Difference between a $250 Mako ETR and the $1200 Wood rail guns?

Oceanic Enclosed Track Speargun | MAKO Spearguns


I have no clue what the difference between these guns are.
Thanks for helping.
H

There are many differences including:
Noise: wood is less noisy when fired
Recoil: wood has less recoil
Strength: wood is stronger
Durability: wood can take more abuse
Flooding: wood never fills with water and sinks
Finish: wood can be refinished if desired
Customization: wood guns can be customized easier to your liking (you can drill holes anywhere)
Tracking: Pipe guns track a little better because they are thinner

In general, a well taken care of wood gun will outlast you. You may need to change a spring in the trigger but not much more.
In reality, assuming normal wear and tear, both type of guns will work fine. Wood has more advantages but you pay more for them. Call it personal preference.

BTW: If you are paying $1,200 for a custom wood gun you may want to shop around. You can get a Hatch, Koah, Blacktip, for less than that. Unless you are getting a quad roller tuna cannon.

Most of the wood guns are enclosed track = more accurate. Waterboy offers a good summary of other attributes. You can get a nice Koah wood gun for half the $1200 you quoted.

BadaBing:

Most of the wood guns are enclosed track = more accurate...

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So is the Mako that was asked about.

Helixx:

I have no clue what the difference between these guns are.
Thanks for helping.
H

Click to expand...

Even though it's 4 months away on Saturday February 21st & Sunday February 22nd, you still should put the "Blue Wild" show on your calendar to attend one of the days. It's not just a spearfishing show but all the major speargun manufacturers will be represented. One of the best parts of the show are all the teaching seminars that are presented. The show is in Fort Lauderdale convention center which is less than an hours drive from Jupiter. It's just a really good show to gain ALOT of knowledge and move your skills up to the next level. You'll also be able to talk and meet people who dive the same waters as you do and they will help you with tips, tricks, and dive connections. The show website is The Blue Wild Ocean Adventure Expo

Many divers on this board will be there so you'll meet a ton of people. I'll be in the Koah Speargun booth, come see me and I'll show you the Koah Battle Axe !!

Water Boy76:

There are many differences including:
Noise: wood is less noisy when fired
Recoil: wood has less recoil
Strength: wood is stronger
Durability: wood can take more abuse
Flooding: wood never fills with water and sinks
Finish: wood can be refinished if desired
Customization: wood guns can be customized easier to your liking (you can drill holes anywhere)
Tracking: Pipe guns track a little better because they are thinner

In general, a well taken care of wood gun will outlast you. You may need to change a spring in the trigger but not much more.
In reality, assuming normal wear and tear, both type of guns will work fine. Wood has more advantages but you pay more for them. Call it personal preference.

BTW: If you are paying $1,200 for a custom wood gun you may want to shop around. You can get a Hatch, Koah, Blacktip, for less than that. Unless you are getting a quad roller tuna cannon.

Click to expand...

A good, custom wood gun will cost 2 or 3 times as much. The finish WILL need to be maintained on a wood gun. A metal pipe gun will NEVER warp if left in a hot car and it will never delaminate. Recoil has absolutely NOTHING to do with the gun being made of wood, aluminum, carbon fiber or anything else (think conservation of momentum).

A good pipe gun can be taken down well past 200 feet without flooding or migration of the internal plugs (so leakage should not be an issue). As for noise.. fish sense the shock wave of the rubber bands, the noise of the gun may not be that important, but the ETR gun is quiet because the shaft is entirely contained within a plastic track which reduces the noise of firing the gun. Pipe guns can be customized with the addition of light mounts, camera mounts etc. which are easily removable since they clamp securely to the outside of the barrel.

I agree that a lot comes down to personal preference.