Bang stick ?

jhandyman

I have 357mag bang stick that is about 2 years old. Only been fired 3 times, last season. Was just going over it and when I put a shell in it there was a lot of play. If I put a round in then hold the barrel up to to reinstall it the round falls out. I could hold the hole stick upside down and load it that way but shooting myself in the foot or the bottom of the boat is not my goal. Thinking I need a new barrel. Why so soon? Any ideas?

huntmstr

That is not uncommon and it's also not a problem. When you load it, the entire power head should be facing upward. The power head should only be facing downward and safety disengaged when you are ready to shoot a gator. Just slide the round into the cylinder end of the power head, place your finger on the back of the casing and then slide the loaded cylinder into the receiver. If the entire sleeve is falling out of the receiver, then you simply need new O-rings. If you are still uncomfortable, contact the manufacturer and send it back for a swap out before the season starts.

binellishtr

sure its not your shells? Can't imagine the barrel going bad

jhandyman

It's not the o-rings. The barrel installs fine without a shell in it. With the stick pointed up, I remove the barrel, place a round in it then when putting the barrel back in the housing the round falls out, lands on the safety pin and leans to one side stopping the barrel from sliding in.

huntmstr

You should have a safety in place when loading so the primer doesn't make contact with the pin while loading. I agree with Rich, it sounds like a problem with the rounds you're using and not the barrel cylinder. If changing ammo doesn't solve the problem, then I would send it back to the manufacturer.

huntmstr

Sorry, saw you have the safety in place. Please disregard first sentence.

bgeorge

With a loose fitting casing do not have it pointing straight up in the air while loading it. Lean it to the side like you were pointing it over the boat. That way the shell will not leave the barrel. Once installed and up against the safety pin you should not have any issues.

jhandyman

bgeorge wrote: »

With a loose fitting casing do not have it pointing straight up in the air while loading it. Lean it to the side like you were pointing it over the boat. That way the shell will not leave the barrel. Once installed and up against the safety pin you should not have any issues.

That's what the manufacturer said. Just called him. He said if I will not load pointing up then load it sideways "it's not a precision firearm."

jhandyman

huntmstr wrote: »

Sorry, saw you have the safety in place. Please disregard first sentence.

Having 10 fingers is kind of nice.

cfth

I would worry if it's too loose about the case not coming out more then loading.

bswiv

Mine are 20 years old and been used a lot, and from day one they did what you're describing. Because they are very simple powerheads part of a big lot that one of the local divers had made they have no safety. This being so I NEVER load them until the very last thing, AND I never let anyone else use them. If it's not in my hand and pointing in a safe direction then it is unloaded.

Must say that the fact that you are paying that much attention to your equipment and to how safe it is is admirable.......sets a good example.

bswiv

And what Grayson said about the shell coming out. If the chamber has swelled in a uneven way this can happen and that is a problem needing rectification.

Nothing more aggravating that to be POUNDING a casing out, in the dark, while you're all excited, without the right tools, after a misplaced shot.

jhandyman

Had to call off a hunt one gator short a day before season ended last year due to shortage of gear. Not happening this year!
They were not my tags, at least the guy went home with a 10 footer.

Gone_Fishing

I have used my harpoon dart driver to push out a stuck, spent shell. Works great.

bswiv

Gone_Fishing wrote: »

I have used my harpoon dart driver to push out a stuck, spent shell. Works great.

Jammed one INTO my hand one night doing the same thing. Just a ugly bloody hole........that ended up full of nasty water and gator swipe. Thank God the immune system was still good!

Derek Arsua

Well how bad is it? Does the round slop around in the barrel or just slides in and out freely? Too much play could lead to shell expansion and make it tough to unload if it's really not noticeably loose just slides in and out freely I would say throw a dab of thick grease or vasoline on it just to make it sticky.

Now for the safety tip always always always load shell into barrel and only after the safety pin has been installed slide the barrel in holding the bang stick in a safe direction upwards at angle if possible or down towards the bank or water insert the barrel and never have your hand or finger over the end. The chances of the round actually going off from a lite unforced strike is unlikely but you never know and don't want to find out

jhandyman

It's not Slipping around in the barrel, just not perfect fit. Lip at base of shell seats nicely. Probably just being over cautious since my 19 year old daughter got her own tags this year. She helped last year, even killed one with the boot knife, no bang stick needed.

The grease or petroleum thing might do the trick. Thanks.

cfth

I am assuming this is not our bangstick but if it is send it to me and I will check it out. If it's not right I will send u a new one and if it is I will test it to make sure works as should.