Author Topic: Flyng Dragon PCP Air Tube Failure (Read 170098 times))

vigilandy · « **Reply #200 on:** October 06, 2015, 11:21:49 AM »

Thanks for your analysis Bob. This one will remain dismantled pending further information. I have two others to measure when I can find the time - for now I've got them degassed.

When I purchased these FDPCP I knew they were homebrew tinker guns. I didn't expect catastrophic failure, but was open to the possibility that they could be poor shooters and/or mechanicaly flawed. If it turns out I need to scrap all three guns, I'm okay with that. Them's the breaks.

I do hope others will share their own measurements. I'm no Snowden but in this case I do believe additional information and open communication will be helpful to all involved.

nervoustrigger · « **Reply #201 on:** October 06, 2015, 11:44:46 AM »

Andy, just FYI that in the next day or two I intend to measure the matte-tubed FD PCP that you sent me. I'll report back when I do.

Gertrude · « **Reply #202 on:** October 06, 2015, 01:42:53 PM »

I've not measured mine, but I did take the extended tube off and go back to the original shorter factory tube. ( this is due to I bottled mine using a custom machined block).
My factory tube, ( originally for the Co2 carts), fit the receiver very well with no noticible sloppy/wobbly thread engagement.

vigilandy · « **Reply #203 on:** October 06, 2015, 03:31:48 PM »

Thanks Jason. I really miss shooting my .22 FDPCP -- that's the one with the matte black tube (ordered at the same time as the one you have Jason) and will try to find the time to inspect it. It's one of my favorites. I took many Starlings with it last winter. I have a .22 Disco as well. You would think that's comparable, but I for some reason the FDPCP just feels better in my hands.

@Ron- I like the idea of bottled FDPCP. Could run it at low pressure and still get pretty good power.

Gertrude · « **Reply #204 on:** October 06, 2015, 06:39:56 PM »

Quote from: vigilandy on October 06, 2015, 03:31:48 PM

@Ron- I like the idea of bottled FDPCP. Could run it at low pressure and still get pretty good power.

I guess it might not be exactally correct or right to still call mine a "FD-PCP"... since I have removed the longer tube installed by Mike, and replaced it with Block and Bottle now. I suppose it might be more accurately described as a "Baby Bottled PCP XS60C" now.

either way, I'm did find that the original tube fit the receiver a bit better than the extended tube did, so I got lucky in that aspect. then toss on the bottle and we end up with a 1800psi fill that is giving a fairly decent spread in the 900-920 fps range, pushing 14'3's for around 35-40 shots. Yay !
Can't wait to see what it will do with a little bigger bottle,... and may even try a regged 13/3000 Ninja later on, but for now, I'm pretty happy with the results.

Here's how it is currently set up.

Taso1000 · « **Reply #205 on:** October 06, 2015, 09:50:48 PM »

Hi all,

I have two of these rifles. I have one rifle apart that I wanted to refinish. For what it's worth I am using a $20 digital caliper also. The receiver measures .8305 and the glossy reservoir tube seems to have tapered threads. At the end of the tube I measure .8480 and not counting the last two threads I measure .8585. I do have wobble all the way till the tube is either hitting the washer seat, no washer installed, inside of the receiver or the unthreaded part of the tube is seating against the receiver.

I've had the rifle apart many times and the receiver tube wobble has always been disconcerting but I thought that's how it was supposed to be.

Is my rifle safe?

Thank you all in advance.

I will post the second rifle's measurements as soon as I have it apart.

Taso

rsterne · « **Reply #206 on:** October 06, 2015, 11:42:58 PM »

Your tube is barely within tolerance at the big end, and way undersize at the small end.... The receiver measures within the tolerance range.... I would contact Mike and give him the dimensions and ask him if it is safe to use or not.... and what you should do about it....

Bob

Taso1000 · « **Reply #207 on:** October 07, 2015, 12:31:01 AM »

So I pulled apart rifle #2. Receiver measures .841 and the tube measures .849 on the end and .8575 towards the center of the tube measured two threads in from last.

I will shoot these numbers over to Mike and see what he says. God knows I've bugged him with a million questions and he has been more than patient and helpful. I have 5 of his rifles and am very happy with all of them.

Thanks,

Taso

rsterne · « **Reply #208 on:** October 07, 2015, 12:36:23 AM »

The tube is once again undersized, and the receiver seems oversized as well (assuming that 0.841" isn't a typo).... I definitely wouldn't use that combination, that is only 0.008" difference in diameters, or only 0.004" per side.... Seems a VERY loose fit to me....

