Mustang Survival Elite HIT Inflatable PFD Rearming Kit ~ The Saga

[A-Jay]

Just now, J Francho said:

Not really. Most manufacturers aren't really well set up for retail sales, let alone retail inventory. 
 

@A-Jay as I read this I kept thinking why doesn't he just order them from Amazon, lol. You figured it out though. 

I'm an Amazon Fan boy - it's the first place I look for everything and this was no different.

But my faith had been shaken, so I double clutched.

Lesson Learned.

A-Jay

 

[J Francho]

Now if I could just get the right round pour spout replacement for my blender, life would be good. My Amazon home page is littered with them since I've ordered at least six of the wrong ones. 

[@reelChris]

After doing some more research, I'm not certain that the dates printed on the Bass Pro bobbins are expirations.  Here's the bass pro bobbin:

 

 

If you look at a Mustang rearm kit - 

 

 

 

the date printed on their bobbins is very similar to the Bass pro vests:

 

 

Based on the info on the rear of the Mustang package, which has a separate expiration date exactly three years later than the bobbin date in the package, the bobbin date must be a date of manufacture, no?

 

[@reelChris]

So, to answer my own question, as per THIS ONYX OUTDOOR VIDEO, which I'm pretty sure makes the Bass Pro vests based on their identical appearance, product name (A/M 24) and the fact that the Bass Pro manual advises the use of Onyx rearm kits, the date printed on the bobbin is the date of manufacture.

 

I hereby retract my earlier annoyance at Bass Pro.  

[Glenn]

That "MR" after the date means "Manufactured". 

 

[gm4511]

On 3/26/2021 at 1:28 PM, A-Jay said:

Just finished re-arming my units.

Btw, if the gas hasn't been discharged, still showing green, you can re-use it and save the new one for if and when it does. 

Stay Safe

A-Jay

Might want to take the cartridge out and see how heavy it feels.  I once had one that seemed a lot lighter than it should have and sure enough it was empty.  It had not been punctured.  Called Mustang and they sent me a complete re-arming kit free.

[A-Jay]

Need to circle back to this one. 

Cabela's received my return of the FOUR EXPIRED Re-arming Kits they sent me

on 24 March, 2021.

Just spoke to customer service and was informed by Jo Ann P that 

I should expect my refund ($325 American) to be processed in 

 wait for it . . . .

4 or 5 WEEKS. 

Seems ridiculously long to me . . . .

That's all.

Signed, 

A long time but now Ex-Cabela's customer. 

A-Jay

 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

A long time but now Ex-Cabela's customer. 

Just another check-mark in the column of 'Why I don't shop certain stores anymore'.

[J Francho]

4 hours ago, A-Jay said:

4 or 5 WEEKS. 

Just long enough to collect interest.

[@reelChris]

To add to this - I just received an Onyx re-arm kit for the A/M 24 vest from Amazon and was dismayed to find that it only has 18 months of life left.  Buyer beware I guess.

[InfantryMP]

I just bought one of the A/M 24 kits last weekend from Cabelas on sale. I need to check mine now...thanks for posting all this to help keep us safe!

 

Edit: Just checked, Mine shows a date of 2025 04 on the CO2 canister. I am too new to these to know if these last that long or not?

[galyonj]

On 3/31/2021 at 2:42 PM, InfantryMP said:

Edit: Just checked, Mine shows a date of 2025 04 on the CO2 canister. I am too new to these to know if these last that long or not?

 

Note that I have no experience with inflatable PFDs, but I do have some experience with compressed gasses and high pressure containers.

 

CO2 cartridges can last for a real long time. They also have the filled weights engraved or printed on the barrel of the canister. Your 24g cartridge will probably have a fill weight of 112g.

 

If your cartridge weighs as much as the engraving on the side says it should, it's more than likely good to go at least until the expiration date.

 

The rest of the re-arm kit may well have parts that expire at a different, shorter interval.