Howdy Folks! I thought I'd give my opinion on this rifle after shooting it for a few weeks. As some of you know, I bought this rifle at a pawn shop for about $80. The stock screws were loose, and that's about all that was wrong with it. The G1 had a very smooth factory cocking cycle leading me to believe it had been well broken in by the previous owner,...but in retro-spect, I'm really not sure if that statement was very accurate?!?!?! When I ran it through a chroney, it was in the 869-877 fps range so I'm satisfied that things inside the action are huncky-dory. Initially, I started shooting Beeman Cro-Mag's through it and was getting some light to moderate dieselling. Leading me to believe it was still not as broken in as much asI thought.So I ran a few dry patches and sure enough, we had some residual lubes still working their way though the system. The next shot really dieselled something awful,....but that settled down in no time at all. Now this particular rifle had some very healthy droop to it,...and again, the previous owner had the scope set-up totally backwards. Even had the front of the scope shimmed up,....no wonder they couldn't get it to shoot in the ball-park!!!!! I stipped everything off and started from scratch. The mount was at first placed on backwards, and I believe they tried to use the scope stop pin as an elevation adjustment. I re set the mount and re-centered the scope rets, and proceeded to see where we stood. Ended up shimming the rear of the scope a good 1/16" to keep the rets optically centered. Now that the scope was set correctly, I was able to hit nickel sized groups off-hand at ten yards. But the scope has taken some time to get used to (Crosman 3-9X32AO model,...smaller than my other Cros/CP's).
Now that we have the gun set up correctly, I'd like to share my thoughts of the gun in an over all approach. Starting with the synthetic stock. Although it's heavier than a Gamo Big-Cat,..to me it has a more solid feel to it, and I think this is the reason that it isn't nearly as "Buzzy" as the Gamo BC. With the BC having a hollow buttstock, in comparison, the G1 is hollow but also has structural ribs running through it's length. Perhaps this plays a role in the firing cycle not being as harsh as the BC in its factorystock form. Breaking the barrel is very smooth for a stock rifle,...and a pleasent surprise as well. Barrel lock up is very solid, and on-line with most of the quest varients I have shot before. The Biggest surprise though is the firing cycle.My rifle displays a very sharp crispfireing cycle with a minimum amount of spring buzz. Nothing compared to a Gamo Buzz.
As for accuracy and consistancy, I must have been very lucky on this 'draw'!!! LOL's After tinkering around with a few pellets and adjusting the glass. I'm able to spin spoons at 25 yards off-hand on a regular basiswithcleanned 8.6 DomedPeak pellets (Big thanks goes out to MM!!!!). To say we're 'beer-can' accurate at this distance is a big under-statement. We're working on paint balls now!!!!!!
What have I done with my G1 so far you may ask?,....well for starters, I did the best improvement anyone could do with this class and style of rifle,...I installed the GRT-III trigger. I also removed the stock and squeezed a few dabs of my"secret sticky stuff" into the linkage slot (spring)and factory spring guide. I also removed the barrel, dressed up the bushing washers and dabbed them with the same grease. Other than that, a drop of silicone on the roller-bearing, and the cocking linkage pivot points. And that's about it. In return for my time and effortvestedinto the G1, I've probably got the best 'un-tuned' rifle I've ever shot!!!!! Unless the spring snaps, I have no reason to mess with it at all. One can over come the spring buzz if they practice enough!!!! LOL's.It's much more enjoyable to shoot than the GamoBig-Cat I previously owned, and just as accurate,....if not a slight bit better. If I had my drothers, I'd opt for the G1 over the BC any day,......in stock form that is. Tuning these rifles is a whole different story altogether. I just use the GBC as a comparison because they are about as close an equivilently pairedrifles as you'll find price wise, class, andwith performance in mind. Both are excellent rifles,....especially if tuned. But for my money I'd still go with the heavier G1 off the shelf.
Of the few critiques I have of the G1, it would have to be the trigger guard integrated into the stock itself. Not too crazy about the long frontward slope of the guard because that's where I've found the 'sweet spot' to be, and it doesn't provide as comfortable and solida hold while resting on my palm.Personally I likean AR to sit across the meat part of my thumb on the palm. But that's just me I guess.
I think anyone interested in the G1 will be very surprized with this entry level shooter. Solid feeling,as easy to shoulder as aGamo Big-Cat, smooth cocking and fireing cycle, and a decent scope package if set up correctly!!!!!!
My disclaimer of course...... These are only my opinions and do not reflect those of the GTA as a whole. If I've made some Big-Cat fans out there angry,....I apologise. I am a big fan of the BC, and it is a very good rifle in its own right. Like I said earlier,....I just used it (the GBC)as a comparison rifle based on their similar traits.Respectfully, tjk
