The unfortunate truth about most guns, airguns included, is that they do much more sitting around than they do being used. This is really the story with most tools. You need it when you need it, and you don’t when you don’t. What you expect, and rightfully so, is that the tool will be ready to use the next time you need it. 

The Advantages are Many

With traditional air rifles, that is to say single stroke spring or gas piston rifles, this is not really a point of contention.  Leave it un-cocked and unloaded when not in use and load it up when you are ready. But as time goes on, springers are losing ground to pre-charged pneumatic air rifles. With this in mind, Umarex created the Komplete NCR Nitrogen cartridge powered air rifle.  The Komplete is a PCP rifle, but instead of a permanent tank, the Komplete can be used with a re-filled 32g NitroAir cartridge. 

The advantages are obvious. The Komplete is inherently accurate, easy to use, and powerful enough for small game hunting or pest control.  That said, the number one question we get in regard to the Komplete and its NitroAir cartridges is, “How long can I leave the cartridge in the gun?” Right behind that question is, “How does cold weather affect this air gun.”

Drumroll, Please

Yes! Yes, you can install either a full PCP style tank or a NitroAir cartridge and leave the gun ready to shoot (NOT loaded with ammo) for when you need it. While this blog is centered on the Komplete series of air rifles, however, this same information applies to other PCP and NitroAir compatible air rifles too.  

Also, with air or NitroAir PCP style guns, you will experience minimal effect to ambient temperature. Unlike CO2 powered airguns, N2 or PCP style air rifles aren’t affected by temperature.  You will get full power when you need full power. 

If you’ve been on the fence about giving the Komplete NCR or any PCP rifle a try, don’t let concerns about losing air stop you!