The O-Ring Discussion Thread

[K.B.]

Ok so when I was looking at Fire Flys collection thread someone meantioned the o ring's breaking and I thought that was actually a good point.

How long does it usually take for the MOC figs o rings to snap? And how do you guys feel about something like spending al lthat money just for it to eventually break (if ever)?

This isnt a thread to knock anyone or there collecting habits (so please don't) it's just something I found interesting and warrents an actual discussion for us collectors.

[joss789]

I'm a new collector and all AFA MOC figures looks great in their plastic boxes but i will never buy them.
I bought all convention boxes (2002-2007) and a few figures has broken o-ring. I don't know if they are cheaper than the old figures or maybe the MOC bubbles keep the o-ring in better shape but i'm very scared to buy expensive AFA figures.

[Scoop]

Very good question. It all depends on the conditions in which the figure is kept I guess. Moisture and dryness could have opposite effects, as well as heat and cold. I have seen some figures that were mint inside a baggie and they were pretty tight for being over 20 years old.

If you don't touch or play with a loose figure they should last for many years under good conditions for preserving plastics and rubber. As far as a MOC figure I think they should last longer.

[Shogi]

Well I have a MOC 83 Cobra Soldier that's still unbroken. I have no idea what conditions it was kept in when I bought it (Considering the seller, I'd say probably a basement or attic...maybe a closet) Since I've gotten it, it's been in a star case on a wall then in a china cabnet. So the o-ring is at least 25 years old or so.

It also depends on how well the o-ring itself was made. I bought the TRU Moray with Night Force Beachhead and Flint. Right out of the box, the o-ring was already broken. So that one was probably half a year old.

[K.B.]

I have a loose cobra soldier from my childhood (one of the few figs I still have unfortuantly) and he is still standing proud.

[A.V.A.C.]

i have quite a few moc figures from back in the day and that is where they will stay. however, i would never spend that kind of money on one figure. to each his own. i personally like to put my cash towards figs and vechs i didn't get after i stopped collecting, new releases, and the mortgage. there is a play value to joe collecting to me. not to say i don't buy joes to save in their box, but there is definately a monetary limit for me.

moc figs will increase in value, but someday, somewhere those o-rings will break. if i want a solid investment i will buy gold.

[genoneguy]

When it comes to AFA graded toys, I pretty much only buy Transformers because I know there are no O-rings holding the toy together that will eventually snap and destroy the entire investment. When it comes to AFA graded G.I.Joe figures, I am truly at a loss for words when I see collectors hand over huge amounts of money for AFA graded figures when they know full well that soon their investment will be nothing but a graded pile of body parts sealed in a plexi-glass case. I personally only own one AFA graded Joe figure and it did not cost me very much money at all. If you want to spend crazy amounts of money on those ticking time bombs, then more power to ya. But don't say i didn't warn you when those time bombs explode, or in other words, when those little 5 cent O-rings snap. Take a look at this example:

http://www.brianstoys.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=GRAC84FIREFLYC9*AFA80

[performula]

When it comes to AFA graded toys, I pretty much only buy Transformers because I know there are no O-rings holding the toy together that will eventually snap and destroy the entire investment. When it comes to AFA graded G.I.Joe figures, I am truly at a loss for words when I see collectors hand over huge amounts of money for AFA graded figures when they know full well that soon their investment will be nothing but a graded pile of body parts sealed in a plexi-glass case. I personally only own one AFA graded Joe figure and it did not cost me very much money at all. If you want to spend crazy amounts of money on those ticking time bombs, then more power to ya. But don't say i didn't warn you when those time bombs explode, or in other words, when those little 5 cent O-rings snap. Take a look at this example:

http://www.brianstoys.com/store/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=GRAC84FIREFLYC9*AFA80

I would buy boxed body parts for the fact it was on the shelf in 1984.

[performula]

Not at that price however...

[K.B.]

Not to knock your transformers collecting but don't they have a similer fault in that after sometime their pieces fall apart as well?

Maybe we can hear from some G.I. Joe AFA figure owners on here......

[genoneguy]

Not to knock your transformers collecting but don't they have a similer fault in that after sometime their pieces fall apart as well?

Maybe we can hear from some G.I. Joe AFA figure owners on here...... No.

[xhairs]

well the O ring break if they get worn for sure but i have a buch of moc figs like the 6packs and the spytroops to now and non of them broke. now on my loose figs some have as the invorment they are has alot to do with how fast they go.

i love the oring and wish the 25 anny had them. i know that the 25 anny figs will last alot longer then the oring no mater moc or lose but the O ring gives them more movement.

[K.B.]

I'm kinda glad the new figs lack the o ring though, to be honest.

[General Scarlett]

My original 1982 straight-arm Scarlett went 24 1/2 years without busting her O-Ring.........

And as for the rest.......only now are some of them starting to show signs of breaking and/or break.......


God Bless the O-Ring

[K.B.]

"My original 1982 straight-arm Scarlett went 24 1/2 years without busting her O-Ring........."


So dirty lol

[kndy]

True...I would never buy an AFA Joe because of the O-Ring at a high cost but if the price was reasonable (in my case, reasonably low), I wouldn't mind.

As for a lot of my Joe's, I purchase O-ring lots and replaced everyone's O-rings, so they would have that tight fit and not loose. Unfortunately, I own too many Joe's with broken t-crotches and thumbs...which was more or less, much more a problem for me than the o-ring.