Let' hear it for Gamo

[Novagun]

There has been a thread running in the German gate about Weihrach and Diana in the main. I don't feel I can contibute productively to it and Hector Medina gives information that really puts New Zealand and its market in a good perspective and as far  as world market is concerned a view of the general airgun market. My never humble opinion is that here and maybe in other parts of the world the two German brands do not deliver enough for the money.
Gamo on the other hand cost about a third the price to buy and often come with a scope. Not the best scope but I have been using a Gamo 4 x 32 on a 16 ft /lb springer for thousands of shots very effectively and it is still going well . Buying a Gamo, I know it is a second tier gun. I  also know that with my amateur skills that I can make it a good shooter. Gamo rabbit tally far exceeds German gun rabbit tally for me . To be fair, I say that my Gamo rabbit guns are .22 calibre whereas my HW and Diana are .177 . Keep in mind the purchase price . HW and Diana are undoubtedly good guns but for the price there should not be excessive spring twang . Gamo have it but it is fixable . BSA/ Gamo springer just doesn't have it due to a remarkable guide set up .
The new CAT triggers are very good and CDT triggers probably better.
Accuracy: you have to point every gun in the right direction.
Both my BSA and Gamo Hunter are very nice rifles to contemplate and really good to carry in the field.
Maybe an HW 80 or a Diana 460 or 350 would change my view but never will because of the price . I still am disappointed in my returned N -Tech 340. What a lovely gun but it just wouldn't shoot to anything like an acceptable standard.
This is not meant to be a German knocker because I acknowledge they are good : very good.
I just took a long winded way of saying that I really like my Gamos. Yea Bros
I really like mine.

[HPP-Mechanic]

When I decided to buy an over-powered .22 magnum springer, I picked a Gamo HunterExtreme pro. I was deciding between a Hatsan 135 and a Diana 350, 460 or 48. The Diana rifles were more $$$ than I wanted to spend on a novelty (magnum) gun. Hatsan quality of materials horror stories was enough for me to rule them out. Gamo has a 5yr warranty & was under $275 shipped, so that made up my mind.
Diana choices were were quite a bit more money and didnt significantly outshine the Gamo in my opinion (GASP!). 

I picked up an older Daisy 1000 (Made in spain-Gamo) this summer for next to nothing, and was thoroughly impressed by the power, steel & wood, etc. I even decided to order a CTD trigger for the old beast. 

For some reason, Gamo gets snubbed on the airgun forums, maybe because they exaggerate their performance numbers... or because they have a swarm repeater-style magazine? Purists prefer the simplicity of a single shot break-barrel, and I get that too.  I wanted a Bone Collector at first, but decided to go for a traditional steel & wood magnum break-barrel w/o the magazine.  A gas ram made by anybody is a &^^&-shoot in longevity, so time will tell...

I guess Im saying; I really like my Gamo's too. (so far).

[canadian_shooter]

I have nothing bad to say about my Gamo Magnum in .22 cal. Have had it for about 7 years and many, many thousands of pellets through it and NO issues. Put a longer screw to adjust trigger and now at about 1 to 1.5 pounds is very accurate with the right pellet.

Dave

[A.K.A. Tommy Boy]

Hi Hugh.

As you know, I recently bought a coil spring powered .22 cal. Gamo Magnum GR Rifle.

It seems to be a pretty good rifle. I have not had it out hunting yet but I will eventually.

About 14 years ago I had a coil spring .177 cal. Gamo Whisper Deluxe.

That one was a very good rifle.


Best Wishes - Tom

[H95Kidd]

When I decided to buy an over-powered .22 magnum springer, I picked a Gamo HunterExtreme pro. I was deciding between a Hatsan 135 and a Diana 350, 460 or 48. The Diana rifles were more $$$ than I wanted to spend on a novelty (magnum) gun. Hatsan quality of materials horror stories was enough for me to rule them out. Gamo has a 5yr warranty & was under $275 shipped, so that made up my mind.
Diana choices were were quite a bit more money and didnt significantly outshine the Gamo in my opinion (GASP!). 

I picked up an older Daisy 1000 (Made in spain-Gamo) this summer for next to nothing, and was thoroughly impressed by the power, steel & wood, etc. I even decided to order a CTD trigger for the old beast. 

