New Airgun By Eskwad (imerson)

I note that these French pneumatic guns are still available from Scubastore.

The 100 cm and 75 cm models are only separated in price by 8 dollars (AUD)!

The Eskwad guns are slightly bigger boned than their Italian counterparts as the grip and muzzle mouldings are large enough to envelop the 40 mm tank tube by having a socket mounting at their inner end. This is unlike the usual rear handle pneumatic gun where the grip handle and nose cone have an integral boss on their inner ends that presses inside the tank tube. The Eskwad guns replace the function of this boss by those separate bulkheads shown in white on the schematic diagram that simultaneously locate inside the tank tube and their respective end mouldings. The gun is still held together by the inlet valve body and muzzle acting as nuts on the threaded end inner barrel tube which creates a clamp holding everything in place against the tank pressure trying to blow the gun apart. One advantage of this different arrangement is the gun is less likely to banana at the ends because the tank tube is imprisoned between two surfaces, but that requires extra “O” rings to seal the bulkheads. The other advantage is that the power regulator bulkhead is set much further back in the Eskwad gun making for a smaller pre-chamber, whereas in Sten type guns it is positioned further forward of the grip handle boss. That smaller prechamber creates a weaker low power shot which would be handy in the rocks as half power, which is the usual low power level, can still crunch your spear tips if you hit a rock point blank.

A direct comparison is shown here.

The Eskwad Air (single power) and Air Max (dual power regulator model) appear to have been designed for use with thick dive gloves as the trigger finger guard space is the largest on any pneumatic speargun that I have ever handled, and that includes the Predathor and the later (blue trim) Cyrano that replaced the (orange trim) Cyrano Evo. Whereas these latter guns stretched their finger guards to provide room for the side mounted line release that has to sit forwards of and above the trigger, the Eskwad still uses the side mounted line release pivoting in the lower trigger finger guard frame. This system was originally patented by Mares for their Sten, but the patent would have expired long ago. The decision to change from the centreline wrapping of the shooting line on the gun’s underside was to avoid the line release lever swinging in the same plane as the trigger and thus having the potential to operate it. Stringing the shooting line while pulling too hard on it could fire these guns, but this was always avoidable with the safety engaged which imprisons the trigger. The Eskwad like the original Cyrano blocks access to the trigger by employing a downward swinging lever or paddle that sits directly in front of the trigger, but whereas the Cyrano also locks the trigger the Eskwad does not, relying on a wide paddle that totally obscures any finger access to the trigger. These swinging safeties are ambidextrous, unlike the small switch operated safeties now used on some pneumatic guns.

popgun pete said:

The Eskwad Air (single power) and Air Max (dual power regulator model) appear to have been designed for use with thick dive gloves as the trigger finger guard space is the largest on any pneumatic speargun that I have ever handled, and that includes the Predathor and the later (blue trim) Cyrano that replaced the (orange trim) Cyrano Evo. Whereas these latter guns stretched their finger guards to provide room for the side mounted line release that has to sit forwards of and above the trigger, the Eskwad still uses the side mounted line release pivoting in the lower trigger finger guard frame. This system was originally patented by Mares for their Sten, but the patent would have expired long ago. The decision to change from the centreline wrapping of the shooting line on the gun’s underside was to avoid the line release lever swinging in the same plane as the trigger and thus having the potential to operate it. Stringing the shooting line while pulling too hard on it could fire these guns, but this was always avoidable with the safety engaged which imprisons the trigger. The Eskwad like the original Cyrano blocks access to the trigger by employing a downward swinging lever or paddle that sits directly in front of the trigger, but whereas the Cyrano also locks the trigger the Eskwad does not, relying on a wide paddle that totally obscures any finger access to the trigger. These swinging safeties are ambidextrous, unlike the small switch operated safeties now used on some pneumatic guns.
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Hi, are there means (i.e. attachment points) for a reel anywhere on the grip/frame or tank?
Thank you.

PezGordo said:

Hi, are there means (i.e. attachment points) for a reel anywhere on the grip/frame or tank?
Thank you.

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There does not appear to be a reel attachment point, but there is a stepped hole in the front of the trigger finger guard frame that is about 25 mm deep. It doesn't go anywhere and would seem to be of no purpose. It may serve as an alignment socket for a reel of some sort, but I have not seen one. Any reel that clamps onto the tank tube would do, only in recent decades have guns had tank attachment points built into the grip handle's trigger finger guard frame.

popgun pete said:

There does not appear to be a reel attachment point, but there is a stepped hole in the front of the trigger finger guard frame that is about 25 mm deep. It doesn't go anywhere and would seem to be of no purpose. It may serve as an alignment socket for a reel of some sort, but I have not seen one. Any reel that clamps onto the tank tube would do, only in recent decades have guns had tank attachment points built into the grip handle's trigger finger guard frame.
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Hello Pete, thank you for the information.
Cheers

Dive Inn still have the Eskwad Air Max 50 cm for AUD 203.99, the 75 cm for AUD 218.99, and the 100 cm for AUD 226.49 which includes the 10 percent GST. You have to add shipping to that. Pretty cheap for a new gun. Inflation over a couple of years is expected compared to three years ago.

popgun pete said:

Dive Inn still have the Eskwad Air Max 50 cm for AUD 203.99, the 75 cm for AUD 218.99, and the 100 cm for AUD 226.49 which includes the 10 percent GST. You have to add shipping to that. Pretty cheap for a new gun. Inflation over a couple of years is expected compared to three years ago.

