by Tom Gaylord
Writing as B.B. Pelletier
The El Gamo David is a lower-powered breakbarrel from the 1960s or ’70s.
This report covers:
- Godfather’s Gold Gun Giveaway
- Description
- Stock
- The markings
- Sights
- What is it?
- El-cheapo or full of value?
- Discussion
- Summary
Godfather’s Gold Gun Giveaway
Well, the winner has been selected. Reader Decksniper won the Godfather’s Gold Gun. Let’s all congratulate him. Now on to today’s report on the El Gamo David.
The what? The David? Yes, the David. Several weeks ago I snagged this breakbarrel off an eBay auction. At first I thought it was a Spanish version of the El Gamo 300 that I reviewed for you in 2014, but it’s not. This is an air rifle we have never seen in the U.S. As far as I know, this is the first time this air rifle has been written about in our country.
This is the left side of the base block.
Description
The El Gamo David is a smallish .177 breakbarrel spring-piston air rifle. It has open sights that adjust in both directions. The rifle has an overall length of 38-1/2-inches, with a 15-3/8-inch barrel. Most would measure the barrel at 15-7/8-inches because of the plastic muzzle cap on the end. The rifled steel barrel ends a half inch shy of the end of the cap. The length of pull (distance from the center of the trigger to the center of the butt) is 14-1/4-inches, which is an adult-sized pull — so the David isn’t just meant for youngsters.
Stock
The beech stock is slim and nicely contoured. You don’t see stocks this nice today unless you pay extra. There is no checkering but the forearm has finger grooves on both sides. That’s reminiscent of European military and sporting firearms and air rifles, alike.
The cocking slot is very short. It can be because the cocking link is a two-piece articulated part.
The cocking link is articulated so the slot in the stock can be short. That makes the stock stiffer and reduces vibration.
The stock is well-rounded rather than slab-sided. That’s a clue that it’s probably on the earlier side of my time estimate. The finish is smooth and even and there are no places where wood filler has been used. El Gamo is not known for using wood filler on stocks, anyway. That’s a Chinese/Asian thing.
The buttplate seems to have once been softer rubber that has hardened with age. Oddly, it isn’t fitted to the wooden stock very well and that may also have come with the age. It has ribs and bears the antlered animal logo and el gamo name.
The El Gamo logo and name are on the hardened rubber buttplate.
The metal is polished and deeply blued. This example has some deep scratches and a few spots of rust pitting, so it has been abused at some time in its life. The scratches appear to be from handling, such as falling over.
The markings
Now for the markings. On the left side of the base block (the block the barrel is attached to and it pivots when the rifle is cocked) are these characters.
Mod. “DAVID”
221816
Made in Spain
On the top rear of the spring tube are these marks.
A stylized antlered animal head followed by el gamo
Barcelona
( España )
This is why I think this rifle is not an import.
On the rear sight leaf there is the same antlered animal head, which was El Gamo’s logo at the time.
Sights
The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation.
The rear sight adjusts for windage and elevation. Both knobs are clearly marked and have detents, but they aren’t crisp. The spring and ball are missing from the windage knob, so there is no detent function.
The front sight is plastic and pretty beat up on this rifle.
The front sight has a hood with a blade underneath. Being plastic, this sight has suffered a lot of handling damage. At least it’s not fiberoptic!
What is it?
So, what is this strange breakbarrel that we have never seen? Well, although there is no written literature about it, or at least none I could find, we do know a few things. First, it is an El Gamo, not just a Gamo. That dates it to before the 1990s.
Next, the information that is stamped into the top rear of the spring tube indicates that this rifle was not exported to the United States. It may have been sold only in Spain, but I am thinking it was available throughout Europe, at least. And northern Africa as well as some of the middle eastern countries are also probable, because I know that they do like pellet rifles in those places and Gamo did sell there. And I would add India to the list. So the distribution could have been a lot broader than just the country of origin. This is an air rifle that an American serviceman might have returned home with.
