The Cressi Mach pneumatic speargun, presented in our X-Rays column, is one of the best products of its type on the market, and finalist of the Best Choice by Apneapassion 2024. We have asked Fabio Mura, our expert of pneumatic spearguns, to test the Cressi Mach. He has tried the measure 88 cm. Great sensations, waiting for the Vuoto System. Let’s see what he has experienced!
Grip and release mechanism
“Cressi has further moved up the level of quality and performance with the Mach. We have received and I have deeply tested the Cressi Mach 88 cm. The handle, evolved compared to the previous Cressi models, already at a very high level, now features a side line release on the right (but reversible) in stainless steel, as well as the trigger.
The grip is very secure thanks to the rubber coating. It includes a double alignment notch with the front sight, useful for shooting with longer sizes. In the inferior part of the handle there is an integrated slot for the loader. The release mechanism pushes a 2 mm connection pin, which ensures that the trigger does not feel heavy for those accustomed to pneumatic guns. The trigger is designed with an advantageous leverage system, making it quick and effective. It has no adjustment screws, but the release is well-balanced.
The regulator, very useful for close-range shots, might benefit from a slightly larger air passage hole if space permits, especially in sizes over 100. As Cressi has been doing for over 40 years, the barrel is offset upward, a feature much appreciated and requiring no further explanation.
In the water
The Cressi Mach is a traditional flooded pneumatic speargun with a 13 mm barrel, which I tested also on a target.
For this test we used a 7.5 mm Tahitian shaft with double barbs. It is assumed that Cressi will provide it soon with a single-barb Tahitian shaft, but we did not have any single-barb shafts available. For the shooting line we left two wraps.
Balance in the water
Being a flooded 13 mm barrel speargun, we cannot expected to be neutral (as with any flooded 13 mm barrel speargun with similar characteristics). It is slightly heavy in the front, but this provides the advantage of maintaining a steadier grip, resulting in more precise shots. For those who are used to pneumatic spearguns, this characteristic is negligible, but for those coming from the sling spearguns world, it can usually be an issue as normally the latter are neutral or positive on the muzzle.
The shot
The shot is fast and powerful, with the 7.5 mm shaft maintaining a linear trajectory for the entire length of the shooting line. It will have no problem passing through large fish. Additionally, the Cressi Mach pulled out a significant amount of line from the reel, so even three wraps of line can be easily used.
The aiming line is very clean, with a sight rib on the handle and the classic alignment one on the muzzle.
If you want to lighten the speargun and turn it into a lethal weapon, simply equip it with a vacuum kit and a 6.5 mm or 7 mm shaft. This would make it almost neutral and give it outstanding maneuverability.
The size in question, the 88 cm, is very versatile, adapting to various fishing styles depending on the situation and setup.
