I receive e-mails and questions almost every day and the forum as well asking about a replacement trigger for the new Gamos but there has always been underlying problems with the concept. ???
I am strongly considering developing a CNC program and tooling up to make a replacement trigger for the entire line of the late model Gamo rifles using the new trigger block and plastic triggers. ;) The problem is that it would not be a simple drop in like the GRT-III trigger. It’s just not possible. :(
Why am I bringing this up???? I would like to establish the interest, get your thoughts and to determine the acceptance to help me decide if I really want to invest my time and money in doing this. It does take time and money and I don’t want to waste either of them if nobody has an interest based on the information below. I’m not doing this so much for the money (you don’t get rich doing these things) although that is a good incentive, but more because the need is there and it’s good for the airgun enthusiasts. ;D
The R&D has already under way and it does look feasible but there are a couple of drawbacks that do make me hesitate. :-\ As with anything else that is made from the ground up, CNC programming, making the jigs, and tooling up is very costly as well as time consuming. The GRT-III development took a long time for it to pay for itself.
The one major draw back is that in order to install the GRT-4G, the trigger block must be removed from the gun. The GRT-4G can be installed in the springer version of Gamo without a spring compressor. To install the GRT-4G in an IGT Gamo does require a spring compressor. Once the trigger block is removed, the installation is pretty straight line and rather simple to do but does require a little mechanical ability and no special tools. 8)
It will come with step by step instructions and step by step trigger pics (in downloaded instructions as before) along with additional hardware that may be needed in addition to the trigger. The trigger as before will be pre-adjusted prior to shipping.
Another issue is that although there are many airgun enthusiasts out there, how many are mechanically inclined, willing to make a spring compressor and bold enough to start ripping an airgun apart??? Almost everyone that has taken a gun apart, especially a Gamo, knows that for the most part, they are very simple and easy to work on. ;D
That said, in addition, the new Gamo rifles can be vastly improved and because the trigger has been removed and there is now access to the internals, the installation instructions will be appended with a complete tune guide so the person can do a SuperTune while he has it opened up. The instructions will include what parts and lubes to order and where to order them from, how and where to lube and with what.
When finished, he should have a gun that is almost the gun that the older Gamo’s were when tuned. Keep in mind thought that they cannot be TurboTuned because of the internal design. 8)
That is it in a nut shell
I would appreciate as many comments and thoughts as possible from any and all of you that have any interest so please speak out if you would. And if you would rather not post your comment, then please e-mail me at CDT2@Verizon.net . A lot of my final decision will be based on the forum participation. :) :)
Finally…. If there are any late model Gamo trigger block assemblies from a trashed gun or even junk or unwanted guns with the trigger assembly in tact that is willing to part with it, I sure would like to have them for testing and parts for the R&D side of this project. :D :D
Thank you all for your taking the time to read this and thanks in advance for your responses.
Bob….aka: CDT
This has been the second post on the GTA forum and never updated. I thought you might want to see how the future of the GRT-4G progressed since this original post back on Sept. 30, 2010.
???
In early October of 2010 we began working on the R&D for a new trigger design for the late model Gamo with the modular trigger block in earnest. :-X We realized early on that it was going to be a far more complex CNC programming and manufacturing process than the GRT-III trigger and that the installation by the consumer could be an issue and something that would need to be overcome. ??? ::)
After many weeks to trial and error, testing and many failures, we finally came up with a working prototype. ;) I sent out several test triggers to different people including Gene to get some outside field testing results, comments, opinions and suggestions. The results were that I received were very positive. ;D ;D
We made some very minor changes in the geometry, did some more testing and prepared to make the jigs and plates for production. That and the CNC programming is one of the more costly and time consuming parts of the final preparation before the manufacturing process can begin. No room for error there. :'(
While we were working on the new trigger, we also experimented with the installation process and found that the new Gamo modular trigger design made it possible, with care, and preferably with the assistance of a second person, it was quite easy to disassemble and reassemble the gun without using a spring compressor. ;) ;) But again, care needed to be taken and understanding that the spring was used and already set. However, using a new spring would be far more difficult and a spring compressor should be used. :-\
In late December, a limited production run to test the market was under way and in mid-January, the new GRT-4G trigger was released. Keep in mind, our objective in providing a new trigger for the Gamo was not to get rich…lol… but rather to fulfill a need for those that own or would like to own a Gamo and also knowing it had the trigger issue. :D Unlike with the GRT-III trigger and being aware that it was going to be a limited market and the GRT-4G application would apply only to the new Gamos’ using the new plastic trigger module; we did not want to over commit ourselves. But it was for all intent and purposes, a “success” and the Gamo customers were highly satisfied with it and had nothing but positive comments regarding its performance. ;D ;D
In March 2011 we did a second production that was a revised trigger with a little change in the geometry and eliminated the first stage adjustment screw and made it so that the first stage was set up to be as perfect in the geometry as it could get if using an adjustment and at the same time to prevent any possibility of accidentally overcoming the function of the safety switch which was a distinct possibility with the screw.
Our customer response has been fantastic and the GRT-4G is everything that the GRT-III of the past has been, just in a much narrower field of application. To those of you that have taken advantage of the GRT-4G trigger, thank you and thank you for your support. ;) ;)
And so there you have the rest of the GRT-4G trigger story. ;) ;)
Charlie