Gamo Shadow - too much!

[tolley]

I've been shooting PCP and CO2 for most of my life. Picked up a Gamo Shadow 1000 this week and Wow! I had no idea how much a pellet rifle could kick. I followed some online advice and lubricated the main spring as well as filling the hollow portion of the stock with foam. That helped quite a bit as far as the famous "twang" goes, but the rifle still has quite a bit of recoil. Since I don't need 1000 fps is it possible to "down size" the main spring? And if I so, will the result be a slower less powerful, but less recoil airgun? Has anyone here done this before? Seems to me a good compromise might be 600-750 fps and a bit less kick!

Any thoughts?

[gamo2hammerli]

Hi Steve, a big welcome to the GTA forum and family.  For sure a less powerful spring will reduce the twang, recoil and speed of the pellet.  My Gamo Big Cat's spring broke a few months ago....and I didn't have a "1000"fps spring around so I put in a weaker spring.  The air rifle is actually more accurate because of lesser vibrations/recoil...it's shooting in the 650 to 700fps range now.

[longislandhunter]

Welcome to GTA Steve, nice to have with us.    I have 3 GAMO Shadows and they are indeed strong shooters.  Recently one of mine went from it's normal mid 900's to 750 fps.  I pulled it apart and found the seal had to be replaced.  I replaced the seal and it's now back up to full strength but I have to say that when it was shooting 750 it was still extremely consistent and just as accurate, so if you tune it down it will indeed still be a nice shooting gun.  As for what spring to use to tune it down I wouldn't know which spring to suggest but I'm sure one of the members with more knowledge will be able to suggest a suitable spring.   I guess you could also cut a coil or 2 off the stock spring but I'm guessing here.  

Anyway, again, welcome and I'll be looking forward to your future posts.  

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

You will end up beaking the spring with a heavier pellet. Get a Merlin XL spring from JM . You will have a very sweet 800 fps shooter after you change the spring.

[LongIslandArcher]

How would a heavier pellet break the spring?  I thought a super light pellet (like the PBA) was more likely to break the spring because you're essentially dry-firing the rifle.  Please explain, Gene.  Thanks.

[Gene_SC]

Yes the PBA or very light pellets will damage or break a spring but more likely will burn the seal first. A heavy pellet will fatigue and cant a spring prematurly, then eventually break it. It is best to judge a pellet weight to be used by the size of the wire on the spring. Most all Gamo, Crosman and Chinese 1000 fps air guns should not exceed a 9gn pellet.