Flyng Dragon PCP Air Tube Failure

[stalwart]

   Correct me if I am wrong.  But this may not be the result of a poorly made Chinese product.  But a poorly manufactured American aftermarket part.

No correction needed. The evidence seen so far indicates no failure of a Chinese part.... unless you can reasonably expect a wood stock to take that kind of blast pressure.

[stalwart]

orphaned post... pls remove?

[ezman604]

I've asked before and will do so one last time ask that this thread stay on track with FACTS. Not conjecture, accusations, what would you do and so forth.
There is a problem...we have seen it and there is enough evidence available that we took the step of giving out a warning to all. Rest assured, there is more than one airgun involved here. These need to be checked....plain and simple.
We offer our knowledge on the subject for YOUR benefit. ONE person getting hurt is too many. People are going to have their opinions on our warning...on their use of any airgun...and what THEY choose to do we have no control over.
GTA has only stepped out once or twice with warnings of this type. The only other one I can recall at the moment was issued by the manufacturer and was a recall.
You and everyone else are absolutely free to do what you wish. Take whatever risks you want but we as a leader in the airgun community have an obligation to bring a potential issue to your attention.
We have done that...and I have no regrets in doing so and feel we are doing what we HAVE to do for the airgun community.
Now, let's get and keep this thread going where it was intended to go.

[Tater]

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...

I like this idea. Finding the tube might answer a lot of questions.

[ezman604]

That was one of the very first suggestions given directly to the participants.

[Ribbonstone]

No doubt that any of us could make any PCP self-destruct if we put our minds to it.  Wouldn’t have to purposely weaken any parts, just maladjusted a few things, loosen a few screws, loosen the tube, over pressure the tube, and bang it around for a while.

They don’t come with flight data recorders, so may never know what actually leads to the failure, but am pretty sure I could make any of them do something equally horrific.

Normally, would examine all the parts of the failed unit for what physical evidence is available. Busted parts do have a tale to tell about how they became busted. Without all the parts, may never know what lead to that particular failure.

Even though it is just one failure being discussed (out of how many rifles that didn’t fail…haven’t a clue how many were made/sold) it SHOULD lead to thoughts about safety.  The only thing the pictures can prove is the point of failure.  From there, we have to speculate about the mechanics of that failure.

But it is just speculation without substantiation...and like lower body orifices, we all have one.

Personally, think Elvis impersonating aliens did it.  Has just as much validity as any other speculation.

[avator]

I've asked before and will do so one last time ask that this thread stay on track with FACTS. Not conjecture, accusations, what would you do and so forth.
There is a problem...we have seen it and there is enough evidence available that we took the step of giving out a warning to all. Rest assured, there is more than one airgun involved here. These need to be checked....plain and simple.
We offer our knowledge on the subject for YOUR benefit. ONE person getting hurt is too many. People are going to have their opinions on our warning...on their use of any airgun...and what THEY choose to do we have no control over.
GTA has only stepped out once or twice with warnings of this type. The only other one I can recall at the moment was issued by the manufacturer and was a recall.
You and everyone else are absolutely free to do what you wish. Take whatever risks you want but we as a leader in the airgun community have an obligation to bring a potential issue to your attention.
We have done that...and I have no regrets in doing so and feel we are doing what we HAVE to do for the airgun community.
Now, let's get and keep this thread going where it was intended to go.

Well said.

[Ribbonstone]

Simpler:

Let a "one off" evet get your attention, but not form a firm conclusion.

[Fudgey Sycles]

Simpler:

Let a "one off" evet get your attention, but not form a firm conclusion.

I like it

[oldpro]

The fact is several have been measured for correct tolerance and are well outside safe limits and not listening to warnings posted here is plain crazy. Don't use your gun just because it hasn't happened to me attitude or because you might believe this is a isolated event. A repair or recall will happen I'm sure of it but for now please be safe and cautious its your life or someone else's that may be affected. Please pass along the very thoughtful email from Dez to anyone you know who may have one.

[stalwart]

Well put.

[ezman604]

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. In this case, these speak volumes. I hope you choose to listen.
Please remove your FD-PCP airguns from service until they can be properly inspected.

[stalwart]

Enough said.

Thank you.

[Yarp]

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. In this case, these speak volumes. I hope you choose to listen.
Please remove your FD-PCP airguns from service until they can be properly inspected.

Done.

[AirCats]

I tried to drain the tube earlier today, but my usual method didn't seem to work (connect to the hill pump and pump until the check valve opens, then open the bleed screw a tiny bit so a tiny amount of air leaks out). Probably have something to do with the gun's spring loaded intake valve.

Will go to the range tomorrow and fire some pellets to empty the tube, and do some measurement tomorrow night. 

[vigilandy]

Dez,  did someone find the tube from the failed gun?  Or is this a second sample?  I hope I didn't miss an explanation somewhere.  Been following this thread and  not seen anything.

[ezman604]

AFAIK the "explosion" tube has not been located...or at least reported. This one was purchased in February.
I offer it as backup for the warnings I have given. I do not need to add more details...or shouldn't need to.
Those that have been around here very long or know me personally can attest I have no agenda besides the safety of our family!!!

[SpiralGroove]

Yup Guys,
Brains over Brawn every time
Risk vs. Reward just not worth it, unless your gun has been inspected carefully.
We don't want to find out who is holding the "short stick" by accident.

Ironically, this is coming from the guy who ("very carefully" ) made pipe bombs as a kid and lived to tell the tale.
All's I got to say is don't go there ................. shoot another gun for awhile until the coast is clear.

[Josan]

AFAIK the "explosion" tube has not been located...or at least reported. This one was purchased in February.
I offer it as backup for the warnings I have given. I do not need to add more details...or shouldn't need to.
Those that have been around here very long or know me personally can attest I have no agenda besides the safety of our family!!!

Well, you're asking us to refrain from speculation and assumptions, so some information with the pictures is helpful. We don't all know you. 

In the pictures i see some pretty bad metalwork. If this is the standard with these guns, i would just chuck 'm. It appears to me pretty irrespobsible and stupid to put this onder high pressure. The americans do not seem to do a better job here than the chinese.   Of course i'm assuming the tube and action were not mal-treated and this is all pre-sale quality we're seeing. I don't know you of course. 

[Fudgey Sycles]

AFAIK the "explosion" tube has not been located...or at least reported. This one was purchased in February.
I offer it as backup for the warnings I have given. I do not need to add more details...or shouldn't need to.
Those that have been around here very long or know me personally can attest I have no agenda besides the safety of our family!!!

Well, you're asking us to refrain from speculation and assumptions, so some information with the pictures is helpful. We don't all know you. 

In the pictures i see some pretty bad metalwork. If this is the standard with these guns, i would just chuck 'm. It appears to me pretty irrespobsible and stupid to put this onder high pressure. The americans do not seem to do a better job here than the chinese.   Of course i'm assuming the tube and action were not mal-treated and this is all pre-sale quality we're seeing. I don't know you of course. 

It does look like the casing and or tube substaintained some damage. Dented metal, chipped patina. I would wonder if this was the first time this gun was disassembled.. was it done by someone who knows what they are doing and or how many times have they put it back together.