Closed barrel or open barrel

[LRC]

Hi all.

I'm looking at purchasing my first spear gun and would like to know what the difference is between an open barrelled gun and a railed barrel, apart from the obvious of ones open ones closed.

Also some useful advice on a starter gun would be appreciated as the choice and variety is vast for a newbie like myself. Will be used in the uk around Devon and Cornwall.

Cheers all.

 

[Scoobaru]

Rail guns have a slotted rail the length of the barrel to support the spear, this makes the gun more accurate. Open muzzle requires the line on the spear to be wrapped over the spear and around the muzzle, this holds the spear in place and again makes the gun more accurate. Enclosed track has a slot inside the barrel where the spear fits inside. Again this supports the spear making the gun more accurate.

Hope this helps

 

[LRC]

Many thanks for explaining.

 

[e.m.p!]

a rail on its own does not necessarily make a gun more accurate. It does however make the gun more rigid and therefore more accurate. Guns with glued on rails just add weight and are only for looks.
Open or closed muzzle depends on personal preference - Closed muzzle is considered easier to load. My first gun was a closed muzzle no rail and is still as accurate as on day one.

 

[Scoobaru]

Closed muzzle are regarded to be more accurate over longer range due to the spear not moving at all. Whereas a closed muzzle allows the spear to move a couple of mm in each direction. This small movement is magnified the longer the distance, so a long gun on full range will have more discrepancy than a short gun

 

[Scoobaru]

But good points raised above

 

[LRC]

Thanks for making that a bit clearer to understand.