Last updated: December 2026
BLACK FRIDAY DEALS ENDING SOON!
PCP starter kits up to $100 off! Complete packages ready to shoot. Check prices below!
Dear Uncle Barrel,
I’ve been reading your guides, and I’m convinced: I want to get my husband a PCP air rifle for Christmas. You’ve sold me on the accuracy, the quietness, the whole experience.
But here’s where I’m stuck: every time I think I’ve figured out what to buy, I realize there’s something else he’ll need. A pump? A tank? Special pellets? A scope? It feels like buying a printer and finding out the ink costs more than the machine.
I don’t want to give him a rifle on Christmas morning and then say “but you can’t actually shoot it until we buy more stuff.” Can you put together a complete package—everything he needs to shoot on December 25th—in the $400-600 range?
— Amanda, Tired of Hidden Costs
Amanda, I hear you. And you’re right to be frustrated.
The air rifle industry has a dirty little secret: they sell you the rifle and assume you’ll figure out the rest. A new PCP shooter opens that beautiful box on Christmas morning, marvels at their new rifle, and then realizes… they can’t shoot it. The tank is empty. They don’t have a pump. The scope needs rings. Nobody mentioned pellets.
That’s not a gift. That’s a disappointment wrapped in pretty paper.
So let’s fix it. I’m going to give you complete PCP starter kits—everything your husband needs to walk outside Christmas afternoon and start putting holes in targets. No surprises. No “oh, we also need…” moments. Just grab-and-go shooting packages that actually work.
What a Complete PCP Starter Kit Actually Needs
Before I show you specific bundles, let me explain what “complete” means for PCP shooting. Every item on this list is non-negotiable:
1. The Rifle (Obviously)
This is the easy part—and what most people stop at. But alone, a PCP rifle is just an expensive paperweight.
2. An Air Source
PCP rifles need high-pressure air (2000-3000+ PSI). You have three options:
-
Hand pump (~$50-80) — Manual labor, but complete independence. About 100-150 pumps per fill. Good exercise.
-
Scuba/carbon fiber tank (~$150-300) — Fill at a dive shop or paintball store. One tank fill gives many rifle fills.
-
Electric compressor (~$300-500) — Plug in and fill. The ultimate convenience, but expensive.
For a starter kit, hand pump is the right choice. It’s affordable, portable, and teaches new shooters exactly how PCP systems work. Your husband can upgrade to a compressor later if he gets serious.
3. A Scope (Usually)
Most PCP rifles don’t come with sights. They assume you’ll mount optics. Some kits include a scope; others don’t. I’ll note which is which.
4. Scope Rings/Mounts
The thing that holds the scope to the rifle. Often forgotten, always essential. Make sure they match the rifle’s rail (usually 11mm dovetail or Picatinny).
5. Pellets
Quality pellets make a massive difference in accuracy. Cheap pellets = frustrating groups. Budget $12-20 for a good tin.
6. Eye Protection
Non-negotiable for any shooting. $10-15 for proper ANSI-rated glasses.
7. Pellet Trap/Backstop
Unless you’re shooting into a hillside, you need something to catch pellets safely. $25-40 for a decent trap.
💡 The Hidden Cost Reality
A $350 PCP rifle actually costs $450-550 to shoot. That’s not a criticism—it’s just reality. The packages below account for ALL of it, so your total is your real total.
Complete PCP Starter Kit #1: The Value Champion
Air Venturi Avenger Complete Package — ~$550 Total
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Full Ralphie!)
The Air Venturi Avenger is the rifle that changed affordable PCP shooting. At $300-350, it competes with rifles that cost twice as much. Fully regulated. Adjustable power. Shrouded barrel for quiet operation. Sub-MOA accuracy with quality pellets.
But what makes it perfect for a starter kit is how much rifle you get for the money, leaving budget for everything else.
The Complete Bundle:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Air Venturi Avenger .22 caliber | $320 |
| Hand pump (Hill MK4 or similar) | $70 |
| UTG 3-9x40 scope + rings | $60 |
| JSB Exact .22 pellets (500 ct) | $15 |
| Shooting glasses | $12 |
| Metal pellet trap | $30 |
| TOTAL | ~$507 |
Why This Kit Works: The Avenger is the most capable rifle at this price point. It’s quiet enough for backyard shooting, accurate enough to impress experienced shooters, and adjustable enough to grow with your husband for years. He’ll never “outgrow” this rifle.
Who It’s For: Anyone who wants the best performance-per-dollar in PCP shooting. This is my default recommendation for most new PCP shooters.
