Need some opinion regarding Gamo Whisper

[speedturtle]

I've just replaced my Crosman G-1 Extreme with a Gamo Whisper. I had a hard time parting with my G-1 because I really like the way it shoots - 1/4" groupings at 10 yards indoors and I don't have a problem taking shots from 20 to 50 yards tops. The trigger system malfunctioned and since I'm still within the 90-day store return warranty from Dick's I decided to look for the same model or even a new replacement and there it was - the last Gamo Whisper sitting on top of the shelf.

It was an impulsive buy for me. I'd say that after burning a lot of hours browsing through all the comments about the Gamo Whispers performance I jumped into it and asked the salesperson to let me have the Whisper as my replacement. Even though I've read a lot of good (and bad) stuff from Gamo users here GTA and from other forums as well I really have no idea what to expect from this new rifle. A new rifle, a new way of shooting.

I had a hard time zeroing-in the included 3-9X40 scope on the rifle. I had to modify the rear of the mount and use a plastic shim because it's impossible for me to use the clicks to zero in the scope without bottoming out the adjustment! What I did was to find the mechanical center on the vertical of the elevation adjustment and find a suitable material that can let me mount the scope on the mount without dialing too much adjustment just to put my shots within a 2" circular area from the bulls.

The Whisper that I got has a lot of vibration into it, a lot! My shots are all over the paper! Tried everything there is that you all guys have written to make an almost "consistent" shot from religiously making sure that all stock screws are very tight, all scope screws and mounts are properly secured, and having a very relaxed hold on the stock before making the shot. At the first 50 pellets I thought that I had already "tamed" the gun because all my shots are now within the 1" circle area of the bulls but then after the first 50 shots I still got a lot of flyers! I must say I got a bit disappointed... to the point that I decided to stop practicing and just call it a day.

I just want an honest opinion from all Gamo Whisper users in the forum - "Did you experience a similar situation that at the first time you fired the Whisper you find it hard to make a consistent shot?" How long would it probably take before I can get a consistent grouping pattern from this airgun? With my Crosman G-1 it only took me less than 200 pellets before I can really say that it has a lot of potential in becoming a consistent shooting airgun (and I still stand by my word until the time that the trigger malfunctioned). I have shot 3000 pellets into my G-1 and it was still performing up to the task. If I had not encountered that mechanical malfunction there is no way that I will part with my G-1.

Kindly write an honest comment with regards to your experiences with the Gamo Whisper. I do not wish to keep the Whisper just because it has a lot of whistles into it. I would like to have an airgun that will help me shoot better and work with me than have a very unpredictable shot every time i pull the trigger. I am really kinda disappointed. I felt like I was just the only one who experienced this thing with the whisper.

Dick's still has a Gamo Big Cat and some stocks of the G-1 Extreme. I am really more into considering going back to a Crosman or consider the Big Cat but I would definitely appreciate any honest comment if it's really worth keeping the Whisper with me though I'm always uncertain where will my pellets go in every shot that I made.

Thanks!

Speedturtle

[haertig]

Why did you give up on your original G-1 so readily?  It was still under warranty (maybe not from Dick's, but from Crosman).  You take your chances when you go for a different rifle - be that a replacement G-1, or a Whisper.  Your old G-1 may like a specific brand/type of pellet and the Whisper just hates it.  And vica versa.  Your Whisper may like a different hold than your G-1 did.  I don't have a Whisper ... I have a Gamo Shadow 1000.  It's just fine for what it is, and it appears accurate, but I sometimes wish for a quieter, lower-recoil plinker (maybe a single pump pneumatic).  I don't particularly like the two-way recoil of a springer, and have a hard time holding on target after the shot (follow through), but I can still shoot well enough with it if I concentrate on the correct hold and ignore the recoil, twangy sound, etc.

I almost bought the G-1 Phantom when I was looking.  It was a toss up between that and the Gamo I eventually ended up with.  Both seemed more similar than dissimilar.  I expect the Whisper would be much the same.

