Used Gun Advice

[NaCl H2O]

Thanks 100days, and this this gun is no exception.
Current owner and his wife have a lifetime of diving, the gun has seen some fish!
Picking it up this weekend.

 

[SubseaSports]

There is a lot good info already posted.

The 48 is great all around length.
You mentioned it is setup for free shafting...if you use it that way and pick up another shaft and it does not have the 2nd shaft holder, it would be a good addition

A.B. Biller Shaft holder set

I have a 42 SS for shore dive spearing. A 48 or a 54 would be better due to the added reach. I also have a 75cm pneumatic for this task.

Depending on how much you will get it for, you can experiment a bit and not sweat it. If you don't like it, sell it. Billers are like old F150s with many owners and sell fast if priced fair.

I started by tieing my own bands. Even shock cords lol. Trying different bands was interesting and I learned a bit. I bought most of the material on amazon and ebay as local shops didnt stock the variety I was looking at.

Good band info

Later I ditched the metal wishbones and used dyneema wish bones. The notches on the shaft need to modified (rounded and soften the edges). Real easy to do with basic hand tools. Whats the benefit? You cant 'see' if a metal wishbone is fatigued. If it is, and breaks when you are loading it = ouch and maybe some stitches. It will be obvious when the dyneema wishbones are worn showing fraying etc.

I cut off the reversed cup flopper retainer as it acts like a sea anchor and slows the shaft a bit. The one you are looking at may be the Florida Special and doesn't have this and my point would be moot.

This post reminds me that I am overdue for a trip down to Broward.

 

[Belzelbub]

You mentioned it is setup for free shafting...if you use it that way and pick up another shaft and it does not have the 2nd shaft holder, it would be a good addition

Absolutely. Or 3rd shaft holder if you wish.

Freeshafting has a lot of advantage. Freeshafts can have a bit more range due to less additional hardware, and usually single floppers which are a bit more streamlined. I have a couple dedicated freeshafts, but most are Evolution shafts from Speargods.

Evolution Speargun Shafts & Rings

The Evolution Spear Shaft for AB Biller, Ocean Rhino, Sea Hornet and Spearfishing Specialties Spearguns. The Evolution shaft is a game changer for underwater hunters. The Evolution Shaft is designed to be used as a freeshaft but can be easily converted to a lineshaft instantly, with no increase...

speargods.com

This system makes it easy to switch to lineshaft when needed. Simply slide the ring over the shaft and it’s now a lineshaft.

Later I ditched the metal wishbones and used dyneema wish bones. The notches on the shaft need to modified (rounded and soften the edges). Real easy to do with basic hand tools. Whats the benefit? You cant 'see' if a metal wishbone is fatigued. If it is, and breaks when you are loading it = ouch and maybe some stitches. It will be obvious when the dyneema wishbones are worn showing fraying etc.

Another option is the braided cable wishbones. You can use these with no modifications to the shafts, and they give warning as they’ll start to fray as well.

Supposedly the newer flattened wire wishbones are stronger and should outlast the bands, but I’m sticking with braided cable for the wear indications.