Anyone ever used a Bang Stick?
- Thread starter Glamdring
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Saw a shark movie where sport divers were luring sharks into area with chum and then popping them with bangsticks. I was under the impression that these used 12ga. Saw divers kill or injure about a dozen sharks this way. Didn't look like much of a sport to me.
Looks useful for certain dangerous dives.
You are talking about anti-shark applications aren't you?
Looks useful for certain dangerous dives.
You are talking about anti-shark applications aren't you?
Sir Galahad
member
When I was a power tool repairman working in Hawaii, there were a couple customers who used to make these things. Everyone had their own idea about what caliber was best. One guy tried to show his son how to use one (or how not to use one as the case may be) and blasted a hole in his hand. It's a last ditch attempt to defend against shark attack. Usually, divers doing speargun fishing carry a couple because of the fish blood in the water attracting sharks. Other than that, what's the point? Get you a bowfishing rig set up or a speargun if you want to do projectile fishing.
Penforhire
Member
Not me, but read Tom Clancey's "Without Remorse." One of his characters uses a home-made bang stick. Sounded gruesome.
Peter Gun
Member
I've used one on my uncles shark fishing boat. He runs a charter out of NJ. We just used them on deck once the shark was aboard. Its the easiest way to make sure theyre dead. It was long like about 6ft so you didnt have to get close to the head. It used a light birdshot load so it would not penetrate thru the head, but scrambled its brains nicely. Otherwise they have a tendency to clamp their teeth on anything within thrashing range.
Last ditch to be sure.....
Cause you gotta see it coming, then react fast...not an easy task!!
There was alot of talk about them when I was at amphibious warfare school in Coronado. The common thought was even the 12 gauge version was not real good, unless you have precise placement....sharks do not have very big brains and do alot of stuff simply by instinct. There was discusiion of the 'concussion' of a 12 gauge shell going off so close to your ear...apparently one combat swimmer lost an ear drum(remember they are under pressure!). AND the blood generated by a hit....a feeding frenzy is something best left for nightmares!!
But most interesting was the concept that was being experimented with of using a thick steel hyperdernic needle(do not know the gauge), connected to a CO2 cartridge. Pentrate the skin, which activated the release of a very large bubble in target to push internal organs all over the place with minimal blood loss through the wound....or so it was said. Little noise and blood, in a small package was a pretty good idea.
I do not read diving magazines, and not have I heard of the idea anywhere else...so I do not know if it was a successful experiment or not....
I imagine, you could even get some sort of magazine fed, pressurized launching system for multiple shots.
The device discussed was useful for sharks, but I think the concept was really geared more towards ,um, humans...other combat swimmer's. And I imagine a diver coming up next to a small boat could make quick work of a small crew...pretty much a guarenteed one shot stop! With almost no noise.
If it worked!
Dang...the stuff you remember...that was 23 years ago!!
Jercamp45
Just an old Grunt
Cause you gotta see it coming, then react fast...not an easy task!!
There was alot of talk about them when I was at amphibious warfare school in Coronado. The common thought was even the 12 gauge version was not real good, unless you have precise placement....sharks do not have very big brains and do alot of stuff simply by instinct. There was discusiion of the 'concussion' of a 12 gauge shell going off so close to your ear...apparently one combat swimmer lost an ear drum(remember they are under pressure!). AND the blood generated by a hit....a feeding frenzy is something best left for nightmares!!
But most interesting was the concept that was being experimented with of using a thick steel hyperdernic needle(do not know the gauge), connected to a CO2 cartridge. Pentrate the skin, which activated the release of a very large bubble in target to push internal organs all over the place with minimal blood loss through the wound....or so it was said. Little noise and blood, in a small package was a pretty good idea.
I do not read diving magazines, and not have I heard of the idea anywhere else...so I do not know if it was a successful experiment or not....
I imagine, you could even get some sort of magazine fed, pressurized launching system for multiple shots.
The device discussed was useful for sharks, but I think the concept was really geared more towards ,um, humans...other combat swimmer's. And I imagine a diver coming up next to a small boat could make quick work of a small crew...pretty much a guarenteed one shot stop! With almost no noise.
If it worked!
Dang...the stuff you remember...that was 23 years ago!!
Jercamp45
Just an old Grunt
having been a SCUBA diver since late 60's I have seen the Bang Sticks and Shark Darts talked about. I have seen and used the Bang Sticks in .44mag and 12 ga. Liked the 12 ga best. Not only did I feel better damage but felt safer if had an accidental discharge, since 12 ga was shorter range in and out of water and less penetration.
Faralion (or however they spelled it) sold the Shark Darts and never had the opportunity to get to use one. Idea seemed good though since sharks don't have a swim bladder and excess gas (pun intended) would upset their insides. If I remember, it used a complete CO2 cartridge on discharge.
Heard stories it was awesome. jThey were sold in the mid 70's
Faralion (or however they spelled it) sold the Shark Darts and never had the opportunity to get to use one. Idea seemed good though since sharks don't have a swim bladder and excess gas (pun intended) would upset their insides. If I remember, it used a complete CO2 cartridge on discharge.
Heard stories it was awesome. jThey were sold in the mid 70's
Okiecruffler
Member
Had a friend in college who was a big time scuba/spear fisherman. He had a 12 ga bangstick, but had never used it. He said his big worry was the concussion it would create being fired underwater and had decided it would cause about as much damage to the diver as to the shark.
There is no worry about using the bangstick under water as the head is in direct contact with object. It must be depressed to fire and the concussion is directed and absorbed by the soft tissue mass of the shark. I think the concussion is just about as devistating as the shot into the body.
chris93473
Member
no i haven't used.....
well i don't have the bang stick nor have i used it. but i have a stick that i used to convert me into a tacti p. i. m. p. and that's tha magic stick
sorry i just had to say it.
well i don't have the bang stick nor have i used it. but i have a stick that i used to convert me into a tacti p. i. m. p. and that's tha magic stick
sorry i just had to say it.chris93473
Member
lol
Robertesq1
Member
The manufacturer of mine reccommends blanks (concussion), btw they are real handy subduing a big fish b/f bringing him into the boat. IMO they are safer then a firearm when on a slippery/bloody deck, especially w/blanks.
gun-fucious
Member
big bang stick:
http://www.beco-products.com/images/product/MVC-230X.JPG
http://www.beco-products.com/images/product/MVC-230X.JPG
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