AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional Speargun Review

AB Biller make a great range of spearguns for those new to spearfishing. And AB Billers Stainless Steel Professional speargun incorporates all the features we love from their wooden spearguns in a metal version that’s tougher than ever. Manufactured by a proud American company, there’s a lot to love with this speargun especially if it’s the first speargun you’ll own. Click here to get your hands on the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun.

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AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional Speargun: Reviewed for 2023

With this review, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun after putting it to the test in my own hands. Produced by an American company, this is a beast of a speargun that’ll help you catch whatever fish is in front of you.

When I reviewed my favourite spearguns on the market, the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun was one of the best value-for-money purchases you could make. Beating out many other brands when it comes to rugged durability.

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Why Get the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional Speargun?

Once you’ve been spearfishing a while, you’ll see more and more AB Biller spearguns.

They’re an entry-level brand that produces cost-effective spearguns. Making a purchase like the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun is an intelligent move when you’re new to the sport and not quite ready to drop several hundred dollars on a speargun. I can tell you (as the years pass) you won’t even blink at these price tags. But right now, this is one of the most cost-effective spearguns you can buy when you’re learning how to spearfish.

Replacing their solid wood barrels for a 1″ diameter, sealed stainless-steel tube, you really get the best of both worlds with this speargun. All the same handle, trigger mech and features, with a stainless-steel barrel that’s sturdier than ever. Without an inlaid track, the speargun uses one (or more) supports depending on the length to guide the shaft as you fire. I compared the 42″ (107cm) speargun to AB Biller’s wood models for this review, and I have to say. The metal speargun does feel better in the water. It sits well and is slightly heavier than other metal spearguns that do an aluminium barrel. But underwater, it tracks great. Perfect for a first speargun chasing small to medium-sized fish.

Of course, for those wanting an AB Biller speargun, you get this whole range in either mahogany, padauk, teak, or stainless-steel barrel. The metal is the cheapest of the lot, and it’s your call whether you prefer a metal or wood barrel. I think their wood barrels are a good buy, and the padauk is a lovely deep red that you rarely see on other spearguns. But if you’re cost-conscious, the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun is your best choice.

Here’s why:

• Heavy-duty stainless-steel barrel will not flex or warp
• Nylon guiding rails to quiet shot noise and boost shot accuracy
• Fits three powerbands to give you awesome range and power
• Pistol grip handle has finger cover for better grip and control\
• Reliable stainless-steel trigger mech will not let you down
• Loading butt helps offset the tip weight, with a good neutral buoyancy
• Value-for-money speargun that’s perfect for a beginner to the sport

 

What type of spearfishing is it good for?

To complete this review of the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun, I tested the 42″ model (which is 107cm for those of us on the metric system).

At this barrel length, you’re primarily going to be targeting small to mid-sized reef fish when you’re spearfishing from the shore or in shallow water. The speargun has a good range without being too awkward and long in your hands. Having done quite a bit of bluewater spearfishing with 160cm spearguns, I can honestly say these bigger guns are frustrating to handle underwater. You want something you can easily use.

Of course, the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun is built following an American style. If you compare this to the streamlined Euro style spearguns, you’ll immediately see AB Biller’s guns are bigger, bulkier, and also sturdier. You can feel the difference in the weight just by picking it up, which makes it a perfect speargun for beginners. Also, you don’t need to worry about treating it gently or missing any of your shots because it’s tough. I’ve taken fish sitting just in front of rock without concern for the shaft.

The 5/16 shaft on the speargun (an 8mm) is thick for a speargun of this length, but that also makes it nearly indestructible. Yes, even if you shoot directly into a rock or the pillars of a jetty. The shaft will not easily bend. I know, I tried. Shooting it directly into the granite rocks along the break wall, we did these tests to see how the shaft would handle. As you can imagine, I ruined the tip doing this, but the shaft’s still perfectly straight.

Though if you’re doing your spearfishing in close range, like cave hunting or in the shallows, you can get shorter versions of the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun. I’d recommend the 32″ (81cm) speargun for these tight spots. You lose out, though, in the power because shorter spearguns have less range. Though if you’re cave hunting, chasing cod or octopus in a rocky seabed, you want agility over range anyway.

How it feels to use the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional Speargun…

When I reviewed the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun, I wanted to compare it to their wood models of the same speargun. Because they offer teak, mahogany and padauk spearguns with all the same tech as the stainless-steel pro, the only difference is what they’ve used for the barrel. So here goes.

Of course, it’s hard to beat the AB Biller Teak speargun. I love how the wood holds up underwater, and it does have a beautiful finish. But here’s the thing. Choosing a stainless-steel tube instead saves you a couple of hundred dollars, and you’re getting what’s essentially the same speargun (well, all the same tech).

The sealed barrel makes it light underwater, easily sitting level to shoot even when you’re at a full arm extension. You get an excellent line of sight straight down the shaft, and there are guiding rings that sit along the barrel (two on the 42″ speargun) to better guide your shaft as you shoot. I believe their wood spearguns and the track that runs the entire barrel make these slightly more accurate, but I was impressed with the stainless-steel pro. It shoots straight, reloads fast, and is an excellent buy for a first speargun.

