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Can the JBL 38 be modified?

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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ILDiver

I just wanna dive
Jul 11, 2005
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A couple of things got me to thinking. What is the diameter of the 38's barrel? Since I changed my gun to open muzzle I had to take the muzzle off and add a weight to it. In doing that I looked at how the barrel is sealed on the inside. I wonder how the 38's barrel could be sealed? Then you have to worry about weighting, balance and buoyancy.

On top of that What is the barrel diameter? Could a more 1 or 2 circular band muzzle be installed? I just wonder how a single 19mm band might work? Or a double 16mm band? Just seems like a fun mod to try.

I'm thinking about ordering a 50, 60 or 75cm gun for low vis days and to have on the float just in case.
 
ILDiver,

I successfully made my JBL 38 Special NW "ALMOST" neutrally buoyant using some high density foam and kayak scupper hole plugs and a little bit of silicone as lube and a seal. It still sinks like a rock with the spear on it but without it it sinks SLOWLY to the bottom now. Seems a little bit easier to swing on a fish now too.

I would say if you just want to plug it up I'd go with kayak scupper hole plugs. They come in different sizes...I picked a few at Lacke & Joys warehouse in Milwaukee for like 4 bucks. I did have to trim them down a bit with a scissors though. But I think if i went with the size smaller they would've fit perfectly

Good luck...Should'nt be a problem. I was originally gonna pack it with styrofoam "coins" cut with the tube itself but kept on breaking them tryin to shove them down the tube...One of the screws on one end is cross threaded so I did not want to take the whole gun apart...Be careful...In mine there was a shim to "tighten up" the barrel to handle fit...That shim was a litle bit of a pain to get back in there properly, but I managed.
 
I haven't bought one, not sure I will. I was kind of thinking of yours and what general improvements could be made. I a new muzzle and a single band, and making a water tight center plug. The muzzle would be easy if the right size. The center plug could be too. Two round plugs for each end with a small rod or tube secured in the center of each. Push it into the tube like a plunger and lock it into place, maybe with silicone. Weighting would be easy too. Melting down lead sinkers or something. Just some thoughts that would be fun to try. Maybe I can order a 38 barrel cheap.
 
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