Spear Guns

Yeah, most guys I dive with just pull them out and bin them. All guns are unloaded before taking them out of the water, as you say.

I currently own 7 spearguns. first thing I do is I either disassemble the handle and remove the safety or superglue it in the off position. I have never had a gun go off unwanted and I've been diving for nearly 10 yrs.

Best description of loading I can give is to use your non-master hand on the rubber and master on the gun handle. Pull with the hand on the rubber at the same time as pushing with the hand on the handle. In the same motion move the butt of the handle into the centre of your chest (aim for between the nipples definitely not the stomach). Once it is stable in the centre of your chest you can let go of the handle and grab the partially stretched rubber with both hands and stretch it to the notch of the spear.
I'm no midget but I have loaded guns up to 1.6m - using the correct technique is key.

You should be sweet to load it out of the water (may take a few attempts) but do not fire it out of the water - You will likely break it and or hut yourself - Unless you have drunk at least half a bottle of rum, then it will be fine.

HA ha yeah I did just load it before[emoji106]
Strength is not an issue but the tiny pad with sharp corners on my chest is.
Guess I just need some cement pills.

I've only ever owned one gun with a loading butt - I hacksawed that fukcer off before I left the shop!

One thing I was told to be really aware of is when your spear starts to develop a little bit of pitting or roughness on the shaft, be super careful with the dynema wishbone. The fastest way to break/wear through a wishbone is to draw the wishbone along the rough spear shaft while loading.