Water in gun barrel?

[RussJ]

I can hear water sloshing around in the barrel of my gun. Am I right in thinking this isn't a good thing as the boyancy of the gun will vary? Also, I guess if a little water has gotten inside, then more will, untill it's completely full. Is it usual for people to silicone up the ends of their barrel tube to prevent this?

Any pointers on this much appreciated!

 

[Jegwan]

No, you don't want water inside the barrel of your gun. It's not a god thing. If it's a aluminium barrel the water might corrode it.

Return it to the seller and let him have a look at it if it's a newer gun. Otherwise you need to have a look at it yourself. If you don't have the tools or if you're not used to DIY, I will suggest that you ask for help at a local workshop or mechanic.

You don't mention what type and make the gun is, but normally the muzzle and the handle piece is locked in place by a steel pin going through the barrel. You can carefully punch this out and pull the gun apart. Then inspect the seals (likely O-rings) and check the muzzle and handle for cracks.

You can find and bye replacement seals, muzzle and handle for most guns.

If the gun is not original sealed with silicone I wouldn't choose or recommend that solution.

Jegwan

 

[RussJ]

Hi Jegwan, cheers for getting back to me on this one.

The gun I have is an apnea powerpoint 75. More specs at this link, which is also the place I bought it Apnea Powerpoint 75cm Spear Gun - Spearguns (Rubber) - Spearfishingstore.co.uk

It's only a few weeks old and has been in the water maybe five times. I treat it like a second child so I'm sure the issue isn't caused by any missuse on my part. I noticed the water in the barrel when i was rinsing my kit with fresh water after a dive. I've only been diving 2or 3m too.

Now i have it confirmed the barrel is supposed to be dry, I'll give the guy at the shop a call to see what he thinks, he's been very helpful in the past.

Thanks again!

 

[ReefTroll]

Don't stress about corrosion though, salt water will NOT corrode it.

 

[RussJ]

Hi ReefTroll

Interesting you should say that, as I was under the impression bare aluminum does corrode when continually wetted and dried in salt water. I'm pretty sure the inside of my barrel is bare and just the outside is anodised and hense won't corrode. I say this as I've seen aluminium parts on boats and outboards corrode. Saying that, I think it happens pretty slowly so I'm not too worried about my barrel. It's more the decreased boyancy and varying feel of the gun that worrys me.

Good fishing over in Brisbane at the moment?

 

[ReefTroll]

http://www.sheetpileeurope.com/uploads/CMI technische documenten (engels)/aluminum_corrosion.pdf

 

[RussJ]

So I guess it must be galvanic action that I've seen corroding aluminium parts in salt water. Either way I don't think it's going to be significant in damaging my gun.

 

[Coastie]

Speak to Anthony in the shop where you bought it. I had a problem with a float bladder and he changed it with no question. Good shop and good staff in my opinion.
Nick

 

[RussJ]

Hi Coastie

I should have updated this thread. Yes, I spoke to Anthony and he was super helpful as usual. He offered to replace as you say with no questions and ended up spending what must have been quite a bit of time investigating the water on a gun he had at the shop.

I think we figured it out in the end - there's a rubber bung in each end of the aluminium barrel about 100mm down. The water I'd heard sloshing in my gun was water in these end sections which are evidently designed to be wet and not in the central section. So no problem there.

As you say, great service as per usual from Anthony and spearfishingstore.co.uk!