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Best spearfishing, snorkeling and diving gear and equipment - Reviews

by Scott Richardson

  • Spearfishing
  • Diving
  • Scuba diving safety tips

Best Spearguns – Buyer’s Guide

By Scott Richardson | Last Updated: January 8, 2020

Sport fisherman who already enjoy or are interested in beginning underwater target shooting need to be alert to the best spearfishing guns available and to make the right decision in choosing a speargun that fits their goals. Are you in the process of making that decision? If so, this buyer’s guide can help you in that process by evaluating ten different products. Each is generally thought of as being among the best on the market, so we will give you the information you need to compare and contrast these said products in order that you can figure out which one is likely to be the best one for you.


Best Choice
AB Biller Wood Mahogany Special Speargun
AB Biller Wood Mahogany Special Speargun
Most versatile
Is the appearance of a speargun a priority for you in your search for a new one? The most experienced spearos tend to prefer wood spearguns largely because of aesthetics. These guns are made with three layers of polyurethane to ensure a shiny appearance to their mahogany wood. Among mahogany spearguns, the AB Biller is especially appreciated for its versatility. Different sizes of fish can be targeted with this weapon. Differing levels of visibility can be accounted for. And factors like power, speed, and distance can all be optimized to fit the specific goals of your spearfishing at any given time.
Read Verified Customer Reviews
ImageProduct 
Most versatile - Editor’s Choice
AB Biller Wood Mahogany Special Speargun review
AB Biller Wood Mahogany Special Speargun
  • Length: 24-60”
  • Type: Band
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Best value
JBL Woody Magnum review
JBL Woody Magnum
  • Length: 61.3"
  • Type: Band
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The power pistol
Mares Sten review
Mares Sten
  • Length: 16.5-39.4"
  • Type: Pneumatic
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Speargun with the most features
Cressi Comanche review
Cressi Comanche
  • Length: 23.6-43.5"
  • Type: Band
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For seasoned or beginner speros
Hammerhead Proteus review
Hammerhead Proteus
  • Length: 21.6-29.6”
  • Type: Band
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Built for Reef Fishing
Beuchat Akra Competition Speargun review
Beuchat Akra Competition Speargun
  • Length: 19.7-39.4”
  • Type: Band
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For seasoned spearoes
Mares Viper review
Mares Viper
  • Length: 35,4–43,5”
  • Type: Band
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For big game fishing
Cressi SL Star review
Cressi SL Star
  • Length: 16-28”
  • Type: Band
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Designed for new speros
Cressi Starter Compact Speargun review
Cressi Starter Compact Speargun
  • Length: 14-30”
  • Type: Band
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Check Price
An exceedingly durable speargun
Beuchat Espadon review
Beuchat Espadon
  • Length: 13.8-19.7"
  • Type: Pneumatic
Check Price

Check Price

1. AB Biller Wood Mahogany Special Speargun (Editor’s Choice) – Most versatile

AB Biller Wood Mahogany Special Speargun

This first spearfishing gun we will assess includes a double barb Rockpoint tip which is made of hardened stainless steel, a stainless steel shaft that is 5/16-inch long and two 9/16-inch rubber slings. Available sizes of the gun range from 24 to 60 inches. The speargun has a 6-mm interchangeable tip. A line is attached to the gun that will need to be tied to the spear before using.

Is the appearance of a speargun a priority for you in your search for a new one? The most experienced spearos tend to prefer wood spearguns largely because of aesthetics. These guns are made with three layers of polyurethane to ensure a shiny appearance to their mahogany wood. Among mahogany spearguns, the AB Biller is especially appreciated for its versatility. Different sizes of fish can be targeted with this weapon. Differing levels of visibility can be accounted for. And factors like power, speed, and distance can all be optimized to fit the specific goals of your spearfishing at any given time.

Therefore, this product is especially recommended for those with extensive spearfishing experience. These guns are likely to be best for the people who are looking for a large variety of ways to customize their spearfishing experience so that they can use exactly the gun they want to use for exactly the purposes they want to use it. Nevertheless, because of the wide versatility, many people also find this to be a great starter spearfishing tool; beginners are merely less likely to take advantage of all the settings for a while, but those of all skill levels are likely to find this a useful product.

