The Air Venturi Ascent Built-In Pump PCP

The Air Venturi Ascent is a new version of the built-in pump PCP air rifle. It was formally announced just a few days ago at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

The Ascent is a PCP air rifle that never runs out of air. It achieves this feat through the built-in High Pressure Air pump that’s an integral part of the gun. That large grip in front of the trigger is the pump handle.

Yes, the Ascent can be pumped-up by hand from empty. But that’s not really where it shines.

The real benefit of the Ascent is found if the gun is filled with HPA first from a compressor or tank. Then – after firing the gun – take a few quick pumps to top-up the pressure and fire again. Pump three or four times more and fire again. And so on.

Operated in this way, this built-in pump PCP air rifle can be permanently kept full of High Pressure Air. You could say that it has an effectively limitless HPA capacity. It never runs out of air!

This overcomes the inevitable air anxiety (“Do I have enough air?”) that every PCP owner has experienced at one time or another. This “infinite shot count” is a massive Value Proposition that is pretty-well un-matched by any other air rifle in current production.

The downside is an increase in bulk and weight. But not that much. The Ascent’s weight is still just around 8 Lbs 7 Oz.

If operated in the intended manner, described above, there’s effectively no shot curve to consider – even though there’s no regulator and the HPA tube capacity is just 170 cc.

Power levels are good, too. Air Venturi specs call for up to 27 Ft/Lbs in .177 caliber. You can make that 38 Ft/Lbs in .22 caliber and up to 50 Ft/Lbs in .25 cal.

All-in-all the Ascent makes a compelling for the plinker and hunter who fears straying too far from a tank or compressor HPA source.

In fact, the Ascent is a “Gen 2” version of an air rifle that first appeared at the 2017 IWA OutdoorClassics Show. It came to market in the US branded as the American Tactical Nova Freedom.

HAM reviewed the Nova Freedom back in 2018 and liked it a lot. It earned a Gold Award on test with a score of 88%. Later it was marketed as the Seneca Aspen.

So the Ascent is a product improved version with enhanced internals. Yet it’s still a revolutionary concept!

And I’ll make another comment. In 2018, the American Tactical Nova Freedom was good value selling at $380, plus scope.

In 2026, the Seneca Ascent is selling at Airgun Depot for just $299 including a 4 x 32 scope and rings. That’s a price reduction of more than 20% – in spite of inflation, exchange rate changes, yes and tariffs too. Wow!

Currently, the Airgun Depot website is projecting availability in early May, 2026. I can’t wait…

BUY FROM AIRGUN DEPOT
Air Venturi Ascent​

The post The Air Venturi Ascent Built-In Pump PCP appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[Billm]

At first, I thought: no thanks. But after your explanation, I see the value in such a rifle. I definitely could see this as an option for a survivalist/prepper option. I could see it as an option for someone that doesn’t have access to their own compressor, but does have access to their friends or grandpas compressor.

 

[hameditor]

At first, I thought: no thanks. But after your explanation, I see the value in such a rifle. I definitely could see this as an option for a survivalist/prepper option. I could see it as an option for someone that doesn’t have access to their own compressor, but does have access to their friends or grandpas compressor.

Agreed. You have some good use cases there for the Ascent.

 

[Doc Holiday]

I wish it had open sights. Pumpers just should come with them. For the main use or as a back up. Just me

 

[Jaabaa]

Wow, the way you put it. A little different perspective than what I expected.
It would be a servivalst type of use.
It's a Gen 1 so I'd like to see more YouTube Field results before I'd commit.
And it's not unattractive.
Thanks

 

[Pumacarl]

I would just really like to see one of these work out. Hopefully, they finally got it right. Every pcp I own can hold air for a long time, I have never seen a pumper that could. If it can do that, it will be a winner in my book, regardless of how long the pump actually works.

 

[Billm]

I wish it had open sights. Pumpers just should come with them. For the main use or as a back up. Just me

Yes, agreed. When you look at the potential uses for this rifle, a built in fiber optic sight would seem a perfect fit.

 

[Billm]

Personally, I think it’s kind of pugly. But, so am I and my wife still feels I’m worth keeping around .

 

[Pumacarl]

Personally, I think it’s kind of pugly. But, so am I and my wife still feels I’m worth keeping around .

Bad vision and poor hearing; keeping people together forever! LOL!

 

[hameditor]

Wow, the way you put it. A little different perspective than what I expected.
It would be a servivalst type of use.
It's a Gen 1 so I'd like to see more YouTube Field results before I'd commit.
And it's not unattractive.
Thanks

Well - as I described - this is definitely not a Gen 1 thing. It's been around for many years in different forms. This is the latest and greatest version. I hope to make a HAM review once it becomes available.

 

[Murfdurf82]

I hope what I see around the pump handle is a lock that doesn't malfunction as the Aspen and Freedom did on one and the other two feel like they are one cheap plastic piece slipping and locking it close. Fix that a long with the higher pressure and an extra 120 cc more air than the Aspen and Freedom and I'm in love. .....oh I hope they kept the adjustable hammer spring and allen hole in the stock Those are my thoughts as an owner of the previous generation. A bonus would be the fill connection where a person could tether but that's lowest on the list in my opinion. I'm excited to see it!!!!

 

[duchunter007]

Very interesting concept of an airgun!

 

[PapaT]

I hope what I see around the pump handle is a lock that doesn't malfunction as the Aspen and Freedom did on one and the other two feel like they are one cheap plastic piece slipping and locking it close. Fix that a long with the higher pressure and an extra 120 cc more air than the Aspen and Freedom and I'm in love. .....oh I hope they kept the adjustable hammer spring and allen hole in the stock Along with the ability to adjust the regulator with out a tear down. Those are my thoughts as an owner of the previous generation. A bonus would be the fill connection where a person could tether but that's lowest on the list in my opinion. I'm excited to see it!!!!

