What makes a pcp a pcp?

In a NZ context, especially with regards to NZ firearms laws, I think BC_Clark has summed it up well when he says:

"They did not want the complication of power testing airguns for a power limit, so they
simply decided that PCP's as a class are more dangerous and the rest are less dangerous.

Bottom line is, if you can fill from an external air source its a PCP. If you can't it's not."

If authorities were really serious about controlling air rifles for SAFTEY reasons, then the only logical question they should have asked was "how much FPE does it produce?'.
The only way to differentiate "safe air guns" from "unsafe air guns", is by setting a FPE limit. Simple.
It dosent matter how long or short the gun is, it dosent matter what caliber it is, it dosent matter if its a single shot or milti shot, or what the method of propulsion is.
All that matters is how much kinetic energy it can produce.

I know that dosent answer the original question of "what constitutes a PCP"...
But in its simplest terms, PCP stands for Pre Charged Pneumatic, pneumatic pertains to air OR gas's, so as soon as you load a pressurised co2 cartridge into your co2 powered air gun, you have created a "Pre Charged Pneumatic".
Same with a multi pump.

Edited by RangerPete - 06 Aug 2025 at 4:57pm

The legislation relating to PCP air rifles as it stands specifically refers to pressurised 'air'.  There is no mention of other gases such as CO2.

Yeah, definitely a PCP as it's supplied with the fill port.  I assume the pump is for top-up rather than to fully pressurise the cylinder.