AEA I can’t trust this gun. What now?

[2Toes2Many]

Well, I thought I could try getting into this air gun hobby. I liked the look of the harpoon and ended up with an initial investment of about $1000 including compressor and extra cartridges.

But the first time I fired it, it blew up the bullet holders in my hand. I fired two rounds, and both bullet holders were shattered to pieces. Please see pics. I noticed there is also no machined groove for venting across the bottom of the shells that were sent. Although I can’t be sure if that’s critical.

Anyway, all four plastic bullet holders were absolutely shredded after only one shot each. I’m $1000 deep into this new gun that explodes under fire in my hand.
The seller tells me it’s probably my fault and to buy some metal bullet holders from Texoma. I did order them along with a charging block from Texoma. But then when I fired my other two cartridges and they blew up in the gun, I was done. I can’t have this. I’m not an expert, but guns aren’t supposed to blow up internal components while shootingin from my hand.

At this point, I am seriously afraid of this 50 caliber gun. It has been fired four times, breaking each time. I asked the vendor for a refund and he vehemently explained to me about his policy, and how it’s my fault. And how I’ve damaged the gun. And how he’s going to take a 30% restocking fee, even though the gun has never worked. And that if I returned the gun and anything is scratched or broken, there will be no refund at all. He would also issue the call tag, but rather is forcing me to pay for return shipping.

I was really hoping I had this cool new hobby here and I would probably really like it if my gun felt safer. But after the seller started blaming me I knew this deal was falling apart. I have canceled the charge through my bank and I’m waiting for the vendor to issue a call tag so I can send him his defective merchandise back.


I’m probably going to have to eat the cost of the Texoma merchandise I bought and now have no use for. This has been a rough experience for me. I would have exchanged for a different brand, but frankly, I’m scared of the seller too now.

What a bummer to get this experience from my new hobby.
On a sidenote, the seller was a nice guy and answered questions for me by email several times. I liked him and I thought we were getting along. That is until stuff started blowing up. Then he didn’t like me so much anymore.

I’m so frustrated to have to send so many things back to so many vendors all because of this one problem.

 

[kromc5]

I would shake off the disappointment and look at other PCPs with great forum feedback. Problems like this can occur in any hobby. I just lost $4800 on BMS systems, considered the best on the market. The products were great and performed well. But they started losing many great employees. Plus, with increasingly poor business practices, I can't continue recommending and using them.

 

[student]

I know nothing of that platform. Assuming that the seller is the manufacturer and they could not help you then i would advocate that it is not worth putting your health or life at risk.

Many years ago when I was competing in action sports I had a reloading press that i lost faith with, a dear friend was injured rather profoundly with the same model. I advertised the model for sale with a complete, honest and ethical disclosure and discussion of why i was selling the tool. The person who purchased the tool was very familiar with the reloading press, appreciated my disclosure and purchased it from me at a significant discount.

 

[Devink]

Did anything else malfunction other than the plastic shell holders? Did you try it with the metal ones The plastic was breaking for a lot of people and should just be replaced with the metal ones. Other that that I'm struggling to see the worries

 

[2Toes2Many]

Did anything else malfunction other than the plastic shell holders? Did you try it with the metal ones The plastic was breaking for a lot of people and should just be replaced with the metal ones. Other that that I'm struggling to see the worries

Nope, I like the gun. The only other malfunction was the vendor himself whose primary concern was himself. Once I make an issue known and provide photos, especially a safety issue, I find it dishonest and self-serving for the vendor to write back like this...

There's nothing defective about the item you just don't know what you're doing like I said that's the best we can do you send it back to me and when I get it and everything is like it was when you got it I understand those parts are broke that's fine but when I get the gun back you will get 70% of your purchase back that is that is policy

Or this one...

And if it comes back broken it will be sent back to you with no refund at all.

Then, I told him I would cancel the charge with my bank if he won't fix the exploding shell holder problem. He sent me this...

It doesn't matter what you do to your bank we have a policy and it will be denied so this is your only option and you're lucky I'm even doing it how you come at me with this talking about how you got defective items and stuff you just don't know what you're doing that's not my fault so I'm offering to do what I said I would do in my policy have a nice day if you need my address I will send it I am not paying for shipping you will have to pay for that

I have a policy too... Don't send me defective merchandise and then tell me to eff off AND BLAME ME if I don't like it. Well, I had to cancel the charge with my bank.

I sure am sorry I ever ordered from this seller. I'm also sorry that my first PCP gun purchase blew up over some defective cheapo plastic parts, (or possibly the missing vent groove on the cartridges) But more than anything, the vendor's tough-guy, i'm the boss - you'll take what I give you attitude was just sickening.

I don't know what my future in air guns is anymore. I like the gun, but it should work out of the box.
Im'a go sit down and breathe...

 

[Dstrac]

Well, I thought I could try getting into this air gun hobby. I liked the look of the harpoon and ended up with an initial investment of about $1000 including compressor and extra cartridges.

But the first time I fired it, it blew up the bullet holders in my hand. I fired two rounds, and both bullet holders were shattered to pieces. Please see pics. I noticed there is also no machined groove for venting across the bottom of the shells that were sent. Although I can’t be sure if that’s critical.