From what I have seen with the release announcements:
- There is a lock.
- Adjustable hammer spring
- no regulator
- definitely is a fill connection, so tethering should be possible
- caliber change in 5 minutes (or less)

I remember this being announced at IWA last year, in its Nova wrapper, by HAM. I am also excited to test this, although cautiously so. I am still feeling the chronic disappointment of my OmniStorm.

 

[Murfdurf82]

From what I have seen with the release announcements:
- There is a lock.
- Adjustable hammer spring
- no regulator
- definitely is a fill connection, so tethering should be possible
- caliber change in 5 minutes (or less)

I remember this being announced at IWA last year, in its Nova wrapper, by HAM. I am also excited to test this, although cautiously so. I am still feeling the chronic disappointment of my OmniStorm.

I was thinking about the liberty, when I mentioned regulator adjustment, that's my fault. The Aspen/freedom have a fill connection but it's just above the pump handle so the handle would have to be extended out to use it tethered, if the fill port is moved that would be the bee's knee's!

 

[PapaT]

I was thinking about the liberty, when I mentioned regulator adjustment, that's my fault. The Aspen/freedom have a fill connection but it's just above the pump handle so the handle would have to be extended out to use it tethered, if the fill port is moved that would be the bee's knee's!

From PA listing, this photo shows the spot for the fill port:

 

[Murfdurf82]

From PA listing, this photo shows the spot for the fill port:View attachment 19056

That's awesome, I'm sold. I'm probably just going to buy one now. I need to sale some of my collection first before I buy anything else, I told the girlfriend as such. Well at least I have some time!

 

[Waytoomany]

The Air Venturi Ascent is a new version of the built-in pump PCP air rifle. It was formally announced just a few days ago at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

The Ascent is a PCP air rifle that never runs out of air. It achieves this feat through the built-in High Pressure Air pump that’s an integral part of the gun. That large grip in front of the trigger is the pump handle.

Yes, the Ascent can be pumped-up by hand from empty. But that’s not really where it shines.

The real benefit of the Ascent is found if the gun is filled with HPA first from a compressor or tank. Then – after firing the gun – take a few quick pumps to top-up the pressure and fire again. Pump three or four times more and fire again. And so on.

Operated in this way, this built-in pump PCP air rifle can be permanently kept full of High Pressure Air. You could say that it has an effectively limitless HPA capacity. It never runs out of air!

This overcomes the inevitable air anxiety (“Do I have enough air?”) that every PCP owner has experienced at one time or another. This “infinite shot count” is a massive Value Proposition that is pretty-well un-matched by any other air rifle in current production.

The downside is an increase in bulk and weight. But not that much. The Ascent’s weight is still just around 8 Lbs 7 Oz.

If operated in the intended manner, described above, there’s effectively no shot curve to consider – even though there’s no regulator and the HPA tube capacity is just 170 cc.

Power levels are good, too. Air Venturi specs call for up to 27 Ft/Lbs in .177 caliber. You can make that 38 Ft/Lbs in .22 caliber and up to 50 Ft/Lbs in .25 cal.

All-in-all the Ascent makes a compelling for the plinker and hunter who fears straying too far from a tank or compressor HPA source.

In fact, the Ascent is a “Gen 2” version of an air rifle that first appeared at the 2017 IWA OutdoorClassics Show. It came to market in the US branded as the American Tactical Nova Freedom.

HAM reviewed the Nova Freedom back in 2018 and liked it a lot. It earned a Gold Award on test with a score of 88%. Later it was marketed as the Seneca Aspen.

So the Ascent is a product improved version with enhanced internals. Yet it’s still a revolutionary concept!

And I’ll make another comment. In 2018, the American Tactical Nova Freedom was good value selling at $380, plus scope.

In 2026, the Seneca Ascent is selling at Airgun Depot for just $299 including a 4 x 32 scope and rings. That’s a price reduction of more than 20% – in spite of inflation, exchange rate changes, yes and tariffs too. Wow!

Currently, the Airgun Depot website is projecting availability in early May, 2026. I can’t wait…

BUY FROM AIRGUN DEPOT​

Air Venturi Ascent​

The post The Air Venturi Ascent Built-In Pump PCP appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

I like the concept and came close to buying the Aspen but was ultimately turned off by negative reports concerning the built in pump. In theory one can find the sweet spot pressure for a chosen pellet and keep it there as if it were tethered. But I will hold off buying the Ascent until I am sure the Aspen/Nova problems don’t carry over to this one. Oh, it also has to be accurate! I look forward to you testing it.

Waytoomany

 

[Rick64]

This could be my next pumper. I like the idea that it'll shoot like a regulated gun because you can keep shooting at full pressure.

 

[Waytoomany]

I like the concept and came close to buying the Aspen but was ultimately turned off by negative reports concerning the built in pump. In theory one can find the sweet spot pressure for a chosen pellet and keep it there as if it were tethered. But I will hold off buying the Ascent until I am sure the Aspen/Nova problems don’t carry over to this one. Oh, it also has to be accurate! I look forward to you testing it.

Waytoomany

Cheap scopes keep being packaged with new offerings. They usually wind up in the discard drawer. But maybe some will survive on low recoiling PCP’s.

 

[PapaT]

Cheap scopes keep being packaged with new offerings. They usually wind up in the discard drawer. But maybe some will survive on low recoiling PCP’s.

Can replace its cheap pack in scope with one from your junk drawer.