Beuchat mundial elite - Hammerhead Muzzle retrofit

[the_milkman]

Just taken delivery of my new hammerhead muzzles. Fitted them to my Beuchat's (75cm Mundial Competition Elite / 90cm Mundial Carbon elite).

The 75 I replaced the standard barrel with one of hammerhead's railed barrels as well.

Here are the pics...

First the 75:

And the 90:

They were pretty easy to fit really. The hardest bit on the 75 was filling down the alu rail a couple of inches at the end of the barrel so it fitted into the handle. On the 90, the carbon barrel was filled with foam so I carefully had to dig that out deep enough to fit the muzzle, and the carbon is very fragile, so it took a wile.

The shafts are from HH also. Pinned to take dyneema and a bit thicker to take the double bands.

Bands are 14mm on the 75 and 16mm on the 90 so with the thicker shaft it shouldn't be overpowered.

Overall I'm really impressed with the quality of the muzzles and barrel. Look forward to testing them.

There's not a lot of info about doing this (I looked before doing mine), so if you have any q's feel free to ask...

 

[Den]

They look good. I'm interested in your little squid though, looks an interesting idea, do you find it effective? I can imagine it might distract the gaze of a bass for that crucial moment.

 

[Old Man Dave]

So Rick these new heads don't have the sticky out semi circle hammer bits that lift the bands parallel to the shaft? Is that style only for single bands?

Dave

 

[jimy286]

Nice GUNS!!

I use a squid sometimes. Sometime i think it helps some times i think its just something for me to look at specially this time of year!!!hah

Well done Milkman i think you should win the arts and crafts award for this winter!!haha

 

[UK Spearo]

Hey Rick, nice guns, doubt you'll need double rubbers though....

 

[the_milkman]

Thanks guys...

Den - the squid idea is not mine - it was ahem...borrowed from a much better and more experienced spearo than myself: Almostafish. It doesn't attract the fish, but like you say just keeps them around for a split second extra which sometimes makes the difference. Also makes it look like you know what you're doing!!

Clive - I know the double bands are overkill, but I fancied trying it, and the muzzles came with 2 bands each. I think I'll probably end up going back to singles - I can see doubles being too much faff. I'm gonna ask Glowworm if he can help get me some of that Dessault bulk rubber everyone bangs on about...

 

[the_milkman]

So Rick these new heads don't have the sticky out semi circle hammer bits that lift the bands parallel to the shaft? Is that style only for single bands?

Dave

Hi Dave - the actual hammer head shaped muzzles are a different type to mine, used on their pelagic guns where multiple bands could mean muzzle lift. The ones I bought are called the 'reef'. I believe that the offset position of the holes is supposed to improve accuracy but the proof is in the pudding as they say and I've yet to try.

I have thoroughly enjoyed all the tinkering though!!

 

[slingshaft]

Hey guys where can I find really good bulk rubber? Is Top Energy as good as Dessault? I am in Texas.

 

[jimy286]

Mako spear guns or freediveshop.com

 

[hteas]

Hana Paa Fishing in Hawaii has really good prices on bulk rubber

Hanapa'a Fishing - Hawaii Skin Diver
A lot of their other stuff is at really good prices as well.

Howard

 

[the_milkman]

Well I thought I'd report back on how the guns went after my Danish trip.

Firstly, I'm ditching the 2 band setup. It's way too cumbersome and fiddly, particularly on night dives. I wasn't sure it was especially more powerful either. Think I'll go 16mm single band on the 75 and 19mm on the 90.

Secondly, I'm not sure if you guys have ever heard of this happening, but the rubbers on my 75 seemed to lose their elasticity after an hour's dive. I unhooked them from the shaft pins, and they seemed to hang loose rather than ping back into the tight bands they were. The water was very cold 3 degrees and the air was minus 5 so maybe that was the problem - but I thought storing your bands in the freezer was supposed to be good for them!! There was a noticeable loss of power when I fired after the gun had been loaded for some time (30 mins plus).

The muzzles however are great, loading took a little more time at first but I think it's actually faster once you get used to it. I also really liked being able to look right down the shaft.

I've ordered some new rubber so will tell you how I get on once it's rigged.

 

[jimy286]

Ye its not only your reaction time that is slowed in the cold. Also the rubbers. Tho this should only be temp. I have herd of the crazy ice divers who use extra extra short bands to comp the rubber.

Have your rubbers gone back to normal?

 

[the_milkman]

Yeah they have - it was weird! Must have been the cold...

 

[Old Man Dave]

When its very cold I need a smaller rubber :inlove :naughty

Dave