I also know that at the time the David was made El Gamo was still owned by the Casas family who were not obsessed with velocity. The velocity wars of the late 1970s hadn’t started yet, and Gamo was slow to climb on board when they finally did. They left that up to Feinwerkbau, BSF and Diana. So I expect the power of this test rifle to be reasonable — a .177 pellet weighing 8 grains that leaves the muzzle at 550-600 f.p.s. It may not be functioning at its absolute peak anymore but I have shot it several times and it seems to be okay.
El-cheapo or full of value?
I have no idea of where the David fit in the El Gamo lineup. But there are some clues that lead me in a certain direction. For starters the triggerguard, end cap of the spring tube and the muzzle cap are all plastic. They are injection moldings. No company would spend the money for the molds for those parts unless they planned to make wide use of them. Think hundreds of thousands of pieces — not necessarily all Davids, but similar rifles for different markets, all using the same parts.
The David’s trigger has no possibilty for adjustments. It is two stage with a short first stage pull and a heavy second stage. It might become smoother with lubrication.
The triggerguard is plastic and can be found on other El Gamo rifles. This trigger has no adjustments.
Discussion
The El Gamo David seems to be a pellet rifle of the same power and probable accuracy as the Diana 27 or the Slavia CZ 630. Looking at it and knowing Gamo’s market position of the time, I believe it sold for less money than its competitors. To answer the el-cheapo or full-of-value question, I believe it was built to be inexpensive for its time, yet at that point in time the makers wouldn’t allow it to be as austere as inexpensive pellet rifles were going to become. So, from today’s perspective it is full of value, if not filled with desirable features like an adjustable trigger and front sight with inserts. Isn’t that interesting — an item that was designed to be cheap, but 60 years go by and it becomes something with higher standards.
Summary
Well, that’s what lies before us — an air rifle that’s not been seen by too many in this country. It’s small enough to shoot all day and yet also has the dimensions that fit adults. It’s not an airgun you should look for because I doubt there are very many in this country. But isn’t it nice to see something that’s a little different?
B.B.,
If this had a short length of pull for a child there would probably have been a “magnum” version named Goliath. 🙂
Siraniko
BB
I imagine if you were marketing it in Israel, or the middle east as you suggest, David would be a catchy model name as in David and Goliath ? The Conqueror. Or King David.
Siraniko
Didn’t see your post first, honestly.
Bob,
I had the same thoughts.
BB
B.B.,
I thought you had some other El Gamo reports so I looked back and yes I found 2 and while not remarkable in the accuracy department they worked well. I hope this one will do as well or better.
And to Decksniper, AKA the man with the golden gun, I am happy for your good fortune.
Mike
John Walter, writing in 1982, has a small footnote on ‘Obsolescent El Gamo airguns’ which had been ‘discontinued by the mid-1970s and are rarely seen in Britain.’
‘The David was an infant rifle, similar to but smaller than the current Expo, while the DS was a predecessor of the Expo.’
Noting your comment about the actual size of this gun, I wonder if the David and DS (David Senior/Super?) might have been the junior and adult guns in Gamo’s range before being merged into the Expo?
Assuming the power is low enough, would the absence of the German F-in-pentagon automatically date this to before 1973/74, or initially at least would that only be applied to guns for the German market?
Iain
Lain,
Thank you for your interesting insights and info.
BB
Congratulations Decksniper! 🙂 Enjoy!
I am sure that Yogi is quite disappointed. 😉
BB,
Looking forwards to what it will do. “David” is certainly interesting. That name was chosen for a reason,.. a reason to appeal to marketing/sales,… but what?
The trigger guard is interesting with that inner ridge going all of the way around, instead of flat.
Looking forwards to more. Maybe another reader can provide some additional information for you.
Chris
Deck,
I am officially jealous. 😉
I resemble that remark! Jealous of both BB and Decksniper.. Cograts to both of you for your new-to-you air guns. I’m sure they will surpass both you’re expectations.
BB,
What an awesome find! As well made as this is, this will be an awesome plinker.
In reference to your discussion comment –
“If you think you are smarter than the previous generation, fifty years ago the owner’s manual of a car showed you how to adjust the valves. Today it warns you not to drink the contents of the battery.”
RidgeRunner,
Adjust valves! My young neighbor is still trying to find the oil drain plug…he got some sweet tasting green liquid his first try!
