I am probably not the sharpest tool in the shed but could someone shed some light on this?

My Riffe Comp 2 48 is 48 inches from the tip of the gun to the butt plate (makes sense).

My Spearfishing Specialties Commercial 52 Inch (per the tag on the gun) is actually about 58 inches from the tip of the gun to the butt plate.

My 60 Inch Wong Hybrid is about 64 inches fromthe tip of the gun to the butt plate.

That being said, the distance from the muzzle to the trigger mech is not even close to any of the corresponding "Inch length" of the gun. The Hybrid obviously has the trigger mech at the very back of the gun while the SS Commercial and Riffe have the trigger mech closer up.

Is there a standard or am I missing something?

I got into this head-scratching because I wanted to buy one of those new Riffe Euro X guns but upon measuring it looks like the 120 is just the same length as my 48 inch Comp and I wanted something closer to a 54-60 inch. Can anyone shed some light on how they come up with these lengths and how do you know what you are really buying?

Usually hand made or custom made guns are measured total length. Some brands as you say arent correct for the length. I had heard some such as A B Biller and Spearfishing Specialties are called 42, 54, 60 etc for the size spear they shoot. Does work. I know you could also have quite a bit of difference for the length of band stretch(the distance of the band hole or slot to the notch or fin on spear.)also, which is very important for power. Plus the length of the butt-important for cocking-a short or no butt usually must be stomach loaded if it has heavy bands, and a gun with a longer butt can be or must be loaded on your hip. There are many things to look at in a speargun. It is easy to get confused with different actual lengths in the same named length.

Good, I'm not totally stupid or crazy then... oh, my SS Commercial '52" shoots a friggin 60 inch shaft! Just to clarify things :slap:

Well, hopefully I can find a Riffe Euro X to look at or get a straight answer from Riffe, would probably be best to call them direct I guess.

Yes, my girlfriends 54 commercial is 60" long and shoots a 60" long spear. Doesnt make sense. I guess it could fit a 54" spear. I was told that once.???

Yes, my girlfriends 54 commercial is 60" long and shoots a 60" long spear. Doesnt make sense. I guess it could fit a 54" spear. I was told that once.???

MikeD switched to a 54" shaft in his SS 54", with the flopper just inside the muzzle. He loves the shorter shaft, said it shoots like a laser.

I like all my guns to shoot the same length and style of shafts...less spares needed that way.

Interesting. It just struck me as very strange. When I looked on Riffe's website regarding the Euro X it lists the 120cm then says "overall length 157cm".

Maybe the gunmakers just like a number that seems catchy or "round it up or down" hard to say how they come up with it.

The Euro 100x dimensions (band pull & butt extension) are almost identical to a 48" seahornet and a 55" Wong FL Freeshafter

Thanks Ken.

Generally, Euro style guns are measured by the length of the barrell, which is essentially the band pull. However,when you add the muzzle and handle they obviously longer than the stated measurement