[snatch]

Well Willie it sounds like it's going to take some getting used to. I had some struggles at first myself and from what I've read on this forum there is an art to shooting a springer and it's going to take some practice.
 My first problem was the scope was sliding back on the mounting rail, so that would be the first thing I would suggest that you check. Secondly go order a GRT-III trigger from Charlie Da Tuna, that will make a world of difference, I promise you.
 As for the twang and vibration a tune is the best way to take care of that. I had Charlie Da Tuna do mine and this gun is nothing like what I started with.
I would also suggest finding a good consistant pellet. If you do a lot of shooting at close range the wadcutters work well. Gamo Match are pretty good or the Beeman H&N Match are even better.
Keep shooting, you'll figure it out. That's part of the fun.

[longislandhunter]

Sounds to me like you're really unhappy with the gun..  If that's the case I wouldn't keep it because I'd always have that doubt about the gun in the back of my head.  

As for choosing between a big cat or a G-1,,,, I'd go with the G-1.  I say this because I have a G-1 and mine is a great shooter.  I love that rifle.  

Keep in mind though there are quite a few more guns out there to choose.  Why are you limiting your selection to the big cat or the G-1 ?  

I just got an email from Pyramydair.com that was advertising the new Ruger BlackHawk.  It looks like an exact copy of the RWS 34 Panther, which is what I'm assuming they are trying to clone, and it's listed for $109 bucks including a 4x32 scope.  Granted the scope is probably a piece of junk, but then again I have a couple of "combo" scopes that have been performing well for me for years.  I'm toying with ordering one.  

Do yourself a favor,,, spend some time looking at some of the myriad of rifles that are out there to choose from before you make another impulse buy.  You can always go get a big cat or G-1 if you want,,, but there are alot of other options out there.  

Don't know if my post helps you at all, but I hope it does......

Jeff

[speedturtle]

Thanks for all your comments. Jeff, is being disappointed and being unhappy the same? Hehehe. Just a thought.

Actually I have the same idea as yours - I'd still go with the G-1 though it's much heavier. As I have said from my previous posts It was an impulse decision to buy the Gamo Whisper. Personally it was like being conditioned that the Whisper would be another level of airgunning for me. It's just that the whisper seemed to have that wild vibration thing after you pulled the trigger. Was it also due to the fact that it is light? I can't seem to work with the airgun with my shots. It seems that every time that I use it I have no definite idea if she will place the pellet to where I want her to (newbie sickness? Hehehe). Yeah I'd say in the back of my mind there's that creepy thought that tells me... "I think I may have made a mistake". Well, we all learn from our decisions. The only consideration is where to properly spend our hard earned money.

I just made a phone call to Dick's and probably I can haggle my way to let them give me a full cash refund for my purchase. If Gene's Ruger airgun is still up for grabs at the classifieds after I got my refund I might grab that one since it was already tuned by the "Tunah". (Just kidding Gene.  I know Charlie uses that name. Hehehe).

Thanks for the comments guys.

Speedturtle

[longislandhunter]

Sorry to report that Genes Air Hawk sold yesterday  

I'm sure Dicks will give you a refund.  I'm also sure you'll find the right gun  

Jeff

[geewhiz380]

i have the gamo whisper and what helps is the trigger mostly every springer needs an adjustment period which could take about 300 to 500 hundred pellets then u notice the difference in accuratecyand the twang does subside a little trust me , im sure u went through it with your g1 .i have the whisper and its tuned and triggered and it shoots like a 500 .00 rifle at 30 yds i have a rws 48.22 the only difference is the caliber and that its magnum rated but its accuratecy at 30yds is the same .but like jeff said get something u r gonna enjoy cause its a addiction and this wont be your last .i like the black air hawk also a clone of the panther for 109.00 cant go wrong but ill wait to get some reviews .....

[Jerrycup]

I owned a Whisper, it was a new rifle, and it was tuned and had a new trigger before I received it. I tried three different scopes and three different mounts, and about six different pellets.

I had a lot of advice, much of it telling me how great the Whisper is, and that must be technique. I have two other air rifles, they both gave me better accuracy with a lot less difficulty.

I put at least 3X the effort into that Gamo compared to the others. My results sound a lot like yours.

It may have been my lack of patience, etc., but my Whisper has a new home now. I am no expert, but I had expert advice that did not solve it for me
I say take it back.