My favourite part of the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional Speargun

The best thing about the bigger “American” style spearguns is they feel almost indestructible. I unknowingly bought an American style speargun as my first gun (Euro guns were far less popular back in the day), and the thicker 8mm shaft you get is a blessing. It’ll take a beating, perfect for beginners because all you need to replace is the screw-on tip. You’re not wrecking shaft after shaft, which gets expensive very quickly.

If you’re worried about your speargun getting damaged, you can rest assured that the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun can take whatever you throw at it. I’ve shot directly into rock walls, thinking only of getting the fish onto my spear – not of what damage I might be doing to the shaft. But because it’s spring steel, all I really did was damage the tips (which you can easily replace). They simply screw on and off.

Any downsides?

The biggest negative with the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun is the power. Because you’re using such a heavy shaft, it doesn’t have the same kind of shooting speed that you get with a Euro-style speargun with a thinner shaft. So it feels a little slower in the water. Which is the actual effect of using an 8mm shaft. You’re getting a reliable shaft that will stand up to all sorts of punishment, but it’s heavy, so you’re trading off against the range. Compared to other spearguns at lengths of 100cm++, you do feel the difference and will need to get closer to your target fish to ensure you’re landing the kill shot.

Changes I’d make to the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun?

The good news is that you can overcome the slower shooting speed on the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun by shortening the powerbands. A tighter stretch means you get more power when you shoot. But that extra boost of power does mean it’ll be tougher to load the speargun. You’re aiming to achieve that sweet spot, where you’re just able to load it – so you get the maximum power from your gun.

Another way to dial up the power in your speargun is to add a third 14mm powerband. Though a word of caution. Overloading a speargun too much can reduce the accuracy as your shots will suffer from shaft whip. It’s generally only an issue on bigger, longer spearguns. But it’s worthwhile being aware of, especially if you feel the shaft isn’t flying true. My advice is to do a quick accuracy test when shortening or adding new bands.

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Breakdown of the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional Speargun

General Specs:

• Open muzzle with a unique design that can fit three powerbands
• 1” stainless-steel barrel is plugged for water-resistance and buoyancy
• Comes with 8mm (5/16) stainless-steel spring shaft, and a screw-on rockpoint tip
• Off the shelf has two 14mm powerbands, for powerful and accurate spearfishing
• Silent safety trigger is designed for easy, one-handed use on either side
• Heavy-duty stainless-steel trigger mech can be overloaded for more power
• Unique pistol grip handle with solid finger protection offers additional safety

 

The handle & trigger mechanism

I’ve not seen on many spearguns the additional finger protection on the grip. With the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun, your hand is protected by a second layer of a heavy-duty polymer as you clutch the handle. Making it easier to hold onto your speargun in rough water or protecting your hand against any bumps or scrapes. My only complaint here is on the angle of the grip. It’s a little too perpendicular, so it’s not as comfortable when you’re at a full arm extension (compared to other spearguns).

I’m also a fan of their reliable stainless-steel trigger. It’s tough, and you’ll enjoy a smooth trigger press; even after you’ve dialled up the power on the bands, you’ll still shoot accurately. Some issues were raised about the trigger mech on AB Biller guns misfiring online. However, this was a problem I couldn’t replicate – even intentionally. The trigger worked like a charm even with shortened 16mm bands, and the press was the same. So I don’t see this as an ongoing problem. Perhaps their engineers have already fixed the issue.

The barrel & muzzle

Different to their wooden spearguns, the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional uses (you guessed it) a stainless-steel barrel that’s been plugged to keep water out of the chamber. It’s also their cheapest speargun because you’re not paying for expensive teak or other hardwoods for the barrel stock. The metal barrel is rated to withstand pressure down to 200 feet, which at 60m is probably far deeper than you’ll be spearfishing with this speargun.

Lacking a rail on the top of this speargun, AB Biller used heavy-duty plastic guide rails to keep the shaft silent on firing and improve the accuracy. Compared directly with their wooden spearguns that have a slight rail groove, I find this is a touch less accurate but not by much.

The sealed barrel gives a good buoyancy in the water, and you’ll have no trouble keeping it level even when you’re at a full arm extension. It’ll also float right to the surface once you’ve fired and the shaft is released, so you can focus on getting your catch off your spear.

The open muzzle design AB Biller uses on the Stainless Steel Pro differs from other spearguns. To me, it’s more like a closed muzzle with a piece of the top removed. So, it’s not an authentic open muzzle design, yet it works well. There are guiding tabs to help with accuracy, and you get a perfect line of sight straight down the shaft.

The spear and tip

The AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun shaft measures 5/16, which is an 8mm shaft. It’s constructed from heavy-duty spring steel that’s been heat-treated to Rockwell 44C in a process first developed by the U.S. Navy. It’s a beast of a shaft that’ll stand up to all kinds of punishment as you learn how to spearfish. Yes, even if you’re a little careless and hit the odd rock or two, it won’t matter. It’s that tough.

