I'm new to the forum and spearfishing.  I have come across a few jbl's and own an explorer 22.  I took it out last sat for my first real fishing trip.  I managed a good one.  I discovered a large fish like this swims a bit better than I do after I was towed into the log jam she was sitting in.  Fun ride though.  I'd love to add the pic a 45# flathead taken with my exp 22 but can't figure it on any help guys.

urmaddad said:

I have owned and used JBL spearguns since the early 1970's.  How long has JBL been making speasrguns, that is what year did they start?

urmaddad

Joseph Benjamin Lamonica started making spearguns in the early 60's in his garage.  He then turned it into JBL International there after.  

urmaddad

1)The inside sling should go to the first notch (that is the notch closest to muzzle) and should be loaded first.  The next sling (outside sling on a two band gun) should then go to the rearmost notch).  On a two band gun you could theoretically put the bands in reverse order and not have a problem.  I've done so and suffered no ill effect.  With 3 bands and up, loading out of order will start getting the bands trapped or tangled.  As it pertains to loading sequence, that is another matter because if you loaded any band on the rearmost notch first, you may have a problem getting the other wishbones to drop in.  This is because the first band's stretched rubber will partially block the remaining wishbones from dropping in groove.

2) The way you describe it is the correct way.  This is because in order to get the last wrap over the release, the bungie needs to be stretched last.  Can you do it the opposite way and will it work?  Yes, there is a way to do it opposite to this but not nearly as easy or as fast!  

3)  In any water I use Loc-Tite 222, removable.  Comes in red bottle but the product itself is BLUE.

4)  Shooting a speargun out of the water is very dangerous for a multitude of reasons.  If you do it, you will likely injure yourself or someone else. 

Recoil and its effects are the biggest problem.  When the gun has no water resistance, the recoil and muzzle lift is drastically increased and the shaft will travel a much greater distance and not ususally where you originally pointed it.  Getting your teeth knocked and putting the spear into something unintended is a likely side effect of shooting above water. Without the water resistance the shaft will also fly at a much greater speed and with a lot more inertia.  With this increased speed and inertia, you will find that the shaft will either break your shooting line or will fly back at you (remember it is attached to a bungie).  Spearguns should be used underwater only. 

You didnt say what your shooting at but, if you are shooting fish, you can easily rig up a bow or crossbow with a line/reel to shoot from above deck.  Check your laws though because in most states and federal water you cannot shoot at any game fish from above deck by any means. 

1. Concerns cocking the slings. I have 2 slings, one which is physically outboard of the other at the muzzle. Should the inboard sling/band be cocked 1st and the wire set in the rear-most notch of the 3/8" shaft, with the outermost sling/band loaded 2nd and set into the adjacent notch just forward of the 1st? This may be a "Duh" question, but I would really like to avoid any possibility of a "mis-fire".

2. Also, is it imperative that the shaft retreival line be wrapped exactly as it came, with the line attached nearest the shaft wrapped onto the release pin first and that attached to the shock tubing last?

3. When used in salt water, is it a good idea to coat the threads of the shaft with something to prevent the tip from accidentally unthreading?

4. Why the concern expressed in the manual that the gun "may not function properly or safely if armed or fired anywhere but fully submerged under water"? My intent is to use the gun to fire above and into the water at shallow marine species. Am I at risk by doing so? I had also planned to do some target practice in a "dry" environment.

Much thanks in advance for any help you can provide. 

Sinced you asked though, there are some good sales out there for very basic cameras.  On sale for around 110 bucks, is a 6 mp/camera and case that works down to 180'.  http://www.divers-supply.com/I.....-P926.aspx

Not anywhere near the best but certainly capable of seving its purpose for recreational picture taking.  And if you flood it, not that big a deal!  You will pay 2 to 5 times that amount just for a housing from Ikelite or similar mfg's. 

A buddy spent 99 bucks for a panasonic/lumix 8mp camera (which by the way has an underwater picture setting and video) and he found the case for 89 bucks on sale, online.  So for right around 200 bucks with shipping he has a very nice setup that takes pretty good pics with ambient light.  If you really get into it you will need a strobe.   Look around,do some searches and you'll find something decent without breaking the bank.  Keep an eye on ebay; every so often great deals show up there.

And to keep this relavent to this website, here is a camera mount for your speargun:

http://www.bluetunaspearfishin.....Mount.html

Disclaimer:  I have no interest in any of the businesses or products mentioned but like you had a hard time finding a decent camera under 800 bucks.

Good Luck!

I noticed that the nomenclature under the speargun descriptions is very vague.  For example it will give a shaft or sling part number but no dimensions.  Listing the dimensions and specific features of the shaft, sling or gun will help people narrow down and decide what gun to get or what replacement parts to order from their supplier.  Giving the part number to my supplier has resulted in the wrong shaft being delivered on several occasions.

I think that just adding a few columns to the table under the gun that list's shaft size, notch or sharkfin etc., band dimensions, wishbone type, etc would make a big difference.  Same thing under your replacement shaft's and sling section; there are a few pictures but absolutely no descriptive information such as which correspond to which gun, part #'s, size/dimensions or individual pictures, etc.

Keep up the good work; you are definitely going in the right direction.  I see a new and improved JBL brand emerging and the more recent innovations, such as the "elite" series are definitely getting noticed!

Anyone know about these?  If so where can I find them?

Thanks!

Glad we could help you out. Now take a picture with your new "Woody Sawed Off" and that huge fish and we will put it on our site.

I apologize for the late responce.  I don't think you should have any issues as long as you check you gun bag in of course.  They most of the time think my bag of guns are just golf clubs and send them on through. I have never had a problem.  We have the travel magnum that comes with a cary case and can also be made into two differant size guns. Check it out.