Air Gun Home :: View topic - FD-PCP Reservoir Departs

rsterne · Moderator

I have received photos and some information about a catastrophic failure of an FD-PCP.... The owner says the gun is new, never been taken apart, was shot 3 times over a Chrony, refilled to 1450 psi and then put back in the case and in his truck.... It went bang, and the air tube just missed his wife's head.... They were unable to find any part of the air tube.... Here is a photo of the gun....

The photos of the threads inside the receiver, so far tell little, because those of the right side are blurry....

I will keep you all updated if/when I get more information and/or photos.... It should be made clear that according to the owner the gun was never overfilled, and any CO2 gun should be able to stand that pressure because CO2 can reach 1900 psi at 120*F.... The FD-PCP is based on the XS-60c CO2 rifle, but with a longer air tube.... I am not suggesting any blame here, just advising everyone what has happened....

Bob

AirGunEric · Site Admin

Just so we're not misunderstanding anything- this is one of those Flying Dragon XS60C's that were being sold as read-to-use PCP-conversions?

rsterne · Moderator

Correct.... the original price was $100, they are now $165....

Bob

Robw · Veteran Member

Good argument for avoiding fly-by-night CO² conversions. I have heard of
several other of these type of jury rigged CO² guns failing.

With PCP guns it is always better in the long run to break down and buy a
quality one from a reputable manufacturer that is actually designed by
experts and engineers having a good idea how such mechanisms
operate.

...or, you can risk your and others lives and/or well being and get a mickey
mouse setup that might maim and/or kill someone.

Another poorly designed/jury-rigged gun to stay away from is when
some self proclaimed airgunsmith converts a multi-pump to PCP.
They are a disaster waiting to happen.

Robw · Veteran Member

I just found this statement on the FD site regarding the purchase of PCP
guns.

"Sales of the PCP rifle are final, no returns for refund."

I take that statement as to the quality of said guns.

The price is anther indicator to stay away from this type of mechanism (cobbed together PCPs).

AirGunEric · Site Admin

I would suggest that a Co2 to PCP conversion is very plausible- if done correctly. We are assuming a number of things here as well- i.e. that if the gun is intended to be filled to a maximum of what Co2 could achieve- i.e. 1800psi, and this was not exceeded- then the quality of the build is an issue. If th gun was filled to 3000psi- perhaps due to a faulty gauge or regulator, the fault wouldn't be with the "gun" per se.

It would be interesting to see what comes out of this- and I am curious if anyone else has had this issue with those guns?

rsterne · Moderator

The only other issue I am aware of is a guy who had a pinhole leak in the reservoir.... about in the middle of the tube.... a flaw in the tube, presumably....

Bob

Alstone · Moderator & Site Supporter

It is possible that if the tube used is a drawn tube and not annealed and treated, then if you got any expansion in the middle of the tube then the ends would shrink, this would be caused by the stretching of the tube, consequentially the threaded end could slip out of the aluminium valve block.

Al