Complete PCP Starter Kit #2: The Easiest Entry
Umarex Origin Complete Package — ~$500 Total
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Umarex Origin was designed specifically for PCP beginners—and it shows. This is the only rifle on my list that includes a hand pump in the box. Umarex literally thought about the “complete kit” problem and solved it at the factory.
Even better: the Origin only requires 2000 PSI to fill, compared to 3000+ PSI for most PCPs. That means less pumping (about 75 strokes vs 150) and less effort to get shooting. It’s the lowest barrier-to-entry PCP I know of.
The rifle itself is regulated (consistent velocity), has a 10-shot rotary magazine, and includes an integrated moderator for quiet operation. At 1,000 FPS with .22 pellets, it’s got real power.
The Complete Bundle:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Umarex Origin .22 (INCLUDES hand pump!) | $350 |
| UTG 3-9x40 scope + rings | $60 |
| JSB Exact .22 pellets (500 ct) | $15 |
| Shooting glasses | $12 |
| Metal pellet trap | $30 |
| TOTAL | ~$467 |
Why This Kit Works: The Origin is genuinely designed for beginners. Lower fill pressure means easier pumping. Included pump means one less thing to buy. The rifle performs well above its price point while being forgiving to new shooters.
Who It’s For: Someone who’s never shot PCP before and wants the smoothest possible introduction. Also great if you’re not sure how serious he’ll get about the hobby—it’s a complete experience at a reasonable price.
Check Umarex Origin Price on Amazon
Complete PCP Starter Kit #3: The Premium Experience
Benjamin Marauder Complete Package — ~$750 Total
Ralphie Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If your budget stretches to $700-800 and you want to give the definitive PCP experience, the Benjamin Marauder is the rifle. It’s been the benchmark for affordable PCP accuracy for over a decade, and it’s still one of the best rifles at any price.
The Marauder’s shrouded barrel is genuinely whisper-quiet—quieter than closing a car door. The hardwood stock is beautiful and adjustable for length of pull and cheek height. The trigger is excellent out of the box and adjustable if he wants to tune it.
At 50 yards, the Marauder will stack pellets into a single ragged hole with quality ammunition. This is a rifle serious airgunners choose, not just beginners.
The Complete Bundle:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Marauder .22 caliber | $550 |
| Hand pump (Hill MK4 or similar) | $70 |
| Hawke Vantage 3-9x40 scope | $80 |
| Quality scope rings | $25 |
| JSB Exact .22 pellets (500 ct) | $15 |
| Shooting glasses | $12 |
| Metal pellet trap | $30 |
| TOTAL | ~$782 |
Why This Kit Works: The Marauder is heirloom quality. Beautiful wood stock, proven accuracy, whisper-quiet operation. This is a rifle he’ll show off to friends and pass down to kids.
Who It’s For: Someone who appreciates craftsmanship and wants the best. Also ideal if he’s already expressed serious interest in air rifles—this ensures he starts at a level he won’t outgrow.
Check Marauder Price on Amazon
Quick Comparison: Which Kit Is Right?
| Kit | Total Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Avenger Package | ~$507 | Best performance per dollar |
| Origin Package | ~$467 | Easiest introduction to PCP |
| Marauder Package | ~$782 | Premium experience, heirloom quality |
Pro Tips for Christmas Morning
A few things to make the gift even better:
Pre-Fill the Rifle
If possible, fill the air tank before wrapping. Most PCP rifles ship empty. Having 30-40 shots ready to go Christmas morning means immediate gratification instead of “first I have to pump this thing 150 times.”
Mount the Scope
Pre-mounting the scope (and roughly zeroing it if you can test-fire) transforms the experience. He unwraps a ready-to-shoot rifle instead of an assembly project.
Set Up a Target Area
While he’s opening other presents, slip outside and set up the pellet trap with a few targets. When he’s ready to shoot, everything is waiting.
Shoot With Him
The best part of giving an air rifle isn’t watching someone unwrap it—it’s shooting together. Make his first session a shared experience. That’s the memory that lasts.
A Final Word for Amanda
You asked for a complete package with no hidden costs. I’ve given you three options that deliver exactly that.
But here’s what I want you to understand: you’re not just buying your husband a rifle. You’re buying him a new hobby. Saturday mornings in the backyard. The satisfaction of tight groups. The meditative ritual of pumping, loading, aiming, breathing, squeezing.
You’re buying him something that’s just his—a space where the only thing that matters is the next pellet hitting where he wants it to.
That’s a gift worth giving.
Until next time, may all your shots fly true—and may Christmas morning be everything you hope it will be.
— Uncle Barrel
Looking for other options? Check out our complete Air Rifle Christmas Gift Guide. Want to learn more about PCP vs other types? See our PCP vs Spring Air Rifles guide.
Last updated: December 2026