by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
- What I saw at Sig
- What I didn’t see
- Bucket list
- Industry Day at the Range
- Gauntlet
- Havox
- Gamo Swarm Maxim
- Coyote Urban
- There is more
Inn this report I will cover airguns I saw at Sig Range Day on Sunday, Jan. 15 and at Media Day at the Range on Monday, Jan. 16.
What I saw at Sig
Sig has been breaking into airguns over the past several years. This year they brought out the Max Michel 1911 that I tested for you back in November and December, plus they have now added the Sig P320 ASP pellet pistol. The 320 is unique in 2 ways. First, it has a 30-shot belt-fed magazine, so there are lots of shots on board. We haven’t seen a pistol with a belt-fed mag since Anics walked off the scene, years ago. This one is very slim, too.
The other nice feature is the trigger pull. Though it is a long pull, it is 2-stage and incredibly light. Yours truly was able to nail targets with this gun at respectable distances.
The 320 ASP is a 30-shot pellet pistol that’s new from Sig.
They also showed the new 1911 Spartan BB pistol. It has a rugged look that 1911 fans will like, if they don’t want all the embellishments found on the Max Michel race gun.
Sig’s new M1911 Spartan BB pistol.
What I didn’t see
Sig has a spring rifle in development, but it wasn’t ready for this show. It’s a clean-sheet-of-paper creation that should have some surprises, but not at this SHOT. In its place I saw something else that is remarkable. How about an American-made 9mm Sig P210 pistol? The P210 is one of the all-time classics, but carries a hefty retail price tag, its the stuff of dreams. Until now. Sig is now making the P210 in the U.S., and it will retail for just $1,650. I say “just” because you could spend close to a grand more for the German-made gun.
This Sig P210 9mm pistol is made in America!
Bucket list
I got to shoot it against steel reactive targets and I’m darned if I didn’t hit most of them. That was the Sig, not me. This Americanized gun has both an American mag release and safety. Scratch that one off the bucket list!
Industry Day at the Range
There were two disappointments at Industry Day. First, Crosman wasn’t there and I didn’t get to try the new Wildfire. Oh, well! I’m guessing it shoots just like a 1077, but with a little more oomph.
The other one was THE UMAREX HAMMER WASN’T THERE! I so looked forward to trying this 700 foot-pound big bore out, but that will have to wait, as well. Now let’s take a look at what was there.
Gauntlet
You read about the Gauntlet yesterday. I shot it today. There’s a lot of value packed into this $300 precharged repeater. From what I see it’s accurate, quiet (though I was shooting in a war zone, and the discharge sound of a silenced pellet gun is difficult to gauge), has a 10-shot rotary magazine and a decent trigger. Are there things to complain about? I’m sure there are — so the Gauntlet will have something for everyone!
One thing surprised me, though. The Gauntlet has an adjustable cheekpiece that operates via a thumbwheel in the stock. It is as if the leprechauns at Umarex sat down and asked what features airgunners wanted, then decided to give them everything at a stunningly low price.
I shot the Gauntlet. You’re going to like it.
Havox
But I had instructions to look at some pellets — the Havox. These all-copper pellets are fashioned on a medical screw machine — precision equipment used to make medical stents. The cuts are made with micro fine saws. Two things result from that. First, you get a pellet that penetrates then expends all its energy inside the game. I have seen the pictures and a video — it’s devastating. Second — they are expensive. I was told $12.99 to 14.99 for 25 pellets, depending on the caliber. Yes that is a lot of money, but this pellet delivers performance that airgun hunters need. Big game hunters in Africa often pay twice that much for a single round! So, if you really want that woodchuck out of the garden, wreak some Havox on him!
They come in .177, .22 and .25. The .177 weighs 7 grains. The .22 goes 13.9 grains and the .25 gets to 20 grains. So, normal pellet weights on the light side, which means faster velocity.
Havox pellets with a .22 after impact. Think broadheads for pellet rifles.
Those weren’t the only projectiles I saw, either. The ARX bullets were there, as well. And the mystery is solved — they are all .50 caliber for the Hammer — an airgun Umarex promises me they have, but were not able to produce at the Media Day range. These bullets are a copper/polymer blend and come in synthetic sabots.
The ARX bullets are all .50 caliber and sabotted. From the left — .357, .40, .45 and .50.
