Any suggestions on guns?

[TAMU'06]

I am looking at JBL explorers 22 and 24. Has anyone shot these guns? I am not looking for the best gun out there, but just one that is cheap and will get the job done.

Thanks
-Chris

[Phat_Tuna]

what and where do you intend to shoot?

[TAMU'06]

Moslty out of Galveston and freeport hopping rigs.

-chris

[speckle-catcher]

yeah, what PT said!

a similar gun to the Explorer that has more punch (and not too much more $$) would be a Rob Allen railgun. Search for "florida freedivers" - they carry them.

[speckle-catcher]

personally, I wouldn't go for anything smaller than a JBL Competition Magnum. Get the XHD for heavier bands and better tip.

a Biller 48 is a good choice also, the mahogany model is much cheaper than the teak.

[LA Cox]

I believe I've got a JBL Competition Magnum at home, that I would sell if you're interested. I'll check when I get home to see exactly which model it is. It will need new bands and is in excellent condition. If you're interested send me a PM.

Late,
Cox

[speckle-catcher]

I'm gonna retract the recomendation for Rob Allen guns (being cheap, that is) - I looked up the price this morning and they've gotten expensive! Prolly has soemthing to do with the exchange rate with S. Africa wher they're exported from.

[TrophyFish'n]

My recommendation is the JBL Magnum 450 XHD. It's got the power and reach assuming you can get the bands cocked. I've got two of them and a Competition Magnum. If you run out for a day of spearfishing and pay a lot of money for gasoline, you'll thank yourself for bringing a backup spear gun. Been there done that, that's why I have three. Make sure to cover the bands in silicone spray and put a piece of fabric around the bands while not in use. It will protect the bands from the UV light when out on the boat all day. The UV light will break down the rubber. Think about safety when you rig up these guns as well. Use a large enough stainless cable for the connection to the gun and the shaft. Fish can really pull hard (try shooting a 40-50lb or larger Ling, and hard enough to really get you into trouble fast)and having a thicker cable is better only because it won't slice into you under hard tension. Granted you will have gloves on but you never know. It's also a good idea to carry some sort of large wire cutters in order to cut the cable if necessary. A smaller diameter cable is ok for the tip to spear shaft connection. I replace the shaft carrier that connects the shaft to the cable with one that is essentially a spring. This eliminates any need for a shock line.

Additionally watch out for too much slack in your cable from the tip to the shaft. This cable can get caught on the muzzle part of the gun near the bands and if it does it will cause the shaft to not move when you pull the trigger. This can break the shaft or just bend it up. I know one guy that had something like this happen and the shaft broke or bent hitting him in the regulator and mask under water. Knocked the reg out and broke a few teeth. Not sure if his mask was ok but could have easily broken his mask too. Depending on your depth, not having a mask and a regulator can be a serious problem. Just an FYI for you guys new to spearfishing. TrophFish'n

[tobyhamrick]

I shoot a riffe, probably costs more, but they can get you rigged up and it is an excellent gun (you can call Julie Riffe and tell her what you want). Also, I have a friend in the Houston area that sells Spetton (a spanish brand) www.spetton.com (http://www.spetton.com/). If you like the spetton equipment let me know, I can get you a discount. I hope this helps..........

PS I am a freediver.

[TrophyFish'n]

Aqua-Tech in New Orleans will rig up the JBL's. Probably one of the best dive shops for spearfishing I have ever been to. Granted they sell to commercial divers as well so they are pretty gear intensive there.

[speckle-catcher]

TrophyFish'n - have you ever rigged in a shock cord as part of your cable set up?

when rigging a JBL or a Biller, I use a small JBL band (cut the "V" out of the wishbone) and crimp it onto the cable (leave a cable loop at the chock cord). It serves 2 purposes:

1- it keeps the cable tight while on the gun
2- it gives some play in the cable when fighting a fish

I think one of my JBL's has this on it now, I can take a pic if you like.

[TAMU'06]

Thanks for all your help guys. I will keep all suggestions in mind.


-Chris

[Phat_Tuna]

I will agree with speckled that i would not recomend anything smaller than a comp mag. from JBL. The range on a comp is about 20ft. but 3 wraps of cable is just under 18 ft. the explorers most likely will not have enough range to pick of shy snapper or grouper & wont have enough penetrating power for AJ & Ling. the 450 is a cannon (i had deep, deep purple brusies on my hip for about a month after diving with one for 2 days last summer from cocking the thing) but a little hard to manuver quickly for snap shots.

Riffe's, Wong's & Billers are awesome guns. but you can find JBL stuff in almost any dive shop. they are easy to work on and should last you years of use. also if your eyes get a little big for your spear gun they are not that expensive to replace.

all of that being said if you look at the range of an explorer or are just trying to figure out if this is what you want to do. I would recommend a pole spear. they are fast & easy to reload and with a 9' you can get about the same range as the explorer will give you. We had a blast last year on b-liners & triggers on some shallow rigs.

[scubaru]

Try this link: http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.aspx?op=CatDisplay&CategoryID=967&Context=965

The JBL XHD's will definately get you started part'n some eyeballs around the rigs, for the money and as often as we go (a few times a summer), you can't beat the price. A good dive shop or some of the more experienced shooters can give you tips on riggin your gun. Good luck, RU.

[TrophyFish'n]

Leisurepro is a good place to buy gear from my experience. I've bought one 450XHD there and a new Oceanic Dive computer just recently. No problems.

The shock cord would help to keep the cable tensioned while on the gun, I agree. I don't get bruises on my leg but I've had bruises before on my chest from being too close to the butt of the gun while shooting. The recoil can put a good bruise on you as well.