The present device is a launcher for a projectile, comprising an enclosure that is adapted to be held by a human hand. The enclosure comprises a barrel aperture, a pump aperture, and a trigger aperture. The launcher further comprises a pump assembly that comprises a pump piston traversing the pump aperture. The pump piston is configured to be actuated by a user and can be reciprocated in and out of a pump cylinder. The launcher comprises a compression chamber in fluid communication with the piston cylinder through a check valve that only allows air to pass from within the piston cylinder into the compression chamber. The launcher comprises a trigger that opens the compression chamber and sends compressed air into a barrel that can have a projectile stored therein. The trigger is configured to be manually operated by a user. The barrel is in fluid communication with the compression chamber through a trigger valve. The compact design allows for direct fluid communication between the pump assembly, the compression chamber, and the barrel.