Gamo Swarm Maxim
At the Gamo booth Rick Eutsler showed me the Swarm Maxim breakbarrel rifle — a gas spring that I swear cocks with less than 25 lbs. of effort — despite producing over 16 foot-pounds in .22 caliber. And that isn’t its claim to fame. The Swarm is a 10-shot repeater. Now, Gamo has made pellet repeaters before. The Expomatic was one, if memory serves. Butt the Swarm has an all-new mechanism that seats each pellet into the barrel positively. It’s a complex mechanism, bit I saw it work and I think it is the first repeating breakbarrel I would trust.
Gamo’s Swarm Maxim comes in .177 and .22. It’s a 10-shot repeating breakbarrel.
I found the Gamo Swarm Maxim to be a light repeater that’s accurate and fun.
Even if it wasn’t a repeater I’d like this one because it’s so light and easy to cock. Can’t wait to test one.
Coyote Urban
The other rifle Rick showed me was the new Gamo Coyote Urban — a PCP with a synthetic stock that has lost 2 pounds in the process from the wood-stocked version! I guesstimated its weight at 7 lbs. or a trifle more with a scope. This rifle is a 10-shot repeater with a circular magazine, a nice trigger and a shrouded barrel. It comes in .22 caliber, only, and it putting 23 foot-pounds out the spout.
Gamo Coyote Urban
All that goes out the door for just $400. Thanks to rifles like this and the Gauntlet, the days of the PCP have arrived.
There is more
Of course there is more — this is the SHOT Show! But I want all of you to0 bear in mind that SHOT is a trade show — not a public unveiling. Some of the products you have seen and will be seeing are still in development and may not be avail;able until late in the year, if then. This is industry talking to its retailers — giving them a heads-up and also gauging their reactions. An olde English saying goes, “There’s many a slip twixt the cup and the lip.” And that goes for trade shows, as well.
Every year it gets better and ever.
On the spartan, does it have the afflicted little switch on the safety like the race gun?
I like the belt fed mag idea on the 320. , a carry over from their mcx?
Looking forward to the next installment.
45Bravo,
From what I can see it has the Lawyer safety that nobody likes.
Siraniko
45Bravo,
If that is the case, it gives extra meaning to “320.” The MCX shot at about 320 fps. from what I read about it!
Michael
The Gauntlet looks and sounds like what the Marauder was a few years ago. Only significantly cheaper.
If it’s accurate, if it’s quiet, if the trigger is good, and if the bolt is smooth, they will take a bite out of the marauder sales.
I know, there’s a lot if ifs in that sentence.
Now the Marauder wishes it could be the Gauntlet at this price point. Bet the Gauntlet stopped the Gen 3 Marauder before it left the gate.
“Are there things to complain about? I’m sure there are — so the Gauntlet will have something for everyone!”
HA! That’s absolutely brilliant.
SL,
I liked that also! If someone like me keeps the price tag in mind, it might end up being a real show stopper.
Hey SL, I’m in GA now and seem to recall you work at a bike shop in the state? If so, would you contact me off list at cyclealleyriders@Gmail.?
Thanks.
Fred formerly DPRoNJ
Nice report,..
– Love the magazine on the 320 ASP
– Congratulations on the P210! 🙂
– Love the cheek riser on the Gauntlet! Nice $ too. Let’s see more cheek riser from everyone!
– Hopefully you can do some B-gel test for us with Havocs. Wicked!
– I like the Swarm idea. I do (not) care that the scope is already jacked up and still can not clear the feeing mech.. That may well be it’s buzz kill.
Have fun, take care and thank you for all the effort.
Chris
B.B.
Why does everyone want a cheaper Marauder? I want a BETTER Marauder! My buddies .25 is a piece of junk.
Any word on the new break barrel with the funky LDC, that really works?
-Y
PS all the Federal agents that I know swear by Sig’s
Yogi,
I like my .25 M-rod. Gunfun1 likes his. Not sure what is up with your buddies. That is a bummer. They are nice, powerful, long range guns.
Their new field target model is supposed to have a new barrel. Like the Maximus? If so, and if it gets stellar reviews, and if it can be had after market,…. I might spring for a new barrel ((assuming it would drop right in)). I am thinking though that the new model is .177/.22 only. 🙁 If these barrels continue to prove themselves, then maybe there will be a drop in .25 version.
