Aimrite Venom reviews?

[Nomaspescado]

Hello everyone,
Great forum!
I just moved to Maui a month and a half ago and will be getting back into spearfishing after a five year hiatus at Tahoe..
I think that is time to try out a Euro gun and I am looking at either an Aimrite Venom or Riffe Euro, but cannot find suitable personal reviews on the Aimrite.
I've read that the Riffe is a good balanced gun as is...
Can the same be said of the Aimrite?
Thanks all for any advice,
Steve
Mahalo

[Ron S]

Steve,
Since I'm a Truckee resident, which makes us practically ex-neighbors, I'll be the first to respond. I have a 90cm carbon fiber Venom, and am very pleased with it. First off, the new trigger mechanism is solid steel, and massively strong, yet very smooth. This trigger is set into a very dense, very ergonomic handle, which I find very comfortable. I find that I can shoot this gun more accurately than any other I've owned or shot, and I beleive this is largely due to the positioning of the handle, the very low profile, flat top of the mechanism, and the very short, crisp trigger pull. The handle design, combined with the open muzzle, allows me to sight directly down the unobstructed shaft. I also really like the balance of power that the two bands provides. As far as accuracy, (at least for me), this gun hits exactly where I aim it, with no compensating for anything.
As for the "safety assist" lever on the handle, well, it's a love hate thing for me. First, I hate the fact that the safety has to be depressed before the shaft can be locked in place, although I've gotten used to it and it's not so bad now. I love the fact that the safety adds just a bit of added security, especially with the short trigger pull.
Now, as for the infamous Aimrite guarantee. I won't go into details, (as not to embarrass myself), but I about drove Rick and Angela to their limits with my bumbling, and they were outstanding.
As for the Riffe euro, I haven't shot one, but I've fondled a few and they are outstanding guns as well. I'm a big fan of Riffe guns and own a midhandle. (Which I'd probably trade for the Riffe euro if given a chance.)
Overall, I'd say you can't go wrong with either gun, and the only way to choose is to get yer hands on both and see which one you like the best.
Ron.

[Nomaspescado]

Hey Ron,
Nice to hear from an old neighbor of sorts!
Your info on the Aimrite is great and tells me a ton. Does it have much recoil and/or is it nicely balanced while hunting (nose-heavy, etc..)? Do you use a reel?
Thanks again, Ron.
And, I hope that you have a warm spring leading to the usually epic summer.

[cww180]

I have the Super Venom 120cm and love, with the Robust handle/trigger I think the gun is very will balanced and not muzzle heavy. With either 2 9/16's and a 6.6 shaft or 1 20mm and a 7mm shaft, or for bigger stuff the 2 5/8's and the 7.5mm shaft recoil is no issue. There are not many euro guns that can do that coupled with the warranty its no brainer for me.

The Riffe Euro is an outstanding gun also, but considering both are open track with no need to go more than 2 5/8's bands I would go with the Venom because its lighter and I prefer a lighter more manuverable gun.

[blaiz]

This is too weird!...Ron S you and I used to be neighbors (as I was born in Truckee, Truckee River Hospital, lived in Tahoe City (till I was 3)

And now Nomaspescado, You and I are neighbors. I live in Lahaina as well. Welcome to Maui, PM me if you ever want to go for a dive!

As far as a gun recommendation, I cant say much for the aimrights other than I have heard they are good guns. I shoot with a 110 riffe euro and love it. Very well balanced in the water. Ample power and range, Ive compared it to a couple of other euros (beuchatt, omer, HH evolution) and I can say that it tracks better side to side but is a little heavy up and down. I like the fact that you can beat it up and all it takes is another coat of teak oil and it looks brand-new!

You can modify it to an extent but I still have the stock shaft and it works well. I have tried a few different band set ups but find that the stock 5/8 bands provide a nice punch and good range. My dive buddy uses the same gun and has 3 - 9/16 bands on it. I think its a little excessive for reef dives but he seems to like it. Id recommend getting the gun and reel set up. The reel that they sell with the riffe is the sporosub and it is a great reel.

Make sure you sight the track on the stock of the riffe before you buy. Make sure that thing is straight as an arrow. I ordered my gun and the first one I received had a hefty bend in the stock. Im not sure it did much to the accuracy but it really messed with my head. I sent it in and 6months later received a new one. It was a pain in the a$$!

Ill shut up now!

Aloha

[Ron S]

Originally Posted by Nomaspescado

Hey Ron,
Nice to hear from an old neighbor of sorts!
Your info on the Aimrite is great and tells me a ton. Does it have much recoil and/or is it nicely balanced while hunting (nose-heavy, etc..)? Do you use a reel?
Thanks again, Ron.
And, I hope that you have a warm spring leading to the usually epic summer.

Well thinking about it, if anything it's a tad nose heavy, but I've swam with it quite a bit and it's not enough to be an issue. As far as recoil, my gun came with two 9/16" bands, which is plenty of power for the 6.6mm shaft, but recoil is very minimal. I'm a floatline guy, so no reel.
The current Truckee weather is following tradition for Memorial Day weekend: It's snowing over Donner Summit, and it's cold and rainy here in Truckee and at the lake. It was 88 degrees here last weekend however.
Ron.