GAMO, one of the world’s leading manufacturers, has several new break-barrel guns and high-tech pellets that provide a new level of performance. Chief among these is the Gamo Bone Collector, a break-barrel rifle designed in collaboration with Michael Waddell and Travis “T Bone” Turner of the Outdoor Channels TV series of that name. The Bone Collector rifles are a limited release, with a special Hunter Green synthetic stock handsomely accented with grey rubber inserts. The Bone Collector logo is emblazoned on each side of the stock. Bone Collectors are available in both .177 and .22, with muzzle velocities of up to 1250 and 950 fps respectively using Gamo’s new PBA pellets (see below). The rifles are fitted with integral sound suppressors and a special 3-9x40 scope as well as open sights.
Gamo’s new products also include the a new series, the SOCOM Tactical, Carbine, and Extreme guns. These all utilize an advanced power plant to drive pellets up to an amazing 1600 fps in the Extreme. The SOCOM Tactical, offered in .177, has an adjustable cheekpiece on its synthetic stock, a molded fore-end and a palm swell. It is fitted with a scope as well as open sights and includes as well a fully adjustable laser and light for night use. The SOCOM Carbine in .177 is a fast-handling high-powered rifle fitted with a scope only; it too has an adjustable stock. The SOCOM Extreme has taken the break-barrel rifle to a new level, with a completely redesigned power plant that has been tuned for maximum velocity with the PBA .177 pellets. The composite bull barrel reduces cocking force and the near vertical pistol grip assures excellent control. The 3-9x40 scope provided includes red, green, and blue illuminated reticles.
For hunters, Gamo has brought out the Rocket series, designed for high performance at moderate price. In .177, they generate velocities of 1250+ fps, and are fitted with 4x32 scopes from the factory. Stock options include black or camouflage synthetic. The light weight and high performance of these sporting guns make them ideal for the small game airgun hunter.
In keeping with the current trend towards big bores in airguns, Gamo has introduced their Hunter Extreme “Cannon” Big Bore in .25 caliber. This scoped rifle has a high-grade beech stock and a 3-9x40 scope, and claims 1000 fps with PBA ammunition. It’s Gamo’s ultimate product for hunting and varmint control.
High velocity is the key to airgun utility: the slogan of the airgunner is “Speed Kills,” and Gamo has taken steps to produce special pellets with lower weight for enhanced ballistic performance.
The heart of this new pellet technology is the Platinum Ballistic Alloy (PBA) introduced in 2005 and incorporated into several new pellet designs. PBA is lighter than lead, offering the potential for up to 30% higher speeds. Pellets made from PBA are available in several styles, including a domed all-PBA version, and two specially-tipped varieties. PBA pellets are made in .177, .22, and .25 and are suitable for use in all makes of guns.
In addition to the domed version, Gamo has brought out the tipped Blue Flame and Glow Fire pellets. The Blue Flame is made in .177 using the PBA alloy; the Glow Fire is a lead pellet. Both are made in .177 at this time. Both the Blue Flame and Glow Fire pellets incorporate a polymer tip, for reduced weight and higher velocities. The Blue Flame’s tip initiate expansion on impact, coupling high velocity and high terminal energy for use on small and medium sized game. The Glow Fire lead pellet is intended for the night hunter: its polymer tip literally glows in the dark after exposure to light, to facilitate loading a rifle at night.
STOEGER is a new name in the airgun fi eld, though not to American shooters. They are importing an attractively-priced line of break-barrel guns made in China. The Stoeger X-Series rifles run from the X-5 to the X-20, the numbers indicating top velocity levels. The X-5 is rated at 800 fps, the X-10 and X-20 at 1200 fps and the X-50 at 1500 fps (all ratings listed are with alloy pellets).
All the X-Series rifles are in .177 caliber, and have an ambidextrous safety catch, adjustable rear sights, and an adjustable two-stage trigger. Stock options include wood, black synthetic, and Advantage Timber HD camoufl age. The X-10 and X-20 can be fitted with an optional scope sight. This range of airguns is expected to cover the needs of new shooters, youths, and small game hunting. UMAREX has teamed up with Ruger to produce a youth-oriented spring-air gun carrying the Ruger brand name. The Ruger Explorer Youth rifle is light, moderately powered, and sized to smaller shooters; it incorporates several safety features that make it ideal for training new shooters. The Explorer weighs less than 4-1/2 pounds and is only 37 inches long, sized to fit smaller frames. Its synthetic thumbhole stock is ambidextrous; the power plant drives a pellet at under 500 fps and requires a cocking effort of 16-1/2 pounds, half the normal amount. Importantly, the Explorer is equipped with a trigger barrel-safety system to prevent the barrel from slamming closed if the trigger is pulled while it’s open, eliminating the chance of a fi nger injury. Very competitively priced, and with a “name” label, it should appeal to new shooters and their parents or coaches.
Walther of Germany makes a line of precision target air Rifles as well as their famous firearms.
Produced by Crosman, this traditional Western-style Marlin BB gun is sure to be a hit with youngsters.
Umarex has also teamed up with BROWNING and has expanded their line of pistols with the Browning Model 800 Mag spring-air handgun in .22 caliber, complementing the .177 model already in the line. Like the .177 version, the Model 800 has an ergonomic ambidextrous grip and recoilless action which reduces the amount of recoil produced by the movement of the spring piston. It attains a velocity of 600 fps in .22 caliber, and to reduce cocking effort, includes a cocking assist handle. Other features of the Model 800 Mag include an automatic safety, fiber optic sights, and a synthetic ergonomic pistol grip.
Umarex also makes CO2 powered guns, with licensed branding from other famous companies. New this year is the MP5K-PDW in their HK-branded line, a tactical-style rifle shooting BBs at 400 fps. The COLT Defender is yet another CO2-powered BB gun, a close copy of the scaled-down M1911-style Colt product. The Umarex copy has double-action-only lockwork and a maximum speed of 440 fps from its 4.3-inch barrel.
Umarex sells CO2-powered guns under its own name as well, and has several new entries into this fun-shooting segment of the market. The tactical style Electronic Burst of Steel (EBOS) semiautomatic has an electronic trigger to control gas release, and three modes of operation: single shot, a four-shot burst, and an eight-shot burst. In single-fire mode this gun generates 540 fps with BBs and boasts tactical railing, a removable forearm grip, and an adjustable rear sight. Power is provided by an 88-gram CO2 capsule concealed in the gun’s grip.
Also out under the Umarex brand is another tactical style BB gun, the Steel Storm, featuring a six-shot burst mode, a 300-shot reservoir, and tactical railing for mounting accessories. The Steel Storm uses a pair of 12-gram CO2 capsules and can generate speeds up to 430 fps in single-shot mode.
Realism is part of the fun of shooting BB guns, and Umarex caters to that need with their new High Power Pistol (HPP), which routes some of the CO2 propellant into a circuit to “blow back” the slide, producing a very realistic recoil feel. This is an invaluable training feature. Despite using gas to simulate recoil, the HPP moves a BB out at a very respectable 410 fps. Umarex’s entry into the “ultra-fast pellet” competition is the new RWS Hypermax alloy pellet, in .22 caliber. This follows on the very successful .177 version and is intended for use in all brands of .22 caliber guns.
Predator International is importing the Polymag pellets, in various calibers: this one is not for 155mm howitzer, it’s a display of their polymer-tipped product!
Sunny Sun of Xisico USA, with the bamboo-stocked Model 206.
It’s no secret that China is one of the largest sources of airguns. Given their enormous domestic market and their power in export sales, neither