ChrisUSA,
One shooting buddy has a new M-rod pistol with AR stock, which shoots great.
The other has an older Rifle, bought used. He gets 12 full power shots and then each shot drops off by 25-40 fps. And then the bold jams…
Maybe it is an older model, maybe my buddy does not take good care of his equipment, but you could not give me that gun!
-Y
Yogi
Tell your buddy he can give it to me. I’ll take it in a heart beat. Don’t even care how it acts.
It won’t be the last gun I ever adopted I’m thinking. I’m use to dealing with those problem child’s. 😉
The Gauntlet is regulated, that would be desire one for most when thinking about a better marauder.
BB,
Though it probably is not for me, the Gauntlet looks as though it is going to be a real game changer. I have noticed that most of the manufacturers are attempting to bring out quality air rifles in an affordable price range. The competition looks to be getting pretty warm.
Something I noticed about the Gauntlet. It uses a 13 CI bottle. If I am not mistaken, that assembly will screw right out and you can screw in a full one. You could also replace the 13 CI bottle with a 22 CI bottle like many have done with the AirForce Pistol and Escape.
I cannot help myself, but I am REALLY interested in that Gamo Swarm. I have seen video of it in action, but not any real up close and personal shots. If that thing turns out to be up to a few thousand shots, I just might have to let another Gamo back in the house. I have a feeling Gamo is not going to be able to crank out enough of these things for some time.
A question on the Swarm. Does it use a pin or a screw for the barrel pivot? That would be a major concern of mine.
RR
The Swarm is interesting. But I think I’ll wait for a while after they come out to see how they act.
I’m wanting to hope they are good. Time Will Tell.
GF1,
Most assuredly. Rick Eustler did a quick review of one and it seemed to function great. A major question is how well it will perform after a couple of thousand rounds? Then you have to consider how well made is the rest of the rifle, such as does it use a screw or a pin for a barrel pivot?
RR
Yep we will see.
B.B.,
The Gauntlet could bust the whole PCP market open if it can shoot. Who buys a $200 Maximus or $280 Discovery if $300 buys a Marauder-killer? And that Sig P320 ASP has me hopping up and down in excitement, provided it’s better than the Anics or Beretta CX-4.
But Crosman didn’t have a Wildfire for anyone to handle or shoot, eh? I am not a gambling man, but if I were, I’d get there is no such thing as the Wildfire and never will be. We’ve been down this road with Crosman many times before. Seriously, you should ask Crosman if the image of the Wildfire is of an actual Wildfire or a photoshopped artist’s rendering. My wife says it looks a bit like extremely good photoshop, and she used to do extremely good photoshop for a living.
Michael
Michael,
The fact that P.A. is taking pre-orders would indicate that it ) Wildfire) does exist in the flesh. Just sayin’.
I meant to comment on the Havoc’s earlier. They look like they have been pulled out of a fire. Not sure what is up there. You would think that would have ran them past the make up dept. before their photo debut.
Yeah, the Gauntlet is the big news this year.
The wildfire is already up for preorder, would they do that without a working unit?
Michael,
Who buys the Maximus or Discovery? Someone that doesn’t have a PCP like me. To me, it’s the 2000 psi fill that is important. I would be getting a hand pump. From all I’ve read here and other places, the difference between pumping 2000 and 3000+ psi is a lot. Now someday, years from now, if compressors ever come way down on price, then maybe, it would be as important. Plus, maybe this gun might drive prices of the Max or Disco down just a tad. Or at least offer them with an even better gun/pump deal. Just my thoughts though. To each his own.
Doc
I’ve been thinking about this wrt the Gauntlet. Since it has a 1100 psi reg, is it possible to use a hand pump and only go up to 2000psi? I assume that would result in a lower shot count, but going down to “only” 20 consistent shots as the only cost for using a hand pump is very tempting.
B.B.,
When you get this rifle to test, could you consider filling it to only 2000psi, and running tests comparable to those you ran on the Maximus? That would be a very enlightening comparison.
Thanks!
Rocketsci,
You might have to remind me about that.
B.B.
B.B.
I will try very hard to remember to remind you!
