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Old 11-25-2015, 02:22 PM
  #104  
littlearrow
Nontypical Buck
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,592
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Here is my personal experience with Barnett Ghost 410:
1st bow: missing limb rockers, which I replaced after a long wait. Replaced the cables as the strands started breaking. Barnett had wrapped the cables around each other instead of laying one above the other. Looking at the stock cables: at the bottom of the "Y" there is a loop where the second part of the cable is looped to make a complete cable. Both cables are built this way. One does not build cables like this. The cable should be one piece. Barnett string is not served tight enough, this is why one is getting serving separation, and if not replaced immediately, breakage. Barnett does not use the proper size cam bearings. The inner diameter is 4.83 mm while the axle diameter is 4.72 mm, a difference of 0.11 mm which results in a sloppy-loose fit. Due to over stressing the limbs when the cables were improperly installed by the manufacture, the limbs on one side failed and later one set of cam bearings. I received replacement limbs but I replaced both sides for safety reasons. When the limbs start to break, they break from the inside outwards. I ordered cam bearings from a dealer Barnett recommended. One bearing was broke with absolutely no grease, while it's mate had a broken flange. I had to purchase bearings and cams (only bearings were needed) as the dealer did not have an order going into Barnett. The replacement bearings were the same over size so I would not use them. Instead I replaced the bearings with a full one piece bushing. I did both sides, again for safety reasons. Barnett cables and string were replaced with 60X which is very high quality and has excellent customer service. Keeping the string and cables well lubricated and a light coat on the rail which I had done with Barnett's original set, I now have over 1500 shots on the 60X set with absolutely no stretch or serving wear or separation. This crossbow is timed, cam leveled, proper axle to axle measurement and shoots the stock Barnett Head Hunter arrow-point combination of 432 grain at 400 feet per second using the basic 400 grain formula and shooting through a Pro Digital Chronograph. This bow came from a dealer but the box had never been opened and the box was not damaged in shipping. There was no packing to prevent damage to the bow and accessories. The scope was in it's own box (not mounted) but an arrow had punctured the box and broke the clear lens of the scope cover. If I had sent this bow back each time for Barnett to repair it would have made 5 trips with 4-6 week turn around each time.
2nd bow, identical to the first. This was purchased why waiting for parts and for Barnett to make up there mine whether to ship parts. This crossbow came with the scope mounted and protection foam on the scope, no other protective packing. The riser had already been repaired as the stock cables and string were loaded with lubricant. Fresh out of the package, they do not come this way. The riser had never been installed on this stock as there was no marks on the bolt and no lube or marks on the rail etc. The axle to axle was to long, the cams were out of time and not leveled. I corrected all this and when I went to shoot, the speed was 386 feet per second which had to be corrected and now it to shoots 400 feet per second using the stock 22" Barnett Head Hunter arrows with the arrow-point combination of 432 grain. I have one piece bushings for the cams and the 60X string and cables for this cross bow.
I do my own repair work as repair work, parts etc. coming from Barnett or the recommended dealer are not acceptable. I am also a long ways from the dealer and much farther from Barnett. This brand and series of crossbow is excellent providing the proper parts and workmanship is used. If Barnett used the proper sizes bearings and good quality string and cables along with proper quality control, they would not have so many returns. I recently emailed "Matt" at Barnett with these same recommendations which I hope they will look into and this would help not only the dealers but also the customers. All the best.
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