Gamo Whisper CSI Camo with Nitro Piston

Things I liked: This is a super sweet rifle. Being only my second Gamo, I can only compare it to my Hunter 220, which i have had for over 10 years. The spring twang and vibration are replaced by a solid kick and though it is not as quiet as my springer rifle, it sure feels like it ; it's a different noise. As best i can describe, the piston makes a sound like a loud wine-cork pop or a wood-on-wood slap. The open sights are as good but not better than the old style Hunter and Shadow sights; but the accuracy is superior. Its very hard NOT to hit a dime size group at 25 yards. It also feels incredibly light. Cocking effort is significantly greater, but you get used to that real quick. The paint job is awesome, but be careful not scratch it on rought surfaces or rub it away if you use solvent cleaners. As soon as I knew it was a keeper, I added the GRT III and a front sight shroud.

Things I would have changed: I was really close to sending this rifle back to PA. The reason being that the Whisper I got had a very dirty barrel. When I look through the barrel of my Hunter, I see smooth chrome-like rifling, but this was not the case with my Whisper. The best way to desribe this stuff is hard, black, rust-textured gunk. With this stuff in the barrel, no matter how hard I tried I could not get a shot group under 6 inches even at 5 yards! I had to squeeze pellets into the breech, deforming them almost every time. Being too embarassed and depressed to ask my wife to return this expensive gift, I decided to try to fix it myself. Guy's review shows how to clean off this solidified gunk . I suspect it is actually overspray from the paint job, as there was alot of green paint on the breech. I managed to remove about 70% of the gunk, but it took forever - it has a dirty motor oil look when you you look at the brush and rod: thirtyfive dollars, 4 bronze brushes, and dozens of cleaning patches later, the pellets fit snugly without force into the breech, the barrel rifling is now visible / only semi-shiny, and accuracy is at what I consider 100%, though it does require more fequent cleaning due to the remaining stubborn gunk. Please look into this apparently common defect, PA. The stock trigger is fine, but upgrades are always cool.

What others should know: This rifle is accurate at short ranges (10 yards) with almost any wadcutter or dome pellet I've used, but it's favorite all-purpose pellet has been the Crosman Premier Ultra Magnum heavy 10.5 grain - awesome quality & value BTW. Although the elevation seems to be at its upper limit, and it needs to be tightened every once in a while (300-350 shots), i have not had any problem with the adjustments. You will get the original spring and parts with your order from PA. If you can get PA to clean this rifle for you or send you one with a clean barrel then you will not be dissapointed.

Things I liked: Accuracy, Light weight, Gas spring

Things I would have changed: Trigger

What others should know: This gun is a very smooth and accurate shooter.Good value for the money.