Kalibrgun Well this sucks

[Pale_Rider]

I bought a Cricket that was recently posted in the classifieds. I knew going in that it had a leak or issue with the reg. Upon disassembly I found a divot in the air tube. Looks like someone drilled into it by accident when they were doing their ham fisted air-gunsmithing. By the way, this rifle looks like Edward scissor hands was working on it. But for the price, the scratches and tacky, diy gold painted trim didn’t bother me. What does bother me is a divot that might be comprising the structural integrity of the air tube! I was going to fix this up and sell it but there’s no way it’s being sold with that little crater. I’d rather take the loss than sell it to someone and they get injured from a faulty air tube. The same way I respect the danger of riding my motorcycle is the same way I respect HPA. It’s easy to get complacent after a while of dealing with HPA (or riding) and having no incidents. But the danger is always lurking. Waiting for you slip up.

Side note: There’s no way the AGN member that sold it to me knew about it. He doesn’t work on airguns. So I’m not going to try and return it. The guy he bought it from does work on them and is a reputable member over on GTA. I don’t know if he did all this hamfistery. If he did, then he sold this rifle knowing this damn thing had a divot in the air tube. I really hope he wasn’t the one that did this and sold it knowingly.

I’m no mechanical engineer so I may be over reacting about this divot. But my gut says don’t trust it.

Here’s a BB comfortably nestled in the divot.

***Well I see how they made the divot. It happened when they were drilling the hole for a sling stud. The sling stud hole and divot perfectly match up. So this wasn’t some factory defect.

 

[Gerry52]

ANY change to original structural integrity of stuff meant to contain HP makes me wary of continued use. Just my healthy "fear" of HP after 3 decades of dealing with that type of equipment.

 

[Dr. Kralenstein]

I bought a Cricket that was recently posted in the classifieds. I knew going in that it had a leak or issue with the reg. Upon disassembly I found a divot in the air tube. Looks like someone drilled into it by accident when they were doing their ham fisted air-gunsmithing. By the way, this rifle looks like Edward scissor hands was working on it. But for the price, the scratches and tacky, diy gold painted trim didn’t bother me. What does bother me is a divot that might be comprising the structural integrity of the air tube! I was going to fix this up and sell it but there’s no way it’s being sold with that little crater. I’d rather take the loss than sell it to someone and they get injured from a faulty air tube. The same way I respect the danger of riding my motorcycle is the same way I respect HPA. It’s easy to get complacent after a while of dealing with HPA (or riding) and having no incidents. But the danger is always lurking. Waiting for you slip up.

Side note: There’s no way the AGN member that sold it to me knew about it. He doesn’t work on airguns. So I’m not going to try and return it. The guy he bought it from does work on them and is a reputable member over on GTA. I don’t know if he did all this hamfistery. If he did, then he sold this rifle knowing this damn thing had a divot in the air tube. I really hope he wasn’t the one that did this and sold it knowingly.

I’m no mechanical engineer so I may be over reacting about this divot. But my gut says don’t trust it.

View attachment 514568

Here’s a BB comfortably nestled in the divot.

View attachment 514567

***Well I see how they made the divot. It happened when they were drilling the hole for a sling stud. The sling stud hole and divot perfectly match up. So this wasn’t some factory defect.

At first it appeared they drilled a grub screw set divot into it for say a tube clamp or something. Thatd be a complete idiotic thing to do. Drilling on the stock with the gun IN the stock isn't much brighter of an idea.

My summation... the original owner is a moron.

 

[Pale_Rider]

At first it appeared they drilled a grub screw set divot into it for say a tube clamp or something. Thatd be a complete idiotic thing to do. Drilling on the stock with the gun IN the stock isn't much brighter of an idea.

My summation... the original owner is a moron.

May not have been the original owner. Whichever owner did do it should be banned from working on airguns.

 

[beerthief]

I would check on the price of a new tube . remove and replace .

 

[WoodWelder]

Reading this will surely make those wanting to purchase used think twice. Sadly, some good sellers will be judged?

 

[Emu]

Write to Kalibrgun USA and try to buy a replacement tube.

Another alternative is to cut the tube and make threads to recieve adapter for a bottle.

 

[Pale_Rider]

I would check on the price of a new tube . remove and replace .

