Broken nocks....

[MrBadExample]

I just got home from a 3d shoot today and need to vent.  I had put together a half dozen arrows for todays shoot (I know, I was being optimistic...probably should have brought 3 dozen)

They are Gold Tip 3555 xt Traditionals, which I dipped, crested, and fletched myself.  As this was my first try at dipping and cresting I was very happy with the results.
During the first few targets I was shooting fairly well (that means hitting FOAM as opposed to rocks, leaves, dirt, or trees for me    )  Eventually I missed, went low and into the ground...and when I retrieved my arrow the nock was missing, oh well, my fault I thought.  A couple of targets later, I reach for an arrow from my backquiver and another nock practically falls off in my hand.   :eek:   I shoot another arrow at the target and when I retrieve it, the nock is hanging on by a thread of plastic!   :eek:   Two targets or so later...a swing and a miss...I will miss that arrow...  :mad:   Another low shot...bye bye nockie!     A perfect shot...doesn't matter, the nock breaks anyway!    

 

These were brand new arrows, never shot before today.  I didn't file or sand the nocks as they fit my string well.  None of the shafts were damaged, except maybe for the one that got away. All the points are undamaged with no evidence of hitting rocks or anything that would cause the nocks to break.  So the only thing I can think of is that the nocks were brittle or somehow defective?  Has this happened to anyone else?  Does someone make a better nock to fit the GT?

Sorry if this was too much of a rant...but I feel better now.  

[matt matney]

I've had a similar problem before not the exact same but close enough.  The only thing I can come up with is the translucent nocks red and the orange ones are made of a cheap plastic.  My nocks were exploding after i shot.  I've been using the solid color ones and have not had a problem.  
 
matt

[macbow]

I've been shooting the Gt's the past 2 years or more and never had a nock break like that. I have had some pop out when I hit a stump dead on etc.
Did you glue your nocks in. I don't I like them to be adjustable as far as aligning the fletch etc.
Ron

[macbow]

Just saw Matt's post. Mine are also the solid color type.
Ron

[JEFF B]

mabye a bad bunch of nocks ?

[ber643]

When I worked in a pro shop we sold more Gold Tips than any other carbon arrow for the better part of three years. Most users opted (even paid for, after our "dealer price" went up, and we had to start charging for the substitution) for Easton nocks. They usually said they didn't care for or trust the GT nocks that came with the arrows. Some would say that the adjustable set screw would back out of the GT nock in use and let the nock fly out. I always assumed it was really just preferance but perehaps they had more serious reasons. Either that or perhaps other pro shops have drawers full of old GT nocks left over, as we did, that have grown old on the shelf. However, the "string of plastic" sounds more like incompatible chemicals - like, glue, cleaner, bug sprays, etc. Be careful what you use around any plastic products, without testing it first IMO.

[Frank V]

MrBad, go with wooden arrows,glue on the nocks,& no problems! Just had to pull your leg a little. Frank

[vermonster13]

I've had that problem with a few different nocks myself. Carry a small wood screw and some spares. I screw the wood screw in about a half turn to pull out the broken piece.

[MrBadExample]

I know these nocks didn't contact any chemicals, I had not glued them in so I could adjust if necessary.

Frank, well at least if I go with wood then it would be like recycling when I send them back into the forest!  

[Shakes.602]

Amen Frank V!!      

[Matty]

That happened to me once the nocks were too soft for the Speed of the bow, Every couple of shot...POP! Almost seemed like a dry Fire..Afetr a while I realized what was going on, Happened with the Solid nocks as opposed to the transparent ones...

[MrBadExample]

Well, after sending an e-mail yesterday to GT, I received a response that may explain the problem.  They state that the fletch-laq, if not fully cured will react with the nocks and caused them to become brittle.  While I was under the impression that it was cured prior to inserting the nocks, I guess I will allow longer for it to dry next time.  That said, they are sending me new nocks and I am very impressed by Gold Tip's quick and courteous customer service.  

[vermonster13]

Good deal. I'd still carry a few extras though.

[MrBadExample]

Just a quick update, I want to give Gold Tip their due and give them a big thumbs up for how they responded to my nock issue.     Not only did they send me another dozen nocks (all I expected from my contact with them), they sent me four dozen!  I can only say that I was pleasantly surprised and applaud Tim Gillingham, their National Shooting Staff Manager for responding above and beyond the call of duty in this case.  I will certainly have no reservations using the products of a company that is willing to stand behind them.