AirForce Top Hat Broke

[Steelontarget]

I had just finished tweaking the Condor SS and the pressure was down to about 2000 psi.  So I decided to fire a few more shots for fun.  I got off about 5-6 shots when, on the last shot, the slug stayed in the barrel and the tank dumped all of the pressure.

I discovered that the rear part of the top hat assembly cracked.  Please see the attached photos.

I sent an e-mail to AirForce yesterday.  So they can, hopefully, send me another part quickly.

That top hat assembly has always been a source of frustration for me.  The darn thing is always loosening up and I have to tighten everything back up again.

I'm thinking of putting some Vibra-Tite on the threads of the valve stem after I get the new part so everything stays secure.  I haven't experienced this problem with the TalonP - YET.

The set screws that held the top hat on the Talon SS kept loosening. So put Vibra-Tite on them and they have stayed in place ever since.

Has anyone else experienced this problem?  If so, what are your thoughts.

[Back_Roads]

 I have not had any of those issues, probably because I have spares on hand 

[Steelontarget]

I have not had any of those issues, probably because I have spares on hand 

That is a mechanical law that has stood the test of time.  If one has lots of spare parts available, then those parts will never break or need replacing.