What is Everyone's Take on Gamo and The Direction They Are Going???

[leftcoast1]

I think Gamo has lost sight of what the consumer wants and is focused on the dollar. I understand they still need to make money but, with more than 6 rifles all the same except for the stock??? I was fearing Crosman was going the same way until their latest release. I hope Gamo isn't going to try and ride on BSA's rep as a top notch English springer because, they are going to put it in the same place as Webley. Gamo is also limited themselves by producing very few choices in .22. I don't know how the plan to compete with Crosman with their cheap trigger, poly sleeve barrels and over inflated velocity numbers. Maybe they should put a comment page on their site for feedback from shooters. I never owned or got to shoot one of the older Gamo's but the new stuff I see doesn't impress me so I'm non the wiser. Who knows what their thoughts are for bring a new rifle or if they even care?

[RedFeather]

Forgot to add something. Not only is Gamo slipping with guns but also it seems their line of pellets. Someone posted not too long ago on the Yellow about comparing a new Gamo sample pack of tins to ones he already had. Most, if not all, of the pellets were significantly different in design and quality. Thicker skirts, different head designs, etc. From his pictures, the quality had also declined. To make matters worse, those guns which formerly shot the Gamo pellets well did not like the new ones. In all honesty, it looked like Gamo had either switched plants or, more likely, contractors.

[Larry]

It appears Gamo has made some marketing decisions that may very well be their doom unless they quickly improve there manufacturing standards. We may see Gamo suffer from many returns and quality complaints in the near future. I have a couple of Gamo CFX'S which are decently made for the price. I would not part with them. However, the new Gamo's appear to be cheaply made and over priced. They also look like they would break down easily. I will not buy anymore Gamo guns (new models) unless their quality is restored.  

 

[Progun]

Direction that Gamo is going? Well it would seem that Gamo's marketing efforts are specifically aimed at the entry level which is pretty much where it's always been.Quality overall may not be exactly what you saw 10 years ago but for the entry level shooter who buys mostly based on the fps rating it really is a means to an end. The product is affordable and provides a gateway to our beloved pastime.I'd say for a lot of Gamo buyers, their Gamo experience only leads them to better things. Either that or they chuck it and never buy another springer.Oh I suspect Gamo will still be around in another 10 years.And they will still be selling disposable guns to folks some of which will desire something better and move on to better made air rifles.

[airiscool]

When a company starts swapping pieces around to make a "new" product, it means their designers have run out of good ideas, or they've lost the designers who were able to come up with good ideas.

Where's the excitment and buzz of a new Gamo that equals what we've seen on here of Crosman Mauraders and Trails ? There isn't any because since the Whisper first came out, Gamo  has only been playing LEGO blocks with gun parts and trying to pass it off as something new.

Paul

[Big_Bill]

I believed that Gamo would move up to compete with RWS !

But it looks like they took the low road, and decided to play with Daisy !

Changing the trigger was the dumbest move that they could have made ! I know that I will never buy another Gamo if I can't replace it with Bob's GRT-III trigger, just no point !!!!!

I guess since Gamo couldn't be top of the heap, there going to win bottom of the barrel

Bill

[RedFeather]

At one time, Gamo was about equal with Norica and Cometa, the other two big Spanish air gun houses. While they have been doing a lot of redesigning, much of it pretty good, Gamo has just been recycling. The "innovative" Gamo guns like the CFX and 1250 were borrowed from BSA. The Whisper really wasn't anything more than a Shadow with a sort-of built in moderator. (To give Gamo their due, I think that might be a Spanish thing as some of the other brands are sporting those Roman noses, too.) And then Gamo institutes their very restrictive sales policies such as dropping .22's for a while or only selling small parts. I understand you can't even buy a replacement spring for a 1250, which is pretty ridiculous but must be they want you to send them in for repairs.

Worst thing is, the new "special" Gamo rifles are costing as much, if not more, than other, better guns in their niches. PA has the Hunter Extreme combo for almost $500. The RWS 350 combo is $385 and about on par, powerwise. Heck, for that I can find a like new Diana 54! Plus, I don't see Vortek busting their butts to make a kit for any of the Gamo's except the 1250. Tells you something.

[brucebotti]

As a new first time owner, I can't say anything about the quality of their products, but I can say that their customer service kinda sucks.

I purchased my Big Cat 1200 on 4/5/2010.  There was no instructions other than a warning on the barrel to first read a manual "available" from Gamo.  I tried calling them the same day, but gave up after being on hold for 35 minutes.  Again the same day, I emailed them requesting the "available" manual.  Ten days later on 4/15/2010, they sent me a PDF that they said was a manual.  Instead, it was a one page blowup drawing of the Big Cat 1200 assembly.  I sent an email back re-requesting the owners manual.  If it wasn't for you guys, I'd still be sitting on my thumbs.  This is really unacceptable, especially from a weapons company.

Bruce