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AMF carbine spear guns

CPSC Recall #79-027 - June 12, 1979

Recall Summary

Recall Number79-027
Recall DateJune 12, 1979
Remedy TypeReplace, Repair
Units AffectedApproximately 97,300

Where It Was Sold

The AMF models have been sold since 1967 under the AMF label by approximately 6
000 retailers
many of them specialty sporting goods shops. One of the retailers
Sears
Roebuck and Company
marketed approximately 1
400 of the spear guns under its private label between 1970 and 1973.

Product

AMF carbine spear guns

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 13) -- AMF Voit, Inc., a manufacturer of sports and recreational equipment in Santa Ana, California, today announced a voluntary repair program for approximately 97,300 carbine spear guns which may accidentally fire even though the safety catch is engaged. The announcement was made in cooperation with CPSC.The spear guns, which are used by divers to hunt fish and other aquatic life, may contain a defective trigger, possibly allowing the spear to be fired unintentionally. To date, AMF has received 11 consumer complaints about such hazardous malfunctioning of the spear guns.The AMF models have been sold since 1967 under the AMF label by approximately 6,000 retailers, many of them specialty sporting goods shops. One of the retailers, Sears, Roebuck and Company, marketed approximately 1,400 of the spear guns under its private label between 1970 and 1973. The spear guns involved in the repair program are AMF models G-6 and G-7, and Sears model 436.573140.Consumers can identify whether they own either the G-6 or G-7 models by looking for the AMF Wit label on the left side of the grip. NO model numbers are displayed on these spear guns, but the G-6 model is constructed with a 17-inch aluminum barrel, and the G-7 with a 26-inch aluminum barrel. Both models have black plastic handles, (Sketches of these two models are attached.)The Sears model 436.573140 spear gun can be identified by a 17-inch aluminum barrel and by the Sears name and model number, which are displayed on the left side of an orange-colored plastic grip.Consumers who own the AMF or Sears models should disassemble the gun handle assembly (which includes the grip and the trigger) from the gun barrel by removing the screw holding the two parts together.To obtain free replacement parts, the gun handle assembly, along with the shaft of the spear, should be mailed to the nearest AMF Voit outlet listed below. Parts should be mailed by insured fourth class parcel post, with a return receipt requested. All postage costs will be reimbursed fully. Consumers should not return the gun barrel, the spear point or the shock lines.AMF Voit centers accepting faulty parts for replacement are:AMF Voit, Inc.3801 S. Harbor BoulevardSanta Ana, California 92704714-546-4220AMF Voit, Inc.2601 Lively BoulevardElk Grove Village, Illinois 60007312-595-7370AMF Voit, Inc.29 Essex StreetMaywood, New Jersey 07607201-343-2450AMF Voit, Inc.71 Dawson RoadGuelph, Ontario, Canada519-822-1576Although Sears has received no consumer complaints about the spear gun, it will accept returns of its privately labelled model for modification by AMF Voit.

Hazard

AMF Voit, Inc. announced a voluntary repair program for approximately 97,300 carbine spear guns which may accidentally fire even though the safety catch is engaged. The spear guns, which are used by divers to hunt fish and other aquatic life, may contain a defective trigger, possibly allowing the spear to be fired unintentionally.

Incidents & Injuries

To date, AMF has received 11 consumer complaints about such hazardous malfunctioning of the spear guns.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers who own the AMF or Sears models should disassemble the gun handle assembly (which includes the grip and the trigger) from the gun barrel by removing the screw holding the two parts together.To obtain free replacement parts, the gun handle assembly, along with the shaft of the spear, should be mailed to the nearest AMF Voit outlet listed in the description. Parts should be mailed by insured fourth class parcel post, with a return receipt requested. All postage costs will be reimbursed fully. Consumers should not return the gun barrel, the spear point or the shock lines.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace, Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace, Repair) at no cost to you.

If the product caused a fire or burn injury, document the incident with photos and preserve the product if it is safe to do so. Report the incident to the CPSC at SaferProducts.gov and to your local fire department. Contact the manufacturer to inform them of the incident, they are required to track and report injuries to CPSC. You may also want to consult a personal injury attorney, as fire and burn injuries caused by defective products can be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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