For some reason, Gamo gets snubbed on the airgun forums, maybe because they exaggerate their performance numbers... or because they have a swarm repeater-style magazine? Purists prefer the simplicity of a single shot break-barrel, and I get that too.  I wanted a Bone Collector at first, but decided to go for a traditional steel & wood magnum break-barrel w/o the magazine.  A gas ram made by anybody is a &^^&-shoot in longevity, so time will tell...

I guess Im saying; I really like my Gamo's too. (so far).

Frank-- I'm in the same boat regarding a preference for "real" wood and blued steel, and just pulled the trigger on a Hunter Extreme Pro. Direct from Gamo for $249.90. Should have it in my hands in a week or so. The free shipping code reeled me in . I was on the ropes about buying the Pro (gas ram and all) because of a failed Vortex gasram experience with my Hatsan 95. As an aside, I gave my blow-by-blow in terms of what I went through replacing that gasram in the Hatsan section. This was my first REAL repair experience with a "higher-powered" air rifle. The Hatsan is shooting nicely right now, but the replacement Vortex ram is fairly new. As you indicated, time will tell if the Gamo IGT ram has any better longevity. I do like that the IGT is filled with an inert gas (nitrogen?) and perhaps has better seals than the Vortex. I dunno--but we shall see down the road. So full disclosure--I really purchased this rifle for the big power increase over my Hatsan 95. I'm thinking as much as 50% more with the same JSB 15.89gr pellet? My main usage is backyard pest/vermin control, including those bigger varmints like groundhogs that insist on excavating under my backyard storage shed every year. With careful shot placement (head shots) and fairly close ranges, the 95 has done well using the JSB 15.89 gr pellets, and I have not "lost" any groundhogs as of yet. Pretty much expired at the the shot. But I figure that more power is better, perhaps just for a bit of insurance (does that make sense?), as I don't want ANY critter to have to suffer. Make no mistake, I would NOT depend on the greater power of the Pro to justify taking anything less than an optimal shot placement, that's just not how I'm built. Regarding an optic for the Pro, I have a new Leupold 3x9 (but non-AO) scope on the shelf. I figure I can do the "backyard mechanic" parallax adjustment on it to maybe 40 yards or so, and it should be GTG. I'm pretty sure these scopes are airgun-rated. Any thoughts pro/con on using the Leupold?

[Novagun]

Leupold scopes are not magnum airgun rated as far as I have been told. Some of the Burris scopes might be .  I would not like ti see you ruin a good scope so maybe check with the dealer you bought it from if that applies .

[19Sheridan57]

   I have owned 2 Gamo air rifles & have been very happy with both. The first one,  I think,  was a Gamo Hunter Elite ?? It was used & I did not pay a lot for it . It was easy to learn to shoot, accurate, & powerful. I bought one of the first Gamo Swarm repeaters not long after they came out. I really like it & it is the Twanger that I shoot the most . [ I only own 2 Twangers ] I let the first Gamo go to a fellow forum member who wanted a rifle at a decent price, so I passed the savings on to him. I would not hesitate to buy another Gamo !

[H95Kidd]

Leupold scopes are not magnum airgun rated as far as I have been told. Some of the Burris scopes might be .  I would not like ti see you ruin a good scope so maybe check with the dealer you bought it from if that applies .

Hmmnn-- I'll give Leupold a call today. This one is their standard 3x9, but non-AO offering, I purchased it NIB. I've had it for probably 10 years or more. I don't remember specifically WHAT I bought it FOR (LOL). One of my powder burners probably...   Anyway, I thought I had read (somewhere) that these scopes WERE airgun rated. I'll see what Leupold has to say. I do have a BugBuster 3x9 on the shelf as well, it DOES have AO for parallax adjustment. If it turns out the Leupold won't work, any thoughts about using the BugBuster on my new Gamo PRO are welcome.

[uglymike]

Plastic rifles with barrels that look like a bottle of Coke laying on its side. 5lb triggers that you have to void the rifles warranty on to get them acceptable. Do you have a Federal Firearms License? I don't. Gamo won't sell you parts unless you have 1. However, you DO get a throw away non AO adjustable scope you can give to the neighbor kids to play pirate with! 

