by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
Gamo PR-776 pellet revolver.
This report covers:
- How the cylinder locks
- Velocity with Air Arms Falcon pellets
- Double-action pull
- RWS R10 pistol pellets
- Crosman Premier Super Match pellets
- Evaluation to this point
- Trigger-pull
- Shot count
- Evaluation
In part 1 of this review, most of your comments addressed accuracy. You hoped this revolver was accurate and wanted it to be as good as the S&W 586. I also hope it’s accurate, as the low price would make it a world-beater. We’ll take things one step at a time and wait for the accuracy test.
How the cylinder locks
As mentioned in part 1, this revolver has a barrel that’s spring-loaded and moves forward as the cylinder turns. I’ll show you why it does that. The breech is rounded to fit into a recess in the front of each chamber in the cylinder. You get the same gas-sealing effect as the Nagant revolver, only it’s the barrel that moves backwards — not the cylinder that moves forward. That should give us better gas management, but I don’t know what it will do to the accuracy.
The breech is shaped to fit into recesses in the front of each chamber. As the cylinder turns, it pushes the barrel forward until it aligns with the recess in the next chamber.
At the front of each chamber, a recess has been cut to receive the rear of the barrel. On a firearm, the front of each chamber is flat. Spring tension forces the barrel back into this recess and also helps lock the cylinder in place for the shot.
The fit of the breech into each chamber helps hold the cylinder in place and also aligns the chamber with the barrel. On most revolvers, the bolt locks the cylinder in place, which is another means of locking it. On the PR-776, the hand (the silver lever that pushes the cylinder to the next chamber) also helps lock the cylinder in place for the shot, so there are 3 separate mechanisms at work to lock the cylinder.
Both the locking bolt (arrow) and the silver hand that advances the cylinder lock the cylinder in place for the shot.
Velocity with Air Arms Falcon pellets
The first pellet I tested was the Air Arms Falcon dome, which weighs 7.33 grains. The first 3 shots on single-action went 434, 438 and 425, respectively. There was a lot of gas coming out the side of the gun from these shots. After that the velocity dropped to 412 f.p.s., which I soon discovered was about right for this pellet on single-action. The first 8 pellets (including those 3 fast shots) averaged 414 f.p.s. I waited 15 seconds between each shot. The high was 438 f.p.s and the low was 394 f.p.s.
I returned to the Falcons after testing 2 other pellets single-action, so a total of 24 shots had been fired when I returned. Four pellets seated deep in their chambers averaged 387 f.p.s. In fact each shot was exactly 387 f.p.s. I was now waiting a full minute between shots.
After that, I fired 4 Falcon pellets double-action. The average was 394 f.p.s. with a spread from 389 to 399 f.p.s. I waited a full minute between shots for this test, as well.
I will say that after about 20 shots, the revolver shoots in the high 300s with Falcon pellets. It does seem to favor double-action just a bit.
Double-action pull
The double-action pull definitely stacks! Blog reader Matt61 had asked me if he should let the trigger stack or pull straight through. I didn’t answer him because this report was in the works. With a revolver that stacks on the double-action pull (the trigger stops and becomes noticeably heavier before firing the gun), you want to pull to the stack and then carefully squeeze off the shot. Vintage Colt revolvers always stack on double-action. When the trigger-pull is even all the way, like on a vintage S&W revolver, you pull straight through without stopping.
RWS R10 Match pistol pellets
Next up was the RWS R10 Match pistol pellet, which weighs 7 grains. I normally use RWS Hobbys for this test, but I thought I would change things up. R10s averaged 406 f.p.s. in single-action and 407 f.p.s. in double-action. I waited 15 seconds between each single-action shot and a full minute between each double-action shot. The single-action spread went from 402 f.p.s. to 418 f.p.s. The double-action spread went from 403 f.p.s to 411 f.p.s.
The double-action pellets were shots 39 though 42, while the single-action shots were shots 9 through 16. I’m not trying to confuse you but to demonstrate that the PR-776 is still shooting strong at 40 shots. But you have to wait a full minute between each shot. If you wait only 15 seconds, the velocity is definitely going to drop.
I deep-seated the R10 pellet and got a 4-shot average of 403 f.p.s. The low was 393 f.p.s., and the high was 420 f.p.s. From that large spread, I’m thinking that the effort of deep-seating is a waste of time. But I’ll try it in the accuracy test to know for sure.
Crosman Premier Super Match pellets
The final pellet I tried was the 7.9-grain Crosman Premier Super Match wadcutter. These averaged 366 f.p.s. for 8 shots single-action. The spread went from 351 to 375 f.p.s. I was interrupted during this string, and one shot came after a 2-minute wait. It was the fastest shot in the string, and that was what tipped me off that the gun needed more resting time between shots.
