Hill’s PCP filling/maintenance kit

Every time I visit the BEST FITTINGS website or talk to owner Richard Bingham, there always seems to be something new and of interest. With development and running the fast growing and popular company for the PCP shooter, he admits some newly developed kit isn’t immediately put up on the website due to time restraints.

What You Got?

Richard asked me what I needed, so I opted to fulfil my personal needs but all products featured you will probably need if you run a PCP. The Pump Service Kits have proved very popular, as all components are made to high tolerances and O-rings, seals and machined components made from the best materials. Also, comprehensive and easy to follow DIY instructions are supplied.

My Hills MKI – III Pump was becoming ‘tired’ to say the least, so the appropriate Service Kit was first on the agenda, Richard assuring me they aren’t difficult to fit. He wasn’t wrong as after fitting the service pack (which anybody can do) my pump is back up to speed and I’m certainly more likely to use it now for tops ups than before. The job took me 30-minutes, easy and no dramas.

In-Line

The Universal in-line Pump Filter is manufactured from high grade brass, measures 2 ½” long including the 1/8” BSP connector. On the MkI it’s recommended you screw it directly into the pump’s outlet at the base; at the other side it has a 1/8” BSP female thread connection point. Use the 1/8” to 18” BSP adaptor from BF to fit an air-line of choice. The range of hoses they now supply seems endless but for this, Richard recommended an HD Ultima Micro Bore Fill Line (1/8” BSP female end fittings), so everything would flow smoothly and the heavy-duty outer is more suited for pump use and doesn’t restrict the micro bore inner it protects.

The 90° Fill Line End Fitting used is an obvious choice as anybody who fills PCP’s regularly will know how awkward it can be when trying to operate a pump and check the gauges of pump and rifle as well as keeping the gun in the optimum position. A simple component as this is a godsend!

As for the Inline Filter - when stirrup pumps for charging PCPs first came onto the scene there were no particle filters fitted internally!  Often as not they were an external, optional extra and very much an afterthought. So in that respect both are already priceless additions to my filling kit. You’ll probably need an extra pack of 1/8” Bonded Seal Washers (£2.50) but they’re certainly no bank breakers and ensure an air tight seal throughout any filling system.

I can’t fault anything I’ve used in this test and feel PCP users including myself are lucky to have a specialised company such as BEST FITTINGS serving our needs.

FOR - Well built, innovative and cost effective
AGAINST - Nothing at all
VERDICT - BEST FITTINGS once again impress with practical products