Lead-Acid or Lithium?
shootski
Shootski,
Some oof them could probably use a little Lithiium about now.
BB,
Is it just me or do the fore stocks of the old air rifles appear to be shorter than the modern ones, as if encouraging you to hold it closer to the trigger guard?
RR,
That’s a European influence to keep the wood shorter. Robert Beeman talked about that in his catalog a lot. It’s the main difference between the HW80 and the Beeman R1.
BB
BB,
“influence to keep the wood shorter”,……….. ok, but why? Wood is/was more scarce? Design benefits? Handling benefits? It (the gun) would obviously weigh less.
Chris
Chris,
In Europe, yes! Wood is scarse. What that means is they pay more for it than we typically do. Saving two inches on a blank translates to a huge savings on 10,000 stocks.
BB
BB,
My “scarce” vs your “scarse”. You went and made me look it up in the dictionary. While your version was not found,…. I can clearly see that you put your own European spin on the word,.. sc(arse). 😉
Chris
Chris,
I have words I just cannot spell, and that’s one of them. On the other hand, I do know the right useage of your and you’re. 🙂
BB
BB,
I can do pretty well on spelling. The spell check usually saves me from the worst blunders. (shows a red underline while typing, once past that word) I would never just let spell check correct and insert for me. Sometimes,.. with what it comes up with,.. I am not even sure that it knows what it is doing.
Chris
Chris,
If it does not supply its own spelling, which often is wrong.
BB,
I think that is due to pure laziness. They are texters and allow spell check to fix it for them.
Over the years I have gained respect for the El Gamo guns. They are made of steel and wood and usually of pretty good quality. I found a gun similar to the David a couple years ago and gave it to a nephew who is about 11 or 12.
David Enoch
I was thinking of David Enoch as the namesake of this gun, knowing his affinity for El Gamo. 🙂
Hi old neighbor Jerry,
If I had a namesake gun it would definitely be my BSA Supersport Lightning. I have put more pellets through that one than all my other airguns combined over the years.
Wish I could be you neighbor again, but up in the mountains where you live now!
David Enoch
Congratulations Deck! I hope you enjoy the “golden gun” and perhaps you could comment on your experiences with it.
Interesting find BB. This brings me back to rifles of my youth. I assume it has leather piston and breach seals so I am curious about its performance. Perhaps some oiling will be needed. Looking forward to the next report on it.
Henry
Congratulations Decksniper, I am happy you are the winner of the Godfathers pistole. Let us know what you think of it.
Don
Congratulations to Decksniper.
I have a real soft spot for these steel and wood, easy cocking/shooting springers.
I have to admit, I have acquired some pretty nice guns over the last 15 years…both pellet and powder.
Yet one of my favorites to spend an afternoon in the back yard with (or basement in the winter) is my Slavia 630.
“Now on to today’s report on the El Gamo David. The what? The David? Yes, the David.”
B.B.,
Thank you, O Great Enabler! You’re got me wanting one just based on the name alone. =>
It reminds me of the time I heard a guy on the radio talking about the “Museum of Davids,” a place that would have info on all the Davids of history, starting with King David…
Me: “Hmm, that sounds like a worthwhile place…I think we should make a donation to them.”
My wife: *eye roll*
Hahaha! Yeah, I think this gun’s great based on the name alone, LOL! I just hope it can shoot!
Really looking forward to the rest of the reports on this gun,
dave (David)
Maybe this was the predecessor of the El Gamo David.
This is from my early 70’s ARH catalog.
From what I can tell of the general development of Gamo rifles, I would say there are two features that date the David as older than that version of the Expo: the design of the stock, and lack of a safety catch.
Note that was made in Brazil for the N and S American market.
Iain
Iain
Maybe so about the age. And I wanted to show the picture of the page to show it was made in Brazil plus about the description they gave about the gun and the optional accurizing you could purchase. Plus some of the lubricants it showed to use was WD40.
And what’s funny on the next page of the catalog is a HW30 that looks like the David gun BB is testing. Stock and action.
Anyway alot of cool pictures and articles in the catalog.
