Home Tournaments Calendar Weather Merchandise Sponsors

Go Back   Spearboard.com - The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Boating Social Media Forum > Spearfishing Gear > All About Guns

All About Guns What's your weapon of choice, and why? Discuss the beloved speargun here!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 12-21-2021, 03:53 PM   #16
Keysspearoo
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 64
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Quote:
Originally Posted by popgun pete View Post
The very long Sten models were sold as Pipin models and they were all over 100 cm. From memory there were three sizes topping out at the 150 cm. They were rather expensive, but were basically Sten models with the Supersten metal trigger. Except for the sales photos on eBay I never saw one again. Attached is the Supersten grip photo, the main difference to the usual Sten is the metal instead of plastic trigger.
Very cool, i have never seen these before. Also wanted to ask another question. I have seen both in person and online that some pneumatics seem to have a “tape” of some kind over the barrel. From what i can gather it is not from factory. If you know what this is, what is its purpose?
Keysspearoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2021, 04:31 PM   #17
popgun pete
Registered User
 
popgun pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,245
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keysspearoo View Post
Very cool, i have never seen these before. Also wanted to ask another question. I have seen both in person and online that some pneumatics seem to have a “tape” of some kind over the barrel. From what i can gather it is not from factory. If you know what this is, what is its purpose?
Some wound tape on the tank to protect the anodized surface, but it is not really necessary. Some guns have an aiming stripe on the tank, a modern example is the Salvimar Dark Side with a green stripe on the top. More a decoration and a point of difference rather than anything useful with a non-reflective tank. Very early Sten guns had a silvery tank which was a mirror in the water, then they switched to a dull grey.
popgun pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2021, 04:51 PM   #18
popgun pete
Registered User
 
popgun pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,245
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Actually when I think about it the Pipin guns would be from about 15 to 20 years ago, so they would be using the 2001 handle which is what the Sten uses now. The handle was adopted from the 1994 Cyrano, the original model of that gun, but in black and white rather than black and orange.
popgun pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2021, 09:27 PM   #19
popgun pete
Registered User
 
popgun pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,245
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

The very long guns also had a float and a folding knee loading handle, you can see one here.
https://blutimescubahistory.com/?q=e...pleta/sten-130
popgun pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-21-2021, 11:43 PM   #20
Keysspearoo
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 64
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Quote:
Originally Posted by popgun pete View Post
The very long guns also had a float and a folding knee loading handle, you can see one here.
https://blutimescubahistory.com/?q=e...pleta/sten-130
Ive seen those knee loading bars before but have never used one personally. The only form of assist i have used to load a pneumatic is the mares long loader. The one that looks like 3 loaders attached by a string. But the knee loader looks cool!
Keysspearoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2021, 02:29 PM   #21
seaviews
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 29
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Pete is correct - these were the Pipin models with the metal trigger. We always used to tape the barrel with electrical tape as it prevented the anodizing from getting scratched. None of my guns have the loading bar, but two of them had a mid handle to assist in loading and maneuvering in less than ideal vis./Users/seaviews/Desktop/IMG_0630.jpg/Users/seaviews/Desktop/IMG_0632.jpg/Users/seaviews/Desktop/IMG_0634.jpg/Users/seaviews/Desktop/IMG_0635.jpg
seaviews is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-22-2021, 10:57 PM   #22
Keysspearoo
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 64
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Any opinions on the Seac Assos? Thats the one i used the other day and it felt great. I used the older one not the newer version. But I have someone who would sell me a older model and used 130 for a great price.
Keysspearoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2021, 06:01 AM   #23
popgun pete
Registered User
 
popgun pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,245
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Well if I were you I would go for the Pipin model as the chance to get one of those is a real opportunity. The Asso is actually a slight variation on the original Sten model with its finger grip handle, but Mares guns were always the leader of the pack compared to the other brands. Maybe not so today as the brand has had some problems in recent years, but the Pipin guns pre-date all that. I never bought a Pipin model as there is no way I could load one, but that did not stop me looking at the time, plus long guns can be a bit of an oar in the water.

For some reasons those Pipin gun photos are not showing.
popgun pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2021, 09:21 AM   #24
Keysspearoo
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 64
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Quote:
Originally Posted by popgun pete View Post
Well if I were you I would go for the Pipin model as the chance to get one of those is a real opportunity. The Asso is actually a slight variation on the original Sten model with its finger grip handle, but Mares guns were always the leader of the pack compared to the other brands. Maybe not so today as the brand has had some problems in recent years, but the Pipin guns pre-date all that. I never bought a Pipin model as there is no way I could load one, but that did not stop me looking at the time, plus long guns can be a bit of an oar in the water.