Rocket
Never thought of that. Hmm…should be able to. That would make me more interested. But, it’s still $100 more vs the Maximus. Plus it’s over 3 lbs heavier and it has no OPEN SIGHTS! Sorry for shouting, but for Pete’s sake (and mine), is it too much for some open sights?
Doc
Doc,
You made a good point about the 2000 psi vs 3000 psi. I had forgotten about that. Rocketsci does bring up an important question, however.
Regarding the price difference, a $20 difference from a Discovery and a $100 difference from a Maximus puts Crosman in a tough spot. Consumers generally do not price-compare in terms of percentage differences, just in raw dollar differences. So to most folks the Gauntlet is “just” $100 more than the Maximus, not 50 percent more dollars, in their thinking. And of course the Gauntlet appears to be a LOT more rifle than the Maximus and a good deal more than the Discovery.
If it is a sweet shooter, the Gauntlet will force Crosman to lower their MSRP on the Maximus and Discovery and probably on the Marauders, too.
I love competition!
Michael
Rocket, this is what I posted on the next day’s blog (1-18-17)
I’ve been told by JB ( Umarex USA Marketing Director) that yes it can be ran on 2000 psi! That is great news, at least for me. He said it’s reg. to 1,110 psi. When it gets down to that, gauge will start reading in the red. Time to top off. I don’t know how many shots she would produce on 2000 psi fill, but exciting just the same. I’m sure B.B. will tell us when the time comes!
Michael
The only thing I wonder about the Gauntlet is if there will be parts available for customer repair if it breaks.
That’s one thing that keeps me going g to Crosman. I could build a whole gun by ordering parts through them if I wanted. Love that I can get parts at will from them. To me that makes a big difference.
GF1,
That Sir,.. is a BIG factor!!! People should think about that and the manufacturer’s should REALLY think about that.
Chris U
Yep that’s a big turn off for me if they won’t sale me repair parts.
Heck Crosman has given me parts when I called into buy the parts from them.
It makes a difference when I know in the back of my mind that I can keep the gun shooting if something does go wrong.
The Havox looks baaaad. An unconventional conventional hollow point which must obey the laws of physics- power, accuracy and expansion will be limited to short distances. The price will also wreak Havox on your wallet, you can easily run through 4 boxes just testing them in your rifle. Might make a good talking point. If you display it on your coffee table.
Don’t mind me, I haven’t had my morning coffee.
Pete
Umarex is really unveiling a lot of products this year to compete with Crosman. The Gauntlet will take away sales from the Discovery/Maximus and the Marauder. Also they are releasing a multipump pistol that is suppressed and looks like a 1322/1377 clone. Also I am intrigued with the Gamo Swarm, might have get on of those. To Michael’s comment ubove, I hope Crosman does make the Wildfire and it just isn’t fantasy. I am also interested in the Sig breakbarrel. Hope it isn’t a plastic 1400 fps joke.
Scott,
I believe that is where the name “Gauntlet” comes from.
I doubt the Sig rifle will be a joke. I have been talking with one of their engineers about the features people really want. He’s a savvy guy, and I think he knows the score.
B.B.
B.B.,
Seems not only Crosman but to every PCP manufacturer that Umarex has “Thrown down the Gauntlet.” Especially those on the budget end.
Regarding the Sig rifle I do hope they do their homework and have something that becomes the next FWB 124.
Siraniko
Scott, I had hope in the multipump pistol, till I so the extreme low price. I wouldn’t think it would be of high quality. More like big box store material.
Doc
They’re also stepping into the big bore arena. Umarex seems like they really want to take over the market.
That Sig. 320 looks like the must have accessory to the MCX or MPX. With those two in hand a 500 count tin of pellets will not last long.
BB,
I too would be most interested in seeing the actual performance of the Havox. I have no doubt that it will be capable of creating a massive wound cavity, however I have serious concerns with the length of this projectile. It appears to be too long to be used in most magazines and clips, greatly limiting which PCPs it can be used in easily. It may be easily loaded in a sproinger, most especially a break barrel and that may be their intended use as with such a length, any accuracy will likely be limited to relatively close range. These are probably meant to be used in the uber magnum sproingers.
