Mares Phantom FV 75 gun

My 14 year old son Nathan is really amped about spearing and wanted to move up to a speargun from the polespear.  He saved up and just got the Mares gun.  Mostly because we took a dive class with Laird in Santa Cruz and he was holding one in the shop during the discussion part.  Nathan bought it online from Dolphin Scuba in Sac.

My question, pulling that band back is hard!  I didnt actually load the spear but marked where I would have to pull to.  My concern is that he may not be able to load it OTW.  Is there some trick to this, or should I go to the dive shop and get a thinner band?

Also in the second pic near the handle is a black lever.  What is it?  Not the line release or safety.

Speaking of safety, how do you unoad the gun?  Shoot it in the water or pull the band off manually?

thanks
Eugene

My question, pulling that band back is hard!  I didnt actually load the spear but marked where I would have to pull to.  My concern is that he may not be able to load it OTW.  Is there some trick to this, or should I go to the dive shop and get a thinner band?

Also in the second pic near the handle is a black lever.  What is it?  Not the line release or safety.

Speaking of safety, how do you unoad the gun?  Shoot it in the water or pull the band off manually?

No real trick, just technique.  Euro guns are made to be loaded on your chest.  This way you have a straight pull to load the gun and can utilize your back muscles in addition to your arms.  Here's a generic loading vid on youtube:


Not sure what black lever you're talking about.  If you're talking about the black tab that's held down by a screw, that's a ghetto line release.  In case something happens with your line release, you can pinch the loop of line in that clip instead.

I typically unload the gun manually, but if you (or your son) is getting used to the gun, take the opportunity to shoot at a piece of kelp and work on aiming. 

Sorry dude...Christmas Story flashback coming...
~~You're gonna shoot yer eye out~~

I have a 90 with 20mm band and a 130 with twin 16mm mm bands. I think they are easier to load in the water because the gun is neutral and you don't have to struggle with keeping it in place. The bands will loosen a little after a few loadings.

Sorry dude...Christmas Story flashback coming...
~~You're gonna shoot yer eye out~~

its not his eye I am worried about, more like my backside!

Thanks for the info guys.  The tab I was talking about does indeed look like a ghetto line release.

its not his eye I am worried about, more like my backside!

You'll have to let him swim in front of you now

It's been a long time since I shot a speargun, but the old Scubapro gun I used was much easier to load in the water as Amphibian said. It was a twin band gun.