Eurogun bands poll

[Copino]

Reading through this forum it is my impression that most members who have euroguns use 20 mm dia. single bands. However, since 16 mm bands are easier to load and most guns can handle two 16's mm (which can give you about 30-40 % more power than using a single 20mm) I wonder which setup is more common, one 20's or two 16's.? I also included 18's just in case.

[pocoloco]

I just put together a Sporasub gun which I got second hand. I'm thinking about using one 20mm band and a second home made band of, I think, 16mm tubing which has the larger diameter hole through it. Just kind of a kicker.

Does anyone have information about making new bands for the euro guns using the threaded fittings?

[Copino]

I can't help you regarding your question but maybe you can check the 16 mm threaded circular bands manufactured by Omer. I think they cost about $25-30.

[pocoloco]

Are the bands for the euro guns interchangeable between brands?

[Copino]

I think so, but I am just beggining to learn about bands and I suggest you to write Omer or any other manufacturer and aks them. Or wait for some of the experts here for an answer. They have the kind of expertise that only the real world can give.

[Apex]

Pocoloco, I would be very cautious if I were you about adding a 16 mm band to your gun if you are also going to be using a 20mm band on it at the same time. I only know of one brand of euro gun that can handle the much band force without blowing up the trigger mech and those are omer guns in certain models. I too have a sporasub gun and to be truthful I am afraid to even load two 16 mm bands on it let alone a 20 mm and a 16 mm bands at once. You really don't want the trigger going on you and the gun self firing and hurting another diver or even yourself as you will most likely not be prepared for it when it happens and it could inflict serious injuries. If you use a 20 mm band and a 16 mm band I can guarantee you that the trigger mech will fail sooner or later.
HTH
Apex

[RabiSpear]

All threaded Euro bands should be interchangable between major brands (Sporasub, OMER, Beuchant). If you use two 16mm, in my experience (OMER, Rabitech), you will have to build one onto the gun. It's a simple process that requires band material and some form of kevlar or strong material to make the wishbone out of. Somone on this site will help you if that is what you need.

[Apex]

Oh as for the band setup, I am using one 16 mm band on my sporasub (100 cm)and it does ok power wise within the 10' mark. I am trying to find the screw on bulk rubber band adaptors here in the US so that I can make my one 20 mm bands for this gun and not have to buy the expensive screw-on euro bands. On my RA (120 cm) I am using two 16 mm bands and the gun is very powerful. I have shot through some thick pretty thick plywood in my pool at the gun's full range with one wrap of line and the penetration has been very good with the shaft going all the way through the board when I got a bit closer. The tip of the shaft would always penetrate the board to the flopper and a lot of times even past the flopper forcing me to disconnect the line from the gun and passing the shaft all the way through the board line and all.

Apex

[Apex]

RD, I have to disagree with you since I know of a guy that got is hand mangled by his articulated wishbone when a beuchat band popped out of the threaded muzzle on his cressi gun. He needed to use the gun and could only find the beuchat bands so he tried them and all was going well until the band popped out of one side of the muzzle and seriously injured his hand. This may have been a freak accident since I know of many people interchanging bands of different makes and length on different guns, but nonetheless I urge you to be careful.
Apex

[pocoloco]

Hey Apex,
Thanks for the tip...er....pointer...thanks for the advice about not overloading the mechanism. I've always used Arbaletes and Sea Hornets and you can load those up like crazy and they work fine.
I think I'll start off with one 20mm band and if that works I'll stick with that.