Recall: Crosman Corporation Recall of Air Rifles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 2, 2003 Release # 04-001

Air Rifle Recall Hotline: (800) 724-7486 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051

CPSC, Crosman Corporation Announce Recall of Air Rifles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Crosman Corporation, of East Bloomfield, N.Y., is voluntarily recalling about 1,500 spring-piston, break-action air rifles. The air rifles can discharge unexpectedly when the user closes the barrel, posing a serious risk of injury to consumers and bystanders.

Crosman Corporation has received one report of an air rifle unexpectedly firing, though no injuries have been reported.

The recalled break-action, spring air rifles include Crosman Model numbers RM177, RM177X, RM677, RM677X, RM877 and RM622 that were produced before August 2001. Models produced after that time are not included in this recall. The recalled air rifles have brown wood stocks, black barrels, and blue and white striped spacers on the butt plate. The RM622 shoots .22 caliber airgun pellets; the other models shoot .177 caliber airgun pellets. The RM177X and RM677X were sold with scopes. Each barrel is imprinted with the model number and the words, "Manufactured for Crosman Corp. by Mendoza."

Authorized dealers, gun shops and sporting goods dealers nationwide sold the air rifles from June 2001 through August 2001 for between $130 and $250.

Consumers should stop using these air rifles immediately and contact Crosman Corporation at (800) 724-7486 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for instructions on returning the rifle for a free repair or replacement with a comparable model. Crosman will also reimburse consumers for the cost of shipping. Consumers also can log on to the company's Web site at www.crosman.com to view safety and recall information posted since September 2001.