The Meandros Argo represents the flagship speargun of the renowned Greek manufacturer Meandros, a company highly respected for its innovative aluminium barrel designs and premium spearfishing equipment. Designed for demanding spearos looking for maximum performance, power and precision, the Meandros Argo stands at the top of the company’s range.
The version analyzed here is the Meandros Argo Full Complete Camo, equipped with two circular bands and an open muzzle. The Argo is also available with the Dragon closed muzzle and in the Blue Water configuration featuring a triple circular bands setup.
Elliptical Barrel: Rigidity, Buoyancy and Performance
The most distinctive feature of the Meandros Argo is its elliptical barrel section measuring 40 x 32 mm.
Compared to traditional circular barrels, the elliptical profile significantly increases rigidity while simultaneously improving buoyancy. Thanks to the larger internal air volume, the Argo offers greater flotation than a conventional barrel with similar vertical dimensions.
This additional buoyancy allows the use of heavier shafts while maintaining excellent balance and maneuverability. Lateral swing remains fast and efficient, while the increased structural rigidity enables the use of thicker shafts and more powerful elastic bands without compromising shooting precision.
The aeronautical aluminium barrel features 1.5 mm wall thickness, noticeably higher than the 1.0-1.2 mm commonly found on standard spearguns. This further enhances structural strength and durability.
As with the Meandros b28 and b32, the shaft guide is fully integrated into the barrel and features an open track design. The geometry of the guide creates a water cushion around the shaft during acceleration, reducing friction and improving efficiency.
Another premium feature is the anodization process. The barrel is anodized as a complete unit before assembly, ensuring full protection from saltwater, UV exposure and corrosion across the entire surface.
Meandros Leader Handle: One of the Best on the market
The patented Meandros Leader handle has already proven itself on the b28 and b32 models and remains one of the strongest selling points of the Argo.
One of its most important characteristics is the extremely low distance between the index finger and the shaft axis. Measuring approximately 4 mm, this value is among the best available in the speargun market.
The reduced offset improves recoil management, increases shooting precision and allows more efficient energy transfer during the shot.
The integrated butt design features a wide V-shaped profile that creates an exceptionally clean line of sight toward the target. It is covered with a good quality anti-slip rubber.
In front of the release mechanism, two well-sized lateral wings guide the monofilament neatly away from the aiming line, maintaining a clean and unobstructed view.
The safety system is fully integrated into the handle and operates through a practical sliding button that clearly indicates safe and fire positions.
The grip has a beautiful rubber cover, available with left and right hander anatomical design, but also symmetrical. Colour offer is green, white, yellow, orange and blu. The rubber is soft enough to offer a great grip, while rigid to avoid deformation.
Stainless Steel Inverted release mechanism
The release mechanism of the Meandros Argo is entirely designed and manufactured by Meandros using high-quality stainless steel components.
The mechanism adopts an inverted design, moving the shaft engagement point approximately 8 cm further back compared to conventional systems. This increases the effective power stroke and delivers greater shaft acceleration, resulting in improved power and precision. We have measured the distance from the rear of the shaft connected to the release mechanism and the center of the first hole on the muzzle for the passage of the circular band. The final value is 103 cm, an excellent useful measure for an 85 cm nominal length speargun. You will have an 85 cm with the power of an 103 cm one.
To increase general rigidity, the release mechanism is connected to the handle with three steel pins instead of the traditional two.
The line release lever, is well designed, not of great dimensions but with a concave profile perfect to hold the monofilament in place. The lever can easily be converted from left to right by simply removing an Allen screw.
An optional upgrade is available through the Meandros pin-roller system. This solution introduces a small steel roller that reduces friction within the trigger mechanism, producing an even smoother trigger pull and enhancing long-term durability and consistency.
Loading is facilitated by the upward curved profile of the release mechanism housing, making shaft insertion particularly smooth.
Exceptional Useful Length
The Meandros Argo Full Complete Camo 85 is a perfect example of how nominal length can differ significantly from effective length.
While the barrel length is officially 85 cm, the measured useful length reaches an impressive 103 cm, measured from the shaft engagement point in the release mechanism to the center of the forward band hole.
This places the Argo among the best-performing spearguns in its category.
The result is a compact 85 cm speargun that delivers the performance characteristics typically associated with much longer models, combining maneuverability with remarkable shooting power.
Argo Open Muzzle
The open muzzle of the Meandros Argo Full Complete Camo is one of the most compact and streamlined designs currently available.
Despite its compact dimensions, it perfectly aligns the two circular bands parallel to the shaft axis. This configuration maximizes energy transfer efficiency by directing all available power along the shaft trajectory.
The bands remain separated throughout their operation, eliminating friction between them and reducing power loss, vibration and noise.
The monofilament passages are minimal but highly effective, with deep channels ensuring secure positioning and reliable operation.
The muzzle accommodates two circular bands with diameters up to 18 mm.
Precision barrel connections and buoyancy optimization
The connection between barrel, muzzle and handle is engineered with exceptional precision.
Both muzzle and handle feature elliptical inserts that fit perfectly into the barrel profile, creating a rigid and stable structure.
Water sealing is achieved through two elliptical O-rings at each connection point. This premium solution not only guarantees excellent sealing, but also maximizes the internal air volume compared to simpler plug-based systems.
The resulting buoyancy is so effective that Meandros offers dedicated elliptical balancing weights that can be installed inside the muzzle section of the barrel. Each weight adds 21.4 grams, allowing fine tuning of the speargun balance according to shaft and band configuration.
Standard Plus reel
The reel mounted on the Meandros Argo Full Complete Camo is one fo the high quality reels by Meandros, the Standard Plus. With a plastic spool to reduce weight and a steel stracture for strength and resistance, the Meandros Standard Plus reel is a great solution. The concept is the “greek” one, which means the clutch is either open or close. So when you spearfish you keep the clutch closed, and when you shoot a fish the clutch openes automatically and completely so you can safely reach the surface. There is also a top of the line Meandros reel, the Fire Plus, where the rotating arm acts also as micrometric adjustable clutch, for those who prefer such solution.
Standard Setup
The Meandros Argo Full Complete Camo comes equipped with a 7 mm Meandros shaft featuring four shark fins, a single upper barb and standard tip.
Propulsion is provided by two 16 mm Meandros Energy circular bands with tied wishbone cord.
Thanks to the exceptional rigidity of the elliptical barrel structure, the Argo can easily accommodate more demanding setups with thicker shafts and stronger bands for spearos seeking maximum performance.
Final verdict
The Meandros Argo Full Complete Camo is one of the most technically advanced aluminium barrel spearguns currently available.
Its combination of elliptical barrel technology, exceptional useful length, patented Leader handle, inverted stainless steel release mechanism and premium construction quality places it among the best choices for spearos looking for maximum precision, power and reliability.
For those seeking a compact yet extremely powerful speargun capable of handling both reef hunting and larger prey, the Meandros Argo represents a true benchmark in modern spearfishing equipment.
