Pelengas Magnum Speargun — Full Review & Complete Buyer's Guide
The Pelengas Magnum line changed the pneumatic speargun market when it launched. A complete redesign of Pelengas's original platform, the Magnum series brought the grip closer to the barrel axis, introduced a new piston and damper system, and delivered measurably higher power and accuracy in a gun that remains one of the most trusted pneumatic spearguns in the world. This guide covers the full Magnum lineage, what makes these guns different, and how to choose the right model and length for your diving.
What Is a Pneumatic Speargun — and Why Does It Matter?
A pneumatic speargun uses compressed air as its propulsion system rather than rubber bands or elastic. The barrel is pre-pressurized before each dive, and when the trigger is released, that stored air pressure drives the piston forward, launching the shaft at high velocity. Pneumatic guns are self-contained, reloadable underwater, and generate more raw power per centimeter of barrel length than any band-powered equivalent. For spearfishers targeting large, powerful fish at range — or working in environments where a compact yet hard-hitting gun is needed — a pneumatic is the correct tool.
Pelengas took this technology further with their pneumo-vacuum system. A standard pneumatic gun allows water to enter the barrel during loading — water that creates resistance on the shaft and reduces velocity at the moment of firing. Pelengas's pneumo-vacuum muzzle system seals the barrel at the front using a vacuum cuff, preventing water from entering the barrel entirely. The result is a gun that fires faster, quieter, and more consistently shot after shot — with a self-cleaning barrel that requires significantly less maintenance over time.
The Pelengas Magnum — What Changed From the Original
When Pelengas launched the Magnum series in 2015, it was a ground-up rethink of their first-generation lineup. The original Pelengas guns — the 45 cm, 55 cm, and 70 cm models — had already earned a strong reputation in Eastern Europe for their pneumo-vacuum technology and build quality. The Magnum redesign addressed the two key limitations users had identified: the position of the handle relative to the barrel, and the loudness of the shot.
The Magnum's hydroformed receiver positions the handle significantly closer to the barrel's central axis — the aiming line. On the original guns, the handle sat lower, meaning the recoil force acted at an angle away from where you were aiming. On the Magnum, the handle and barrel are aligned closely enough that the gun shoots straighter with less muzzle flip. This is not a minor ergonomic adjustment — it is a meaningful accuracy improvement, particularly at ranges beyond 2 to 3 meters where small deviations become significant misses.
The second major upgrade was the new piston and triple-damper muzzle system. The redesigned piston features a 45-degree cone angle that decelerates more smoothly at the end of its stroke rather than delivering a hard stop. Combined with the triple-damper muzzle, the Magnum fires noticeably more quietly than its predecessor — an important consideration for not spooking fish in clear, shallow-water environments.
| Feature | Original Pelengas | Pelengas Magnum |
|---|---|---|
| Handle Position | Below barrel axis | Aligned to barrel axis — hydroformed receiver |
| Muzzle System | Single damper | Triple-damper — quieter, reduced recoil |
| Piston Design | Standard piston | 45° cone angle — smoother deceleration, reduced wear |
| Trigger | Standard trigger | Dual-grade stainless steel, adjustable free play |
| Sealing | Standard cuff and rings | Abrasion-resistant collar, larger diameter sealing rings |
| Barrel | Steel | 12 mm stainless steel — performs with sand in mechanism |
| Buoyancy | Positive (without harpoon) | Positive — floats even with reel installed |
Pelengas Magnum 70 — Feature Breakdown
Hydroformed Receiver — Accuracy From the First Shot
The hydroformed aluminum receiver positions your hand directly in line with the barrel. Every time you pull the trigger, the recoil force drives straight back through your grip rather than deflecting downward and rotating the gun away from the target. The hard anodized surface coating on the receiver resists scratches, salt corrosion, and the general abuse a working speargun takes over years of active use in salt water.
12 mm Stainless Steel Barrel — Built for Real Conditions
The 12 mm barrel is stainless steel, not aluminum. Aluminum barrels are lighter but vulnerable to sand and grit entering the mechanism and causing premature wear on O-rings and sealing surfaces. The Magnum's stainless steel barrel maintains its performance even when sand gets in — which, if you dive reef systems or sandy bottom environments, will happen. The barrel also delivers a longer piston stroke than comparable guns at the same length, generating higher muzzle velocity for the gun's size.
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Pneumo-Vacuum Cuff — No Water in the Barrel
The pneumo-vacuum muzzle seals the barrel with a positive-buoyancy air cuff at the front of the gun during loading, preventing water from entering the barrel entirely. A dry barrel fires faster and more consistently than a water-filled one. The absence of water in the mechanism also reduces internal corrosion and dramatically lowers the maintenance frequency required to keep the gun shooting at peak performance.
