JBL Question

[JustAddWater]

I've only been spearfishing for a few years; so even though I love it and have had success at it, I am no expert by far. When I first started, I inherited a JBL 38-Special from a person who no longer can dive. (I also have a Riffe) I use the JBL often, and because it is smaller than the Riffe, take it more often on charters because it is easy to manage, and large enough for the fish I usually take. I have few complaints about it (restringing the line can be a bit of a pain..). It seems like their are quite a few spearfishers who don't think highly of JBLs and I was wondering why. Are there common malfunctions, or is it a quality issue?
Thanks,
JAW

[fernandezh]

Check out this thread. It should answer your question.

http://www.spearboard.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3606&highlight=jbl+defective

[100days-a-year]

Does Ray sell JBL shafts?I have on buddy who loves his 450 XHDs he has 3.He uses the heaviest shaft they have and as far as I know has broke 2 in about 3 years at ~80 dives a year and 5-10 shots per dive.

[fernandezh]

Yes he does sell JBL Shafts.

[Hunter]

I have used JBL since '86 but not exclusively. I have also taken a lot of great fish with my JBLs, but they do have some problems and can be improved. I first started with a Sawed Off Magnum and now shoot a Gulf Magnum XHD. I have also broken several shafts at the threads and my two dive partners have experianced the same problem. If you can find a machine shop in your area they can put a new 6mm thread on the shaft, at a minimal cost. Most shops in my area are too busy for that small a job. Other problems we have noted include the plastic wings on their muzzles breaking and triggers locking up with three bands cocked. We all have switched to the extra heavy duty triggers but these will also lock if too much load is put on them. The new muzzle on the Gulf Magnum seems to have solved the problem with the wings which hold the bands. I put Kevin's SS speed load mono line system on the gun which helps with the line. I also have upgraded the bands, but had to play with the lengths due to the load on the trigger. A Riffe and Wong are now my primary guns. One thing the JBL does offer is you can change the barrel sizes for different circumstances but you are forced to buy different bands and shaft sizes.

[JustAddWater]

It's funny that the topic of broken shafts has come up; I broke the shaft on my JBL on my last dive. I didn't think it would snap so easily. I also didn't think it would be difficult to replace. Can I assume that if I conact JBL I can order another shaft?

[fernandezh]

JustAddWater,
Check out the link on my first post. Yes you can contact them to order the other shaft but you have to pay for shipping. In the end you would end up with another defective shaft and the shipping costs would be high enough to buy another shaft.