For some reasons those Pipin gun photos are not showing.
Pete, i thought you said the persistent gear quality was on the lower end because it was a rebrand of that cheap brand. Although i like the length of the Pipin guns, I would sacrifice 10cm length for 1) quality and 2) ease of maintenance. If the gun is no longer in production and on top of it was a cheap brand im sure it would be a nightmare to get it serviced, find shafts for it, etc. Thoughts? Really looking at the Seac Asso 130 and the salvimar Predathor 130.
Keysspearoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2021, 03:35 PM   #25
seaviews
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 29
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

I can't get the pics to show up, but if you want them, pm your email and i'll send them.I believe the parts (pistons etc) from the newer sten guns will work in the older models...
We used a belt loader on the shorter pneumatics, and I believe there were ankle loaders that were used on the longer guns.
seaviews is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2021, 05:26 PM   #26
popgun pete
Registered User
 
popgun pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,245
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Seac Sub which produces the "Asso" product line are Italian and have nothing to do with either the "Persistent" or the Hang Fung "Aqua Gear" which are essentially the same guns that only look like an "Asso". Seac Sub is a quality brand like Mares and has been around for a long time, although not as long as Mares. All the replaceable parts of the “Pipin” guns will be exactly the same as the current Mares “Sten” as basically “Pipin” guns are just elongated “Sten” guns with longer inner barrels and the matching tanks. Mares used the Pipin name as part of an endorsement deal to promote part of their range, but the guns don’t have any special Pipin element as Mares produced that gun before he became involved except for the name stickers.

Salvimar spear tails are exactly the same as Mares, Salvimar which evolved out of metal components maker “Salvi and Figli” previously were subcontractors to many other dive company brands in Italy. They also used to make parts for the Scubapro “Magnum” pneumatic guns produced for Scubapro in Italy and when Scubapro quit spearfishing they re-issued the gun under a new “Salvimar” brand as the “Vintair” which eventually morphed into the “Predathor” with new mouldings to provide a side line release. Note that spear tails all use 6 mm threads and they can be swapped between shafts to match the brand of gun you are using, the tail ends being sold as spare parts.

On the Internet you often see comments by people who say the Persistent “Stunner” guns are Asso guns, they are wrong and are based on a misunderstanding and everyone quoting each other when they don't really know what they are talking about. The giveaway on these Asian guns is that block type rear sight rearing up out of the handle which is basically there so they that could say their gun was not a direct copy of the "Asso" when in fact it actually is. When Hang Fung later contracted for the Persistent guns they just used their current parts while altering the mould details for the “Persistent” name and the decorative detail on the upper grip body. Check the attached photo.

Don't confuse Mares Pipin guns with the Persistent Pipin guns, they are different products. The Mares Pipin guns are long 2001 Sten models using the Supersten metal trigger as a differentiating element.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Aqua Gear and Asso and Persistent grips.jpg
Views:	104
Size:	56.2 KB
ID:	247523  

Last edited by popgun pete; 12-23-2021 at 05:47 PM. Reason: extra comment
popgun pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2021, 06:04 PM   #27
Keysspearoo
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 64
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Quote:
Originally Posted by popgun pete View Post
Seac Sub which produces the "Asso" product line are Italian and have nothing to do with either the "Persistent" or the Hang Fung "Aqua Gear" which are essentially the same guns that only look like an "Asso". Seac Sub is a quality brand like Mares and has been around for a long time, although not as long as Mares. All the replaceable parts of the “Pipin” guns will be exactly the same as the current Mares “Sten” as basically “Pipin” guns are just elongated “Sten” guns with longer inner barrels and the matching tanks. Mares used the Pipin name as part of an endorsement deal to promote part of their range, but the guns don’t have any special Pipin element as Mares produced that gun before he became involved except for the name stickers.

