you giving it the “rented mule” or “red-haired stepchild” treatment? 😉
For example, if you’re slinging six rounds per minute and you feel the need to bang on the pump every five minutes to top off, I can see where problems could occur.
No, I don’t work for AF, just wondering….
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Well here’s an update….After a full week of use, it is now taking about 25 strokes before the pump starts to put pressure in the tank….Looks like the AF pump is going going gone……..
😯 Seriously? Aw hell… time to break out the alcohol to clean that bugger off.
Yeah, I’ll tell you what… I think us Michiganders are the personification of the saying “if it doesn’t kill you, it’ll make you stronger.” Crazy, crazy times here.
My roots are too deep to leave though. I’m the fourth generation of my family to call Michigan home, going back to about 1850 or so, and before that, we called Ireland, Austria and Britain home. We’ve been here through tougher times than this, so here is where I’ll make my stand.
But even if I wanted to/had to, I’d be lucky just to sell my house inside of a six month time-frame, let alone get what I paid for it 8 years ago.
If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my foxhole. 😆
Thanks for the heads up about the pump, I’ll take the appropriate steps.
Buzz; I’ve had an A/F pump for three years. I’ve only had one problem with it. The problem: I lubed the main shaft about six months ago. It wouldn’t hold any air after that. I cleaned the shaft and it works as new again.
I don’t use the pump much any more as all the crows have decided that coming near my place means death. The rodent population is now zero. Please ship in some vermin.
By the way, I’m a Gander too. I moved away from the mitten back in the ’70s and never looked back. When you decide to leave the state please turn out the lights. You guys in the mitten are hurtin’ back there to say the least. I feel for you. AKULA
I have had my AF hand pump for only 2 months now but I have liked the results so far . Only thing I have done to it is follow use instructions and put a small amount of divers silicone on pump tube .
I like the fact you can take it anywhere anytime . The only improvement I see is they could make the base bigger but then it would just be heavier and more to carry around bulk wise .
Yeah, I was thinking last weekend that some silicone on the tube couldn’t hurt.
(that’s what SHE said…. :lol:)
Anyway, I’m a gonna do that in about ten minutes from now, and you’re right about the base… it wouldn’t have to be too much heavier, but it would be wider.
I’m thinking of getting a piece of the same gauge steel/aluminum, or whatever the OEM spec is, and using a jig saw to re-define the footprint, so to speak. I find that I tend to lean on my dominant right foot to hold it down during those last few pumps, so maybe something that has a little more “real estate” on that side would provide more ease of use.
Mam, glad it’s working for ya. 😉
Who knows what tomorrow brings with these things, the complaints are obvious and many, but as long as mine works like it’s supposed to, I ain’t gonna slag it.
Maybe the Mods can create an “AF Hand Pump Intervention” forum for all us tin-foil-hat wearing believers. 😆 😆 😉
Well so far so good on the Airforce pump…It acted up a few times and locked up with high pressure, but finally bled itself off and has been working since….I use Gunk Plumbers Silicone grease on the shaft…Easy to find at home depot or lowes…I still have a hill pump on the way though…Would be a bad day if I had no way to powerup the rifle..
Buzzcat ,
I have had my AF hand pump for only 2 months now but I have liked the results so far . Only thing I have done to it is follow use instructions and put a small amount of divers silicone on pump tube .
I like the fact you can take it anywhere anytime . The only improvement I see is they could make the base bigger but then it would just be heavier and more to carry around bulk wise .
Got the pump working again, o-ring in the valve stuck, think it needs some cleaning and new o-rings.
Sure I’m lazy, and it would be appreciated, go ahead with contact info.
Say hi to Duane for me after AF sends you his way. I still have his contact info if you want it.
Mine lasted 3ish months. 12-15 fills. I was not abusive, I always let it cool. According to Duane (Sun Optics – the place AF told me was the Manufacturer). It was an O ring in the base assembly which is sometimes damaged during assembly. It’s a seal between two screwed together parts in the pressure chamber. If damaged it just gives out eventually. I did replace it. The pump did work but then failed again.
I was just using my pump, finished a tank took it off put another tank on that is completely empty, pumped a couple 3 times and the pump is holding the air in, guess I’m going to have to call air force and see if there is an easy fix, only used this particular pump, about three times, very dissapointed, since I take all the care in the world, due to the bad rep these punps have.
mamcrackin I feel your pain. When air becomes scarce It can get people agitated 👿 Get another pump fast before your air force pump takes a dump. When you get your new pump send the air force pump in under warranty [I think they have a year warranty] and keep it as a back up. I have so little faith in the air force pump if I got a new one I would not feel right selling it to someone. Good luck on your new pump.
Thanks SilentS. I am on the hunt for another pump….It would really harsh my mellow if this pump quits before I get another one…
My air force pump lasted I think about 3 months before the o-ring went out. I replaced it and it worked on and off for another two months before another o-ring went out. I replaced that one but I stripped the adaptor so I threw the pump in the trash and bought an axsor logun pump which works better than the air force. I was using my pump every other day. I would not buy another air force pump.
good luck. Hill has the reputation, but if my example is any indication, the reputation for long life may not be deserved. Will give it credit for easy disassembly and solid construction; this one’s problems my be the exception but do be aware that exceptions exist.
Hills have a few “quirks”. The pump kind of works backwards as the handle and the outer tube move up and down (other pumps have the handle and inner tube moving up and down). This means there isn’t a great way of picking a Hill up…if you grab the handle or the external tube to lift it, it just slides up. Can figure out a way of latching the base to the tube, but even with that, will bend over to pick it up by the base (or bend over to attach the latch and then pick it up).
They tend to bleed off the air a bit slower than other pumps. Not really a problem, except that quick “burst” of a bleed off tends to blow out the collected moisture.
The Hill may move a little bit more air per stroke, but it’s balanced by the strokes being a little bit harder…no “free lunch”.
On all of the pumps tried so far, the base’s “feet” are too small. Standing with your feet that close together makes pumping harder. Attach the feet to a larger base (1/2″ ply wood works) so your balnace and stance are a bit better for the work to be done (would you put both feet nearly together to life your couch?). For my height and leg length, making the base a bit thicker (to raise the pump a couple of inches) really helps….seems to be issued the right height for a guy about 5″ 8″ tall. this does nothing for portability, it’s a “use at home” kind of thing.
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One more update. My talon SS tank had 2700 lbs in it as per the AF pump gauge…When I got the hill pump, the gauge showed 2500lbs….Had to put in about 20 strokes to bring it to 2700lbs….Just info that’s all….