Heinrich line release

    What is commonly referred to as the Heinrich line release system (Heinrich must be the man who first implemented it) is a very simple and efficient way of rigging a line release on a speargun. It's really a wonder that more spearguns don't use this system, as any other kind of auto resetting line release complicates the build. IMO installing a Riffe style line release is the most difficult part of the build, or the part where a mistake can most easily be made. A good auto resetting line release is also missing in most euro/pipe guns with integrated handle/mech. But you can't use a Heinrich system on Euro shafts that don't have tabs for anchoring bands.


    The way the Heinrich works is by routing the shooting line once on each side of the gun and catching it on a shaft tab. This is more easily seen in a picture than described. When the shaft starts moving forward the loops come off the tab and the shooting line becomes free. It is a fool proof system of which the only disadvantage is that the shooting line runs on each side and this may affect the comfort of carrying the gun by gripping the stock?? You can actually route the line with both wraps on one side but this tends to twist the shaft towards one side. If you have an enclosed track this twisting effect is minimized.


    Some examples with wood spearguns:




    On the wooden gun you said you think lining up the line and groove would be a hastle? Dont you think just running your hand along the line when its pressed against that side of the stock would make it find the groove pretty easily?

    Scupper Pro Gives You Wings!

    I don't know how consistent the placement of the rear loading tab is from one spear supplier to another. I like the clean looks of this system, but it looks to me like it might be a little lesss tolerant if you drop in a spear where the rear tab is a little further forward or rearward of what the grooves were designed for.

    Steven, I'm just going by how I envisioned it, I could be wrong but I don't think so. Thing is someone who's planning to use 4 16mm bands, as the builder of the gun stated, is probably not too concerned with loading speed.


    Interesting observation Jeff. My experience is that all shafts are made with the last tab unnecessarily far from the mech. They all have room between the last tab and the mech to put a pin, where I put the red dot, that's what I would do.


    This is Pucho's gun BTW.


    Yeah, thinking about it you are probably right. The screw set up on the CF gun does look alot more convenient. Do they not make auto line releases that can be installed on an integrated set up?

    Scupper Pro Gives You Wings!

    They do but there are always disadvantages that no one has been able to fully solve. For example the RA gun line release is auto resetting but it's on the bottom which is somewhat of a problem for reel users, and I find it to be small and sharp, inconvenient to slip the shooting line over. Aimrite and omer is semi auto resetting in that you have to first position the spear to press down a lever as you push it into the mech etc etc. You said you got a Mako? How does the line release on that one work?


    I made this line release for the Merou handle, it worked well unfortunately the mech didn't. It's based on Steve Veros' idea. But this is a Heinrich line release thread :)


    Video: Line Release


    Video: Line release demo

    Larry Heinrich is a very good wood worker and diver, he was the fist I recall to use Sterling LP on a gun build.
    His tuna gun was a work of art. I had tested a closed track gun I built in 1985, Larry's used Delrin closed rail caps on his tuna gun in the mid 90's. We were members of the Long Beach Neptunes.
    Cheers, Don Paul

    "Great mother ocean brought forth all life, it is my eternal home'' Don Berry from Blue Water Hunters.


    Spearfishing Store the freediving and spearfishing equipment specialists.

    on the mako the line release is reset when the shafts end engages the trigger mech. Which for me is fine becasue id cant see any situation where i would want to wrap the line up before the sppears locked in. Its positioned same as rob allen which would be a bummer if a reel was in the picture

    Scupper Pro Gives You Wings!

    I once made a stainless Heinrich tab for a guy to use on a euro with a broken release. I know it's a little lame, but he said it worked well, and I mostly just wanted to see if I could do it. The reason it is so small is because he was shooting it through a closed muzzle. It was just big enough to securely hold two wraps of 300 lb mono.


    Quote from Tin Man

    I once made a stainless Heinrich tab for a guy to use on a euro with a broken release. I know it's a little lame, but he said it worked well, and I mostly just wanted to see if I could do it. The reason it is so small is because he was shooting it through a closed muzzle. It was just big enough to securely hold two wraps of 300 lb mono.



    Thats cool Tin man.The first time I've ever seen this, if the back hump was flat ,you would never have to worry about a euro wish bone hanging in the notch. This could be a new way to launch a shaft with SS wire rope.
    you have a great mind.:thumbsup2: I should have named my open muzzel with top mounted line pin when
    I convinced Jay Riffe he didn't to spend $ for the ss hoop on the end of his early guns.;)
    Cheers, Don Paul

    "Great mother ocean brought forth all life, it is my eternal home'' Don Berry from Blue Water Hunters.


    Spearfishing Store the freediving and spearfishing equipment specialists.

    Edited once, last by Don Paul ().

    I like a lot the heinrich system, as soon as you pull the trigger the loops are free from the shaft fin, I have made 4 guns now and 3 have line release and for me line release takes me lots of time, sweat to do them right the first time, I like what the guy made with the grooves on the first pics so the line gets inside and it looks very clean, but that is one big gun with lots of wood to play with on a smaller gun dont know if that works, on mine I use 5/0 ss hooks, I have seen small flaps made of wood to hold line on other guns, about the speed of reloading this weekend I test my gun again and try few things, once you are used to the system is fast to reload, I can tell the same as one with the line release, it will take more time loading the 4 bands than relining, also I made 4 shots with the bands on the fin with the line, no problem at all, now I have 1.5 inches of more power:D, now I need a slip tip and some big fish to shoot.

    Pucho
    Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

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