Replacing old cylinders

binxkeys

binxkeys

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Afternoon all.

Surprised I wasn't laced with information when I searched for this, but maybe I was doing it wrong!

What are everyone's thoughts on replacing old PCP cylinders. Not dive bottles, but the cylinders attached to the rifle. I have some kind of alloy one on a new to me Steyr that is dated 2001. It looks to be in excellent condition and I've no reason to suspect a failure, other than being quite old.

Thanks
 
Yes I'd like two know as well I got an 8002 anschutz with old cylinder alloy but was thinking of getting the smaller cylinder they do with qiuck fill
 
@binxkeys
Yes even pcp cylinders will have a best before date / limited life expectancy… usually around 10 …15 years depending on materials used , so replacement is not a bad idea …especially if it’s on your mind 👍
And pressure vessels don’t normally give you a reason to suspect failure… they just go pop .
So I would replace it …also it gives you peace of mind 👍
 
SHW said:
@binxkeys
Yes even pcp cylinders will have a best before date / limited life expectancy… usually around 10 …15 years depending on materials used , so replacement is not a bad idea …especially if it’s on your mind 👍
And pressure vessels don’t normally give you a reason to suspect failure… they just go pop .
So I would replace it …also it gives you peace of mind 👍
Click to expand...
Seems strange that this isn’t stamped on the cylinder to me.

And the Steyr isn’t what I would consider an old gun. There must be 40+ year old PCPs still in use. I find it odd that a bigger deal isn’t made of it.

I’ve never heard of one go bang, except that picture that pops up from time to time of a guy who filled it with pure ?nitrogen? I think.

Thanks all.
 
binxkeys said:
I’ve never heard of one go bang, except that picture that pops up from time to time of a guy who filled it with pure ?nitrogen? I think.
Click to expand...

Nitrogen in of itself will not make for a failure unless the fill pressure exceeds the failure strength of the vessel, after all air is over 70% nitrogen.

Pure oxygen is a different kettle of fish, but it isn't the pressure that is going to be the primary issue, it is the increased reactivity of all manner of things in a high O2 environment.

If you perchance to mean this picture:
GC2 remains.JPG
That was a materials issue, not related to what it was filled with i.e. air. The follow up investigation led to the cylinders of the model of rifle in question being ultrasound tested as well as pressure tested to check for any other defective tube.

Failure of pre-charged rifle cylinders that haven't been subject to some form of total bell-end behaviour on the part of an owner are extremely rare, in fact that picture above is still the only one I currently know of that has happened in the UK.
 
binxkeys said:
Afternoon all.

Surprised I wasn't laced with information when I searched for this, but maybe I was doing it wrong!

What are everyone's thoughts on replacing old PCP cylinders. Not dive bottles, but the cylinders attached to the rifle. I have some kind of alloy one on a new to me Steyr that is dated 2001. It looks to be in excellent condition and I've no reason to suspect a failure, other than being quite old.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Most manufacturers recommend 10 years, however I’ve just put a new old stock cylinder on my 2022 HFT500 because it was damaged, (rust spots and pitted)
The replacement is dated 2000🤣🤷‍♂️
 
rockdrill said:
Nitrogen in of itself will not make for a failure unless the fill pressure exceeds the failure strength of the vessel, after all air is over 70% nitrogen.

Pure oxygen is a different kettle of fish, but it isn't the pressure that is going to be the primary issue, it is the increased reactivity of all manner of things in a high O2 environment.

If you perchance to mean this picture:
View attachment 784784
That was a materials issue, not related to what it was filled with i.e. air. The follow up investigation led to the cylinders of the model of rifle in question being ultrasound tested as well as pressure tested to check for any other defective tube.

Failure of pre-charged rifle cylinders that haven't been subject to some form of total bell-end behaviour on the part of an owner are extremely rare, in fact that picture above is still the only one I currently know of that has happened in the UK.
Click to expand...
This is the one. Oxygen according to the article, as you suspected.
IMG_9274.webp


Seems to be a very rare thing and seemingly no uk requirement to test a cylinder under 500cc.
 