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Pros
  • Customizable for just about any spearfishing experience
  • Safe and effective for people of all expertise levels
  • Built with a generally well-liked aesthetic and a stable finish
  • Good for catching an extremely wide variety of fish
  • Easy to load and use
  • Built to help encourage a very precise shot
  • Sturdy and durable
Cons
  • No directions included with the product
  • Several concerns about the company’s customer service
  • Some complaints of slowness
  • Cords included with the product are not long enough for several types of spearfish; additional purchases may be necessary

2. JBL Woody Magnum – Best value

The JBL Woody Magnum is a 56-inch-long spearfishing gun with an MA remote trigger, a 756 SA-shaft, and two #368 slings. It has a point of 823-6 and a 28-foot reach. It is 56x9x6 inches long, and it weighs 4 lbs.

Are you looking for exceedingly high power at a reasonable price? The type of trigger that this speargun is equipped with is designed to dramatically increase power. It operates quickly, quietly, and accurately. Generally costing less than $300, customers almost universally report getting much more than what they paid for. This speargun is recommended for those looking for the most power at the best price.

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Pros
  • Exceedingly powerful for big game fishing
  • Almost unanimous customer reports of near-perfect accuracy
  • Much praise for its long range and ease of use
Cons
  • Not the most stable material used
  • 1-year warranty may not be sufficient for a product made of wood that is not laminated
  • Some complaints about product’s jaggedness and other aesthetic matters

3. Mares Sten – The power pistol

Mares Sten

The Mares Sten is a 22x10x6-inch speargun that weighs 3 lbs. It has an 8-mm shaft which includes a threaded tip. Its connecting piston between the 1.5-mm release cog and the trigger offers extreme sensitivity that helps to encourage precision and control in every shot of this exceedingly powerful weapon. This speargun comes with a rod, a line to connect to the shaft, and a pump to adjust various settings of the pistol.

Are you new to the sport of spearfishing? The combination of the Mares Sten’s power and ease of control may make it a great gun for beginners. The gun’s accuracy and long range make it accessible enough for novices to be able to use easily and to successfully catch a variety of fish right away.

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Pros
  • Little to no maintenance involved
  • Made of strong and durable material
  • Easy to load and use
Cons
  • Louder than most similar products
  • Many reports that other brands offering similar benefits are less expensive
  • Limited abilities with regards to catching larger fish

4. Cressi Comanche – Speargun with the most features

Cressi Comanche

The Cressi Comanche comes in models of various lengths; the average weight of the spearguns is 2.75 lbs. The bands that come with the product are 16 mm in diameter.

It has a hand grip that is built at an angle and attached to a muzzle to help shooters reach optimal accuracy. Extra-reactive bands pave the way for excellent speed and power with each shot. This speargun can be loaded quickly because of this product’s butt extension. Every model of the Cressi Comanche is equipped with specialized aluminum tubes that prevent wear and bending. Similarly, the thermoplastics used to make the handgrip ensure that each handgrip is light, durable, and supportive of consistently precise shots. The bands included in the product packaging are adjustable so you can shoot from different levels and positions because of how compact the hydrodynamic point is; this means that you will always be able to achieve appropriate levels of thrust, visibility, and accuracy. The shaft release system is gentle in order to make reloading faster. A 6-foot, 200-lb. shooting line is included along with a spear.

Are you looking for a spearfishing gun that comes fully equipped with everything you could want in order to start catching fish immediately after opening? This product is especially recommended for those who want a product that is well equipped with most of the necessities to go spearfishing right away. There is little need to buy any lines, accessories, spears, or other related devices that may need to be purchased alongside other spearguns. So, the Cressi Comanche might get you ready for your next spearfishing expedition as soon as you get the gun.

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Pros
  • Full of great features that prevent the need for extra purchases alongside the speargun
  • Accurate shot
  • Easy loading
  • Built to last
  • Great for scuba divers fishing in reefs
  • Longest models are recommended by those who do big game fishing
  • Very inexpensive
Cons
  • No color options or other aesthetic variety
  • Line that comes with the product is reportedly not well protected in packaging and snaps quickly

5. Hammerhead Proteus – For seasoned or beginner speros

Hammerhead Proteus

This spearfishing gun includes a fully railed barrel, bands with nylon coating, and a shooting line with a bungee. It can easily be attached to a reel. It is compatible with a wide variety of spears and tools, so you should be able to use it for any type of underwater target. It is equipped with a closed muzzle for fast reloading. Several different combinations of shaft and spear-head are available.

