Sooo which break barrel Gamo to get?

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Around 15 years ago, I bought a 117cal Gamo Whisper Deluxe Rifle, powered by a spring.
That one was the only Gamo rifle I have ever owned.
In the time that I had it, I did not have any complaints.
That rifle shot well and it was was light enough to handle well.
That rifle was their first model with new ND-52 moderator.
I had it for around 1 1/2 to 2 years. It was reasonably accurate and trouble free.
It shot so well and handled so nice.... that a very good friend... just had to have....that gun.
Not one like it either...Nope...he had to have that very same rifle.
So, with him being a good friend and all, I relented and sold it to him.
He used it to take out 4 or 5 groundhogs that were burrowing in his backyard, also under his deck and his patio.
As compared to others he had shot at my place, he felt that it was a little more quiet.
As for me, I could not tell much difference.
It is still shooting well, the last I heard.


Best Wishes - Tom

[lefteyeshot]

I would recommend the Benjamin Trail series. I've owned two NP2, one in .177 and one in .22, for a number of years now, and they both still shoot great! Never had any issues with either one, and they are very accurate once you figure out a proper hold. The stock trigger is merely acceptable,  but you can get a $10 kit off eBay that greatly improves it.
If you've got the funds though, go German. I have a +20yo Diana 48, and the quality of the material over the Benjamin is huge!
Ironically though, I shoot the Trails way, way more than the 48. The Trails are lighter and much easier to cock, making it a more pleasant experience for longer shooting sessions.

What's the $10 kit for trail trigger?

I have an np xl in .177. It has a longer screw for lower break weight, if memory serves. Shape of the trigger isn't great though. The charlie triggers seem tough to get reliably lately.

It's a trigger kit consisting of a few parts that are swapped out with the stock components. It reduces the trigger down to about 2lb.
Can't remember how I came across it, but I bought 2 kits off eBay for about $10 each. Similar to this kit below:
https://4shooters.com/product/-20200726105344.html

[lefteyeshot]

I would recommend the Benjamin Trail series. I've owned two NP2, one in .177 and one in .22, for a number of years now, and they both still shoot great! Never had any issues with either one, and they are very accurate once you figure out a proper hold. The stock trigger is merely acceptable,  but you can get a $10 kit off eBay that greatly improves it.
If you've got the funds though, go German. I have a +20yo Diana 48, and the quality of the material over the Benjamin is huge!
Ironically though, I shoot the Trails way, way more than the 48. The Trails are lighter and much easier to cock, making it a more pleasant experience for longer shooting sessions.

What's the $10 kit for trail trigger?

I have an np xl in .177. It has a longer screw for lower break weight, if memory serves. Shape of the trigger isn't great though. The charlie triggers seem tough to get reliably lately.

/'

The GRT triggers do seem hard to get now. I have tried the longer adjustment screw. It's okay but the RC roller bearing mod is much better, about equal to the GRT trigger.

The roller bearing size is 5x8x2.5mm. You can get them off amazon for around $7 for a 2 pack. The mod is an
 easy 10 minute job. 5 minutes if you've done it before. Look on U-tube for the mod: "Easy trigger fix for a Crosman, what to do and not do." Same trigger as a Trail. I've done it on 5 Guns with Crosman type triggers and they have trigger pulls like 10 oz to 1 lbs 4 oz. Optimus, Storms, Quest the old Summits, Furys, Phantoms 777SBs.

Sorry, about the double post.

[MontanaMarine]

All the Gamos look the same. What’s a descent model to get that’s a gas ram and not a magnum ?

I've got a couple Gamo rifles.  The most recent is the Whisper Fusion Mach I, in 22 caliber.  It's a non-magnum gas-ram.  I like my Gamo's in spite of all the snobbery against them.

Here's a vid I just put together doing some chrono and accuracy testing with the Mach I.

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

All the Gamos look the same. What’s a descent model to get that’s a gas ram and not a magnum ?

I've got a couple Gamo rifles.  The most recent is the Whisper Fusion Mach I, in 22 caliber.  It's a non-magnum gas-ram.  I like my Gamo's in spite of all the snobbery against them.

