A truly impressive speargun: powerful (equipped with three 14mm bands), precise, and easy to handle. Excellent finishes and high-quality materials
Nilo Mazzarri
The world of spearfishing is constantly evolving, and among the latest innovations that have garnered the most interest is the Victory. This model, which follows the long tradition of Cressi, is a speargun that embodies the brand’s signature experience and innovation. Designed to meet the needs of the most experienced spearfishers, especially those passionate about bluewater hunting, it promises to combine power, precision, and maneuverability, an ideal mix for handling challenging environments and facing large open-sea prey.
After testing the 90 cm version, I was able to appreciate its advanced technical features, which make it one of the most high-performing spearguns on the market. Given the winter season and its size, I had to slightly adapt it to my needs, using it for medium-sized fish. I took it out several times during a calm sea phase after a storm, hoping to catch a nice seabass. Although I haven’t yet had the chance to fully exploit its potential, I have formed a clear idea of what this speargun has to offer.
Design and materials: durability and comfort
The Victory is made of black anodized aluminum with a 31mm diameter, ensuring high robustness without excessive weight. The integrated shaft guide provides greater rigidity and accuracy, while the anodized surface protects against corrosion and wear, making the speargun durable and suitable for intensive use.
The handle is made of glass-filled nylon, a light yet highly resistant material, designed to withstand the high stress of shooting and the demands of challenging spearfishing conditions. The ergonomic grip, finished with a soft yellow plastic coating, ensures a firm hold, even when diving in rough sea conditions. The handle is ambidextrous, and both the release mechanism and stainless steel trigger are designed to offer responsiveness and safety.
Power and accuracy: top-tier performance
The Victory is equipped with three 14mm circular bands, delivering impressive shooting power, making it perfect for large prey. The 7.5mm shaft, with a single-flopper tricuspid tip, is designed for high exit speed, optimizing penetration even on tough-skinned or thick-fleshed fish.
The muzzle design features three offset holes positioned at different heights relative to the barrel. This setup perfectly aligns the bands, significantly improving accuracy.
The Victory 90 is a very versatile size, but if you remove one or two bands, the effective range will decrease considerably due to the heavy shaft. Therefore, my recommendation is to use all three bands, even for close-range shots.
In the future, I plan to conduct additional tests, equipping it with a smaller-diameter shaft to enhance its versatility, possibly even using it for hole hunting.
One particularly interesting innovation is the Neodymium magnet positioned at the rear end of the muzzle. This magnet helps keep the shaft in place during loading, making it easier to position and reducing the risk of errors while arming the speargun.
Ergonomics and Safety: Handling and Control
Whether taking a shot in rough seas or executing an instinctive shot, the Victory 90 offers excellent maneuverability without ever feeling bulky or difficult to control. After multiple actions and quick shouldering shots, I realized that the shape of the barrel and the overall balance of the speargun facilitate rapid movements while reducing fatigue over time. This aspect is crucial when spending long hours in the water, trying to maintain focus.
The speargun is, of course, equipped with a mechanical safety that can be easily engaged with the thumb without removing the hand from the grip, ensuring better control. The safety can be switched from right to left depending on user preference. Additionally, the handle features a replaceable stainless steel line release system, making it adaptable to different setups for both right- and left-handed users.
During loading, the compact sternum support proves to be comfortable, providing effective assistance when tensioning the bands. The magnet in the muzzle helps keep the shaft in place, while the stainless steel guides on the lower part of the barrel allow for proper nylon line passage, preventing obstructions and ensuring smooth reloading.
Performance at Sea: Power, Stability, and Precision
Throughout December, I had the chance to use the Victory 90 in various environments and conditions. Thanks to its immediate firing capability and fluidity, I was able to make precise shots on fast-moving fish or in less-than-ideal situations. The speargun demonstrated exceptional accuracy and power, making it particularly well-suited for open-water hunting.
Designed for high performance, it strikes a great balance between power, stability, and precision. The power is remarkable, delivering solid shots even at long distances due to its high-quality materials and optimized energy transmission.
Stability is another strong point, thanks to a design that minimizes recoil and enhances control during the shot, even in rough sea conditions. Lastly, its precision is outstanding, supported by the ultra-rigid barrel with an integrated rail and the hydrodynamic muzzle, which reduces shot dispersion.
The nylon line passage is smooth and unobstructed, thanks to the strategic positioning of the attachments on the muzzle and barrel. The absence of tangling or interference during loading allows for quick and seamless reloading.
During testing, the Victory 90 performed flawlessly even in low-visibility conditions and on medium-sized fish. The shaft’s exit speed is excellent, and its penetration leaves nothing to be desired.
Durability and Maintenance: Minimal Effort, Long Lifespan
The Victory 90 stands out for its ease of maintenance. A simple rinse in freshwater after each use and a quick inspection of the trigger mechanism are enough to keep the speargun in excellent condition. Its anodized aluminum construction and the use of stainless steel for key components ensure long-lasting durability, even after extensive use.
Technical data sheet
Frame: 31 mm black anodized aluminum with integral shaft guide
Calcium: polymerHandle: glass-filled nylon with soft plastic grip (yellow).
Shaft: 7.5 mm, single-fin tricuspid
Elastic bands: 14 mm circular with 1.5 mm Dyneema wishbones
Trigger: stainless steel
Line release: in stainless steel, interchangeable right/left
Set-up: ready for fishing with elastic bands, rod, nylon splicing tied to the muzzle by a high-resistance elastic piece, stainless steel carabiner
Possibility to mount the reel: yes
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Cressi Victory is a speargun that meets nearly all the needs of an experienced spearfisher, combining power, precision, safety, and ease of use. Its technical features make it ideal for targeting species such as amberjacks or tunas, and even larger oceanic prey. At the same time, it has proven to be just as effective for shallower water hunting and in varying visibility conditions.