CAPTIVE BOLT GUNS &

ELECTRICAL STUNNERS

Chuck Bildstein

Product Specialist
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There are several manufacturers of captive bolt 

tools – this presentation is intended to provide 

guidance in regards to safety, cleaning, 

maintenance and testing procedures for all 

types of stunners. It is recommended that all 

users of captive bolt tools read and understand 

the specific manufacturers operator manual for 

their specific stunner equipment.

Overview
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 IN LINE 

 PENETRATING BOLT

 NON PENETRATING (CONCUSSION)

 PISTOL STYLE

 PENETRATING BOLT

 NON PENETRATING (CONCUSSION)

 LONG HANDLE

 CONTACT FIRE

 PENETRATING BOLT

CAPTIVE BOLT GUN STYLES
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IN LINE

 PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

 AUTO BOLT RESET

 MANUAL BOLT RESET

 2 PIECE CONSTRUCTION

 EXTERNAL SAFETY 

 REGULAR LENGTH AND LONG BARREL

◦ PRIMARY USE

 SLAUGHTER FACILITIES – PRIMARY & SECONDARY

 SOME ON FARM 
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 READ THE OPERATORS MANUAL

 HAND OFF IN TWO PIECES

 STORE IT BROKEN DOWN

 USE MANUAL SAFETY IF AVAILABLE

 HANDS AWAY FROM END OF BARREL

 NEVER LEAVE IT LOADED

 USE PROPER POWER LOADS FOR APPLICATION

SAFE HANDLING – IN LINE
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 Gun cleaning solvent (no WD 40)

 Oil usage

 Cleaning brushes 

 Proper tools 

 Barrel and breech

 Bolt retention system

 Bolt & buffers

 Breech cap

 Record keeping

MAINTENANCE – IN LINE 

If you shoot it clean it!
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 .25 and .22 Caliber

 Automatic bolt retraction

 Primary use

◦ Slaughter facilities

◦ On farm

PISTOL STYLE
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SAFE HANDLING – PISTOL STYLE

 Read the operators manual

 Hands away from barrel

 Never leave it loaded

 Remington rolling block safety

 One hand operation

 Use proper power loads for application
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 Gun cleaning solvent (no WD40)

 Oil Usage

 Cleaning brushes

 Muzzle

 Barrel

 Undercut cleaner

 Breech cleaner

 Bolt & recuperator sleeves

 Record Keeping

MAINTENANCE – PISTOL STYLE

If you shoot it clean it!
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LONG HANDLE 

Contact Fire Stunners

◦ .25 Caliber

◦ Automatic Bolt Retraction 

◦ Penetrating Bolt Only

◦ Contact Fire

◦ Two Piece Construction

 Primary Uses

◦ Large Plant

◦ Small Plant
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 Read the operators manual

 Hands away from barrel

 Never leave it loaded

 Rotate to fire only when ready to use

 Store broken down

 Uses proper power loads for application

SAFE HANDLING – LONG HANDLE
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 Gun cleaning solvent (no WD40)

 Cleaning brushes

 Muzzle

 Barrel

 Undercut cleaner

 Breech cleaner

 Bolt & recuperator sleeves/buffers

 Record Keeping

MAINTENANCE – LONG HANDLE

If you shoot it clean it!
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 Use Proper power loads for application

 Storage

◦ Long Term

 Clean 

 Dry

 Climate Controlled

 First in First out

 Lot number recorded

 Don’t carry in pockets

◦ Daily use

 Keep dry

 Small quantities

 Container

POWER LOADS
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 Tools

 Wrench’s

 Hammer

 Punches (properly sized)

 Pick

 Specific stunner tools (undercut & breech cleaner)

 Spare parts inventory

 Bench Vise

 Cleaning supplies

 Stunner cleaning solvent

 Shop towels

 Green scratch pads

MAINTENANCE AREA

ALL CAPTIVE BOLT TOOLS
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 Suggested information 

◦ Date & Time of test

◦ Tool number

◦ Serial #

◦ Power load used

◦ Service Technician ID

◦ Bolt Speed

◦ Download to any

spreadsheet

STUNNER PERFORMANCE TESTER

ALL CAPTIVE BOLT TOOLS
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 Knocker Vest

◦ Chest Protection

◦ Groin Protection

 Ear Protection

 Eye Protection

OPERATOR 

SAFETY EQUIPMENT
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ELECTRIC HOG STUNNERS
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ELECTRIC STUNNING

Control Box

 Installed in clean & dry environment

 Easily accessible

 Maintenance

 Setting changes

 Installed on dedicated electrical circuit

 Back up system
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 Verification of system performance

 Verify voltage 

 Verify amperage

 Stunner settings confirmed

 Amperage – voltage – frequencies – stun time

◦ Verify infeed line voltage to Control Box

 Idle

 Operating

 Inspect all connections

 Is there water in the outlet or plug?

 Loose or frayed wires?

CHECK LIST
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 Maintain a critical parts inventory

 Control Cards

 Display Cards

 Transformers

 Fuses

 Regular PM schedule

 Replace Contactors – at least once per year

 Replace male/female plugs – Weekly? Monthly?

 Wiring from panel to restrainer/stunning area

SPARE PARTS
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STUNNER WANDS

 Use properly designed wand

 Hog restraint required?

 Wand extensions needed?

 Clean and maintain daily

 Clean wand tips – volume dictates how often

 Check wiring

 Verify switch operation – replace if necessary

 Storage

 Warm – dry environment

 Drying cabinet is ideal
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 Personal Protection

◦ Gloves

◦ Boots

◦ Safety chaps or Apron

 Stunning area

◦ Cover all metal

◦ Animal restraint

◦ Rubber mat on floor

◦ Emergency shut off?

OPERATOR SAFETY
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 Create daily maintenance log sheet

 Include control unit and wands

 Make sure Stun Tracker software is 

operational (if available)

 Print daily stunner log for file

DOCUMENTATION
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CONTACT

 Chuck Bildstein

 Phone: 319-573-6121

 Email: charles.bildstein@bunzlusa.com

QUESTIONS?
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Thank you!