Purchased a Barnett Wildcat C5 about 10 years ago to try out shooting/hunting with this compared to compound or gun. Thoroughly enjoyed just shooting it with friends but did little hunting with it. I was able to introduce this sport to many friends with this.
This fall I loaned it to a hunting buddy so he could introduce his children to deer hunting. Michigan has a early season just for kids and shooting this crossbow allowed him a chance to do this without the cost of modifying a gun.
At the end of a hunt he loaded a target bolt to unload the bow and fired it into the ground. The entire crossbow BROKE IN HALF at the connection of the rail to the limbs. This bow is literally in 2 pieces.
I went to the Barnett website and sent out an email. I hadn't heard back so I just called them. I was informed that this model is no longer in production so they don't have parts. I was told the warranty is only 5 years and that this would be considered "Normal wear and tear"... Does this seem right? I just can't fathom a weapon snapping in half as being normal. There was never any abuse of this bow. I own many guns and bows and have never had anything like this happen before. The danger of a misfire etc is always built in to this sport but for something like this to happen scares the crap out of me.
Any thoughts on what I can do? Am I just screwed and need to dispose of this defective crossbow and deal with the loss?
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This fall I loaned it to a hunting buddy so he could introduce his children to deer hunting. Michigan has a early season just for kids and shooting this crossbow allowed him a chance to do this without the cost of modifying a gun.
At the end of a hunt he loaded a target bolt to unload the bow and fired it into the ground. The entire crossbow BROKE IN HALF at the connection of the rail to the limbs. This bow is literally in 2 pieces.
I went to the Barnett website and sent out an email. I hadn't heard back so I just called them. I was informed that this model is no longer in production so they don't have parts. I was told the warranty is only 5 years and that this would be considered "Normal wear and tear"... Does this seem right? I just can't fathom a weapon snapping in half as being normal. There was never any abuse of this bow. I own many guns and bows and have never had anything like this happen before. The danger of a misfire etc is always built in to this sport but for something like this to happen scares the crap out of me.
Any thoughts on what I can do? Am I just screwed and need to dispose of this defective crossbow and deal with the loss?