Already sent emails to Georgia airguns and Kalibrgun support. My other alternative is to have a skilled machinist cut off the air tube right where this hole is and rethread it. Maybe have him chop the barrel and make this thing a sick little compact rifle. Hell I might keep it at that point.

 

[Emu]

Write to Kalibrgun USA and try to buy a replacement tube.

Another alternative is to cut the tube and make threads to recieve adapter for a bottle.

Doubtless I would try the alternative of the bottle.

 

[Pale_Rider]

Reading this will surely make those wanting to purchase used think twice. Sadly, some good sellers will be judged?

Although this blows, I must say I’ve had 99% positive transactions on AGN classifieds.

 

[Vetmx]

Reputable and competent are two entirely different things. I personally would log into GTA and send him a message. You absolutely cannot sell a grenade with the pin pulled. I respect HPA and can’t fathom selling something like this without disclosing the drilled divot. He knew it would never sell if he did so he gambled. Unfortunately with someone else’s life or well being. This is really bad for this hobby and I would out him without hesitation.

 

[Gerry52]

Reputable and competent are two entirely different things. I personally would log into GTA and send him a message. You absolutely cannot sell a grenade with the pin pulled. I respect HPA and can’t fathom selling something like this without disclosing the drilled divot. He knew it would never sell if he did so he gambled. Unfortunately with someone else’s life or well being. This is really bad for this hobby and I would out him without hesitation.

I hear ya brother but until it can be/if established exactly WHO did that to the gun the wrong person could be "outed". Reputation & history of a member is so important on this forum that irreparable damage could be caused to someone who might be innocent of that negligence. Wouldn't want it to happen to me, would you?

 

[Vetmx]

Whoever drilled the stud is guilty going off what was presented. If Mr Reputable bought it used with a stud installed, then I would keep trucking down the list of owners until I found the bonehead.

 

[Vetmx]

I bought or helped fix some used google gunsmith specials. But never anything that would maim me or a friend. Big freakin difference.

 

[MikeVV]

As far as returning the gun, YES.

As a retired Aerospace Mechanical Engineer -
As far as NOT pressurizing the cylinder...ABSOLUTELY...I would NOT put much if "any" pressure into that cylinder with that defect...PERIOD.

Mike

 

[sb327]

A “gauge adapter” type insert that had two orings either side of the divot, and a through hole would take the air pressure off the divot area. Of course the divot would need to be drilled through with a very small bit to allow oring leakage to vent.

Obviously, if you can get a replacement tube, that would be the best.

Dave

 

[Pale_Rider]

A “gauge adapter” type insert that had two orings either side of the divot, and a through hole would take the air pressure off the divot area. Of course the divot would need to be drilled through with a very small bit to allow oring leakage to vent.

Obviously, if you can get a replacement tube, that would be the best.

Dave

That’s a creative alternative Dave. Thanks.

 

[TMH]

Early on in my ham fisted air-gun smithing, I just kissed a pressure tube on an FX while drilling a pilot hole in the stock. I eventually sold that gun, but only after it had been converted to a bottle configuration. A good local buddy still shoots it to this day.

I still have that damaged air tube. The made-by-me defect is incredibly smaller than the one you show on your gun. But I still would never trust it as a pressure vessel. Not with the pressures we are working with. I only keep it around to remind myself:

1) Not to be lazy;
2) Be more careful; and
3) Try to be less stupid.

 

[MikeVV]

That’s a creative alternative Dave. Thanks.

I seriously doubt...the wall thickness of the cylinder is enough to support more than two or three threads. Which...is NOT enough.
Again...NOT if it were mine !!!

Good luck, and keep your face, and other body parts...far away from the cylinder, during AND after you put air into it.

Mike

 

[Sawney Bean]

A “gauge adapter” type insert that had two orings either side of the divot, and a through hole would take the air pressure off the divot area. Of course the divot would need to be drilled through with a very small bit to allow oring leakage to vent.

Obviously, if you can get a replacement tube, that would be the best.

Dave

This was my thought too.

When I added a regulator to my S410 I had to drill a hole in the reservoir for it and it sits in there a bit like what you describe. I’d think that a simple interior brass bushing with two o-rings and a threaded hole would do the trick.