Shooting this pellet double-action with a 1 minute wait between shots averaged 365 f.p.s. for 4 shots. The spread went from 361 to 369 f.p.s. Deep-seating the pellet and waiting a minute between shots delivered an average of 353 f.p.s. The spread went from 348 to 360 f.p.s.
Evaluation to this point
I discovered that the 776 revolver needs about a minute between shots to recover. That is very similar to other CO2 handguns. The gun has good power in the high-300/low-400 f.p.s. region with lighter pellets. If you wait for the full minute between shots, the velocity will remain consistent for about 40-48 shots.
Trigger-pull
The trigger very obviously stacks in double-action. In single-action, it breaks crisply at 5 lbs., 6 oz., which is a little heavy. I’ll have to concentrate to get the best from the gun in the accuracy test.
Shot count
I fired a total of 48 shots getting all the data to this point. Then, I wanted to see how the velocity performed if I pulled the trigger fast. The next 8 shots were RWS R10 pellets all fired double-action with 5 seconds or less between each shot:
Shot…….Velocity
1…………..409
2…………..397
3…………..385
4…………..378
5…………..374
6…………..DNR
7…………..363
8…………..363
Now there were 56 shots on the gun. I then shot 8 Premier Super Match pellets as fast as I could pull the trigger. I only recorded shot 8, which went 254 f.p.s. Obviously, the CO2 cartridge is running out of gas. To be safe, lets say there are 7 good clips on a CO2 cartridge. Shot 73 was an RWS R10 going 217 f.p.s. I stopped before a pellet was stuck in the barrel.
Evaluation
I think the Gamo PR-776 did well in today’s test. I saw a good use of gas, higher velocity than expected and a nice trigger that’s a little heavy. All that remains is to test the accuracy, which is the big one, as far as I am concerned.
Sounds like it’s doing well so far and I can’t wait to see how the breech seal lockdown works for them but I’d consider it a consumable Part
BB,
Is the breech to cylinder set-up, (spring loaded barrel), unique to the this revolver ?
I like it, as it makes sense. It does seem that this action would add to the trigger pull weight,…unless the barrel spring is very light. Regular light grease at this area seems as if it would be a good ieda.
If you can, photo this area in the next report, just as you did above, to show any wear. The above picture appears to show no wear marks.
Thank You, Chris
That was my thought exactly–looks like metal-to-metal wear between the barrel and cylinder, but I saw no lubricant. Might be a good place for a moly application?
Chris,
No, the spring-loaded barrel is not unique.
As I mentioned, Gamo built another revolver called the R77 which pushed the cylinder forward to seal the breech. Read about it here:
/blog/2005/06/shoot-in-style-with-gamos-wheelgun/
And the Anics Skif 3000 used the barrel as the striker, so the barrel moved back violently to open the valve. I can’t remember if any guns used the barrel exactly as this revolver does, but something tells me it’s been done before.
B.B.
The Daisy 1200 BB pistol used the barrel as the hammer, too.
Chris, that system looks like the one found on Dan Wesson CO2 revolvers. The spring on the barrel is not so strong, so the wear is minimal.
Who is going to wait a minute between shots? That thing is going to be lucky if it is not emptied in less than eight seconds. I had the opportunity to play with a M712 at the Fun Shoot. That is my idea of a CO2 pistol.
I already have a Crosman 38T, 3-357,s and 2 S&W 586,s. It will not be easy to get me to buy another similar revolver. If they had made a Webley Fosbery or some other rare or exotic handgun, I would buy one ( or 2). Ed
I have a friend who has a Webley-Fosbery and several different Mars pistols in his collection. The Mars is so big that it should be easy to make a quality C02 replica, there is so much room inside the receiver. Ed
Any chance you will be reviewing the Sig 250 Pellet Pistol?
/product/sig-sauer-p250-co2-pistol-metal-slide-od-green?m=3715
StevenG,
I think PA was supposed to be sending me that pistol to test.
Edith?
B.B.
Tom,
When this one comes in, Pyramyd AIR will send it to you:
/product/sig-sauer-p250-co2-pistol-metal-slide-od-green?m=3715
I thought SIG was going to send you the P226, but I can’t find an email confirming that. Here’s the link on Pyramyd Air’s site (still hasn’t come in):
/product/sig-sauer-p226-co2-pellet-pistol-black?m=3691
Edith
BB, you said, “When the trigger-pull is even all the way, like on a vintage S&W revolver, you pull straight through without stopping.” Of course that works. But, when we used revolvers on duty, it was noticed that you could feel the bolt drop into the cylinder notch on a Smith & Wesson. You could hold there and steady your aim. Just a bit more pull and the hammer would drop. This worked well when you wanted your best accuracy.
Mike
BB, a minute between shots is quite a while. When you test accuracy, can you run a test with some of the more accurate pellets, blow through a cylinder of pellets (the 8 pellets, not a CO2 powerlet) as fast as you feel you can do accurately, see how the accuracy works out? I think if I bought a CO2 revolver I’d like to be able to practice like that, and letting it rest while reloading the cylinder wouldn’t be an issue.
