RIFFE Euro Style Speargun Series "MAG-TRACK"

[foxfish]

So our locale price of approx 420us is not that far away. So fondu, what is your personal opinion of the gun?

[Oldsarge]

I wonder what I could get one for if I drove down there and asked to see "seconds". Hmmmm, this is worth considering. A 75mm would make one grouper of a cave gun . . .

[Fondueset]

Alas - I've never even fondled one. My impression from what others have said is that it's a very good gun. From experience I know the trigger mech is very sturdy. Should be a pretty stout piece.

[billder99]

I have a Riffe E100 and have been hunting with it for about 3 months now... very straight shooter, easy to load, very nice gun. The magnet helps alot when loading the open barrel. Riffe customer service has been excellent, answering my questions quickly and accurately. I am happy and would buy another Riffe gun.

[spaghetti]

I think that design is a downisde of this gun: europeans are more demanding on aesthetics, while this gun (and american guns in general) looks too "square" to me.
I know, I know it's stupid to argue about "beauty" (every single person has his own idea of beauty: de gustibus non disputandum est), but if you compare european woodies to this one, you must admit there has been more committment on style, design and details (more ergonomic barrels, more anatomic handles, a cooler look) by the italian, greek and spanish gunmakers.
--
PS: my car is a Ford and in general I have good feelings about american culture, music, arts, literature, architecture et cetera. I'm just talking of spearguns.

[Fondueset]

How dare you insult american aesthetics! Clearly you Italians know nothing about art or culture.

I actually think the grip on the Riffe is pretty cool - and I like the way the track is almost enclosed. The trigger mech is also going to be sturdier than a lot of the euro triggers. It is a functionally minimalistic design though - While aesthetics are a matter of taste I'd say the emphasis on the Riffe's is durability and the capacity to handle a fair amount of power. I've got an Omer Cobra and a little Riffe MT0 - which pretty much covers the range aesthetically. I actually traded in my 100cm cobra for the 90 partly because I think it's prettier (the 90 also tracks much better).

[Oldsarge]

American schools never teach the elements of design unless it's to effete art majors . . . even ones who are complete gun nuts and go around the world shooting and eating everything in sight! One could, after having met him, hardly expect subtlety or refined aesthetics from Jay Riffe. He's a big, bluff outdoorsy kind of guy who probably listens to country music and watches NASCAR races. His major concern is whether his products do what they're supposed to do. In that he succeeds. However, I must agree with Spaghetti, Italian guns are sexier, especially those rollerguns he showed pix of last year!

[foxfish]

Well I dont think the gun looks to bad but I am more interested in the track design. Anyhow I have booked the ferry to Jersey so I can see the gun up close, going on March 5th.

[spaghetti]

Amen, Oldsarge: if it makes fish it's a good gun.
And Jay Riffe is in good company with his philosophy. Our Valerio Grassi and Giorgio Dapiran make some of the ugliest guns of the Mediterranean (at least for our standard of ugliness), but they are said to be the most accurate.
Foxfish: you must be very curious to take such a long trip just to give a look to a bandgun. Is the "bright side" striking back with you?

[strangelove]

Originally Posted by spaghetti

I think that design is a downside of this gun: Europeans are more demanding on aesthetics, while this gun (and American guns in general) looks too "square" to me.

I agree with spaghetti here, specially with the plastic handle, would much rather see a wooden handle. But that being said, I think euro-riffe is the best looking riffe gun. I almost order one last year, but end up buying a teak-sea pal.

My take a wooden gun has to look good, the euro gun is not ugly but could be prettier !

[foxfish]

Spaghetti the ferry takes 45mins & cost £26.
I am always interested in guns that show some form of technological improvement over the conventional? I use my air guns a lot because they catch my tea very efficiently but I dont own an open muzzle mag track! I am also after other gear possibly a new suit & fins, makes sense to try the gear on first.
I am a trained boat builder & have worked with wood all my life, not surprisingly I have built many guns including firearm stocks. At the moment I am building a very interesting wooden sleeve & handle to fit my mamba 90, obversly I will post the end product when complete. Air guns might be fantastic killing machines but they are not pretty!

[Fondueset]

HA! I was just thinking 'I wish someone would make a beautiful wooden handle for Pneumatics'

Interesting note - if you are looking for powerful magnets take apart a dead computer hard-drive. The magnets the read/write head is suspended between are so powerful they can nearly crush your finger!

[fuzz]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

I actually think the grip on the Riffe is pretty cool - and I like the way the track is almost enclosed. The trigger mech is also going to be sturdier than a lot of the euro triggers.

The grip is cool, but a little small for normal sized hands. My hands are about average & I wish the handle was a bit bigger. Funny change since Riffe's Comp series has HUGE handles on them.

The track being almost enclosed is also a semi-negative. With the tight tolerances, the loop of mono that goes into the back of the shaft won't fit in the track.


All-in-all, it's a nice gun and I've been happy with it.

[foxfish]

Originally Posted by fuzz

The track being almost enclosed is also a semi-negative. With the tight tolerances, the loop of mono that goes into the back of the shaft won't fit in the track

I am a bit confused about the standard spear? On Riffe main site they talk of shark fin spears, is this a standard fitment?

[Fondueset]

Yup - I'm sure you could thread the mono through one of the fins as well - that's how my cobra and little riffe are both rigged. the guns come with dynema wishbones and finned shafts. - That's the way Riffe rolls...