A speargun is the defining tool of the spearfisher — and choosing the right one for your environment, target species, and experience level makes a significant difference to your success and safety in the water. This category covers the full range of spearguns available: band-powered, roller, and pneumatic designs across every barrel length from compact 50 cm reef guns to powerful 130 cm+ blue water setups, in wood, aluminium, and carbon barrel construction.

Types of Speargun

Band-Powered (Rubber Band) Spearguns — The most common and beginner-friendly design. One or two latex rubber bands stretch over the shaft notch and power the shot. Silent, simple to maintain, easy to load, and reliable in all conditions. The standard choice for reef and mid-range diving worldwide

Roller Spearguns — A variation of the band gun where the bands pass over rollers mounted at the muzzle, applying consistent energy along the full shaft stroke — eliminating the dead zone at the end of travel that limits standard band guns. The result is more power from the same band load, with minimal recoil. Popular for blue water and long-range shots

Pneumatic Spearguns — Powered by compressed air rather than rubber bands. Generates significant power in a compact design — useful where a short, powerful gun is needed without multiple bands. Requires more maintenance than band guns and can be noisier on firing. Preferred by some Mediterranean-style hunters and experienced divers hunting in tight environments

Choosing the Right Length

Speargun length should be matched to your diving environment, the species you target, and the visibility you typically dive in. A longer gun offers more range and power but is slower to aim, harder to manoeuvre in tight reef, and heavier to load. A shorter gun is fast, agile, and easy to load but limits your effective range. As a general rule, match your gun length to approximately the visibility you dive in — if you regularly dive in 8–10 m visibility, a 90–110 cm gun covers most situations well.

50–75 cm — Caves, crevices, tight reef, murky water, close-range ambush hunting. Easy to load and highly manoeuvrable

80–100 cm — Best all-round reef length for most adult spearfishers. Shore diving, mid-depth reef, mixed species. The recommended starting point for beginners

110–120 cm — Deeper reef, open water, larger reef species and small pelagics. More power and range; suits experienced divers comfortable loading a longer gun

130 cm+ — Blue water, offshore, large pelagic species (wahoo, yellowfin, kingfish). Maximum power and range — requires strong technique and significant loading effort

Barrel Material

Aluminium — Lightweight, durable, and the most common barrel material. Resists corrosion well with proper rinsing. The standard choice for most production spearguns across all price points

Wood (Teak / Mahogany) — Naturally neutrally buoyant underwater, making wooden spearguns easier to aim and hold steady. Traditional construction favoured by experienced hunters — typically heavier in air but perfectly balanced in the water

Carbon Fiber — The lightest and stiffest barrel material available. Minimal flex under band load, extremely lightweight in and out of the water. Premium price point — found on high-end competition and blue water guns

Single Band vs. Double Band

Most spearguns can be configured with a single or double band setup. A single band is easier to load and produces enough power for most reef and mid-range applications — the right choice for beginners and divers targeting smaller to medium species. Double bands increase power output significantly — useful for larger, thicker fish and longer range shots, but require considerably more strength to load at depth. Never overpower a gun beyond what you can load comfortably and safely at your maximum diving depth. [web:238][web:240]

What to Look For in a First Speargun

Length — Start with 80–100 cm for most environments; easy to load and versatile across reef conditions

Single band — Easier to load safely; sufficient power for beginner target species in shallow to mid-depth reef

Aluminium barrel — Durable, corrosion-resistant, and lower cost than wood or carbon — ideal for learning and regular use

Open muzzle — Easier to load and clear than a closed muzzle design; better suited to beginners building loading technique

Enclosed track — Keeps the shaft aligned during the shot, improving accuracy — especially valuable while developing trigger and aim technique

Quality trigger mechanism — A smooth, reliable trigger is critical for safety and shot accuracy. Do not compromise on trigger quality in your first gun

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