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AMF Mares Underwater Spear Guns

CPSC Recall #79-055 - September 30, 1979

Recall Summary

Recall Number79-055
Recall DateSeptember 30, 1979
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedMore than 1,800

Product

AMF Mares Underwater Spear Guns

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 1) -- More than 1,800 underwater spear guns which can fire accidentally at users or bystanders are being recalled voluntarily by AMF, Inc., of Des Moines, Iowa. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. AMF, Inc., is a manufacturer and importer of recreational and sporting equipment. A defect in the guns' "trigger shock-line retainers" can cause unintentional firing if the shock-lines are wrapped too tightly around the retainer, or if the taut lines and gun barrel are held together. (The "trigger shock-line retainer" is a small mechanism which holds the lines in place.) The company has received four complaints involving unintentional firing of the weapons since July, 1979. No injuries have been reported. The recall affects "AMF Mares Underwater Spear Guns" sold under the following brand names and model numbers: Model Numbers Brand Names 5300 Long Tom 6334108 Supersten 5302 Sharp Shooter 5304 Californian 5306 Frontiersman 5308 Shortie 5310 Snub Nose 6333503 Competizione 6334009 Sten 6333008 Medisten 6331006 Ministen 6330005 Miniministen Consumers should return the guns to the dealers from whom they were purchased for free modification. Anyone requiring additional information about this recall should place a collect call to Sea Quest, Inc., Mares (a distributor of AMF Mares products in Solana Beach, California) at 714-481-8877. Consumers may verify model numbers by contacting CPSC's toll-free Hotline at 800-638-2772.

Hazard

A defect in the guns' "trigger shock-line retainers" can cause unintentional firing if the shock-lines are wrapped too tightly around the retainer, or if the taut lines and gun barrel are held together.

Incidents & Injuries

The company has received four complaints involving unintentional firing of the weapons since July, 1979. No injuries have been reported.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should return the guns to the dealers from whom they were purchased for free modification.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

No, you should stop using the product entirely, not just unplug it. Electric shock and fire hazards in recalled electrical products often involve internal wiring defects, faulty components, or insulation failures that can cause harm even after the product has been off for a period of time. Do not attempt to repair the product yourself. Keep it unplugged and stored safely until you receive the manufacturer's remedy. If the product has already shown signs of overheating, sparking, or discoloration, handle it carefully and consider contacting your local fire department for guidance on safe disposal.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.

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