Stainless Steel Trigger — Two-Grade Construction
The trigger and side line release are machined from two different grades of stainless steel — each grade selected for the specific load and wear characteristics of that component. The trigger includes adjustable free play for a soft, clean pull — comparable in feel to the Mares Cyrano Evo, one of the benchmarks for pneumatic trigger quality. A clean trigger pull is critical for accurate shots at depth, and the Magnum delivers it consistently across thousands of uses.
Ergonomic Handle — Thick-Glove Compatible
The rubberized universal grip features a bright orange rear section that improves visibility underwater — useful when the gun is set down on the reef or against a boat hull. The enlarged handle opening and trigger guard are specifically dimensioned to accommodate 7–9 mm gloves, making the Magnum one of very few performance spearguns that works as effectively in cold-water environments as it does in warm.
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Full Specifications — Pelengas Magnum 70
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Gun Length | 70 cm |
| Barrel Diameter | 12 mm |
| Barrel Material | Stainless steel |
| Receiver | Hard anodized aluminum — hydroformed |
| Harpoon Diameter | 7 mm |
| Muzzle System | Pneumo-vacuum — triple damper |
| Trigger | Dual-grade stainless steel, adjustable free play |
| Glove Compatibility | 7–9 mm gloves — enlarged guard and opening |
| Buoyancy | Positive — floats with reel installed |
| Line Release | Side line release (magnetic optional) |
| Standard Kit | Harpoon, spare cuffs, loading handle, 4 m line |
| Profi Kit Adds | Reel + reel line + carabiner, installed harpoon line, repair kit, maintenance oil |
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Standard Kit vs. Profi Kit — Which Should You Choose?
The Standard Kit includes everything you need to get in the water: the speargun, a 7 mm harpoon, spare vacuum cuffs, a plastic loading handle, and 4 meters of shooting line. This is the right choice if you already own a reel and line setup, or if you are adding the gun as a second setup to complement existing equipment.
The Profi Kit adds a complete reel with reel line and carabiner, a pre-installed harpoon line on the shaft, a full repair kit with replacement cuffs and O-rings, and a bottle of maintenance oil. For most buyers — particularly those purchasing their first Pelengas — the Profi Kit is the better investment. Having a repair kit on hand before you need it, and not having to source reel components separately, saves both time and money. The Profi Kit price difference is consistently less than buying those components individually.
View All Pelengas Spearguns → | Pelengas Magnum 70 → | Pelengas Magnum Plus 55 → | Pelengas Carbon Max 120 →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Pelengas Magnum and Pelengas Magnum Plus?
The Magnum and Magnum Plus share the same internal platform — same piston, barrel, pneumo-vacuum muzzle system, and trigger mechanism. The difference is the handle design. The standard Magnum uses Pelengas's newer ergonomic rear-grip handle positioned close to the barrel axis. The Magnum Plus uses the traditional clamp-style handle that many experienced spearfishers prefer for its grip security. Both deliver identical shooting performance.
Is the Pelengas Magnum good for beginners?
The Pelengas Magnum 70 is an advanced speargun designed for experienced spearfishers. It requires proper technique to load safely and handle reliably underwater. If you are new to spearfishing, the Pelengas Eco is the better starting point — lighter, simpler, and more forgiving while you develop your diving skills. The Magnum 70 is the natural step up once you are consistently comfortable at depth and know how to handle a pressurized pneumatic safely.
How do you load a Pelengas Magnum speargun?
Insert the plastic loading handle (included in the kit) into the front of the barrel, place the muzzle against a firm surface or your hand, and push the harpoon shaft rearward until the trigger sear engages and locks it in place. The pneumo-vacuum muzzle seals automatically as the shaft is seated. Always follow the manufacturer's safety guidelines and never dry-fire the gun above water.
What length Pelengas Magnum should I buy — 55 cm or 70 cm?
The 55 cm is the better choice for rocky reefs, caves, kelp, and confined environments where maneuverability is more important than range. The 70 cm delivers significantly more power and effective range — the correct choice for open reef, sandy bottom hunting, and targeting larger fish species at distance. Most experienced spearfishers who hunt a variety of environments choose the 70 cm as their primary gun and keep a shorter band-powered gun for tight reef work.
Can I use a reel with the Pelengas Magnum 70?
Yes — the Pelengas Magnum 70 is specifically designed to remain positively buoyant even with a reel installed. The handle includes an integrated reel mount. The Profi Kit configuration includes a complete reel with reel line and carabiner ready to use out of the box. The standard side line release can also be upgraded to an optional magnetic line release for faster, more reliable line management on the shot.
How does the Pelengas pneumo-vacuum system work?
The pneumo-vacuum muzzle uses a rubber vacuum cuff at the front of the barrel. When the harpoon is seated, the cuff seals the muzzle with positive air pressure — preventing water from entering the barrel. When the trigger is released and the piston drives forward, the cuff opens and the harpoon exits cleanly. The result is a dry barrel on every shot: faster shaft velocity, reduced internal corrosion, and a significantly lower maintenance frequency compared to conventional pneumatic designs.