Author Topic: My puncher breaker broke and not where you're expecting (Read 2401 times))

Geronimo · « **on:** May 30, 2017, 09:46:14 AM »

I recently acquired a tuned and regulated puncher breaker .22. Ive really enjoyed getting to know this little shooter since the fun shoot. Yesterday I was checking zero before a squirrel hunt and the firing cycle sounded different beside my ear from what I was used to. A couple more shots and then suddenly nothing. It will cock and sling hammer like normal but no air is released. I had a pellet in the chamber and 2500 psi in the tank. &^^&. Got the pellet cleared and started to degas with SCBA tank. When I got it to 2k the valve dumped all remaining pressure at once through the barrel. Well that makes diagnosis easier, it's definitely the valve. So I disassembled the gun and got the valve block separated from the action. The poppet/valve stem was sitting flush with the face of the valve. Took the valve apart and removed to poppet/valve stem and spring. Uh oh, there's still a piece flush with the face and it wont budge. Tapped it out and sanded for proper fit. Put poppet/valve stem and spring back in to discover that it's not long enough to extend past valve face even with the extra piece in place. So I'm thinking my poppet/valve stem busted into pieces and a small piece (the difference I'm short) exited the barrel the last time it fired. So my question is has anyone else been in the valve of there pb? Is the poppet/valve stem supposed to be 2 pieces? If not, where do I get a replacement? Can someone make one from a tougher metal? I was really enjoying this little bull pup and I'm happy with the accuracy and power. I was really looking forward to getting a few squirrel this weekend with it but the marauder got the nod when the pb had to be pulled from the line up.

SilentMatt · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2017, 04:38:06 PM »

I'll pull one apart shortly and get pics for you, it's been a while since I've had mine apart and I don't remember what it looked like. Of course a stronger one can be made... : )

Geronimo · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2017, 05:12:29 PM »

thanks for the offer but another member contacted me earlier and answered my questions. don't take your rifle apart if you don't have to, it's definitely not supposed to be 2 pieces and if a replacement cant be found then I'll need to get one made. it appears to have broken at the o-ring groove so if you do have yours apart, check the stem in that area for fatigue. mine is running 30 fpe regulated in .22 so it's not being overpowered but the top of the stem had been deformed from hammer strikes. this may be something you need to add to your manufacturing list. I cant imagine I'll be the only one with this issue. I'm generally good to my equipment. wood stocks should stay away from me but the rest of my stuff stays looking new. I bet those that are pushing higher power will have this happen sooner than later. I think the valve stem/poppet stuck because it was deformed and the air pressure bent/broke the stem when it couldn't move forward. I might be better off to get one made from something stronger so I only have to disassemble once more or maybe I got a bad part that didn't receive the proper heat treating. who knows but thanks again for the help

SilentMatt · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2017, 05:19:38 PM »

Can you post a pic of your broken one?

SilentMatt · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2017, 05:23:01 PM »

This is out of the test gun from WAR, it was pretty much apart anyway. I'll have to take a look at mine, I was pushing 46 fpe but tuned it down to 41.

Geronimo · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2017, 05:24:55 PM »

I'm trying but it's telling me my file is too large. I'll figure it out, hang tight

rkr · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2017, 05:38:43 PM »

Valve stem braking at the o-ring groove is no news in these designs. Sometimes the tip mushrooms and jams in the valve block nose (had that happen). The easy cure is to make a valve without o-ring groove in the stem. The more complicated cure is to modify the valve block to have the o-ring with non grooved stem.

Geronimo · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2017, 06:03:19 PM »

sounds like a custom made one will be better for my situation. I'm not pushing big power and feel it was a weak part that caused the failure. maybe I can get one that's hard enough not to deform from hammer strike. still cant get a pic to load, says my file is too large. I'll try again after work. thanks for all of the replies, help, and knowledge. hopefully I can do something with it

Geronimo · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2017, 12:10:28 AM »

Still cant get pictures to work for me so if you'd like to see pics of the broken stem, just pm me and I'll get them to you.

