Talon SS Tank Metal Fatigue w/Video
As mentioned before just started shooting my air rifles again. This Talon SS 22 was bought back in 2000. I just noticed today small defects or cracks in the tank. The tank has now been degassed. Looks like this tank is finished to me. I know I am not going to use it any more. This Talon has been shooting great with some 1/4″ groups at 50 yards with JSB Exact Heavies. I recently set it up for rat shooting using the JBS Exacts with a 2500psi fill shooting down to 1800psi giving me 65 shots at a low of 720 fps to high of 770fps. I only adjusted the fill pressure and power wheel. I didn’t adjust the top hat? because it it has been in place so long. Anyway the rifle has a great trigger too and I am not ready to give up on it. i am going to have to invest in a new tank approx. $200. This gun has never had any work done on it. I know I need to replace parts but I am not looking to increase power. In fact I want it for plinking, ratting, small game and maximum shots. So what parts should I replace. Should I just go all factory parts or should I use some of Talon Tunes upgraded parts. I hope too that this older Talon uses the same parts as today’s newer Talons. I read on a PA someone who bought a replacement tank for his 2001 Talons said you need to buy a newer hammer spring and hammer to work right. Could use some help on the parts needed guys. I would like to try to install them myself too. Thanks Bill
All Replies
:hoot:
I don’t believe any sane manufacturer, or seller, of high pressure tanks would ever offer a “lifetime” guarantee for a high pressure container, especially one subject to constant empty/refill usage.
Hoot:
So are the tanks not covered by the airforce lifetime warranty?
:hoot:
As a former scuba shop employee/scuba instructor, I inspected tanks all the time. Stress fractures take place at the neck of the tank, where the threads are. Looking down into the tank with a good light, you would note very tiny fracture lines on the inside edges next to the threads, headed out toward the outside of the neck.
While there can be other types of “stress fractures” in high pressure tanks, this is what we looked for in scuba air tanks at 3000/3440 psi ratings.
Don’t confuse a “dent” with a crack, or actual break in the metal surface.
All this being said, I’m not stupid enough to tell anyone to take a chance…get it hydro tested if you have any doubt at all. If the tank bursts under pressure, any part of you near that tank will burst with it.
Hoot:
My Talon tank has a 06/99′ manufacture date on it and I bought the rifle in 2000. It has never had any maintenance done on it but still shoots and functions great. I would like to go over it and replace o-rings and clean internals but was advised if it is working don’t fool with it till it starts going downhill.
I never saw a knurled top hat, is that original?
Birdman I was not questioning in anyway the validity of their testing or results. The only thing I wanted to know was how they got the tank apart so I could do maintenance or maybe install a Altaros regulator in the future. As this is an older tank it does not have the removal hole drill in the collar for easier removal. I watched Pandemic video on TTTA installation so I know it is not as bad to do if you have the hole in the collar. I will call them on Tuesday their testing day and see if the guy remembers my tank and what tools he used to get it apart. Thanks Bill
Airgun Bill , as a scuba diver and ex- scuba instructor I can tell you that if your tank passed hydro testing you have nothing
to worry about with your tank . The company that inspected and tested your tank are state certified and they would not be
stupid enough to give your tank a false approval just to make a buck at the risk of losing their state license and business .
FROM : THE BIRDMAN
Finally got around to having my Talon tank hydro tested. I wanted to ask how they got the end off but the guy that does the testing was not there to ask. When I got home I tried to take it apart to check out the o-ring as the tank is 15 years old and I would like to replace the o-ring. No way, so I just filled it with air and as long as it hold pressure I guess I’m okay. I did notice some tool marking from getting the end off but I have the peace of mind it passed hydro.
Making the grade
Tool Marks
I agree, have the bottle hydro tested. Sounds like you’ve had that gun sometime now. When is the last time you changed the spring and the o-rings in your breech?
For those that can’t see the video a few pictures. The marks are up on the neck. I see now way I caused these by installing the tank. I will get the hydro test done and hopefully it will pass and save me from having to buy a new tank.
Tank testing is the same throughout the US and probably the world. The East is not different than the West coast. Take it to a scuba shop. I take mine to a CO2 fire extinguisher shop a couple blocks from my house. They test and fill my scuba & CO2 tank for me. They test for other scuba shops around also. I never heard of a Talon tank having stress problems. I cannot open the video.
I was wondering if some members are having a hard time viewing this video. For me I must upload and view my video content on photo bucket with a browser other than Google Chrome. From what I understand they do not support Java. This computer stuff is all Greek to me. All I know is if I use Explorer for my browser I can view my videos on photo Bucket. Bill
Thanks for the input guys. The tank has never been tested or out of my hands. The problem is Air Force is only recommending someone on the West coast to do the testing and I’m on the East coast. Its sounds to me from you guys and others that there should be someone local to do the hydro test. I just thought it might be more specialized with the Air Force tank. I just starting going to a new scuba shop to fill my 4500psi Great White. They did hydro my steel 120 scuba tank. I will take the Talon tank to them and see if they can do the hydro. I still would like some advice on the maintenance of my rifle and which O rings and other parts to purchase. Bill
Yes I would concur with Jethro. Take the tank to a hydro specialist and have them hydro it for $30 . If it passes, you are all good with peace of mind.
$30 is small gamble compared to just dropping $200!
I dont see that as a stress fracture either. I would imagine if it was a stress fracture it would have let go by the time it cracked on the outer part of the neck. But I am no metallurgist either and strange things can happen.
Go take it to be Hydro’d!
If ya rather just buy a new tank and discard that tank, you can discard it my way and I will pay the postage :whistle: 😆
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Can you please let me know where you had your bottle tested? I have 2 I would like to have hydro’d since no one local has the m18 adapter.