[H95Kidd]

Leupold scopes are not magnum airgun rated as far as I have been told. Some of the Burris scopes might be .  I would not like ti see you ruin a good scope so maybe check with the dealer you bought it from if that applies .

Hmmnn-- I'll give Leupold a call today. This one is their standard 3x9, but non-AO offering, I purchased it NIB. I've had it for probably 10 years or more. I don't remember specifically WHAT I bought it FOR (LOL). One of my powder burners probably...   Anyway, I thought I had read (somewhere) that these scopes WERE airgun rated. I'll see what Leupold has to say. I do have a BugBuster 3x9 on the shelf as well, it DOES have AO for parallax adjustment. If it turns out the Leupold won't work, any thoughts about using the BugBuster on my new Gamo PRO are welcome.

Addl---  The Leupold is a Vari-X II model. In addition to the BugBuster, also have a Nikon 3x9 EFR/AO available as well. None are currently mounted, just sitting on the shelf. Of the three, which do you think would be best on the PRO? I'm actually thinking the Nikon may be the ONE. 

[H95Kidd]

Plastic rifles with barrels that look like a bottle of Coke laying on its side. 5lb triggers that you have to void the rifles warranty on to get them acceptable. Do you have a Federal Firearms License? I don't. Gamo won't sell you parts unless you have 1. However, you DO get a throw away non AO adjustable scope you can give to the neighbor kids to play pirate with!

Hey UM--- don't hold anything back . I take it the Gamo rifles are not one of your favorites . What are your thoughts on the Hunter Extreme Pro model though? I have not seen a negative review posted anywhere, and I was particularly impressed with the review/video done by the gentleman at "Airgun Detectives." I hope I can mention that outfit around here. It could be that the test rifle was just an exceptional specimen, but 1/4" CTC grouping at 20 yards didn't look too bad to me. I think the PRO rifle tested by "our own" Airgunner-Annie did not test out quite as good as the one had by AD, but it was decent. Nevertheless, I have one (the PRO) incoming to me very soon, and I'll give MY personal impressions of this rifle (if anyone is interested, of course) when I get my hands on it.

[avator]

Plastic rifles with barrels that look like a bottle of Coke laying on its side. 5lb triggers that you have to void the rifles warranty on to get them acceptable. Do you have a Federal Firearms License? I don't. Gamo won't sell you parts unless you have 1. However, you DO get a throw away non AO adjustable scope you can give to the neighbor kids to play pirate with!

Hey UM--- don't hold anything back . I take it the Gamo rifles are not one of your favorites . What are your thoughts on the Hunter Extreme Pro model though? I have not seen a negative review posted anywhere, and I was particularly impressed with the review/video done by the gentleman at "Airgun Detectives." I hope I can mention that outfit around here. It could be that the test rifle was just an exceptional specimen, but 1/4" CTC grouping at 20 yards didn't look too bad to me. I think the PRO rifle tested by "our own" Airgunner-Annie did not test out quite as good as the one had by AD, but it was decent. Nevertheless, I have one (the PRO) incoming to me very soon, and I'll give MY personal impressions of this rifle (if anyone is interested, of course) when I get my hands on it.

As a buyer/owner of the gun, your personal opinion is all that should matter to you. 
Some things aren't for everyone.... just ask me how I feel about cilantro.. 

[Novagun]

How do you feel about cilantro and what is it?

[avator]

How do you feel about cilantro and what is it?

It's a leafy plant that folks use for flavor in cultural foods. It has a strong flavor of bar soap. Very bitter to me and it's a taste I can't get out of my mouth. It's also known as Coriander.

[19Sheridan57]

  I don’t care what anybody says, I still like Gamo rifles & cilantro.

[avator]

LOL Steve.

[eaguy]

I also think cilantro tastes like soap! Apparently its a genetic thing.

[avator]

Yessir, It's not for everyone like many airguns. But there are those that do like it and that's fine by me.   

[19Sheridan57]

  Cilantro is a wonderful herb, but you have to be careful not to use too much !

[OleTomCat]

For the longest time I was about the only one here in the states that would work on Gamo guns, most of the other tuners snubbed them as not worth wasting their time on.

I've been out of touch for the better part of two years with building a new home, moving and I still haven't setup my shop...

I very much intend to get back into airgun tuning again...