Mares Frontiersman questions

[Copino]

I recently purchased a pneumatic Mares Frontiersman speargun (Ebay). Now I am looking for the manual and/or parts diagram. Where can parts for this gun be found (ex. piston gasket)? I could not found any information at Mares website. Some Mares models have a maximum working pressure of 30 bars while others I think can handle only 20 bars. It this correct? Most important for me right now is to know how many pump strokes are needed to achieve maximum power with the Frontiersman.

Any general comment about this model?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

[TGuthrie]

Good Luck!

[joens]

If it were me I would try to find a local Mares dealer.But you dont say where you live so there may not be one nearby.

[IyaDiver]

I thought Mares only makes two types of pneu : Stern and Cyrano ??

It is a possible special edition and might be the same as either two ?

[Copino]

Iya,

You have a good point. Where can I find the manuals/parts diagrams and parts for the Sten and Cyrano? I included a picture to see if anyone can recognize my gun.

[IyaDiver]

Judging from the photo, the shaft looks like an 8mm. Cyrano uses 7mm, so the piston is a bit smaller hence all the seals. I think it is based on the Stern. Doesn't make sense if Mares makes special new model, tooling is not cheap.

I have the Cyrano 850 but I can't locate the book, so sorry. I can't even lcoate my pump.

350-400 pumps stroke from zero air is probably good. 25 bar is the safe/normal operating pressure.

Contact Mares by email, they should be able to help you. If there is still air in your gun, that means high chance it is still healthy. If there is no more air, it might already be a leaky unit. Remember pneu must be stored muzzle down so tha the oil flows to the piston.

Usually the leaky part of Mares Stern is the piston and the trigger push pin and the high/low power selector above and behind the trigger. All are o-rings which you can actually source from O-rings suppliers.

If you are not handy with mechanical stuff don't open up the Mares, there are at least a total of 12 or so o-rings inside. If I am not wrong the high/low power selector uses counter clockwise movement to tighten, which is opposite from normal. A thread locker ( Loc-Tite) is required there, as selecting high/low power might work the thread loose.

I used to rip off Stern and Scubapro a lot, I ruined 5 already but that was 10 years ago, I can't remember the details much. Sorry.

IYA

[Mark Blanchette]

Copino:
There's a dive shop in Beaumont, TX that services Mares guns. I can probably get the name if you need it. They might have the info you need.

[Copino]

Thanks Iya,

I pumped 400 strokes and some air leaked for the first 30 seconds or so. After that, leak stop, apparently. I will wait 24 hrs. and see... Replacing the o-rings is no problem, but the piston also has what I think is called the piston gasket or piston cap. Can that part be substituted by an o-ring or it has to be the original?

[IyaDiver]

Cop,

If I recall correctly, the piston cap is a plastic like ring on the piston, on top of the o-ring. That maybe a dirt-pusher, it doesn't look like any compression stuff like an o-ring. Perhaps it looks like those brake seal caliper kit of a car. Put the gun in water and see where was that leak from.

If it is from the rear end where the pump goes to maybe it is a sticking spring. Everytime the pump developed a high presure at the end of the stroke, this spring will be pushed down and allows air into the chamber. If the o-ring have been sitting too long in the gun un-pressurised, those leaks probably from the o-ring trying to get back to position.... he he he.

Make sure the gun is properly lubricated. I think the entire gun needs like 10cc or something. Old oil can become varnish or gum like and might makes thing sticky inside.

If you ever dismantle the gun, take a look at the barrel. It is aluminum. Mine used to have pitting corossion from sea water, if that occurs, you will loose air for every shot and the o-ring on the piston will get damaged fast.

Honestly a pneu won't live long, take good care of it.