Rob Allen Saracen Or Rabitech Stealth Aluminum????

[Cliffsharker]

Need some help here guys please,

I know you guys are saying -Oh No! another Ra vs Rabitech post but this one is different- I promise.

If you could have an RA Saracen 110 pre 2005 model for $220us or a Rabitech Stealth Aluminum 110 for $279us what would be the better buy?? That is the question!

I was checking Miles's arsenal of weapons on another board and noticed that most of his Rabbis except for one were carbon (in that particular photo). Is the reputation of Rabbis based mostly on the carbon version ?? I really dont know.

From the all the searching through the posts that I have done to compare these two guns I have concluded the following which may be cleared up from those who know better.

Hope to hear from those owning both Ras and Rabbis such as Miles, Callispearo who just ordered some Ras(from Florida?) ,Fuzz, Sturgeon, and Huan, Rolando, and all the other ones that I have forgotten from scanning the posts.

RA SARACEN-
ADVANTAGES:
-lighter than Rabbi stealth alum. which may means that it may track better ??
-has the versatility that it can be powered up more than the stealth

DISADVANTGES:
-possibly shoots low
-trigger problems?
-scratches really look terrible on this gun
-spear substitute limited

Overall the Rabbis seem to be a very well liked gun.

So my questions are :

#1-What can be done about the trigger mech on the Saracen if it gives trouble in the future and what will it cost?

#2-How well does a saracen 110 track compared to Rabbi stealth alum.?

#3-Is the reputation of the Rabbis based mostly on the carbon version?

#4- Can anything can be applied to the shaft of the Saracen to prevent scratches ?

#5-How much more power would the Saracen be giving me powered up to the max compared to a stealth similarly powered up?

#6-Which is the better buy- a Saracen for $220-or a Rabbi stealth alum.for $279 ????

Thanks guys, Charlie.

 

[miles]

Hiya

I have a 110cm Carbon Saracen which i don't like much. It tended to shoot high. Quite a few spearo's have had the same problem with the Saracen. A couple of guys fitted a longer, therefor heavier spear and this seemed to solve the problem. My 110cm Saracen would just about float with the spear IN the gun and loaded!! I think that RA made that gun just too light. The new RA CArbons are great!!!! They've now added more weight to the muzzle end and the gun shoots perfectly now!!! That said, the old alluminuim RA's shot great too. Never had any problems with my alluminuim RA.

The reason most of my guns are carbon is that RA and RAbitech are both manufactured here in South Africa and the prices aren't that exorbitant compared to other imported brands. Soooo, for a little extra cash, i opted for carbon barrels. They do look sweeeeeett!!!

Regarding powering up of your guns, the whole idea behind a railgun is accuracy. The maximum i use on a railgun is 2x16mm rubbers. I'm not a fan of going any more powerfull on a railgun, as then you start having accuracy problems. If you need more power than than 2x16's, then look at a proper Blue Water Cannon.

The trigger mech's on the old RA's are made by Simotal, the same company that makes the picasso trigger mech's. They have had some hassles, but its nothing to worry about, as if you do get any problems, it'll be sorted out under waranty.

My 110cm Saracen did take a good hiding when i got dumped onto a reef in Mozambique. Its got a couple of nasty scratchs, and sadly, there's not much you can do about it. Gives the gun character, i reckon!!!

At the price, i'd definitely get the Saracen. Just get a longer spear or add a bit of weight to the muzzle and you'll have ONE of the BEST CARBON RAILGUNS.

If price is NOT a factor, i'd advise you to seriously look at the CArbon Rabitech APEX and NEW Carbon RA with Vectra grip!!!

Have fun deciding!!

Regards
miles

 

[Cliffsharker]

Ahhhhhhh Miles thanks for the reply but while I got you , I wont let you slip away just yet.

How do the guns compare tracking wise for reef hunting? AND what about the spears- am I limitted to only Rob Allan spears??? (thought I read something about that??)

Thanks Miles.

Charlie.

 

[calispearo]

Hio Cliffshark,

I I have a Rabitech Stealth and i have 2 RA (old handel style). I received one without a barell plug and a new Vecta RA 1.2 is being sent out to me.

Most of what i know about RA and Rabitech has been learned from Miles and the rest by taking fish.

I would say that that's a fantastic price on the Carbon , but at that length i don't really know if a carbon would make much of a difference. The advantages of a a carbon are basically lighter and faster tracking ( doesn't really matter in a 1.1) and stronger barrell that will resist flexing when powered up. Since a 1.1 is not that long barrell flex wouldent really be an issue at all i would think. my '90 Rabi stealth Ali is a breeze to track with and i'v had no problems with it, i'm sure the regular RA would be the same.

With that being said there are some dissadvantages to Carbon. One being that since it is fiberous if you break one peice or chip it it can basically come apart. It's harder to drill then Ali, and easy to bang up. I think it was Miles that said "If your hard on your gear, opt for the Ali" ...... But then again Carbon does look sweet!

 

[Mr. X]

#1-What can be done about the trigger mech on the Saracen if it gives trouble in the future and what will it cost?

I noticed a "mech" on a Rob Allen price list recently, I believe it was 24 pounds UK retail (which seemed a bit steep -- but probably a low volume item). Not sure if the new mechs. fit the old handles, diverfactory would tell you.

Rob Allen responded to a query of mine recently (how cool is that?...ans. very cool ), apparently the old handle had a stainless steel trigger sear & the new vecta handle uses a different type of stainless steel. [I saw a thread sometime ago about the old mechs -- as best I can recall, most concerns stem from issues with some old Picassos that use the same/similar handles. Over-powered guns accidently releasing, if I recall correctly? There seemed to be an implication that maybe RA modified their versions of the handle and therefore did not experience the problem. I think the issue stemmed from the trigger sear material used...I think the sears in question were not steel (plastic maybe?). Somebody on the forum probably knows better than I].

Re. the choice, what did you get in the end? I would have been torn too but for a different reason than most. I am not at all enamoured of carbon fibre & would prefer aluminium -- however, I would not pay extra for it over carbon. (Either would, I am sure, be excellent.)