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Hello Pete,
Thanks for the pointer, found the same model/price in France at Nootica.

I just received but not tried out my new Salvimar Krypsis 75, appears well made and well finished; bonus SS spear. Here the locals successfully use shorter guns with float-lines hunting everything from Wahoo to Snook.

I like to purchase a delta/river/hole gun, short 40-50. Got three contenders.

The Salvimar Rock 40, main reason to stay within the family, same pump, parts etc. - plus its on sale (40% off at Nootica)

Next the Airmax 50, made in France not the far east, a bit of a rare bird but I like the looks, appears to be well made. I am a bit uneasy in regards to spare parts, checked the Imersion website and web, not much to be had as far as kits are concerned, never mind larger parts.

The final contender is the (previous (older) model) black and yellow (black handle) 50 Seac sub Asso (Aria?) with regulator. Not much info on this gun besides the company history pages.

I would appreciate some input, read a lot of your contributions but little about two of the models I may purchase.
Saludos

Most guns are pretty much the same, they all operate in the exactly the same way internally and the only significant differences are in the valve operated guns which don't have a mushroom tail on the sliding piston. The main difference, from a user perspective, is the grip handle and how it suits you, but without access to checking one out in a shop you have to take a chance. Most grips are styled to suit as many hand sizes as possible, but everyone has their preferences. Ambidextrous grips, which most are, allow you to switch hands if the situation demands it, such as hanging onto something while taking a shot where you are not in a position to use your usual hand.

popgun pete said:

Most guns are pretty much the same, they all operate in the exactly the same way internally and the only significant differences are in the valve operated guns which don't have a mushroom tail on the sliding piston. The main difference, from a user perspective, is the grip handle and how it suits you, but without access to checking one out in a shop you have to take a chance. Most grips are styled to suit as many hand sizes as possible, but everyone has their preferences. Ambidextrous grips, which most are, allow you to switch hands if the situation demands it, such as hanging onto something while taking a shot where you are not in a position to use your usual hand.

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popgun pete said:

Most guns are pretty much the same, they all operate in the exactly the same way internally and the only significant differences are in the valve operated guns which don't have a mushroom tail on the sliding piston. The main difference, from a user perspective, is the grip handle and how it suits you, but without access to checking one out in a shop you have to take a chance. Most grips are styled to suit as many hand sizes as possible, but everyone has their preferences. Ambidextrous grips, which most are, allow you to switch hands if the situation demands it, such as hanging onto something while taking a shot where you are not in a position to use your usual hand.

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popgun pete said:

Most guns are pretty much the same, they all operate in the exactly the same way internally and the only significant differences are in the valve operated guns which don't have a mushroom tail on the sliding piston. The main difference, from a user perspective, is the grip handle and how it suits you, but without access to checking one out in a shop you have to take a chance. Most grips are styled to suit as many hand sizes as possible, but everyone has their preferences. Ambidextrous grips, which most are, allow you to switch hands if the situation demands it, such as hanging onto something while taking a shot where you are not in a position to use your usual hand.

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Good advise. Since I own and like the Salvimar grip, my choice is down to one, maybe two. The Air Max only because I like their funky shapes. Plus, for the last eight centuries, the lads in Thiers know a thing or two about metals. Here is hoping some of them use spearguns….

popgun pete said:

Most guns are pretty much the same, they all operate in the exactly the same way internally and the only significant differences are in the valve operated guns which don't have a mushroom tail on the sliding piston. The main difference, from a user perspective, is the grip handle and how it suits you, but without access to checking one out in a shop you have to take a chance. Most grips are styled to suit as many hand sizes as possible, but everyone has their preferences. Ambidextrous grips, which most are, allow you to switch hands if the situation demands it, such as hanging onto something while taking a shot where you are not in a position to use your usual hand.

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popgun pete said:

Most guns are pretty much the same, they all operate in the exactly the same way internally and the only significant differences are in the valve operated guns which don't have a mushroom tail on the sliding piston. The main difference, from a user perspective, is the grip handle and how it suits you, but without access to checking one out in a shop you have to take a chance. Most grips are styled to suit as many hand sizes as possible, but everyone has their preferences. Ambidextrous grips, which most are, allow you to switch hands if the situation demands it, such as hanging onto something while taking a shot where you are not in a position to use your usual hand.

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The Salvimar Rock is supplied without a hand pump to lower the price, it is handy for short guns to float after the shot, but 40 cm guns usually don't. The price is good!

popgun pete said:

The Salvimar Rock is supplied without a hand pump to lower the price, it is handy for short guns to float after the shot, but 40 cm guns usually don't. The price is good!

Salvimar Predathor Rock pneumatic spearfishing gun Blue | Diveinn

Get Salvimar Predathor Rock - Blue from the Spearguns range, part of Spearguns, for just 86.99 $. Discover unbeatable dive deals at Diveinn with fast and reliable delivery!

www.tradeinn.com

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Got it, thanks!