Gertrude · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2017, 12:59:30 AM »

I have a buddy with a new KPB in .25 that has probably less than 500 rounds through it and this past Saturday experienced the same symptoms described here. I want to thank you for making this post, and will reply back when we verify if this is the same issue.
So my question is,... has Kral addressed this as a common problem ?
do they offer a fix, or upgraded poppet ?
Thanks

SilentMatt · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2017, 01:10:16 AM »

As far as I know, they haven't addressed it, or the broken charging handles, or the broken sears....

rkr · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2017, 01:16:15 AM »

Quote from: SilentMatt on May 31, 2017, 01:10:16 AM

As far as I know, they haven't addressed it, or the broken charging handles, or the broken sears....

The same valve stem problem has been plaguing Evanix guns (the same basic design) for years and they have yet to fix it. It's a problem with the design and it looks like these companies are not able/willing to fix it. All it takes is to make a screw off cap for the valve housing nose that has o-ring inside but I guess it would cost too much to alter that in production.

triggertreat · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2017, 01:31:36 AM »

Justin, I remember checking out a PB at the fun shoot and there was only one so I assume it was yours. That is a beautiful gun and hope you get it back working soon. Thanks for letting me check it out. Again assuming it was yours. Sorry, I met a lot of people and checked out many guns, but do remember that gun well because not only was it beautiful but also it had a solid feel and I remember stating that it had similar weight to my Marauder.

Geronimo · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2017, 03:42:46 PM »

it was Jeremy's (Smaug) until the very end. I was the guy with the loud big bore. I'm sure he was as open for others to check it out as he was with me. I originally wanted a synthetic .25 but after shooting it I had to have it so we worked a trade. still might have to get a .25. it is a wonderful rifle. I made a couple changes to make it mine. I also changed the trigger spring that rides on the trigger linkage with a lighter one I had and it made the trigger amazing. it's not marauder awesome but not far behind. I recommend every pb owner to change that spring for a much lighter trigger. I'm really enjoying being more accurate offhand. I wish I'd tried a bullpup sooner since I hunt some rough terrain in eastern Kentucky. I'm looking forward to getting it fixed so I can start counting squirrels with it. if you see me at a shoot just ask and I'll gladly let anyone shoot it.

Xraycer · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2017, 04:04:20 PM »

Quote from: Geronimo on May 31, 2017, 12:10:28 AM

Still cant get pictures to work for me so if you'd like to see pics of the broken stem, just pm me and I'll get them to you.

Try this site to get your picture posted on this forum...you don't need to be a registered member to use it.
www.tinypic.com

Geronimo · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2017, 05:02:46 PM »

I think this might work but I'm lucky to get my login correct for this forum let alone upload anything!

Xraycer · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2017, 05:36:26 PM »

Quote from: Geronimo on May 31, 2017, 05:02:46 PM

I think this might work but I'm lucky to get my login correct for this forum let alone upload anything!

As I said you don't need to be registered or login. Just clicked on the green upload Now button.

Old Corps · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2017, 06:41:34 PM »

D*m*, I really hate to see this! I'm just getting the cocking lever problem taken care of (mine broke with stock power and gentle use) and now I'll be waiting for the valve to take a dump.

At least the 2nd time I saw this posted. I really love the thing. Very accurate and outstanding shot count. Just a shame they used junk parts and as far as I've seen NO aftermarket support.

So thankful for the talented craftsman on this forum! Without 'em my PB Marine would be going to the land fill........ $:-\$

Ed

Rich_B · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2017, 09:26:12 PM »

So, I'm going to assume that this valve is shared in the Mega and Pro also? I was thinking about the Pro, but I think if they all share the same valve, I might look elsewhere.

Old Corps · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2017, 11:01:54 PM »

Quote from: Rich_B on May 31, 2017, 09:26:12 PM

So, I'm going to assume that this valve is shared in the Mega and Pro also? I was thinking about the Pro, but I think if they all share the same valve, I might look elsewhere.

I'm sure they're the same.

At this point in time I'd advise anybody to look elsewhere.

Ed

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My puncher breaker broke and not where you're expecting

Author Topic: My puncher breaker broke and not where you're expecting (Read 2401 times))