Thanks so much for Posting that information, I recently purchased what I believe to be a El Gamo Expomatic. I’m in the process of trying to find out more information about it, so anything in print is a blessing.
Prowler,
Don’t have an Expomatic but here is something on the 68.
/blog/2017/02/el-gamo-68-xp-22-caliber-part-3/
and more.
/blog/2013/01/el-gamo-68-68-xp-a-futuristic-airgun-from-the-past-part-6/
BB
Prowler5149
No problem.
Congrats Deck Sniper! Hope you enjoy and tell us about your experiences with it!
Doc
Off subject, but have you guys seen this one, Crosman Mag Fire? Says they are at PA now. The magazine design looks good and has open sights. Could this be the new front runner in multi shot break barrel? If you only knew of someone to test it (BB hint hint).
https://hardairmagazine.com/news/the-crosman-mag-fire-ultra-finally-breaks-cover/
Doc
Decksniper,
Congratulations!
Wishing you many 10’s and a whole bunch of X’s!
But most of all a great deal of FUN!
shootski
Decksniper
Where you at?
Lucky you. Let us know how it goes with your new prize. I’m waiting. 🙂
GF1,
Yogi is so mad that he didn’t win that he has not been here today either. 😉
Chris
Chris
I’m not going to say that. We’ll see.
Thanks fellows!
I won’t clog up BB’s report by responding to each of you so please know I appreciate all. I am a lucky guy for sure. Don’t think I have ever won any drawing until now. Thank you Tom and sponsors of your blog.
Wouldn’t you know it, the only active reader except Yogi maybe who is not into PCP’s. Yep, not a PCP in my collection until now? Guess I need a hand pump if practical. I don’t have a place for frogmen tanks or compressors which is why I have avoided the dark side. The biggest concern I have about the Ataman is the noise. The laws on silencers don’t make sense but they are what they are. Maybe the regulator can make it backyard friendly. Hunting was a wonderful lifelong sport for me all over North America but at 81 those days are for the memories. Maybe I’m trying to talk myself into selling or trading it.
I am looking forward to seeing it. Being familiar with and owning some Russian firearms I admire Russian gun design; dependable and accurate as necessary. It doesn’t hurt that BB has had his hands on it either. I prefer target shooting over collecting but I wonder what value the Las Vegas Pawn Stars would put on it?
I will keep you posted after I receive it. I have much to ponder.
Deck
Deck,
If you are not into PCP’s yet, I am not sure that I would make that leap just because of this. Without looking at the reports, I think this one pumped pretty high. As I recall,.. it did ok at lower too. If you got out alive with just doing a hand pump,.. it might be worth it.
Then again,.. there is powered pump direct to gun. But,… at that point you have the whole new world of PCP’s open to you! Talk about opening a can of worms! At that point,… you have bought the worm farm! 🙂
Chris
Deck
When you decide what you are doing with the gun let us know.
Glad you won it though.
GF1
Will do and thanks to you and all responders!
Deck
GF1
In looking back at BB’s reports on the Ataman P16 Standard one advantage stands tall. It seems to lend itself to interchanging of parts. Barrel length and air reservoir length choices are available. Conversion to a carbine is an option. That quick reacting regulator is a plus too. Putting myself in Pyramyd Air’s shoes I would like to see this gun wind up in the hands of someone into modding. There are several readers like you who do that, even making custom parts. I will keep this option in mind as I ponder what to do with my golden gun.
How would I contact directly a reader without compromising privacy or abusing the purpose of this blog? I know how to reach two readers having either met or done business with them. Perhaps I could start with them and see if there is interest. But first I want to see my new golden gun. May even have to shoot it even if the noise means taking it to the rifle range. But that requires buying a hand pump which then puts me over to the dark side. Either way Pyramyd AIR wins.
Thanks to you and the many readers who responded!
Deck
Deck
I forget how we originally went about exchanging e-mails. I think we talked to BB about it. But really not 100% sure. It was a long time back.
Me and Chris have each others emails and I have several other readers emails here on the blog also.
Who’s email do you have. I’m just asking because someone else might have thier email too and you can connect.
And maybe BB can help out with a answer about the emails.
