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…
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Air Venturi Ascent
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