Riffe Metal Tech #5 any thoughts?

[SaltWaterSniper]

I am considering purchasing the Riffe Metal Tech #5. I only free dive, mostly offshore but sometimes on shallow inshore wrecks. I realize it is way over kill for the shallow/wreck stuff but I will be using it mostly in open water. Anyone have any thoughts on metal/wood, closed/open track, ice pick tips etc. Anyone have any input on the quality of Riffe guns _ Thanx Jon

[Otter-B-Huntin']

I use a Metal Tech #5 and love it!

Mine is set up exclusively for Blue Water Hunting with full wings, enclosed track, slip-tip, aluminum muzzle, rigged for break-away used with float-line and floats. :D

It is very powerful and very accurate, I couldn't be happier with it!

A #5 rigged for your intended use should probably include at least the muzzle floater kit, slip tip, double wrap of stainless cable and if your freediving, rigged as a break-away with float-line and float.

Dive Safe!

[SaltWaterSniper]

Thanks very much for your input Otter it helps a lot. I am really ate up about getting a new gun I just want to make the most educated choice possible. No dive shops in my town carry Riffe guns so I might be purchasing one without even holding it first! Do you have an opinion on wood versus metal? I have only ever had metal guns but most hardcore bluewater guys and girls seem to have wooden guns. The Riffe Island seems to be the wooden counterpart to the metal tech #5, also what is it like loading your gun? I was planning on using 4, 5/8 bands...Thanx again Jon.

[IyaDiver]

Sniper,

You can't go wrong with a Riffe MT5 if you have the kind of fish the gun is built for. As for quality, this the best aluminum gun money can buy. It is very well built, very well.

Mine is on order, set up like Otter's but with a reel & 3/8" shaft.

I also have MT0 and MT3. Both fully rigged to the tooth. I just lost my MT3 last saturday, have to give it up to a big tuna. I am again ordering that MT3 too.

Riffe Island is very nice too but the butt end is about 3" closer to your mouth. If you have a short hand, watch out for the butt kick.
Riffe Island is very popular. Teak has classy look and feel. I have Riffe#2 Standard and #4 Baja, it is teak but rear handle, won't swing as beautiful as the mid handle teak or Metal Techs.

The aluminum muzzle upgrade allows 4x5/8 bands. I set my MT3 and coming MT5 with 6 x 9/16 bands. Original plastic muzzle can take 4 x 9/16" rubbers.

If your area do not have Riffe dealer, just call the factory direct. If you want the aluminum muzzle ask Riffe for a swap instead of having to buy spare aluminum muzzle. They will probably swap the shooting line too from mono to cable and shaft if you want 3/8" ( don't forget the rest tab ). Cheaper this way.

Have fun shopping

IYA

[100days-a-year]

For reefs and wrecks it's not so much overkill as a PITA to reload quickly.Sorry to hear about the gun Iya.

[IyaDiver]

Thanks Tony.....it is sad I know .....cost me a fortune.:(

I am going this Sat again. I'll use my #4. I have set a plan how to land hopefully a 100 pounder, without a float and a reel... he he he...sounds impossible. I'll post when I can succesfully turn the plan to reality.:D

Regards,
IYA

[100days-a-year]

IYA ,good luck.It is amazing the hurdles you go thru to spearfishing.I hope for some pelagics this year but I doubt any will reach 100#.

[SaltWaterSniper]

Great information Iya and sorry to hear about your gun. I think I have decided on the MT5, costs a fair bit less than the Island and black always looks cool! Now... what about cost and where to buy? Anyone have any recommendations on a reliable dealer with the lowest price...Thanx again everyone...Jon

[IyaDiver]

100,

Big fishes is better than sex....( literally ) cause money can't buy, money can only facilitate. Ever since I got roller coaster ride by decent size Dog Tooth Tuna-s, I then realized why people want to hunt those big roller coaster capable pelagic fishes I can only dream about. When I lost my gun last week, the urge to solve the : How-To-Not-Loose-A-Gun becomes more challenging and so is landing something that is able overwhelmed me to such extend.

I am very specific now on the species I hunt and the size. 1or 2 fishes per dive trip is enough for me if they are of a good size. With average 10-12 minutes bottom time per dive in the deep pinacle, I must make sure I pull the trigger on something worthwhile. I was lucky to find this HOT fishy zone. If there is no fish, what can we shoot ?:D



Sniper,

I heard Pirate Scuba price is decent. Sorry I don't know the www. Search engine will be good to use. One thing u must remember about Metal Tech. Any drilling is factory done. If u want a wing kit or reel insert, don't ever think you can order later. Plan what you need or else you must find a very competent machine shop for the wing kit or send it back to Riffe. If you want a reel insert, u must send it back to Riffe. The won't sell you the female thread insert for reels and let you drill on your own. That's the only problem with Metal Tech. Better to wait and special order the options you want and swap parts where neccessary. Later upgrade is a waste of money.

One more thing. 3/8" shaft with maximum quantity of rubbers using the aluminum muzzle will make the gun more powerful and longer range than a 5/16" shaft based on same maximum rubber quantity. Somehow I tested the 5/16" shaft ( MT0 & MT3 ) is good up to 4 x 9/16" rubbers. At 5 or 6 x 9/16" rubbers, the 3/8" shaft really shines. This is if u want to dig maximumk power potential. If you have the full wing kit, the recoil will be reduced much but of course you can't swing vertical as fast as non wing gun. Horizontal swing with full wing kit is not very much different than a non-wing gun. Try to experiment with gun/s set up, that's a great part of the hunting too, at least for me.

Good Luck,

IYA

[SeaWitch]

Although I may be bias....Pirate Scuba & Water Sports :D

We offer many custom configurations upon order not shown on the online catalog.

Give me a call (M-F 10A - 6P ET) and I'll set you up with what you need with a discount off retail price. 1-800-539-9597 or e-mail me master@piratescuba.com.

Dive Safe!
The Southern Sea Witch

[SaltWaterSniper]

Anyone have any thoughts on 5/16 vs. 3/8 shaft and 4 or 5 9/16 bands vs. 4 5/8 bands for distance, accuracy and eaze of loading? Icepick or breakaway style tip will be used. Quarry will be mainly Wahoo, Amberjack, King, Cobia, Bonito, Barracuda, Mahi, Rainbow Runner and Red Snapper. Most of the free diving is done right behind and below the boat in an active chum line in 100+ foot of water. This is all refering to use on the Metal Tech 5. This gun will also be used on shallow wrecks for sheephead, trigger, snapper, cobia and grouper...Thanx everyone for your help I am getting close to making a decision on how to rig the MT5... Jon.