whats a good beginer gun, not to expensive?

[landongold]

hey guys, im looking to upgrade from my hawiian sling of 2 years to a spear gun. what would be a decent in expensive beginner gun? anyone selling used guns? im also new to DeepBlue so if there are any helpfull tips and such let me know : )

thanks guys, be safe out there

 

[Salehthefish]

Hello and welcome on DB for in expensive gun in my opinion you can choose cressi sub comanche, and for used guns there is thread on this forum for selling items you have to check and see...

All best

 

[agbiv]

Welcome from Texas! E-bay can be a source. Aslo try Makospearguns. They are not real expensive and they have great customer service.

 

[H20Man]

I'll second the props for Makospearguns. I'm an "old timer" SCUBA guy, but haven't dove in 12 years 'cause my kids were keeping me too busy. Decided to take up free diving and avoid the hassles and expense of refreshing all my ancient SCUBA gear.

Long story short, I did a lot of research and ended up calling Dano at MAKO Spearguns and Spearfishing Gear

I explained my needs, he made some really good recommendations and was SUPER to deal with.

What you shoot depends a lot on your local conditions and your target prey. For me in Santa Barbara, CA hunting the kelp beds with 15 to 30' viz on most days, he recommended the 100cm Predator Pro railgun. Custom configured to my specs, it was $195 which is a bargain for equivalent performance based on my research.

I just couldn't bring myself to trust a used gun from someone I didn't know, since I don't know much about them (yet)

Good luck!

Brent

 

[Mr. X]

I agree with the above. The Cressi Commanche was used by a world champion yet is inexpensive (inexpensive construction, availability of spares is good). If I was still in the USA I would give the Mako serious consideration (along with the other "railguns": Rob Allens, Rabitech, Hammerhead, Orcas, Pelaj, etc.) - Mako being US based (but made in Taiwan). I think Hammerhead is Hawaii-based. The aluminium barrel models are cheapest (vs. carbon). Most railguns offer muzzles capable of accepting various combinations of rubbers. I reckon 1x16mm is the way to go for your first speargun (in Hawaii, sometimes 2x14mm) - 1x20mm would be a pretty brutal load for a beginner. The railguns are suitable for beginner (soft dyneema wishbones are kinder to fingers & gloves) but are proper spearguns that you won't grow out of.

Most/all of the European makers have inexpensive models suitable for beginners. Omer Excaliber, Picasso, Beuchat make some interesting products, Dessault, Sporasub, Seacsub, Seatec too.

The barrel length is probably more important than the brand and model though. Make sure you choose something suitable to the conditions you plan to dive. Talk to local spearos for advice.

 

[H20Man]

FWIW, I ordered my 100cm Mako with 2x16mm bands at the recommendation of Dano. When I get better at loading, I can either shorten them slightly, or go to a single 20mm band as Mr. X mentions, to get a bit more "oomph" into the spear.

 

[agbiv]

Keep us posted on performance.

 

[spaghetti]

I haven't got the slightest idea of the type of hunting you do over there in OC, but for landongold:
if it's your first speargun, I can tell you a 100 railgun with double bands is not that easy to handle for a beginner.
Not the sweetest to swing and aim, not the quickest to load, quite cumbersome to carry around on kelpy/rocky reefs, not very handy at all.
These guns require a bit of experience and a familiar hand to give their best. Otherwise, their a pain in the ass. And don't forget that South African style railguns such as Mako (though made in Taiwan) are more powerful, but heavier and less easy-swing than European guns.

I'm split on what to suggest you, cause it mainly depends on the fish you're targeting. If you're hunting in open water chasing those fat american fish like yellowtails and white sea bass, yes of course you need a gun that is more powerful than an average "Euro": in this case a Mako, Aimrite, Rabitech or Rob Allen 100 (not less) would probably be suitable.
BUT:
if you're not into the very big ones, I'd go with a lighter 90 centimeters european gun such as a Cressi or an Omer to get familiar with bandguns, as long as you hunt small/medium reef fish on a rocky/weedy/murky bottom.