Salvimar spear tails are exactly the same as Mares, Salvimar which evolved out of metal components maker “Salvi and Figli” previously were subcontractors to many other dive company brands in Italy. They also used to make parts for the Scubapro “Magnum” pneumatic guns produced for Scubapro in Italy and when Scubapro quit spearfishing they re-issued the gun under a new “Salvimar” brand as the “Vintair” which eventually morphed into the “Predathor” with new mouldings to provide a side line release. Note that spear tails all use 6 mm threads and they can be swapped between shafts to match the brand of gun you are using, the tail ends being sold as spare parts.

On the Internet you often see comments by people who say the Persistent “Stunner” guns are Asso guns, they are wrong and are based on a misunderstanding and everyone quoting each other when they don't really know what they are talking about. The giveaway on these Asian guns is that block type rear sight rearing up out of the handle which is basically there so they that could say their gun was not a direct copy of the "Asso" when in fact it actually is. When Hang Fung later contracted for the Persistent guns they just used their current parts while altering the mould details for the “Persistent” name and the decorative detail on the upper grip body. Check the attached photo.

Don't confuse Mares Pipin guns with the Persistent Pipin guns, they are different products. The Mares Pipin guns are long 2001 Sten models using the Supersten metal trigger as a differentiating element.
Very interesting to read. Crazy how similar the Asso and Persistent/Aqua Gear gun is. The Pipin gun I have an opportunity to buy is a Persistent/ Aqua Gear. Im assuming between a used Asso and a used Persistent, you would choose the Asso?
Keysspearoo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2021, 06:04 PM   #28
popgun pete
Registered User
 
popgun pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,245
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Quote:
Originally Posted by seaviews View Post
I can't get the pics to show up, but if you want them, pm your email and i'll send them.I believe the parts (pistons etc) from the newer sten guns will work in the older models...
We used a belt loader on the shorter pneumatics, and I believe there were ankle loaders that were used on the longer guns.
PM sent on how to upload photos as attachments to your messages.
popgun pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2021, 06:33 PM   #29
popgun pete
Registered User
 
popgun pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,245
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keysspearoo View Post
Very interesting to read. Crazy how similar the Asso and Persistent/Aqua Gear gun is. The Pipin gun I have an opportunity to buy is a Persistent/ Aqua Gear. Im assuming between a used Asso and a used Persistent, you would choose the Asso?
Well it appears that Seaviews has the Mares "Sten" Pipin guns. The problem with the “Aqua Gear” guns is that initially they had flimsy grip handles as they went for that over moulded grip handle which they knocked out in different colours to flog the gun to different resellers, hence the “Aqua Gear” guns appeared as “Javelin” guns and a few other names for different groups that wanted to pretend that they were gun manufacturers. The Chinese know a lot about manufacturing and how to cut costs, they don’t know much about spearfishing. Substitute alloys, lower quality anodizing, cheaper plastics and plated brass instead of stainless steel are a few examples of where they have made changes thinking this will do the same job and cost us less to make when in fact it compromises the long term durability of the product. Out of the box the guns look OK until you look more closely. All they care about is selling stuff, not how long it lasts. The Chinese have already done for the Omer pneumatics by using cheap stuff as Omer let the Taiwanese have a free hand in making them for them. I have bought these guns and have written on this elsewhere. The Chinese are capable of making better products, but that is not their mindset, yet!

If you buy a Persistent cheap enough then you can always treat is a throwaway gun, a lot depends on whether in making them the Chinese went for a better materials specification or just decided it was business as usual. The fact that the guns are no longer made tells you something. At a glance they looked OK as can be seen here.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Persistant Stunner gun.jpg
Views:	100
Size:	70.7 KB
ID:	247524   Click image for larger version

Name:	Mirage Enforcer Rayzor.jpg
Views:	93
Size:	42.4 KB
ID:	247525   Click image for larger version

Name:	javelin 110.jpg
Views:	95
Size:	54.6 KB
ID:	247526  

Last edited by popgun pete; 12-23-2021 at 07:56 PM. Reason: Added photos of the other aliases of these guns
popgun pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-23-2021, 08:17 PM   #30
seaviews
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 29
Re: Long Pneumatic Guns

Pictures - 2nd try
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0630.jpg
Views:	115
Size:	136.3 KB
ID:	247527   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0634.jpg
Views:	112
Size:	145.7 KB
ID:	247528   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0635.jpg
Views:	105
Size:	147.2 KB
ID:	247529   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_0632.jpg
Views:	102
Size:	146.9 KB
ID:	247530  
seaviews is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:10 AM.


The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Social Media Forum Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2002 - 2014 Spearboard.com