nor cal spear gun questions

Hola everyone,   just wanted to get a bit more advice on a north coast spear gun. I have two 20 year old 38 Specials, double bands.  Now I wanted to step up to something more modern. Looking to target lings, cabazon, and sea trout.  65cm to 75cm in length...I have been advised.
 Single band? What is the advantage? About how much is a band replacement?
 What about brands? Any stand out for better quality? Poor quality? Easy of use?
 About how much $$$ for shaft replacement? How durable are the shafts?
 What about pneumatic?

Thanks for any input, hope to join the group in some upcoming events. I picked up my first kayak about a year ago, a Hobie Outback and have been enjoying it on the NorCal Coast. Thanks, Ron
 

Rob Allen 70cm or 80cm, I've heard a lot of good things about these guns from folks diving NorCal water.

Freddy
IslandYak

Freddy nailed it.  The Rob Allen's are pretty popular.  They are durable and they work well.  70cm is a good size for the kelp and hole hunting, 80cm is good too, but longer so it's better for longer shots.

I think all the RA's have two bands.  That's good so you can power down when you shoot through a fish directly into a rock.

Bands are inexpensive to replace, especially if you tie your own.  They last quite a while.  I wouldn't get hung up on different rubber manufacturers, just buy fresh rubber when you intend to replace the bands.

The shafts come in several materials, each with positives and negatives.  The RA's have Carbon steel (I think) which tends to rust (you can clean it up with steel wool or emery cloth, I don't bother) but is more malleable.  It isn't as brittle as stainless so it's easier to sharpen with a file and is better suited for shooting into rocks (IMO).  They are plenty durable enough.  I think the run about $45 but I've never had to replace one.

Pneumatics aren't used much out here.  I don't have one, but I think they are loud, may be difficult to load and there may be maintenance issues.  I don't know anything about them really.

There are plenty of makes and models.  I usually recommend the Freedive Shop in Sac, but you might have a local shop or plan on ordering on line.

Good luck with your decision.

I have a Mares "Mini" pneumatic that I never use anymore do to some of the issues described. My go to gun is an AB BILLER 24 special that's got to be over 25yr old by now and I still kill all the fish I need and I only shoot with one band since most shots are very close or shots into holes and the 24in gun is easy to get through the kelp when free diving

Thanks guys! I have been up to the Freedive Shop in Sacramento,...it's an excellent shop. I'll check out what they have, Ron

Thanks guys! I have been up to the Freedive Shop in Sacramento,...it's an excellent shop. I'll check out what they have, Ron

+1 I got my hammer head 70cm from them .gave me a good deal, great little shop.very friendly and knowledgeable in the diving sport

not that I'm ready for one yet...but this was a question I had too...thanks for posting,i saved some info for later..
Craig

RAP, great question bro,

I've only been diving for one summer with a JBL 38 special Northwest (NW) edition and I was asking the same questions 6 months ago right before I bought it.  The only difference (That I can tell) between the regular 38 special and the 38 special NW is that the NW has a thicker diameter spear.  The rocky areas up here are rough on spears and the fish you are talking about like to hang out in these rocks....so a thicker shaft prevents bending etc.  Although I have to say I don't have experience with thinner spears, I have been told by several buddies the thinner ones are more easily damaged. 

For me its almost impossible to avoid hitting rocks and I frequently only use a single band in an attempt to avoid damaging my spear but I think its a good idea to get at least a 2 band model so you have it for a longer range shot.  Also if one band breaks (Happened to me once) you already have another on the gun ready to go.  From my limited experience I don't really think there is any negative to having an extra band or two on your gun,except maybe for purchase price.  The bands are about $10-$12 online or $14-$18 at any dive shop.  Most of the JBL Magnum line is available with the thicker spear, the model name is the same but it will be the "XHD"edition, I'm not sure exactly what the cost difference is. 

I have no doubt the Rob Allen line is excellent, but JBL has been around for a long time, replacement parts are cheap and readily available (If it even breaks, sounds like yours have held up for 20 years) and they are mass produced to a point that makes them very affordable for a stingy fellow like myself.

Good Luck! and if you ever want to sell one of your JBL relics hit me up, those actually sound pretty cool.
Joe

There is nothing wrong with those old guns. I have 2 guns that are older. I have a 24 inch Dacor from 1975 ish and it works good.
I change bands anually. I take it apart once a year and clean up.2nd gun is a 20inch JBL single band.
Both are great guns. Short and easy to use in water. You can change band size if you feel you need more power.
I did buy a AB Miller 36 special for use on Halibut. Halibut only because its to big for north coast.
Clean up those guns and put new bands on and enjoy on North coast

That's good advice
Just wondering......... did that 1975 Dacor come in a shag polyester case or with a complimentary disco ball?

 

60-90 cm.
open muzzle.
single flopper shaft.
one or two bands...don't matter


60-80 cm is good for hole hunting. 80-90cm is good for free swimming fish such as vermillion, olives, sheephead

budget rail gun: http://www.makospearguns.com/spearguns-s/37.htm

really nice expensive custom locally built wood guns:
http://www.herranenspearguns.com/wp_sc_spearguns/?page_id=2
http://www.seasniper.com/j/index.php
http://manmidhandles.webspawner.com/

other good guns:
http://omerdiving.com/categories.php?categoryID=1
http://www.roballen.co.za/
http://pureinstinct.mares.com/products/spearguns/sling-guns/?region=us
http://www.sporasubamerica.com/spearguns-c-26.html
http://speargun.com/

build your own: (you can take your gun to the shop in Santa Cruz and they will make bands for you, rig shooting line, ect)
http://www.neptonicsystems.com/index.php

retailers:
http://freediveshop.com/

what an excellent site! Spearo's are the best with wisdom and sound advice. Thanks again guys, I'll keep the 38 specials, and get a long gun for Baja with the money I save. Right now I am looking for a one or two day window to give Pt. Arena a try. Maybe a 3 week camping trip with the kayak to southern Baja in May.    Enjoy, Ron