Now they may work well in a Condor SS, a Rex or something similar, especially if you have a custom barrel with say a 1:10 twist. Should they come out in .357 I may have to give them a try in my HM1000X. If I could feel confident that I could place my shot within a one inch circle at 100 yards with these, I would not care how much they cost.
Very likely, although the concept is great, performance will not be. Like most fishing lures are meant to attract the eye of the fisherman rather than the fish, these pellets are meant to attract the eye of the airgunner. I do hope I am wrong.
RR,
I plan testing the Havox in a lower-speed rifle, and Umarex knows it. I think they are confident it works well.
B.B.
RR
Did you see where Crosmans new barrels will have specific twist rates for different calibers.
GF1,
I saw that somewhere. I will say that I am very impressed with the Maximus barrel. I hope they do a .25 M-rod drop in. I would be first on the list.
I will say,…. if they get this right,…. they have something. There must have been a lot of testing and proto-types if I had to guess. I am waiting for someone to dissect one and give us the low-down.
Chris U
Yep on the Maximus barrel. Don’t know about the .177 caliber Maximus but they sure got my .22 caliber Maximus right.
Soon as I see that the .177 caliber Maximus barrel is available. I’m going to get one for my 1377/ Discovery hybrid I made to see if it is as good as the Discovery barrel I have on it now.
GF1,
No, I did not see that. Different twist rates also come into play with velocities and length of projectiles.
RR
Yep we will have to see what Crosman does with the barrels. You would think they would start advertising that they are making ” more improved barrels”.
GF1,
They may not be real anxious to jump out there with “improved barrels” until such proves to be the case. I recall things like “improved triggers” and such biting them pretty bad.
RR
Yep that’s true. They were probably going to run with it and see what people were saying about. Then maybe anouce something in time.
Supposedly the Maximus is the guinea pig for their new barrels. So far so good with them from what I’ve read people saying about both calibers.
It will be interesting to see as time goes.
BB,
Should Umarex decide to have a .357 version of the Havox and need someone to do extensive field testing, I would be very willing to accommodate them and provide them with the real world data. Seriously.
So this tells us the Hammer is a smoothbore slug gun, right?
No. Those aren’t rifled sabots. The ARX bullet is shaped like that to cause hydrostatic shock. Watch some test videos of the ARX bullets.
The Gauntlet looks very interesting. Now I have a debate in my mind of which rifle will end up being the one to get me into the world of PCP, the Benjamin Wildfire vs the Umarex Gauntlet.
I would definitely like to hear a bit more about the Umarex Gauntlet in making a decision for when I have an extra $500 to blow. This is definitely the year of the PCP finally coming back into its own in the air gun world for the first time in about 200 years (back when all air guns were for the rich). In recent times the PCP has been out of reach for most air gunners.
I am fairly sure that the Benjamin Wildfire is going to be exactly like the Crosman 1077 to shoot, likely the exact hammer, trigger assembly, and definitely the same revolver style magazines. Would be interesting if it turns out to be better.
Now we only need a light weight low cost PCP hand pump to go with the new bread of PCP.
David C
Absolutely agree with you.
B.B.,
Thank you for all you do to keep us abreast of developments in the industry. I know I would be seriously tuckered out by all of the travel, etc., etc. Still, these are exciting times.
Please thank the cats for letting you share your time and effort or our behalf. I know you earn some money for all of this, but I also know you have to do it for a lot more than the money. You have passion for the shooting sports and air guns in particular.
Thank you,
~ken
I have no personnel experience with Umarex. From comments I’ve read, I hear they don’t sell parts for their airguns. That’s strike three right there. Crosman is open and selling parts for all their airguns in production. Crosman (and Daisy) have excellent customer service and warranty. Apparently, Umarex requires you to ship the gun to them, but no parts are sold to owners. I’m ready to listen if this is incorrect.
My Crosman airguns never seem to break. Even my low cost C11 just keeps shooting well. My Daisy’s, if there is a problem, and it’s within the warranty time limit, they are most accomodating.
I won’t buy Crosman airguns from Crosman, as they only ship via expensive shippers, and the cost starts at over $100. I buy my Crosmans now through Amazon, where shipping is almost always free. But, Crosman ships parts vis USPS, and are reasonable to ship.
Birdmove,
You lost me on the $100.00 shipping. (?)