Is an accurate shot your highest priority in your search for a new speargun? This product is recommended for speros of all experience and skill levels because it is built for both precision and safety. Contrary to the last speargun assessed, there are several additional purchases likely to be necessary alongside this gun. This is potentially a good thing in the case of this gun, nevertheless. The gun itself is inexpensive, so those seasoned at the sport can customize it to exactly the experience they want, while rookies can set it up towards the goal of safely and successfully learning the sport of spearfishing.

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Pros
  • Great accuracy
  • Easy to use and load
  • Quick re-loading capabilities
Cons
  • Not very readily available
  • Additional purchases likely

6. Beuchat Akra Competition Speargun – Built for Reef Fishing

Beuchat Akra Competition Speargun

This product is designed especially for spearfishing done in shallow waters and reefs. It is sold with a band gun that is light and sturdy and a 22-mm barrel made of aluminum.

Like the last gun evaluated, this one is easy to customize with different accessories and features to create the spearfishing experience you might be looking for at any given time. Some of what comes with the gun, however, is reportedly not the highest quality. Several reports have complained about the construction of the shaft, saying that because its notch is not placed deeply enough to protect the wishbone, the metal often comes undone, potentially harming the shooter’s hands.

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Pros
  • Highly customizable
  • Many reports of great accuracy
Cons
  • Potentially dangerous constriction
  • Likelihood of additional purchases required

7. Mares Viper – For seasoned spearoes

Mares Viper

The Mares Viper brand offers a variety of sizes, functions, and features from its spearguns. Its five available lengths range from 75 to 120 cm. Each of its guns is formed out of stainless steel. Many of its parts and features are adaptable including slings and trigger sensibility. Each gun comes with two bands in order to adjust the slings for various types of spearfishing. And the reel included is detachable.

Are you looking for a speargun that offers you many different options of use? As related to the variety just mentioned, the Mares Viper includes almost as many features as the Cressi Comanche, so it is not necessary to buy related products to make the most out of the speargun. Nevertheless, customers tend to report that all of these contents can be replaced more easily than those of the Cressi Comanche, so you can still customize the gun to fit any type of spearfishing if any of the package contents do not perfectly suit your plans, especially as related to big game fishing.

Some problems have been reported regarding some of the elements of the Mares Viper. Several customers have complained that the shooting line that comes with the gun is not sturdily put together as crimps apparently break even as early as the first shot. However, some users have reported successfully re-attaching the crimps to the shooting line prior to use. Similarly, reports of the reel that comes with the gun are generally not positive. The reel has a reputation for bending easily and for locking due to hypersensitivity to heat.

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Pros
  • Excellent reputation for precision
  • Powerful enough for all big game fishing
Cons
  • Several features that come with the speargun have reputations for being easily damaged
  • Potentially difficult reloading

8. Cressi SL Star – For big game fishing

Cressi SL Star

Compact, reliable and precise, the Cressi SL Star has a good reputation for its ability to enable people towards a great deal of spearfishing success. Almost all customers report that this spearfishing gun does exactly what it’s made to do. This is one of the longest spearguns on the market, which may well suit well-seasoned speros who are looking to do big game fishing.

Customers consistently report problems related to the parts of the gun that are made out of plastic. These tend to break easily, often breaking soon after the purchase. This can make it difficult to handle, to shoot, and to reload.

Is power your highest priority in the search for a new speargun? Because of the length of this speargun and the potential problems mentioned above, this gun is recommended for those with the most spearfishing experience. People with a lot of expertise in the sport should be able to enjoy the extreme power of the product and know how to fix its potential problems quickly and easily so as to not be hindered by those issues.