GF1
I have Carel who uses his name on this blog. I have another’s real name but not his blog handle and he knows RR I think because they were at the Hickory show in 2019. Likely is an active reader. Would like BB’s help but not if it puts a burden on him. I know how to reach BB personally if he is okay.
Deck
Deck
Me and RR have each others email. So if you ever want to get ahold of me I’ll let RR know it’s ok for him to give you my email how ever you work it out to get ahold of RR.
Put it this way. If you ever want to get ahold of me I will make sure some way you get my email. Just let me know.
Deck,
Make sure he reminds me of this when he contacts me. I flush many direct emails every day.
BB
Deck
The Las Vegas pawn stars.
Probably nothing unless someone there or someone they know is a air gunner.
Otherwise they probably think nothing of it as sad as that may sound.
Gunfun1
Update on Ataman AP16 Standard (Godfather’s golden gun):
11/24/20 Shot 22 JSB 13.4 grain Diabolo Exact Jumbo pellets. Gauge began at 190 bar today and now reads about 163 bar. Total shots since I received it are 49 including the 4 dry fires. Pressure gauge read 240 bar when it arrived. A hand pump and chronograph are on order. Today I found that the POI is almost exactly the same as POA for 10 meters and 25 yards using these 13.4 grain pellets on the minimum hammer spring setting. A red dot is mounted and it is obviously accurate at 25 yards. Will comment on group sizes and velocity when I receive my tools.
I knew you would be interested if you can pull yourself away from the new shotgun for a minute. My final update will be on that day’s report so others will see it. This pistol is very versatile and can reach out well beyond my 25 yard space limit. I have no desire to part company with it because it is definitely backyard friendly for noise with decibel room to spare.
Stay safe!
Deck
Deck
Well it sounds like the dark side has got you.
Glad to hear you like it. And you know I’ll be waiting to hear how it all goes for you.
Definitely keep giving updates.
Gunfun1
My Golden Gun Now update. Chronograph at lowest hammer spring setting averaged 496 FPS for 10 shots using AA 16 grain as reported earlier. Today I filled to 200 bar. After 3 sight in shots and using this setting and these pellets with a red dot sight one magazine (7 pellets) grouped .15 inches center to center at 10 meters, perhaps my best group ever with a pistol. Elated I topped off the magazine with 3 more pellets and Mrs Murphy opened the 10 shots to .38 inches. Oh well. Next I shot a 10 pellet group scoring .88 inches at 25 yards. Pressure gauge now reads 165 bar. This gun is more accurate than me but next up is a pistol scope at 25 yards.
Deck
Deck,
7 in .15″ @ 10 meters and 10 in .38″. 10 in .88″ at 25 yards,…….. WOW! 🙂
You are doing great!,.. IMO. I am so glad you are off to such a great start with PCP’s.
Chris
So,…. now that you are into PCP’s like a pro,…. what is next? 😉
Chris
Really appreciate the attaboy coming from a pro. It is more about the pistol than me, shooting from bag on a deck rail with me comfortably seated and just touching a trigger I like. I left the trigger the way BB adjusted it. I may like it even more if it were lighter but concerned about a hair trigger on a pistol. Accident looking for an opportunity to happen. I bought the Air Venturi G9 hand pump. Not difficult to do a fill to 200 bar which should give me about 50 shots at this low hammer spring tension before falling off the regulator.
This golden gun is too fun to put down but I shoot everything I own in cycles keeping seals fresh and recording scores, holds etc. As far as the next dark side venture I’m not sure what is available that will beat my FWB300S at 25 yards.
Deck
Deck,
🙂 I am far (so far) from a pro. If I shot as much as GF1,.. I might give you a slight wink and a nod in humble agreement,…
Just happy to see you getting along so well with it. 🙂
Chris
Deck
Very nice. Will be waiting hear about the scope groups and what scope you use.
Keep us updated.
OK everybody,
I am seriously thinking about buying a RWS 54 in .177 for hunter field target. Everyone in my field target club is saying PCP, PCP, PCP but I would really like to have a recoilless Spring Air Rifle. I considered a FWB 300 but Dave Slade had told me there’s really no way you can hop them up to make them practical for field target. I would really appreciate any feedback from those of you who have a 54 in .177.