Anyway, all four plastic bullet holders were absolutely shredded after only one shot each. I’m $1000 deep into this new gun that explodes under fire in my hand.
The seller tells me it’s probably my fault and to buy some metal bullet holders from Texoma. I did order them along with a charging block from Texoma. But then when I fired my other two cartridges and they blew up in the gun, I was done. I can’t have this. I’m not an expert, but guns aren’t supposed to blow up internal components while shootingin from my hand.

At this point, I am seriously afraid of this 50 caliber gun. It has been fired four times, breaking each time. I asked the vendor for a refund and he vehemently explained to me about his policy, and how it’s my fault. And how I’ve damaged the gun. And how he’s going to take a 30% restocking fee, even though the gun has never worked. And that if I returned the gun and anything is scratched or broken, there will be no refund at all. He would also issue the call tag, but rather is forcing me to pay for return shipping.

I was really hoping I had this cool new hobby here and I would probably really like it if my gun felt safer. But after the seller started blaming me I knew this deal was falling apart. I have canceled the charge through my bank and I’m waiting for the vendor to issue a call tag so I can send him his defective merchandise back.


I’m probably going to have to eat the cost of the Texoma merchandise I bought and now have no use for. This has been a rough experience for me. I would have exchanged for a different brand, but frankly, I’m scared of the seller too now.

What a bummer to get this experience from my new hobby.
On a sidenote, the seller was a nice guy and answered questions for me by email several times. I liked him and I thought we were getting along. That is until stuff started blowing up. Then he didn’t like me so much anymore.

I’m so frustrated to have to send so many things back to so many vendors all because of this one problem.



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The harpoon is a particular gun. It's essentially a double barrel shotgun. Small air cartridges 2 shots. You can sell it here on the classifieds to someone more familiar with the harpoons. I would recommend getting a more conventional pcp. Aea has plenty of affordable guns in every caliber. Something that you could shoot paper or steel targets with and not refil every 2 shots. If you want a 50? To use some of your ammo you have, an Aea HP max 50 cal bolt action, 14 inch barrel, 6 round magazines. Shoots 235 grain slugs. They are under $700 reliable, simple to use. I just shot mine the other day and it was grouping great at 50 yards. Works every time. Don't give up on pcp over your harpoon experience. That's a really difficult to use 1st gun

 

[2Toes2Many]

The harpoon is a particular gun. It's essentially a double barrel shotgun. Small air cartridges 2 shots. You can sell it here on the classifieds to someone more familiar with the harpoons. I would recommend getting a more conventional pcp. Aea has plenty of affordable guns in every caliber. Something that you could shoot paper or steel targets with and not refil every 2 shots. If you want a 50? To use some of your ammo you have, an Aea HP max 50 cal bolt action, 14 inch barrel, 6 round magazines. Shoots 235 grain slugs. They are under $700 reliable, simple to use. I just shot mine the other day and it was grouping great at 50 yards. Works every time. Don't give up on pcp over your harpoon experience. That's a really difficult to use 1st gun

Thanks, I appreciate the encouragement. We'll see how the vendor responds.
I have the Texoma holders on order and I really just want this to end.
I don't really see any great degree of difficulty with the Harpoon. I believe there is just no place for plastic thrust-bearing parts on a .50 caliber.

 

[blackdog899]

So who’s the seller ?

 

[Gerry52]

Don't be discouraged from the hobby as a whole because this particular choice & vendor turned out to be not so good to put it mildly. Do some research on tried & true platforms with mainly positive reviews & feedback. Don't buy based on "looks"! Read some real world opinions & feedback on what you're considering to buy. There are some appealing looking gimmicks out there but don't be fooled by what "looks" interesting. What gun is that anyway? And what vendor?

 

[2Toes2Many]

So who’s the seller ?

I think he’s a guy well known in the community. And I’m a noob. So I’m not looking for drama. I did send him a link to this thread in case he wants to respond. But I all have received from him are emails telling me that I’m the bad guy, I’m a scammer, etc., etc.. He tells me that he will win the dispute because he’s dealt with 1 million scammers before.
I’m not experienced in air guns, but I recognize the smell of BS when it hits me. Why so many disputes???

I can’t use this gun, but after my metal slug holders arrive, from Texoma., I’m hoping it’s better. Plus the vendor told me he sent me some metal slug holders too. He’s a sketchy dude. A third of his emails are threatening another third are accusatory and a few have offered to help. But he switches back-and-forth, hot to cold so fast that I don’t know which of his emails to believe.
I guess time will tell.

 

[MongooseV8]

Maybe a dumb question but what ammos are you using in your harpoon? Is there a possibility that you are using the wrong caliber or maybe the harpoon has the incorrect cal parts in it? I dont know anything about the way the harpoon works but my first intuition of the damage appears to be the wrong cal or simply blew apart from operation.

 

[MrP]

your experience more or less is the same as mine. Never seen such poorly QC'd products as the AEA guns that came through my hands. Garbage. Went through three trying to find one that works. Fortunately the vendor took responsibility and was willing to try to get me a working gun but they were unable to pull it off. I know people have had mixed results but I was sent garbage. Multiple returns, none of which held. Constant leaks and broken parts

 

[Gerry52]

Doesn't matter if you're a "newb". Unacceptable treatment from a vendor who's being an A-hole should be announced here imho. Might prevent others from being treated the same and/or pressure the vendor to rethink their "customer no-service".