Tim,
You see, I think like a target shooter. We take up to 90 seconds per shot, so a minute doesn’t seem that long.
However, for practical shooting, you are right. I will take what you say into account when I test accuracy.
B.B.
BB,
I agree with Tim,….I think most buyers of this range will do a faster shoot session. I do the 92FS a clip at a time with about 5 seconds beween shots. Single action.
No doubt, you have proven it is better to wait. But hey,…it will give another added dimension to the test and be more fun,,….the readers should just not expect better groups.
Chris
Hi folks,
I’ve got ChairGun on my Android phone and I played around with the numbers a bit.
I’ve compared a velocity of 430 ft/sec with a velocity of 390 ft/sec (with RWS Hobby pellets which are probably fairly typical pellets for this kind of gun).
If I interpret the data correctly, the point of impact at 10 meters should shift by more than 2cm (0.7″). I guess this would make target shooting a pointless exercise… Can these numbers be right?
Maybe this is part of the reason I tend to shoot better groups with the HW45 than with the Hämmerli S26 (Umarex’ version of the Sig Sauer P225), even though the Weihrauch recoils.
(Apart from that, the HW45 has better sights, a longer sight line and a superior trigger… that probably helps, too).
Also, in a minute, I can load and fire my HW45 at least 2 or 3 times, making a repeating gun fairly pointless unless I want to shoot at coke cans…
If I get one of these, no aluminum can withing 25 yards will be safe!
Michael
BTW, I just browsed the GSG website (they make the Sig Sauer airguns I think)… They seem to have some airguns that look interesting but are rarely talked about. Maybe some of them deserve a closer look?
I noticed these:
GSG S2 – very affordable breakbarrel pistol
GSG S4000 – single stroke pneumatic pistol that looks a bit like a HW40 with a longer barrel
GSG P1 – multi pump air rifle
That “p1” I think is a webley rebel.
Do they have Norconia building all their guns? It sounds like they did the Rebel justice by adding a rail and adj. trigger but the s2 I looked at earlier always turned my stomach.
Isn’t “Norconia” just another label for those Chinese “industry brand” guns?
It would seem Norinco manufactures the guns in China and Norconia is a German distributor
Reb
CptKlotz,
I have a Chinese made S400 (not S4000), which is identical to the also Chinese made P17 except it has a longer barrel. It is the same for accuracy and trigger as the p17, which I also have. I haven’t chronied either, so I cannot report on that.
The extra two inches of cocking handle (the barrel shroud) makes the S400 MUCH easier to cock. Cocking is a night-and-day difference.
If you are thinking of getting an S400, do it without hesitation. It IS one huge, menacing looking air pistol, however.
Michael
That looks much better! I’ll have to get one now
Wonder if PA has considered carrying it yet?
Michael,
you’re right. It’s the S400. It’s probably a great pistol for the price.
On the other hand, here in Germany, Weihrauchs are much cheaper than in the USA. The HW40PCA costs € 115,- and the S400 costs € 90.-
That’s only € 25 more for an actual Weihrauch… I guess at that price, the HW40 is one of the absolute best buys, considering that many people report near-match accuracy.
B.B.,
As always, the accuracy or lack thereof will make this a desirable or undesirable shooter. Folks will put up with some inconvenience if its more accurate than the decent-shooting Vigilante and the comparably tack-driving Dan Wesson pellet revolvers..
This is obviously a warm weather gun. I would have guessed that 5.6 pounds would be, in your opinion, acceptable for a single action revolver, but perhaps after experiencing the especially light SA triggers on the Colt Peacemaker and the Webley recently, your standards have become a bit more demanding. :^)
I have a number of CO2 air guns and do most of my shooting in my basement, which is always around 70 degrees. I’ve been thinking how to go about making a table or box with legs that is safely heated to, say 85 degrees Fahrenheit. I would put CO2 air guns in there after every five shots or so. Probably a bad idea, however. The rapid temperature change might be bad for the airgun in some way. On the other hand, what would the difference be between that and placing a cold CO2 pistol or revolver in the sun after every few shots? I often do that when I’m in the backyard.
Michael
With the increased realism and the way they have devised these airgun revolvers to have their spring loaded barrel breeches seal up with their cylinders whether using shells or not, its about time they come up with pcp replicas of Remington and Colt revolving rifles. Just a matter of extending the barrel and concealing the pcp hpa tank in the stock. After all, many repeater pcp rifles with their rotary magazines are really revolvers. A big bore version could also be worked out.
Good point!
My Gamo PR-776 is scheduled for delivery tomorrow which is June 22nd 2015, I’m looking forward to shooting it.
Anthony,
Be sure to read tomorrow’s blog!
B.B.