Biller vs. JBL

[snook295]

I am looking to get a new gun. Any opinions on a JBL woody magnum or a Biller 48/54 or similarly priced guns.:cool:

[fizisition]

http://www.spearfishingspecialties.com

they have a rhino which is priced the same as billers but a far superior gun

[WreckDiver]

I would agree I put off buying a new gun till I went to spear one's seminar, Left there with a 48" rhino sport. and it was a little less than the billers. seems like a great design, cant wait to use it.

[poorshot]

My first gun was Biller but after Spearone talked to me I bought a new SS and had him modify my old gun for my wife and son. There's no question that I would buy another SS.

[greyface]

Will you buy me one this morning?:p

[poorshot]

Greyface
Sorry but you already saw I have enough in my clan to buy for. Also I paid for my new SS gun with a Xmas tip a client gave me.

Art

[greyface]

Roger that Poorshot! Looks like you have a tight family. That's cool.:cool:

[FredT]

If used as shipped both will give good service.

If both guns are "modified" by addition of heavier/shorter bands or a heavier shaft the JBL and the JBL XHD shines far above the biller for service life and safety.

A JBL under extreme conditions will fail by NOT firing when the trigger is pulled. I have never heard of a properly loaded JBL firing on it's own

A Biller triger fails under extreme conditons by firing on it's own if the trigger is jarred, jammed, bumped or looked at.

Banditos tend to fail by firing on it's own after a while without being exposed to extreme conditions

THe SS guns I havn't used, yet.

Normally it takes a year or two of heavy use on the rigs for the weakness of any gun design to become obvious.

FT

FT

[Spear One]

Fred T made a very good point about the problems which can occur with triggers and sears in most spearguns after continued use over several seasons.

I believe that spearguns should be looked at like most other tools or machinery that are used extensively. They require periodic maintanance to perform correctly and give reliable service. For example: the brakes on your car will eventually fail if you don't replace the pads regularly.

Most "production" spearguns are designed to be used by recreational divers. The "average" recreational shooter only makes 4 to 6 spearfishing trips per year. If that shooter makes four dives per trip, and shoots his speargun an average of six times per dive, that only adds up to 96 shots in a 4 trip year, and 144 shots in a 6 trip year.

By comparison, avid spearfisherman like D4B, Deepfish, Financial Advisor, Screen Name, (to name just a few)
may make 20 or more trips a year. Several of those trips will be multi day trips which push their spearguns to the very limit of it's capability.

It is not uncommon for "pro" shooters like these guys to shoot 20 or more times per dive. These guys may possibly make 150 spearfishing dives per year, @ 20 shots per dive, thats over 3000 shots per year. There is no production speargun trigger that is going to take that kind of use over a long period of time, without showing some kind of wear and tear, thus requiring some periodic maintanance.

The last couple years I dove full time commercially, I made about 30 trips per year, 3 to 4 days in duration and usually made 4 dives per day. That would be about 120 days at sea a year, times 4 dives per day which totals 480 dives per year.

At 30 shots per dive, I may have been firing my Sea Hornet trigger 14,400 shots per year!

However, I was only shooting one band! One band puts a lot less stress on a trigger and sear than three bands do. I would occasionally remove the trigger and sear and gently file the contact surfaces to keep the free of any sharp edge or burrs which is what usually causes triggers to lock up or not fire properly.

I guess the point I am trying to make with this post is:
The more you shoot, the better attention you need to pay to your speargun! Don't assume that just because it is working fine today, doesn't mean you shouldn't get it looked at regularly if you are a heavy user.

[Offshore AJ]

Extremely accurate. Slightly louder than my Riffe (that has never seemed to negatively effect the outcome) but I like it much better (easier to load). Great power and the California shaft is nice and thick, hits real hard and penetrates quite well with the three bands. Replacement shafts and tips much less expensive than Riffe and in my opinion better in quality.

www.leisurepro.com

For years my brother owned the Magnum 450 and I, my Riffe. I hated how my riffe was a total bitch to load. He would always bring up more grouper and snapper than me because he could load much more quickly and efficiently. Now we are even:D

I am looking for a spare shaft clip for my JBL though. If anyone has an idea please fill me in!:cool:

[f94gator]

I have a JBL Woody Magnum and never had any complaints about it. It served me well ... until it got replaced by an SS 52 commercial!

[inletsurf]

I agree with Offshore AJ, I have the JBL Magnum 450 XHD.

With all 3 bands loaded, it does not lock the trigger down (easy to fire). I have had it for over 2 years now and made routine trips. There are some aspects of the design I do not like with it, but I'll take it anyday over a biller. Way way more power and range than any Biller.

My next gun is going to be a Spearfishing Specialties 60" Commercial Rhino. I can't wait.

[100days-a-year]

SeaHornet?Isn't that a Biller?Seems taht left coasties prefer JBL and East coasties Biller.I have a 54 Biller 3bands 1@24 and 2@26 5/8 SS bands.My buddies shoot all Biller except on who shoots a homemade double barrel 450XHD,the only one who has his range is Big Bretts 60 Biller 3band.Didn't know about the fail/fire Fred..Thanx.

[snook295]

Thanks for all the input. I am just about to finalize my order for a SS 52 Commercial. I'm sure I won't be displeased.

[fernandezh]

I just got a JBL Woody Magnum (63" with 48" shaft). I can't wait to get it into the water. The deer that roam free on the Ft. Benning Golf Course just had their last night of peace. :D :D :D