Arrow explosions

[double lung]

With all the stories of guys having major problems with shooting arrows that are damaged, I was wondering what y'all do as far as inspecting your arrows. I look them over as closely as possible, but I am scared I might miss something and end up with a arrow in my arm.

So if y'all could, please explain your process of checking your arrows before shooting. Thanks guys...

[bscooten1974]

I flex them in all different directions and if see anything or hear any grinding or crackling i chunkem'

[Casey]

I flex them from nock to tip. If the pop/crack or make any other noise, I assume they're trash.

[Bullydog]

With all the stories of guys having major problems with shooting arrows that are damaged, I was wondering what y'all do as far as inspecting your arrows. I look them over as closely as possible, but I am scared I might miss something and end up with a arrow in my arm.

So if y'all could, please explain your process of checking your arrows before shooting. Thanks guys...

Flex check each and every one, several times a year. Thumbs on one side, fingers on the other side, flex lightly and listen for any sounds and look for any crack. I do this up and down the arrow Check your nocks and inserts and look for hairline cracks around the diamater of the arrow.

Not sure what else to do, but Im scared to death to have one blow up. Ive only had one blow apart and it did it halfway between the bow and the target.

[Texastaxi]

With carbons, I would flex them, holding about 3-4 inches in from each end ... listen for cracking or popping. Not much good though, I didn't do it before every shot.

Since I switched to the FMJs, I just visually inspect them.

[agvet2004]

Everyone beat me to it. Flex check and look for any cracks. Immediately trashed if any problems are found.

[Redneck Archer]

Everyone beat me to it. Flex check and look for any cracks. Immediately trashed if any problems are found.

this

[HEADHUNTER71]

i do that now ,that i seen that poor kid with the split up arrow coming out of his hand

[BuffaloHump]

yep, my buddy is missing this bow season since he just had surgery to reattach the tendon in his thumb from a shattered arrow.

[JBS]

From Easton:

WARNING - Follow These Instructions To Avoid Personal Injury

An arrow shaft can become damaged from impacts with hard objects or other arrows or after being shot into a game animal. A damaged arrow could break upon release and injure you or a bystander. You must carefully inspect each arrow shaft, nock, and other components before each shot to see that they have not been damaged. Before shooting, place the arrow between your thumb and fingers, and, using your other hand to slowly rotate the shaft, run your fingertips along the entire arrow length, feeling and looking closely for nicks, cracks, splits, dents, or other marks that could indicate the shaft has been damaged. When checking carbon arrows, perform the following additional tests:

Grasp the shaft just above the point and below the nock, then flex the arrow in an arc (bending it away from you and others) with a deflection of 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm), and listen for cracking noises. Perform this test four to six times, rotating the arrow slightly between each flex until you have gone around the entire arrow. If you hear or feel cracking, the carbon has been damaged.
While still holding the point and fletching ends, twist the shaft in both directions. If the arrow “relaxes” or twists easily, the carbon has been damaged.
If an arrow has been damaged, or if you believe it has been damaged, do not shoot it again as it could break on release, and sharp arrow pieces could hit and injure you or someone nearby.

[cksweat678]

Flex first..!! thats its.. plus a lil common sense...

[Double 02]

Be sure to visually inspect also. I had one that I flexed and it seemed alright, but then I notice a bump above where I was flexing it.After moving fingers above bump and reflexing the arrow broke very easily.This was very scary because I thought the arrow was in good shape.

[double lung]

plus a lil common sense...

thanks. ill keep that in mind

[stickm]

I became paranoid this year and switched to Easton FMJ's

[100%TtId]

You guys shooting FMJs still need to flex test and hold the arrow close to your ear to hear any creaking or clicking noise. The outer aluminum jacket can conceal a crack in the carbon tube. If you have an arrow that goes signficantly off your aiming point and you can't explain it by a shooting error, be sure to flex test it carefully before shooting it again.

I shoot FMJs and have a couple that have perfect outer jackets, but the carbon tube is cracked inside rendering it unsafe to shoot. The only way to tell it is broken is by flexing and noticing a significant loss of spine or hearing it creak.