Here's a vid I just put together doing some chrono and accuracy testing with the Mach I.

Wow Shane...Good Video.  Nice shooting rifle & accurate too.   I like it. 

Here is a picture of a Gamo Whisper Deluxe. This is like the one that I used to own.   

Mine was accurate at 40 yards too.

Best Wishes - Tom

[Toxylon]

Mind blown, Dinh!

But really, I don't know any dedicated sidelever Diana shooter who found their gun three times harder to cock than a gasram breakbarrel.

Easier cocking effort is one of the selling points of a gas ram.

That gas ram guns are easier to cock than coilspring guns is the biggest lie (of many) that manufacturers use to sell more guns.

With the gas ram, the cocking resistance is almost a constant, instead of building up gradually through the cocking stroke as with coilspring guns. This means that you are pulling close to maximum weight from the start with the gasrams, which goes against the natural leverage / joint health of human beings. Gas ram guns are aptly named gut busters for that reason. If you want to see a little physical comedy, put a gas ram gun in the hands of a gas ram novice that has only experience with coilspring guns.

I can shoot coilspring guns for hours after my cocking arm shoulder has informed me I cannot shoot a single shot more with gas ram guns, tried and true.

I deadlift 400 + lbs. and do sets of pullups with 70 lbs. strapped to my belt, so this has nothing to do with pull strength / conditioning. But we're all different, and many guys shoot gas ram guns with no issues.

[Xraycer]

Mind blown, Dinh!

But really, I don't know any dedicated sidelever Diana shooter who found their gun three times harder to cock than a gasram breakbarrel.

Easier cocking effort is one of the selling points of a gas ram.

That gas ram guns are easier to cock than coilspring guns is the biggest lie (of many) that manufacturers use to sell more guns.

With the gas ram, the cocking resistance is almost a constant, instead of building up gradually through the cocking stroke as with coilspring guns. This means that you are pulling close to maximum weight from the start with the gasrams, which goes against the natural leverage / joint health of human beings. Gas ram guns are aptly named gut busters for that reason. If you want to see a little physical comedy, put a gas ram gun in the hands of a gas ram novice that has only experience with coilspring guns.

I can shoot coilspring guns for hours after my cocking arm shoulder has informed me I cannot shoot a single shot more with gas ram guns, tried and true.

I deadlift 400 + lbs. and do sets of pullups with 70 lbs. strapped to my belt, so this has nothing to do with pull strength / conditioning. But we're all different, and many guys shoot gas ram guns with no issues.

As I already stated I'm about 160lb and can not deadlift +400lb nor do pull-ups with an additional 70lb strapped to me. I have zero problems cocking my 2 NP2s. I do also own traditional springer guns and for me they are much harder to cock.

[19Sheridan57]

  Both of my shoulders are weak & I don’t have any problem cocking my Gamo Swarm Maxiim at all. This rifle cocks easier, has less recoil, less noise, & is more accurate than several spring piston rifles I have owned.

[MontanaMarine]

Wow Shane...Good Video.  Nice shooting rifle & accurate too.   I like it. 

Here is a picture of a Gamo Whisper Deluxe. This is like the one that I used to own.   

Mine was accurate at 40 yards too.

Best Wishes - Tom

Thanks,

I believe the Gamo rifles are just fine for small game, pesting, and informal target shooting/plinking. 

The only thing I would strongly recommend for the CAT trigger is the aftermarket trigger adjustment screw that JC sells at Airgun Detective.  I put the aftermarket screw in the Mach I, and the Magnum.  It makes a world of difference.

One could also find the same screw at any decent hardware store, but I like to support the airgun community even if in small ways.

[2A Georgia]

Gamo Wildcat Whisper in .22 was my first AG.
CDT GRT4 trigger was my first mod.  It has a CP 3-9x32 and shoots GTOs at 17fpe, MOS at 25 yards and is 5.5 pounds without the scope so an easy day of woods walkin.  It's simple and it works Thanks for reminding me to put some time in on my artillery hold practice :-)

[lefteyeshot]

Just bought a used Gamo from Baker for $119. A 440 CR .177 steel spring in wood, 11mm scope rail. 967 of 1000 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Has a Crosman trigger. Did the RC roller bearing mod and mounted a Svbony 2-7x32 scope on it with tall see-thru rings. Maybe I can use the open sights and scope. Haven't shot it yet. Maybe this weekend at our monthly fun shoot in Cross, S.C.