[brokenarrowjbe]

If you are not happy, take it back. It won't matter that it shoots great after a tune if you don't like it. But, My S1K is a fun gun, I have arthritis and ussually only shoot it when something needs removing pest wise. I have 2 2300/2400 version of 2240 crosman's and soon to be a PCP owner. Just easier on the shoulders. I also kayak fish and thought the springer would be no big deal. It is a different motion. However learning to shoot the first one I had without a tune did immensly improve my other shooting skills and concentration ability and that was before I found this site and the GRT III trigger. If nothing else, try that first. It changed my GAMO into a real pleasure to shoot. Besides whenever one of my buddies is trying to prove he is a better marksman, we use the S1K. If you don't know how to shoot a springer, it is easy to outshoot you. I win a lot. John

[speedturtle]

Thanks Jerry, I thought I was the only one who share the same predicament.  

I don't think I can put too much money playing with the Whisper to make it work for me. I was actually thinking that with all the positive comments about the Whisper you can notice in a matter of shooting moments if the gun can actually "work" with you or against you (much like testing out a new sportsbike or a car when you're test driving it). I know that it takes time and effort to get used to a new thing but spending more money buying a new mount (yeah that one piece mount with the whisper is a sure problem to work on) and a better scope (an AO scope would be very much an improvement) plus a much needed "tune" would be too much for me right now.

For the benefit of my doubt, I guess I'll just have to live with this Gamo for about a month (about 3,000 pellets more) and see what will happen. If my impression is that the gun won't "work" with my shooting style then I can still exchange it or better yet pull the full refund from Dick's and just look for another option. I was actually considering in buying the Big Cat but I got turned off by the scope (only 4X32 compared to 3-9X40 with the Whisper) that is why when I saw that they had that Whisper sitting on top of that shelf I told myself "I'm going to bring you home baby".

I guess my biggest mistake was when I immediately decided to exchange my broken G-1 (which shoots quite impressively for me) because of Dick's "No Sweat Return Policy" rather than calling up the Manufacturer and let them repair it for me.

Speedturtle

[longislandhunter]

It sounds as though you really liked that G-1,,,, why don't you just return the whisper and get another G-1 ?  The scope and mount that come with it are pretty good and I agree with you,,,, I think the G-1 is a nice shooting rifle... I love mine.   Just a thought.....

Jeff

[Uncle J]

Had my problems with it, spring broke after 2500 shots, gamo mount kept slipping. I love my whisper now, tune, trigger, Centerpoint 4x16 scope and accushot mount. After Gene tuned it I thought the spring was still broken because I could hardly hear it shoot. Would I buy another one, don't think so.

Jeff

[speedturtle]

I perfectly agree with you Jeff. The scope and mount that comes with the G-1 is a steal! If Crosman can include that on the G-1 and still sell the airgun for about $100 then I wonder "How come Gamo can't even listen or take notice to what gamo users are complaning about the single piece mount and change it once and for all?" Just a thought, too.

Yes, I do really liked that G-1. I tried testing it for so many varied ideas like thinking what would be the best zero-in distance for it (I found out both from simulation and from actual field target shooting that 20 yards is the best for my G-1 with CPHP's), taking off the muzzle break (which makes it funny 'coz it really made my G-1 a "you aim it, you hit it" rifle) and changing the trigger to a GRT-III made it all so accurate.

By trying to be objective in fairness to the Gamo Whisper I'll give it about 2,000 to 3,000 pellets in a month and I'll see what happens. If it will become more consistent and with a less "twang" and vibration after breaking it in then who knows I might want to keep it. But if I still have this doubt in my mind then the top of my priority list would be the G-1 and then other models that are on sale for a good price.

I miss my time with my G-1... it's hard to part ways with a good rifle.

Speedturtle

[longislandhunter]

The accuracy may become more consistent, but that "Twang" and vibration  isn't going to disappear unless the gun is worked on, either by you or a tuner.  The nice thing is that you have that 30 day period to work with the gun and still have the opportunity to return it to Dicks...  Hope it works out for ya  

Jeff

[speedturtle]

I hope so. Thanks for the concern.

Speedturtle