Matrix,
Since we are in only +-2 hours time zone difference, I can reply this for you on the shaft.
RA shaft is regular spring steel, so it can rust. They retail like US$11-15 a piece depending on thickness. The concept is that shaft is a consumable item. 6mm shaft is so easy to bend, even on a 5kg jack that goes mad around rocks, it will bend. If the fish is bigger, meaner and faster, even water resistance alone can bend shaft.
Riffe Euro shaft cost between US$32-45, so it cost averagely 300% more than RA shafts. The material is 17-4 hardened spring stainless steel, a very expensive material and you can call it top of the line metal for shaft. This shaft is of a high carbon content but the "springy" nature of it prevents most bend. It can bend allright but unlike ordinary 304 or 316 stainless steel. Since it is high in carbon, this 17-4 can also rust, but a very mild one.
Without the additional carbon, the metal can not be strong.
Quite easy to test, use a magnet, a 17-4 will stick to one, not as sticky as a regular spring steel though.
If you ever use a stainless steel 316L (Low Carbon ) shaft, like those used on a Scubapro polymer speargun (rubber powered ), now the model is discountinued, you will find that the shaft is so soft and bend permanently, easily. This is good look only but garbage performance.
Strength wise the RA shaft should be as good as the Riffe but for long term usage you need to watch out for the trigger sear engagement area of the shaft. Rust take away and weaken metal. If u hunt often, probably you will destroy a few 6-7mm shafts every now and then. Figure it out.
Also to note if a 130 cm RA sells 4 US$202, if the shaft is 17-4 type, they can't retail that low.
Basically Jay Riffe is a perfectionist and he will use best material for the application, it is so obvious from the way he built his guns.
IYA