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Pros
  • Extreme power avaiable
  • Includes a power reducer to make it appropriate for many types of spearfishing
  • Promoted by some of the most experienced speros
Cons
  • Only one size available
  • May be difficult to handle for inexperienced users
  • Made with plastic that breaks easily and can make the gun difficult to use until fixed

9. Cressi Starter Compact Speargun – Designed for new speros

Cressi Starter Compact Speargun

Produced by the same company as the previous speargun, this product has the polar opposite scope. It is intended for beginners, is a short gun, and is designed especially for medium sizes of fish. It is made of extremely durable material, so the potential problems mentioned with the previous Cressi speargun should not apply here. It’s built for accuracy with a closed muzzle, specifically with the young spearo in mind. Band and wishbone are easily replaceable and easily assembled or re-assembled.

Are you purchasing a speargun for a young person who you want to introduce to the sport of spearfishing? Because of the factors above, the Cressi Starter Compact Speargun is highly recommended for those looking for their first speargun. It is a safe product that should help rookies make the most of their experience and have much success, even on a first expedition.

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Pros
  • Should encourage an accurate shot every time
  • Easy to use and load
  • Safe for spearos of all ages
Cons
  • Limited sizes of fish that can be targetted
  • Short range

10. Beuchat Espadon – An exceedingly durable speargun

Beuchat Espadon

Is durability your highest priority in your pursuit of a new speargun? Made of stainless steel, the Beuchat Espadon is built intended to last a long time. The aluminum barrel is 25 mm, which is likely to be a good length for use while snorkeling. The product comes in two different models: One is designed for seasoned speros, while the other is intended for those new to the sport. Several parts of the gun are customizable and replaceable, so you can ideally get exactly what you’re looking for.

Several customer reports point to a potential problem of fish escaping. So, although the product is built to last a long time, it may not be accurate or effective enough for many spearos.

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Pros
  • Made of exceedingly durable material
  • Good reputation for lasting a long time
  • Many options and customizable features
  • Designed with specific skill levels in mind
Cons
  • Many reports of functionality problems
  • Does not adequately meet the basic purposes of a spearfishing gun for some customers

Buyer’s Guide

For beginner speros, a short barrel is likely to be easier to handle, to load, and to learn the sport from. Beginners will also want to find the most accurate and efficient product they can so that they can begin finding success immediately. Looking for guns that are designed to target medium-sized fish may also help to make the most of a starter gun.

Seasoned spearos that want to do big game fishing are more likely to want a speargun with a long barrel. This can help not only expand the target of different sizes of fish but also to allow for use in various underwater environments. The more experience a spearo has, the more likely he or she is to want a variety of options. In choosing a gun, then, it is important to know the specific goals you have for spearfishing and to be able to customize your new speargun to meet those goals. Some of the guns mentioned above are for specific environments and big game fishing, while others allow more freedom to conduct just about any manner of spearfishing. As such, it is advisable that you make a long-term plan for what kinds of spearfishing you want to do in order that you can make a purchase that effectively empowers you to reach those goals.

Conclusion

Having outlined the features, specs, recommendations, pros, and cons for ten models, you should now be able to compare and contrast between these common spearguns and figure out which one is likely to work best with your particular goals and skills. Each of the brands represented here also have other products to choose from that may be worth investigating if you still have any lingering questions or concerns about finding the best spearfishing gun for you.

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About Scott Richardson

A great lover of outdoor activities and especially fishing. I work for a pretty big company in California. I’m very keen on different types of fishing, especially spearfishing. Read more...

Comments

  1. Baker says

    April 13, 2020 at 5:44 am

    Thank you for your reviews of the various types of underwater weapons. You gave much information and everything is clear. I’m planning to buy Cressi Comanche. I saw most underwater hunters have this model in our town. But I have a question-how can I choose harpoons (arrows) for these underwater guns? As far as I understand – the choice is wide: there are different lengths and different tips. Scotty, please make a review of the arrows. I’m very interested in your opinion.

    Reply

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Navigate our Speargus

  • AB Biller Wood Mahogany Special Speargun
  • JBL Woody Magnum
  • Mares Sten
  • Cressi Comanche
  • Hammerhead Proteus
  • Beuchat Akra Competition Speargun
  • Mares Viper
  • Cresi SL Star
  • Cressi Starter Compact Speargun
  • Beuchat Espadon
  • Conclusion

ABOUT ME

I’m Scott Richardson – a great lover of outdoor activities and especially fishing. I’m very keen on different types of fishing, especially spearfishing.

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