Yeah, if they screw me over I wont purchase anything from them again. I have an older optima thats all steel and I have fell with it on my back in a creek when I slipped on a rock and it never cracked. I took one look at that break and said this is pot metal, aluminum junk!
CVA Warranty-broke my gun
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I looked through it this morning and it appears to be okay. I will be taking it off ASAP and putting it on my 44mag rifle and see if it holds zero. I was waiting for a lens to be cracked or cross hair to be collapsed. I better hurry quick before Nikon decides to get out of warrantying their scopes. Worst case I get a Leupold or Burris ML scope because I hate the Nikon BDC. But, hey, what can you ask when you go to buy the scope for $200 for the old rifle and find the scope and new rifle (broken one) for $250 used. Guy at the LGS said he sold it to a guy who never shot it and brought it back.
Guess I’m the odd man out? Would this have ever happened with normal use? Don’t see how this should be covered by warranty. Definitely don’t see how CVA would be “screwing” you by not picking up the tab on your mistake. Would be nice if they hooked you up with the part to repair it, even if only at a reduced price.
Sure, don’t like seeing how it broke but, don’t drop inexpensive ML’s out of trees. Good on CVA if they help you out. On the other hand, wouldn’t have any ill will toward them if they don’t. You dropped it. You broke it. Mistakes happen. Own it and move on.
Sure, don’t like seeing how it broke but, don’t drop inexpensive ML’s out of trees. Good on CVA if they help you out. On the other hand, wouldn’t have any ill will toward them if they don’t. You dropped it. You broke it. Mistakes happen. Own it and move on.
Dont make pot metal, aluminum junk in china to save money. I have dropped fiberglass bows out of trees that should have cracked but something made from metal snapping like that is absurd. If they cant own something made from metal snapping at a seam or at least try and help me with parts I will move on. Yeah, my mistake for it falling, but their mistake for making pot metal junk. If anything should have snapped it should have been the plastic, hollow stock. BTW this gun wasn't "cheap" Sorry, not everyone can afford a new $800 TC. If it was my Buckhorn that's cheap at $100 fine but this is a $400 ML.
The hinges broke on my crossbow case after 2 uses and I called them and they said keep the old one and sent me a new one 3 days later. I just wanted a hing.
Purchased in 2016, temp was 35 degrees, no rock, just flat ground on oak leaves, 20ft, when I watched it fall I am 90% certain it fell on the scope, but kind of at an angle, almost flat on its side.
Labguy47
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I am going to agree that you would be the odd man out because metallurgically that gun shouldn't break where it did on the receiver. If CVA did nothing more than replace the broken part (which it should) I would say that this is a good thing because of what might have happened had he actually fired that weapon. Reminds me of the G32 that hand grendaded on me, still have the scar.
I was hunting with 2 other guys and they said they are actually glad it broke in half because had I pulled it back up and shot one of the 4 deer that decided to come in I would have been seriously hurt.
Update:
I just got off the phone with Oliver with CVA/BPI Outdoors and he apologized and said they will attempt to repair it and if repair cannot be done they will replace the firearm. He emailed me all the information needed to send it to them. I advised him that I owned an older Optima for years and dropped it on rocks and nothing happened and this one actually broke from hitting the soft dirt. I will be sending it this week to them and we shall see what happens. I dont even want a new gun, just a receiver would be nice, but if these are fitted then maybe a new gun is in order.
I just got off the phone with Oliver with CVA/BPI Outdoors and he apologized and said they will attempt to repair it and if repair cannot be done they will replace the firearm. He emailed me all the information needed to send it to them. I advised him that I owned an older Optima for years and dropped it on rocks and nothing happened and this one actually broke from hitting the soft dirt. I will be sending it this week to them and we shall see what happens. I dont even want a new gun, just a receiver would be nice, but if these are fitted then maybe a new gun is in order.
Labguy47
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I would concur whole heartedly, to reference just search Kaboom on this sight. Lots of old threads on this subject.
One thing that bothered me in his email I just read is send the gun fully cleaned or I will be charged $45 to clean it and also any assembling of "frames" they must due will be charged at a rate of $45. I am not sure what they mean about assembling frames, but I will be sending the rifle exactly like it is. They wanted the barrel removed from the receiver, forearm, etc. I don't want to alter it in any way so they will get it as is.
