The received wisdom says don’t do it because it is bad.

The experience of many says it’s fine.

It’s a bit like the 70s/80s discussions about using the scope as a carrying handle. Received wisdom: bad. Actual evidence of breaking a scope by doing it: not clear.

I’d also note that plastics can become brittle over time, and Innovas are not getting any younger.

And all scopes are precision optical instruments and deserve respect and, within reason, cosseting. Maybe less of an issue with a mil-spec ACOG, but definitely a valid concern with a typical airgun scope on tip-off mounts on an 11mm dovetail.

My own take on pumping pumpers, scoped or not, beyond very light charging (say 1-3 pumps on a typical 8-10 pump max rifle), which avoids this issue is as follows:

- sit down or take a knee; assuming right-handed, left knee up, right down;

- assuming right handed, hold the top end of the barrel/pump tube assembly in your left hand, with the top of the rifle facing left and the bottom facing right;

- place the top of the butt into the left instep; if sitting, close the right instep on it to secure it firmly (though by no means essential);

- pump away to your heart’s content with the right hand.

Almost any bit of gun administration that is fiddly, annoying etc when standing or prone becomes easy and convenient when you kneel or sit down.