Cressi Mach

[FlotsamBob]

Recently purchased one of these in the 88cm guise.

Wasn't impressed with the basic galvanised 8mm spear and threaded tip (probably great for rock shots) and rather heavy, prominent "wet" muzzle assembly. Cressi could easily have charged a little more and included the excellent spear from the Saetta Pro models. Set to work almost immediately attempting to fit a standard Salvimar 13mm vacuum muzzle.

Note there's a pronounced lip on the inner barrel compared to earlier Saetta models. Standard salvimar piston brake and muzzle will not fit.



I experimented by shortening the piston brake by 5mm (3mm off the larger diameter and 2mm off the smaller if I remember correctly) until everything sat snug and correct. A 5mm spacer ring between muzzle assembly and "ogive" with o-rings would achieve proper fitment although I haven't noticed any bad effects from my method.



Quick pic of the piston for those interested. Might have to swap this one out. Have good experience with the STC piston, but they seem to have gone out of business. Smeared some STC piston grease (likely teflon based?) on the midsection for good measure.




Pressurised to about 20 bar (although I don't have a gauge) and with a 105cm 7mm spear this thing is really nicely balanced, quiet shooting. Good trigger too unless you're used to target rifles. The trigger guard is large enough but snug with 7mm gloves and large hands. Right off the bat I was shooting spot on despite dipping in and out of one of the fastest current streams off the Norwegian coast. My 110cm Cyrano would definitely get pulled off target in this spot!

Probably becoming my favourite all round gun for the Northern Atlantic and I wouldn't hesitate in buying the other lengths. Ability to swap the line release over to the other side of the handle is a nice addition but I do miss the streamlined reel attachment (and vertical reel) from the Mares Cyrano which is still my clearwater go to.

Will try with two wraps next time I hit the water. It easily shoots 3 wraps in 1mm dyneema but a strong current and bad shot placement can be a tangly affair!




Enjoy the summer if you're in the appropriate hemisphere!

 

[popgun pete]

I have not seen the Mach, but it is a name Cressi have used before on a mid-handle, rear tank speargun. I figured that they would probably rejig the Saetta with a side-mounted line release at some time and this looks like it. The main reason for side-mounted line releases is to avoid snagging a reel, if one is fitted, with the line wraps. The under barrel line wraps don't give problems and I have used them for decades, but not with a reel.

 

[popgun pete]

You can see here that the Mach handle has the safety slide button moved aft to make room for the side-mounted line release which is located where the safety used to be. Also the power selector gate dogleg is moved upwards to clear the line release installation, however that had already been done in the Saetta.

 

[FlotsamBob]

Having used the old Saetta Pro model for a while, this new Cressi is lightyears ahead in trigger sensitivity. The old one was very hard compared and as you mentioned the the under trigger line release is less compatible with a reel setup.

Quick sight mod after dinner:

 

[popgun pete]

I think the Saetta Pro was not a great idea with the STC vacuum muzzle as that rubber bush type vacuum seal is not as effective as the nozzle type rubber vacuum seals that most guns use now. This is because on initial spear insertion the rubber nozzles can burp out water that is sitting in the muzzle as the spear tail goes in the muzzle entrance. The only improvement on the Pro was the metal line anchor under the nose cone that also serves as a front line wrap hook, although I have never had any problems with plastic front hooks like on the standard Saetta. Salvimar evolved from a parts manufacturer for pneumatic spearguns so it makes sense that they offered replacement muzzles for other brands.

The Cressi Mach has the same muzzle as the earlier Saetta. The nose cone is that of the Saetta Pro.

 

[popgun pete]

Whereas the safety on the Saetta could be disengaged by lifting your finger off the trigger and reaching up to push it to the left it looks like the Mach needs your thumb to do it, but a lot depends on which way it slides for putting the safety on. I am talking a right handed user here, although the grip is ambidextrous.

 

[FlotsamBob]

Whereas the safety on the Saetta could be disengaged by lifting your finger off the trigger and reaching up to push it to the left it looks like the Mach needs your thumb to do it, but a lot depends on which way it slides for putting the safety on. I am talking a right handed user here, although the grip is ambidextrous.

As a leftie I can confirm the Mach is a blessing, almost feels catered to ambidextrous users. I had to remove the safety on my old Saetta as it just got in the way of my grip - big no no, but I dive alone and in calm conditions with that (short, night time) gun. The Cyrano is very Ambidextrous too but the way the Mach pressure reducer lever is formatted (upside down compared to Mares) means I can operate it effectively with just my left trigger finger. I'm a fan.

 

[Pjk]

I am going to purchase the Mach 40 because it’s the shortest model I can find (40cm) with a steel trigger and line release.

I want to put a Salvimar vacuum muzzle on the 40 to have less recoil with a little more speed & I understand it’s not a lot given the tank size but there will be improvement and less recoil none the less.

Did your reduced custom “piston brake” damper/shock absorber hold up to use considering you shaved some millimeters from both ends to fit the Salvimar muzzle?

Using some Pelengas disc shock absorbers might be worthwhile here.

 

[FlotsamBob]

I am going to purchase the Mach 40 because it’s the shortest model I can find (40cm) with a steel trigger and line release.

I want to put a Salvimar vacuum muzzle on the 40 to have less recoil with a little more speed & I understand it’s not a lot given the tank size but there will be improvement and less recoil none the less.

Did your reduced custom “piston brake” damper/shock absorber hold up to use considering you shaved some millimeters from both ends to fit the Salvimar muzzle?

Using some Pelengas disc shock absorbers might be worthwhile here.

This little Mach will fit into a modified neoprene Apollo dive knife leg holster perfectly.

I have since taken some very nice fish with this gun and reckon the modded brake is holding up great so far. Will dismantle at the end of the season to be sure. Nevertheless the system works great despite being a little noisy, but I do run higher than necessary pressures just for fun! Think I'll make a proper gasket to space out the nozzle for next season or look into those Pelengas discs you mentioned. Interesting to hear a review on the 40cm, I'm keen on that length for winter night fishing.

 

[popgun pete]

Whereas the safety on the Saetta could be disengaged by lifting your finger off the trigger and reaching up to push it to the left it looks like the Mach needs your thumb to do it, but a lot depends on which way it slides for putting the safety on. I am talking a right handed user here, although the grip is ambidextrous.

 

[Dayin1988]

View attachment 60252

Clear and easy to understand.
Thank you! Block Blast