Labguy47
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I would not send it loaded
I am unloading it tonight.
ApacheCoTodd
member
Well, one thing we know for certain is that they will NOT repair it so you'll get a new one.
As a manufacturer - I would, with no question whatsoever, replace this and politely ask you to remove your photographs after you are satisfied but try to maintain the post to support your satisfaction with customer service.
Overall, I look at it this way - again, from a manufacturer's point of view - it really should not have snapped in two but a 20 ft drop without knowing the particulars of the impact dynamics leaves enough wiggle room to accept this as an anomaly.
Not forgetting that it is - by design - an architecture designed from the get-go to be halved every single time it is fired. Even if this current halving does not necessarily conform to the design break, the idea leads to a form of weakness all the same and it's a compromise we've been tolerating for a very long time.
Todd.
FROGO207
Member
In my way of thinking that is NOT a lot of material to hold things together at that point of the receiver. If this was steel or cast Iron then OK but pot metal is not known for it's high strength. Might even be a recall in the future if some others fail. Just my thoughts.
FROGO207
Member
There are many brands and types of break open rifles and shot guns but I have never seen another that is made of pot metal. I assume it is for the weight reduction aspect and ease of manufacture. It does not need to hold as much pressure but still the thrust of the primer is there so I see why they thought a lighter frame was OK. I will admit I do not have a degree in metallurgy so cannot comment on design viability but would err on the side of overkill if I was responsible. YMMV
Musicianized
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That's crazy. I'm not surprized it broke, that's pretty thin pot metal. Pretty disappointing @ CVA.
ColtPythonElite
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I bet that "pot metal" is Zamak. The same thing Henry .22 levers are made of.
Jesse Heywood
Member
Looks like the break started here.
I am glad CVA has at least tentatively agreed on a fix. And, I also agree, WRONG metal for a receiver even black powder.
Only takeaway would be, just how high up is a firearm supposed to fall from, and, NOT be damaged? Whatever it lands on? Falling at rifle range from a rest, maybe. Carrying, stumbling, 6'2'' to ground (or less), should be Ok. But seriously, 20 feet kills / maims people.
I would think 20 feet is into the outer limits of expecting no damage whatsoever , cosmetic or catastrophic !
AGAIN...glad the company is / will be taking a serious look at it for you, hope all ends up well
Only takeaway would be, just how high up is a firearm supposed to fall from, and, NOT be damaged? Whatever it lands on? Falling at rifle range from a rest, maybe. Carrying, stumbling, 6'2'' to ground (or less), should be Ok. But seriously, 20 feet kills / maims people.
I would think 20 feet is into the outer limits of expecting no damage whatsoever , cosmetic or catastrophic !
AGAIN...glad the company is / will be taking a serious look at it for you, hope all ends up well
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Speedo66
Member
There were many single shot shotguns made with alloy receivers, not that unusual.
In my opinion, saying they may screw you if they don't fix it because you dropped it 20' and broke it is a little harsh.
On the other hand, CVA has a very mixed history of recalls and seem to have a reputation for poor quality barrels. From what I read online, although they're made in Spain, they are not proofed because those barrels are only sold in the US, where proofing is not required. I've also read they have a history of breech plugs blowing out.
I got this info from 5 minutes of browsing the net, a little due diligence on your part would have revealed their quality.
In my opinion, saying they may screw you if they don't fix it because you dropped it 20' and broke it is a little harsh.
On the other hand, CVA has a very mixed history of recalls and seem to have a reputation for poor quality barrels. From what I read online, although they're made in Spain, they are not proofed because those barrels are only sold in the US, where proofing is not required. I've also read they have a history of breech plugs blowing out.
I got this info from 5 minutes of browsing the net, a little due diligence on your part would have revealed their quality.
ApacheCoTodd
member
There's your warranty claim. See that the mating side matches the discoloration.
If you have not already sent the firearm, be sure to send a photo like that with it to highlight your concerns.
As a manufacturer, I'd want to know.
Todd.
I agree. That looks like it was a matter of time before it broke anyway.
However, falling puts stresses at a different angle than recoil does. So I don't think it is automatically junk because it broke from falling.
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