Thanks,
Brent
Brent,
Mmmmm? I do not have a 54,.. for one. If “everyone” is saying “PCP”,….. there might? be something to that. Just sayin’.
If you choose to go springer,… you had better know that sucker inside and out,… like you can shoot it your sleep good.
Plain and simple,.. for me,.. it easier to shoot a PCP better,… and better, faster,.. than a springer.
My 2 cents for the day,…….. Chris 😉
Chris
I got some pretty good shooting springers right now.
Wish we lived closer so you could see. 😉
GF1,
I am sure you do. I may end up with another down the road sometime.
Chris
Chris
I know you like nice guns when you finally decide to buy.
If you really are thinking about a springer some time in the future.
Seriuosly get you a nice FWB 300s. They are out there. And I can almost say don’t worry about if its accurate. Everyone says they are accurate. I have really never heard of a bad one.
And they are engineered very well and are high quality. And parts are still available from FWB.
I have had 2. Buldawg last I know still had the upper end one I sold him some years back.
And yes I’m being Gunfun1 again. But seriuosly. The 300s is a gun to have.
Brent,
Ray Apelles shoots a 54. He turned it into a sub 12 foot-pound bullpup and I imagine he has several hundred hours of work invested. Ray is a world-class shooter who found shooting PCP too easy, so he switched to a springer. He shoots WFTA rules.
BB
Brent
I just got another .177 54 Air king. I have owned 3 of them now.
Alli can say is get it. I detuned mine. It reminds me of my FWB 300s except for the trigger of course. But the 54 does have a nice adjustable trigger. They don’t show it in the manual but it is adjustable.
I think you would be happy with it.
Brent
I don’t know why I didn’t catch it earlier but I do have a hopped up FWB 300s that will shoot just as well as my TX200. The 300s I have is very capable of shooting field target.
Gunfun,
In Hunter field target, you are allowed up to 20 FPE. I would want the 17-18 FPE from a .177 54 so I could have as flat a trajectory as possible. Why did you detune your 54?
Brent
Does a heavy scope affect the sled on the gun?
Brent
A 54 is basically a magnum springer. They are rated at 1100 fps in .177 caliber. And they cock like they are a magnum springer. And they actually bump the slide system pretty hard.
I cut a little over 2 inches off the factory spring which was all preload. Now the spring is at zero preload. The gun is way more easy to cock. And there is no bump now and no vibration from the spring oscillating after the shots fired.
So now my gun is at around 850 fps with JSB 10.34 pellets. It was shooting at 975 with the 10.34 pellets. I know from other guns that the 10.34’s work good at 900 fps or under.
So I still have a flat shooting gun and a much easier to cock gun with a lot better shot cycle.
And yes my 54 has a more mellow shotcycle with open sights than with a scope. And a note I can still hit a 1 inch spinner a average of 7 out of 10 times with the factory open sights at 50 yards bench resting it.
And as for as a flat shooter goes. I only need a half mildot from 15 to 50 yards and sighted at 35 yards.
That’s about all I can think of for now. Hope that helped.
Well, I went ahead and bought the Diana 54 in 177. I would have liked to have bought it from PA but not available is not available and I didn’t want to wait months to get it. In fact, there was only one place located in the south west that had it available that I could see. They said that they’re going to run it through its paces before sending it to me that I should get it by the middle of next week. Really looking forward to it. I guess Christmas is going to come early for me this year!
Brent
Brent,
Congratulations! 🙂 Best of wishes with it and I hope that it does everything that you need it to do. Always nice when Christmas comes early.
Chris
Brent
Yep I know what you mean about PA not having it. The one I just got probably came from the place you got yours. They usually send a target with a group fired from the gun your getting as well as a chrony sheet with some shots fired. Kind of nice to get.
Let me know what you think about it after you get it. And Merry Christmas. 🙂
Congratulations Deck Sniper. we expect to see the occasional photo of it in use sniping from the deck!!
Again, congrats, I hope you get years of enjoyment.
Congratulations, Decksniper! Have fun being ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’! Maybe you can trade your way into a small compressor to keep it topped off.