I live on the big island of Hawaii near Hilo. Just went to Crosman’s web site, and put a Model 760 in my cart. Entered my zip code, and found shipping via UPS starts at $75.00, and goes up from there. That’s lower than some airguns I’ve checked through them. So, an airgun I can buy at Walmart for about $30., becomes $45 (for the gun) + $75 shipping, = $120+ for a Model 760.
That’s too bad, as I would love to buy another Custom Shop airgun. Shipping was reasonable when I lived in Washington State. Probably Alaska is in the same situation as Hawaii. Many places won’t ship to Alaka or Hawaii at all. Yet, Amazon ships to me to my Post Office box for free.
Birdmove,
Eeeeakkkkk!!!!! 🙁 Well, at least is nice there,.. if that is any consolation.
Great weather to be able to shoot my CO2 guns any time!
Birdmove
If your on the GTA site they have a 25% off and free shipping on Friday code for Crosman.
Check it out and see.
You’ll find that excludes Alask and Hawaii.
Birdmove
Ok never checked what’s included or excluded.
GF1,
That is like the “Holt Grail” of deals. 13%-ish seems to be the norm. I will say RR got a heck of a deal on that scope from P.A.. I am sorry is missed that one.
Chris U
Ain’t that how you got your Maximus?
I remember you said you ended up calling your order in. Did you not order on Friday from Crosman when you got yours?
GF1,
Can’t say. I was sworn to secrecy. I do not want to be hung or shot for P.A. Treason,…. if ya’ get my drift. I will say a “price match” policy might be something to consider.
That’s it! I have said too much! Oh no!,….. here they come!,…. gotta go!,….. 🙁
BB….in the picture of you shooting the Gamo Swarm Maxim, I noticed the hold you were using for the break barrel. As I am trying to improve my artillary hold, I have never tried using the thumb as a resting point. I have been using a flat open hand. Can you share some insight on using the hold in the picture. Thank you.
Lady-Katie,
Sure. That’s a hold 10-meter rifle shooters use. It elevates the barrel higher than using the flat palm. Otherwise, it’s the same.
B.B.
B.B.,
D’Oh! I have just had a day full of misteps. I make mistakes all the time, but today I’ve really been bone-headed. I just mentioned the palm hold below and then reread your response where you mention it. Sorry. Man, I have to read more carefully.
Michael
Thank you Michael for responding….it is appreciated.
Lady-katie,
Another two 10 meter holds are a backwards bent wrist with the heel of you hand just forward of the trigger guard supporting the rifle with the fingers upright but mostly relaxed. and the fist hold, which has the shooter’s fist (a wrist brace and shooting glove helps) supporting the rifle with the forearm just before the trigger guard resting across the shooter’s knuckles. I like that one for off-hand shooting springers. It is great for implementing an artillery hold. With these try to rest your upper arm on your rib cage and bend your elbow quite a bit. This takes a lot of the weight off of your muscles and puts it on your skeleton. Olympic 10 meter air rifles weigh in the neighborhood of 11-12 pounds, and that’s with sights — no scope!
Michael
BB and Fellow Airgunners
Back seven or eight years ago when I got back into airguns, having parts readily available was a major reason my first real adult spring piston airgun was a Weihrauch. I could literally buy each individual part, and build my own HW97 from scratch. For those of us who love to tinker, and do our own repairs, having a source of parts is an important part of the airgun hobby. The other reason for choosing Weihrauch, was through reading BB’s blogs on various Beeman airguns he wrote about, and tested in this blog. Of coarse finding out they were made by the Weihrauch company under Dr. Beeman’s specifications exclusively for the American airgun market. True enough, they are expensive, but the quality of workmanship, dependability, and repeatable accuracy keeps me coming back for more.
I do love these Shot Show blogs that present the very latest in products for us to dream about. As I said in my last comment, 2017 seems to be shaping up as the year of the affordable PCP. If the new 4500psi compressors can be had for around $1000.00, I just might need to build another airgun closet. Not to mention racking my brains for some novel excuses that would help explain to the wife why having to own all those new PCP’s is so important to my airgun hobby. Is there no end to this obsession, and madness?
Ciao
Titus
Titus,
Sorry, no end.