[Toxylon]

I like my Gamo's in spite of all the snobbery against them.

It's not snobbery when it's based on personal experience. I've had app. 8 Gamo springers over the past 25 years. I have none now.

My 440 Hunter broke down for no good reason, after a couple of years of medium-heavy use. I had a CFX Royal that shot 6" to the left at 20 yards, even with the factory sight adjusted all the way to the right. My CFS was painfully loud to shoot, all for 14 fpe. My 1250 Hunter had the stock routed off-center and asymmetrical. The list goes on and on.

[HOSPassassin]

I like my Gamo's in spite of all the snobbery against them.

It's not snobbery when it's based on personal experience. I've had app. 8 Gamo springers over the past 25 years. I have none now.

My 440 Hunter broke down for no good reason, after a couple of years of medium-heavy use. I had a CFX Royal that shot 6" to the left at 20 yards, even with the factory sight adjusted all the way to the right. My CFS was painfully loud to shoot, all for 14 fpe. My 1250 Hunter had the stock routed off-center and asymmetrical. The list goes on and on.

That is exactly why I gave the advice I did. Some people like or tolerate them, others (like Toxylon and I) find them unusable. However, I have never heard of anyone preferring a Gamo to an HW or other high-quality German or British springer unless they're just looking for the most power possible. That is why if anyone ever asks my opinion about a piston-powered gun I will always recommend German or British over Gamo or Chinese.

I almost wrote "Spanish" but then I remembered that Norica and Cometa have pretty good reputations. Never handled one but I have heard good things about them.

[Airnut]

You can't compare Gamo to HW period!
You are trying to compare a low to mid price point gun to a top tier gun of course HW is superior. Look at what you are paying for It. When someone asks me for a recommendation the first thing I ask them is how much you want to spend and what you want to do with it. Gamos are no better or worse than any other gun in their price range. Just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions.

[avator]

Anyone else find it funny that many folks spend more time deciding which airgun to buy then they do a car or a house?
First consideration is what I need/want it for. Next is my budget. Then I do the leg work such as real world reviews (not marketing shtick from folks getting free stuff in return). Availability and source reputation then comes into play.
Not everyone has the same purpose/expectations for a gun. If I'm going to rely on someone else's opinion I need to know we are on that same page. Just to say one gun is worlds better than another is presumptuous all things considered.

[splitbeing]

[chuckling]

Some words of wisdom right there, Bill.

[MontanaMarine]

I like my Gamo's in spite of all the snobbery against them.

It's not snobbery when it's based on personal experience. I've had app. 8 Gamo springers over the past 25 years. I have none now.

My 440 Hunter broke down for no good reason, after a couple of years of medium-heavy use. I had a CFX Royal that shot 6" to the left at 20 yards, even with the factory sight adjusted all the way to the right. My CFS was painfully loud to shoot, all for 14 fpe. My 1250 Hunter had the stock routed off-center and asymmetrical. The list goes on and on.

We all tend to base our opinions on our experiences.  I had a RWS 3500 marked 'Made in Germany'.  My experience with it was that it was beautiful to hold, and look at.  But it didn't shoot very well. 




After I cut the barrel down, the accuracy improved a little, and velocity increased too.  But I just didn't bond with it.  After several months I sold it to the local pawn shop.

[Windmill01]

I’ve never bought a Gamo so I can’t comment on them. But a few years ago I was looking for a low powered accurate plinker and was recommended the Hw30 which I bought.
Not being aware of the idiosyncrasies of Hw30 I spent many hours trying to figure out why this rifle wasn’t as accurate as I was told. After many tins of pellets the rifle developed a grinding sound and then something internal broke. I didn’t want to void the warranty so i returned it. It was explained to me that the cocking shoe had broken.
Just my experience. I replaced it with a Hw50S, haven’t looked back.
Gary