Big Purple said:
Most manufacturers recommend 10 years, however I’ve just put a new old stock cylinder on my 2022 HFT500 because it was damaged, (rust spots and pitted)
The replacement is dated 2000🤣🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
Being ‘new’ is probably the key here.

There are so many variables really. An old one that’s hardly used vs a newer one that’s been filled and emptied 1000 times…. Which is better? 🤷‍♂️
 
Trumpetier said:
I've been shooting airguns for 38 years, never heard of one to go pop yet. I've owned many, many PCP, s and most where still on there original cylinders well passed ten years old, some 20 years.
Click to expand...
I wonder if anyone has, just because it’s old. I feel a poll coming on! :giggle:
 
Oxygen can be very dangerous around oil or grease under pressure causing explosion or fire had this drilled into us when using oxygen and acetylene for welding so keep away from this is best advise keep safe
 
Oxygen can be very dangerous around oil or grease under pressure causing explosion or fire had this drilled into us when using oxygen and acetylene for welding so keep away from this is best advise keep safe
 
Oxygen can be very dangerous around oil or grease under pressure causing explosion or fire had this drilled into us when using oxygen and acetylene for welding so keep away from this is best advise keep safe
 
binxkeys said:
Being ‘new’ is probably the key here.

There are so many variables really. An old one that’s hardly used vs a newer one that’s been filled and emptied 1000 times…. Which is better? 🤷‍♂️
Click to expand...
I would say the one that’s been used less but is older🤔
 
I'll be changing my cyclinders in line with the manufacturer's recommendation. No doubt they will last and work perfectly well beyond that date, but to me this just doesn't feel like an area I want to scrimp on. Especially true if you're using a hand pump with the added risk of moisture. Happy to pass on my secondhand cylinders if anyone wants them. Please let me know if they do go bang. Assuming you can💥 😮
 
BornAgain said:
I'll be changing my cyclinders in line with the manufacturer's recommendation. No doubt they will last and work perfectly well beyond that date, but to me this just doesn't feel like an area I want to scrimp on. Especially true if you're using a hand pump with the added risk of moisture. Happy to pass on my secondhand cylinders if anyone wants them. Please let me know if they do go bang. Assuming you can💥 😮
Click to expand...
No reason to ... read the thread
 
Trumpetier said:
I've been shooting airguns for 38 years, never heard of one to go pop yet. I've owned many, many PCP, s and most where still on there original cylinders well passed ten years old, some 20 years.
Click to expand...

I've owned airguns for over 40 years and have had pre-charged rifles since 1989.

Currently my collection of pre-charged guns stands at 36 examples.

The oldest of these is a brass cylinder Daystate Huntsman 'Low' from circa 1985, the newest is a prototype Air Arms EV2 made by Ken Turner circa 2002:
Huntsman Low 2.webp


EV2 Prototype 2.webp


Previously the number pre-charged guns that have gone through my hands is well into three figures.

With the exception of one early example of an Air Arms SM-100 that has been badly neglected by a previous owner and has some nasty pitting on the outside of the cylinder (internally clean) all the pressure vessels are in good to pristine condition externally and all are spotless internally.

The aforementioned pitted SM-100 is currently de-pressurised as I am debating whether that one example is salvageable.

All the others I have no issues with their continuing integrity and safety and will continue to use them as they were intended.
 
rockdrill said:
I've owned airguns for over 40 years and have had pre-charged rifles since 1989.

Currently my collection of pre-charged guns stands at 36 examples.

The oldest of these is a brass cylinder Daystate Huntsman 'Low' from circa 1985, the newest is a prototype Air Arms EV2 made by Ken Turner circa 2002:
View attachment 784821

View attachment 784823

Previously the number pre-charged guns that have gone through my hands is well into three figures.

With the exception of one early example of an Air Arms SM-100 that has been badly neglected by a previous owner and has some nasty pitting on the outside of the cylinder (internally clean) all the pressure vessels are in good to pristine condition externally and all are spotless internally.

The aforementioned pitted SM-100 is currently de-pressurised as I am debating whether that one example is salvageable.

All the others I have no issues with their continuing integrity and safety and will continue to use them as they were intended.
Click to expand...
Sound experience, and beautiful looking rifles! Thanks
 
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