The Great Enabler 😉
Titus,
Stick with springers. The “Dark Side” is a long, slippery and treacherous slope once you have stepped foot there. The once loved and glorified springers will be relegated to the dark corners of the air gun closet, collecting dust, moaning in a soft voice of their neglect. Next will be the inevitable tuning quest for optimal shot count and power. Effortless one hole groups. From there,…. it only gets worse.
Me?,…. I am too far gone. Too deep. No hope. Save yourself while you can.
😉 Chris
Being able to get parts is a big thing for me also. I tried to order a spring from Gamo and they said they would only sell to a FFL. So no more Gamo for me. So silly to make a simple thing complex.
bobbyboy,
Welcome to the blog.
B.B.
Bobbyboy,
You are right,… 100%. It is obvious that the competition is only getting more heated. Every maker is trying to beat the other to the next biggest thing. Every maker is trying to build loyalty and repeat sales. Your point is one of the huge things that some are overlooking. For some, the more air gun wise, the ones that buy the most,…. being able to get parts easily is a full 1/2 of the “sales pitch”.
Good point. Let it be heard loud and clear.
Bobbyboy
No that’s another silly rule. Repair parts is a important thing.
So the gun breaks. That means we just throw it away then and buy another from them I guess. Sounds like some marketing strategy to me. Well maybe not good marketing strategy when people stop buying their product.
GF1,
Point made,…. albeit a bit sarcastic. I like it. 🙂 Out’a here.
Chris U
And I thought I was being pretty diplomatic about my gripe with the manufacturers not having repair parts readily available.
I really do refrain myself to what I really like to say sometimes. Really. 😉
GF1,
Me too. Actually you did quite well. Nothing wrong with a little sarcasm. I am rather a fan of it in fact,…. given an appropriate situation. 😉 Ton,… below,…. brought up a good point. Everyone is still buying their products.
A model like Crosman uses is great. I still remember calling Daisy and was dumbfounded by their service,… in a good way. A real person actually picked up the phone, ordering was quick and I had it in the mail 2 days later. Now that is how it should be,….. period!
Chris U
Agree with you on all accounts.
Titus
Yes we air gunners need repair parts available to us.
I could just see how that would go over if the new car manufacturers trued to pull that. Let see. Hey you can’t get no parts for that car you just bought. Better throw it away and come buy another one from us. Yep like that will happen.
I could just see my most favorite accurate air gun break and I can’t get parts to fix it. And yes I know eventually parts stop getting made for cars and things. But that’s like years and years down the road.
Hope those air gun manufacturers that think that way about not selling parts wake up. Sooner or later they will I guess when they ain’t selling any anymore.
Repeating springer! Gamo has listened, and I believe will reap the fruits.
Gunfun1, the story is called The Most Dangerous Game. It’s a classic story and very entertaining. They even adapted it for the television series on the Hulk that starred Lou Ferrigno. Having the Hulk to hunt, not just David Banner, was a windfall for the villain. However, the Hulk proved more than he bargained for as you might guess. And stabbing himself with his own poisoned arrows didn’t help either.
Matt61
Matt61
Yep was a good book. Read it many moons ago though. I think I should revisit reading it.
BB,
In the two pictures of the Gamo Swarm, it appears that the bottom 1/3 or so of the scope is obscured by the, I assume, repeating mechanism. I guess that this could be camera angle. Just wondering if the view through the scope is obstructed.
Thanks,
Jim
Jim,
When the scope is set on the lowest power, you do see a shadow at the bottom of the image. When it goes up to 3.5 the image goes away.
B.B.
BB
Glad you mentioned that. It’s kind of deciving seeing something in front of the scope like that.
I had my green laser mounted In front of the scope and had no clue it was there when I shot at 6 magnification and up. Absolutely could see it in my scope veiw.
Oh my phone.
Absolutely (couldn’t) see it in my scope veiw.
BB,
Thank you.
Jim
I do not think Umarex will change their policy of no spare parts if we keep buying guns from them regardless. The model works for them thanks to us consumers. We are telling them we are satisfied, until we stop buying their guns. Gamo seems to be doing pretty good sales despite their no parts policy, sadly. Now I don’t mean I would like them to go out of business for I like and own several of their guns. I get their parts from third parties easy enough.
BB,
You are allowed to test the new Gamo Swam as soon as Pyramyd AIR has them lol. I have an old Gamo Gamatic multi shot that is a love to shoot. I would like to add the Swam to my collection I think it is at the top of my list now – providing it can shoot.
