the "flopper" on the stock Beauchat spear is quite poor - it's nice and long, but doesn't open all the time.
putting a slight flair in it does hold fish longer, but YES!!!! oh so low shots. I''ve just adjusted my shooting style but it's a bit of an anoyance.
"long shots" ? I guess I'm (was) taking Talang Queenfish and other jacks at 10 - 15ft or so. I use this gun when i'm hunting walls or schooling baitfish. was nice for Hagool and large bream.
the thin, fast spear is nice because there is not a lot of damage (unlike my JBL .38) to the fish. makes a nice, small, clean hole. if I hit the fish close the spear usually goes all the way through and the fish ends up on the line - they never get away when that happens.
The .38 NW Special is my tank. Short range >8ft (>6 is best) but if you want to put a shaft through the head of a grouper it's the king. but be warned - if you hunt grouper in old oil drums like I do, or next to pipe, don't miss - damn spear goes into the drum. :head
Willer
oh yeah - my little edit - my Mundial elite is the longest one they make - don't have a measuring tape.......