At the end of the shaft is a screw-on rockpoint tip. One of the things that I believe makes this an excellent speargun for beginners is the interchangeable tip. If you happen to damage it, all you need to do is unscrew it and replace it. In addition, the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun comes with a double-barb tip, which I prefer when hunting smaller fish. You’ve even got a small locking ring that keeps the barbs from moving around. The barbs clip in place and are only released after the spear passes through your target fish.

The powerbands

You get two 14mm powerbands on the AB Biller Stainless Steel Pro to give your speargun the power it needs. This counteracts the heavy 8mm shaft, and while it provides a decent range for a beginner, there are ways to improve it. For example, you could upgrade to twin 16mm powerbands or potentially even add a third 14mm band. It’s been designed with enough space in the muzzle to fit this third band in. Oh, and before you do any of this, I’d recommend shortening the stock powerbands that came with your gun. That’ll give you an instant boost to your range. Just be sure you don’t cut these too short (and make your speargun impossible to load).

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Price of the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional Speargun

Depending on the length of the speargun you buy, longer versions of the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun are, understandably, more expensive. But compared to their wooden models, the metal barrel is the best value-for-money you’ll find.

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The Bottom Line: AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional Speargun

If you’re new to spearfishing, the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun is a good choice as a first gun. It’s a tank, reliable and accurate, built by an American company. When I got my hands on this speargun for this review, I enjoyed using it. It’s got a nice shot, and I landed a good feed of fish, but definitely do the upgrade to 16mm powerbands.

For a first speargun, you’ll find a lot to love with the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional.

Now, it was the 42″ (107cm) speargun I was reviewing, so please do bear this in mind if you’re getting a different sized speargun. I did try a shorter teak AB Biller 36″ recently, and I have to say. The thicker 8mm shaft on a smaller speargun does make a difference. They just don’t get as much range as you’d expect. So I wouldn’t buy anything from AB Biller shorter than 42″ (that’s 107cm) to ensure you’ve got enough power behind your shots.

What else do you need to know?

Click here to get your hands on the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun. It’ll serve you well as your first speargun.

Why an AB Biller Speargun?

AB Biller is one of the leading spearfishing companies in America.

Walk the aisles of any dive store, and you’re probably going to see AB Biller spearguns lining the shelves. They’re proudly designed and manufactured in the U.S.A., and the brand has put their spearguns in the hands of many U.S. National and State Spearfishing Champions. With a focus on performance and innovation, you can expect reliable spearguns from AB Biller that’ll serve you well in your spearfishing adventures.

To me, I see AB Biller as a solid spearfishing brand. They make spearguns that’ll stand up to whatever challenges you throw their way, without concern that something will break. You’ll notice that as soon as you pick one up, it’s heavier than you’d expect, yet they’re surprisingly buoyant in the water. So, it’s light and manoeuvrable to catch your target fish. All in all, a decent buy for your first speargun.

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Wait, why choose a metal barrel?

Compared to the teak, padauk and mahogany barrels in their other spearguns, opting for a stainless-steel barrel is a choice that’ll save you money.

Generally, it’s the Euro-designed spearguns where you’ll see metal barrels, and only when you’re looking at bigger (130cm++) kinds of lengths do they switch back to wood. To me, I like the bulky weight you get in a wood speargun, but these aren’t always the easiest to handle for someone new to the sport. Plus, wood spearguns make for a significant investment.

AB Biller’s teak speargun is their gold standard in this range, but if you click here and take a look at the price, you’ll see why many people choose metal – it simply makes sense.

Especially if this is your first speargun, all you need to do to care for the metal barrel is wash it off with fresh water after use and perhaps drop a little oil into the trigger mechanism every now and then. You don’t need to worry about oiling the wood or ensuring the seal has been damaged in any way. In short, opt for the AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun if you want fewer headaches taking care of your gun.

AB Biller’s Different Spearguns

If you’re choosing between all the different spearguns produced by AB Biller, they have a variety for all kinds of spearfishing. However, where they differ most is in the length of the barrel and what it’s made from. AB Biller make spearguns from 24″ (61cm) to 60″ (162cm).

This review was based on AB Biller’s 42″ (107cm) Stainless Steel Professional speargun.

For anyone wanting a more top-shelf speargun from this brand, you should look at their special or LTD editions. These are crafted from a single piece of wood and are truly beautiful spearguns. AB Biller also does a competition-worthy speargun, called the Floridian, which has been heavily modified to suit the needs of professionals in the sport. So if you want to land prize-worthy fish, this is the speargun you should be looking at.

Of course, most other people will do very well with the AB Biller Stainless Steel Pro speargun. It’s cost-effective, and in my review of the best spearguns in the market, is a reliable buy to start spearfishing. You can’t beat the value-for-money and just how tough it is.

The AB Biller Stainless Steel Professional speargun is a tough, accurate underwater weapon for your first speargun. One that’ll serve you well on your spearfishing adventures.

Happy spearin’