57 Inch Sea Sniper "Gun of the Month" for Sale

[Blesum]

$1,150. Includes 2 5/16" Tahitian shafts w shaft lines, slip-slip shaft and system, 3 5/8" bands, and reel/line.

This is a beautiful enclosed-track, water-ballasted long-range rear handle gun built by Chris for Steve Bennett. Due to lateral epicondylitis in my right elbow, I found that I am not able to properly handle the gun underwater. I already have a hard enough of a time with my smaller 55" Wong hybrid. The gun is just taking up space (along with a few others I need to sell) and the wife-to-be is nagging me about them.

From SeaSniper - Gun of the Month - August 2006

This gun was built by special request for Florida diver, Steve Bennett. Sea Sniper doesn't typically build large, high caliber, rear-handle guns but Steve really wanted a long-range, rear-handled gun.



It was designed to have a 5/16" Tahitian shaft and 3 - 5/8" bands, with Sea Sniper's water ballasting tubes. A large reel was mounted in the recessed area forward of the handle to keep with the low profile shape, and the shooting line was routed through the bottom ballast tube, exiting out the muzzle to keep things tangle-free.




To keep the gun from feeling muzzle-heavy (an inherent problem of a high-mass, rear-handled gun), high-density enclosed cell foam plugs were inserted into the side ballast tubes, near the muzzle. These foam plugs were low volume and had little effect on the amount of water ballasting.


A small extension over the handle allows for easier loading.

All of these special features made Steve's 57" Rear Handle a clear choice for Gun of the Month.

I have never shot a fish with it - it has only been used for underwater photography to date and has been in Hawaiian waters only twice. It is in nearly-new condition.

-Paul



Photo by Derek Broussard

[Sin City Slayer]

Wow, that is truely an awesome gun! What is the maximum, effective distance of the shaft and shooting line? Chris is currently working on a 67" Pro model for me and he tells me all of his guns are one of a kind.

SCS

[Blesum]

Based on what I've been told, I would say the gun's reasonable range is about 22'. Beyond that, the shaft starts falling and full penetration starts to depend on where the spear hits. I've never shot anything with it though so I'm not the best person to ask.

-Paul