Bob

Taso1000 · « **Reply #209 on:** October 07, 2015, 12:48:51 AM »

Yeah, I double checked the measurements before I posted them. I haven't used that rifle a lot. I bought it after I liked the first one. I detuned it to around 500fps with 7.4gr pellets at an 1100 psi starting fill. Power adjuster all the way out and coils cut off striker spring. It shot forever almost and was quiet. So I left it at that and wanted to strip the first rifle's receiver and reservoir tube and paint with Aluma Hyde II. I haven't been able to decide on clear coat or natural aluminum for the receiver. So it's all apart in a box.

Thanks,

Taso

mikeiniowa · « **Reply #210 on:** October 07, 2015, 08:58:33 AM »

The remains of the rifle are at the Iowa State testing lab, would be nice if the tube was included but that appears to be lost. Initial tests shows that the rifle had what apprears to be a hard hit during shipping...waiting on futher testing of metal to confirm if that is what happened or not...when the tube shows up that will tell what happened...I think there is more to this than meets the eye

Taso1000 · « **Reply #211 on:** October 07, 2015, 10:24:16 AM »

Thanks Mike!

Taso

rsterne · « **Reply #212 on:** October 07, 2015, 12:37:37 PM »

Quote

the rifle had what apprears to be a hard hit during shipping

Mike, thanks for joining the discussion.... It is nice to see that you are striving to get to the bottom of this incident....

Bob

Sfttailrdr46 · « **Reply #213 on:** October 07, 2015, 08:06:06 PM »

Quote from: rsterne on October 07, 2015, 12:37:37 PM

Quote
the rifle had what apprears to be a hard hit during shipping

Mike, thanks for joining the discussion.... It is nice to see that you are striving to get to the bottom of this incident....

Bob

I will second what Bob just posted

Airgunner66 · « **Reply #214 on:** November 05, 2015, 11:05:21 AM »

From what I have seen and heard, I like the AirForce airguns that have the tank as a butt stock. I really don't want that tank right against my face, let alone the tube PCP mentioned in this thread is more than a cause for concern. But most all hobbies have their dangers.
Glad your ok and hope you have or will get it figured out.

GoneShootn · « **Reply #215 on:** November 05, 2015, 12:11:27 PM »

Well, I, for one, will be sticking with the major manufacturers. Not high-end, necessarily, but major, like Benjamin and Hatsan, which are what I have now.

I think I will also be investigating tunes at no more than 180 bar, or about 2600 psi.

Oimmuk · « **Reply #216 on:** November 05, 2015, 12:31:40 PM »

while I am sorry for the loss of your Air Rifle, I am sitting here wondering why anyone would charge a thin wall air chamber to "1K5" and then transport it in any conveyance other than a slow moving ATV or some such, which is NOT going highway speeds or driven in or near any place where there is any other people. You indicated you hope your neighbor does not find it with his mower so I think I can safely assume you were not in some heavily driven roadway. I am just concerned that we sometimes take things for granted and that we as a group of enthusiast should exercise more caution. I do not know this OP or anything about them, I can and do assume they are quite the responsible user and follows all safety precautions, and more then likely have never had another incident with this rifle or with any other rifle of this sort. I just come at this from an understanding of how air pressure can and does effect things, having worked with air pressure systems before, namely in Trucking industry. I do not trust any container unless it has been checked out completely. Repeated pressurizations can and do weaken metals, and though I am not familiar with this PCP rifle, I am leery of using any pressure close to what it is rated for...just my cautionary nature.

Well, all this being said I would like to stress that this is not a criticizing of the OP at all, and if it sounds as such I beg forgiveness as this was not my intent, I am just stating my opinions here.

datilD · « **Reply #217 on:** November 05, 2015, 02:19:57 PM »

My FD PCP recently developed a slow leak, and I only filled it when I wanted to shoot it. It has been an accurate shooter, and my son and I have had fun with it. However, I am going to err on the side of caution, and neither of us will be using it. After reading through this topic from beginning to end, I think that I will release the air and put this up on a shelf for long term storage. I won't have a hard time scrapping it if more safety issues turn up.

AlanB · « **Reply #218 on:** November 05, 2015, 04:16:18 PM »

THIS IS NOT AGAINST MIKE- HE do not make the guns might get stuck with some lawyers on his door step-

Not worth the hassle to sell these 'Me thinks' but I am wrong much, and often according to the masses

just another reason why I would not buy cheap china made guns-
WOW this could have ended up sooo bad and maybe deadly to wife- in the car just sitting there-

makes me want to go back to PB weps. after hearing and seeing the things that pass for GOOD enough in PCP air guns, WOW so glad no one was KILLED or hurt

cosmic · « **Reply #219 on:** November 05, 2015, 04:24:53 PM »

Need to find a metal detectorist in the area.. Post for help doing that on treasurenet or findmall and I'm sure some locals will help no charge...

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Flyng Dragon PCP Air Tube Failure

Author Topic: Flyng Dragon PCP Air Tube Failure (Read 170098 times))