Bangsticks used by scuba divers

Samari Jack · Apr 3, 2012

This is one of those just curious type questions.

Since I can no longer practice this sport, I was going through some of my gear in hopes of selling some to maybe buy another gun (like I really need something else to get my hands oily). Anyway, When I bought my bangstick, no permits of any type were required. Just went into the store, (back in the late 1970s) and bought a .44 magnum foldable bangstick.

I went to an online site a few days ago and it seems they are still available without any type of permit. Kind of surprised me. In case folks are not familiar, to discharge the thing, remove the safety pin and push it with a thrusting type motion against the body of what ever.

Just seems odd, given our current paranoia of any type firearm, that these have fallen through the regulatory cracks without more regulation given the use as a weapon potential in high crime areas.

The WIKIPEDIA link, (I know WIKI isn't necessarily gospel) is an interesting read. Seems the online stores, also available in the link below will ship one by just ponying up the cash.

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=bang+stick&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

This was posts on this subject from another forum http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/140006-divers-50-cal-bangstick.html

dmazur · Apr 3, 2012

I believe most of the manufacturers are aware of some kind of length restriction on the assembled device.

What happens is, you get a powerhead with a length of ss round stock welded on, so it isn't something readily concealable. After you permanently attach it to a speargun shaft, or to a similar shaft you might hold in your hand, you can grind off the unnecessary piece of metal. I believe the assembled length has to be 26".

The way I understand it, the BATF understands there is a legitimate use for these things and doesn't want to make them unavailable by categorizing them as AOW's, just prevent their misuse.

You are correct - a few years ago they were just sold as a powerhead and it was assumed you would use it on a shaft.

Owen Sparks · Apr 3, 2012

Aren't some of them chambered for shotgun shells?

Zoogster · Apr 3, 2012

Samari Jack said:

Just seems odd, given our current paranoia of any type firearm, that these have fallen through the regulatory cracks without more regulation given the use as a weapon potential in high crime areas.

Honestly they make a poor choice for use outside of their intended role.

They are a contact weapon with a single shot.
They are slower to reload than even a single shot firearm.

Black powder firearms are similarly lacking many restrictions in much of the nation.
A black powder revolver makes a better criminal weapon than a single shot contact weapon like a bangstick. You also don't see much criminal use of them.
A bangstick also carries similar penalties to an actual firearm if criminally used, and is defined as a firearm by many states, yet is far less versatile.
As a result outside of fiction they really are a poor option for malicious use.
They also pose little risk to government, police, or politicians beyond what other contact weapons do.
They are not really ranged weapons and so the motivation for those restrictions is limited.

This combines to make regulating them extensively relatively pointless.
In fact if you could get criminals to desire single shot weapons with no range that require they be jammed into the target and are slow to reload even that single shot....

oneounceload · Apr 3, 2012

they are great for gator hunting though

lemaymiami · Apr 3, 2012

Pompanette made a 12ga. bangstick for years and years - don't think they do any more. It was designed as something for use in the cockpit of a sportfisherman when dealing with sharks at boatside. It came with a permanent handle of about four feet and also had an extension pole that you could thread into place to bring the pole to an 8' length. They were in common use in the early seventies when I got my first job as a mate on charterboats. Sharks were every charterman's bread and butter in that era - and all were killed for the taxidermist. Glad that's (mostly) not the case anymore. In use that popper would kill any shark you encountered but in practical terms you only had a few seconds of "death" before it started thrashing and snapping for about 15 to 30 minutes. That sort of stuff made a young mate's life a bit spicy at times.... The mate and the boat's captain had to wrestle the animal aboard while it was still stunned and before it began acting up. I have't killed a shark in years and can't remember the last time I held a bangstick.

Samari Jack · Apr 4, 2012

I understand how the type used on spear-guns or Hawaiian slings might be ungainly. The one I have is in sections carried on a holster and pulled together with a bungy cord. Had to hold it together with my foot (right part of picture) to take photo.

One source said the legal limit is "must be 18" or more. Must have gotten that from the limit for shotguns. I suppose the business end of mine wouldn't make it now as it is only about 11". The forward section can be easily removed by cutting the bungy cord. This is what got me thinking about use as a weapon. Probably wouldn't do much to intimidate as most people wouldn't know what it was.

Usually just a whack on the snoot with my crowbar would deter close calls with threats. We had our own boat and everyone diving had one of these on wrecks with know tigers. Six people vs dozens on commercial boats makes for simplicity. I suspect nowadays, politics have come into play and such carry would be frowned on. Last time I went on a commercial dive boat even spear-guns were not allowed.

Only had to use mine once on a wreck off the NC Coast, never off the West Coast of Florida or the Keys (never in the marine sanctuaries). Surprisingly little if any blood. The critter ballooned up and floated away and not that loud. In order to keep our primer and powder dry we sealed the primer & around the bullet with fingernail polish.

Bangsticks used by scuba divers

Samari Jack

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dmazur

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Owen Sparks

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oneounceload

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lemaymiami

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