Matt 61, GF1– Did you ever see the Get Smart adaptation of the most dangerous game? Its one of their best episodes. —–Ed
Ed
Nope didn’t see that. And I use to watch that. Must of missed it.
Going to have one of those Swarms. Tom you once reviewed a Mendoza RM2800 break barrel repeater. I bought a refurbed one from PA a few month ago. It’s about my funnest gun right now along with a RM2000 Repititon I’ve had a couple of years. Shot about 60 Meisterkuglen thru it the other day. Only had to help one pellet a little.
lefteyeshot,
Welcome to the blog.
B.B.
Thanks, and remember more may not be better but it’s funner!
Hope the Wildfire is real. I ordered two of them 1 week ago at PA. Gonna shoot them with my grandson at a Dueling Tree style target I built for a pair of 1077s. Shooting at 20 yards with co2 gets mixed results because of cooling from the gas. Targets flip and bounce back when guns are warm and won’t flip targets all the way when cool. By tilting target forward and moving to 10 yards after two mags we get by, but only in warm weather. Hoping the Wildfires will shoot consistently and hard enough to shoot at 20 yards and year round since they are compressed air powered. Am I thinkin right??
Halfstep,
You should be fine on the year round. Vana2 was shooting a new PCP up Canada way at -9 F. 20 yards might be pushing it though. Not that it would not do it,…. but would it be accurate enough for it? Be sure to fill us in with a full report once you get them.
My 2 1077s are , easily. If Wildfire is based on 1077 (Barrel, stock,etc) should be as accurate. Using $7.00 Tasco 4×15 scope.
Halfstep,
It is good to hear that they do that well. I have never shot one. I never expect much from lower end stuff as a generality. Please report back on how you like the PCP version.
They are more accurate than they need to be to hit the 2 inch square flags on my “TREE”.I made another target that we shoot seated at a table. It’s a 2×4 with twenty 3/8″ magnets pressed into it at regular intervals. I then hammered a roofing nail into each of twenty golf balls. Put the balls on the board nails down and the magnets hold them firmly unless they are well struck by a pellet. We were shooting at 23 yards, seated, and were hitting nearly 100% of our shots with the 1077s so I had to change from golf balls to empty co2 cartridges painted blaze orange and placed on the magnets sealend down. Still hit targets way more often than miss. Everyone with kids and an interest in shooting should have a pair of these. They are great fun at the price. I actually have three of them, two of 2016 manufacture and one from 1994, and the quality is equal among them. So kudos to Crosman. They catch a lot of crap sometimes on that count.
BB,
Thanks for the heads-up on the Gauntlet. I am interested in enter the PCP world of air guns, and the Gauntlet has caught my attention. One question: Does the Gauntlet have a one stage or two stage trigger? PA description of the rifle says it is an adjustable one-stage, while the PA specs say that it is an adjustable two-stage.
Fjjoachim,
Don’t remember. I’ll check it tomorrow when I visit Umarex.
B.B.
Hey Doc-I feel your pain about the costs of compressors. I have 3 PCPs-a Career 707, a Webley Hornet Multishot, and an Air Force. I have 1 100 cu.ft. tank thats rated at 4200 psi. The bad news? The compressor at the dive shop will only go to 3500 psi. Plus I have to have a special adapter to be installed on the compressor for anything over 3000 psi. Of course when the shop owner sold me the 4200 psi rated scuba tank, he didnt tell me all this. So I sprung for an adapter ($55) so I could have at least 3500 psi. But yeah-the biggest improvement for home compressors would be affordability. I would shoot my PCPs alot more, and probably acquire more of them.
reallead
BB,
Hope you are enjoying SHOT.
Thank you for your reply. Did you find out if the Gauntlet trigger is a one stage or a two stage? I think this rifle may be based on the QB79 Repeater. If it is, then the trigger may be a one stage that is adjustable for trigger weight, amount of sear contact and trigger travel.
Fjjoachim,
It is that trigger, so it is two stage and can be adjusted to one. A wonderful trigger.
B.B.
Just pre-ordered a Gamo swarm in .177 by phone. The guy put a coupon on it I was due I guess. $179. Looking forward to it.