In step with technological and material evolution, everything today can be improved and reimagined in a modern key, even what in the past contributed to the prestige of a brand. A prime example is the pneumatic speargun par excellence, perhaps the most widely used in the fishing world: the Cressi 55-centimeter gun. Who hasn't had a Cressi gun in their garage since childhood? A handy, powerful, and reliable gun with which to pursue any stationary prey within more or less complicated dens. Without a shadow of a doubt, we can say we're facing the Holy Grail of pneumatic guns, which even today, especially when used with a harpoon, makes a difference in hole searching, especially on rocky bottoms, where spearguns are often too long and cumbersome. Over time, names change, shapes adapt, but the qualitative and constructive substance remains the same, and that's exactly what I expected to find (and found) testing the Mach 55, along with many other improvements that have increased its overall quality. The gun I received pleasantly surprised me with some details that immediately stand out and denote how Cressi wanted to work in detail on the parts to improve an already excellent product. While appreciating the design and overall robustness, I particularly liked the ergonomics of the universal grip, which is truly comfortable and has a high structural grip thanks to the outer plastic with a dense non-slip texture. An innovative and very practical feature is the housing inside the grip for storing the supplied shaft, thus avoiding the need to figure out where to keep it every time, with the risk of losing it at sea and being unable to reload the gun. The trigger, the line release mechanism, which in this case was mounted on the left, as well as the power adjuster lever integrated into the grip, are all made of stainless steel, demonstrating that durability over time and constructive reliability are clear objectives of this product. Interesting is the fact that using a small hex key, you can disassemble the line release lever and move it to the right, choosing your preferred position for housing. Behind the trigger, molded into the grip's plastic, there's also a safety feature, allowing you to block the trigger's excursion, preventing accidental shots. The plastic material used for the grip body and the head cap, in gunmetal gray, is the classic glass-loaded nylon, which is lightweight yet resistant to impacts and scratches. Even the matte-finished anodized aluminum tank contributes to the overall lightness of the Mach 55, which feels noticeably fast in hand, also in this aspect, making a clear difference from its predecessors, especially in rapid movements when we need to maneuver it into a hole and aim it at the prey. Let's talk about the barrel and the head cap, two more of those details that, as I mentioned before, particularly surprised me. First, the position of the barrel, which in the Mach 55 is no longer centered but offset upwards, favoring aiming and targeting fish. One of the "flaws," in fact, that has always been emphasized regarding pneumatic guns, especially by those who predominantly used spearguns, was precisely due to the fact that aiming could be more difficult due to the central positioning of the barrel relative to the tank. In this model, Cressi has addressed the problem, and now the barrel is perfectly aligned with the sightline, facilitating correct aiming. Regarding the head cap, it has been significantly worked on to maximize water drainage from the barrel during the firing phase, thus favoring greater piston thrust and faster shaft exit speed. There are indeed 5 large overflows all around the head cap, plus two additional holes towards the end. 

Standard Equipment 

The Mach 55 comes ready for fishing from Cressi, complete with a stainless steel shaft equipped with a double barb, with a steel bushing and line slider made of glass-loaded nylon, already equipped with a nylon float that binds it to the gun. Also included is the loading ramp for the shafts with barbs, which fits inside the grip, and the recharge pump. The gun used in the test had a power reducer, useful for having a different power option in case we need to shoot fish from very close range or inside narrow holes; however, you can also choose the version without the reducer. 

Trim and Aiming 

The trim in water is slightly negative at the tip, as it should be, but thanks to the excellent grip provided by the handle, the weight of the gun is hardly felt on the wrist. The Mach 55 is truly manageable and light in movements, allowing easy and quick maneuvers and excellent targeting even in crevices and narrow, rugged caves. 

Loading 

On guns of these lengths, loading, assisted by the use of the loading ramp, is always easy, requiring not too much force or particularly long levers, also because the charging pressures are normally relatively moderate, given their predominantly intended use for white fish searching in dens. One important precaution I feel compelled to give, especially for personal safety, is to always ensure that the gun's head cap is not aligned, i.e., pointing towards one's face during the loading phase. 

Shooting 

Although limited in distance, as is normal for this size and its DNA, it is precise and instinctive, surely aided by the stainless steel trigger, which improves release precision and doesn't feel hard to press, thus avoiding the risk of applying greater force leading to inadvertent wrist movement and consequent loss of aim. The sightline, with the head cap offset upwards, is clean and allows easy alignment between the centering on the handle, the sight on the head cap, and the tip of the shaft. Definitely a big step forward compared to the aiming system that characterized pneumatic guns with a centered barrel. 

Finishes and materials 

The finishes and materials used make this pneumatic gun very visually appealing, conveying a sense of quality and structural solidity. The chosen chromatic contrast between the grip of the handle, which matches the color of the tank markings, the dark gunmetal gray that distinguishes the majority of the coloration, and the stainless steel components, such as the trigger, is beautiful. Attention to the materials used and to the details, such as the compartment inside the grip for storing the loading ramp and the double adapter for the loading pump, which allows it to be used on different guns, are pleasant surprises that increase the perceived value of the product. 

Technical data  

Barrel Material: Matte black anodized aluminum tube, 40 mm  
Handle Material: Glass-loaded nylon structure for the part where components like the trigger, line release, and reducer are placed, while it features a grip made of softer plastic material with an anti-slip design where the hand grips  
Equipment: 8 mm shaft with double-barb, line slider made of glass-loaded nylon, and steel bushing  
Trigger: Stainless steel Line Release: Stainless steel, interchangeable right/left  
Version: with power reducer  
Price: €199.99 

Rating! 

Materials: 8 Very careful choice of materials used, which surely guarantee robustness and durability over time  
Workmanship: 8 Leaving aside the internal part of the components, which can only be evaluated by opening the gun but which nevertheless is a Cressi trademark in terms of functionality and reliability, the external components, from the head cap to the handle, where the most functional parts are located, are refined and of excellent quality  
Aiming: 7.5 In its simple shape, the gun is characterized by excellent aiming, facilitating movement in the most rugged caves  
Shooting: 8 Precise and instinctive. Obviously, given the length of the barrel and its specific use mainly for dens, it is a gun suitable for short-range shots  
Trim: 7.5 Good balance, facilitating maneuvering speed.  
Value for Money: 8 Certainly, the solidity and robustness that characterize this product in relation to the materials used and the workmanship make it a gun destined to accompany us for a lifetime, always guaranteeing maximum reliability. A purchase that will maintain its value over time and is well worth the money spent.