Just ordered a gamo 440 .177 cal, how are they?

I bought a rws 34 .22cal awhile back and seen this gamo  on sale at natchezss $99.95 seemed like the majic number.  I was looking for a flatter tragectory for the long shot

[NMCA_Ron]

I purchased the 440 last summer when they were at the price of $119.95 and I am COMPLETELY satisfied with it. I also own a Shadow 1000 and the two rifles are very similar other than the 440 having a wood stock and a scope mounting rail with holes for a scope stop. I have been hovering my finger over the order button, threatening to buy a couple more just to keep in the box until my grandkids are old enough to shoot. As for pellet choice, the 440 and S1K have different appetites and I am sure you will run through several choices of your own to determine which pellet shoots best in your new rifle.

Here are a couple if pics of my baby with the BSA 3-12 x 44 air rifle scope and Accushot one-piece scope mount. Also note the GRT-III! :)

Ron
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg181/NMCA_Ron/DSC01538.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg181/NMCA_Ron/DSC01537.jpg

[Gene_SC]

Very nice Ron...:) I love my 440 as well. It is just as accurate as my S1k's are but a bit heavier of course. I love the wood and the metal finish as well. Guess it is just Gamo's standard product but for $119.00 you cannot go wrong...:) With the GRT-III trigger it is very easy to shoot now..:)

Gene

[NMCA_Ron]

Thanks, Gene. I do love my gal! The single best improvement on an already terrific rifle was the GRT-III. I don't think ANY Gamo can realize its full potential until one is installed!  :)

Ron

(edit: I went out in the shop and stepped off 30 yards, plinked off 10 rounds and snapped this pic. These shots were taken using a 4-wheeled cart as a shooting bench, so I believe the group could have been tighter if the cart didn't move. I really like the 440.)

Hey all.  First post here!  I'm thinking of jumping in on this great deal on a 440.  My question to Ron, where did you purchase your BSA scope and mounting rings?  That looks like an impressive shooter!

Thanks,

Mark

[NMCA_Ron]

Mark,

Welcome to GTA! Thanks for the compliment on my rifle. I purchased the Leaper's mount (medium height) from Straight Shooters and I purchased the BSA 3-12x44 scope from Midsouth Shooters Supply.

Ron

Another welcome, Mark! I'd say that the current deal that Natchez has for the 440 is a great one (I just checked and they still list them in stock at $99). It was pretty darn good at $119 when I got mine. Be sure to consider budgeting ~$31 for one of Charlie (Bob)'s GRT-III triggers. It'll do more to transform a Gamo into a consistently accurate gun that anything else I can think of for the money.

By the way, you're located just about in Gene's and Bob's backyards.

Best of luck with your decision, and if you need anybody to help push the order button, there's a lot of folks here that are more than glad to egg you on, whether you ask for it or not ;~D

Bryan

[tckhan]

I think you will like it alot when you get it, and even more so with the GRT.   In comparison to my .22 panther (basically same as your 34)  the 440 is nice and light, and more compact feeling to me.  The kick is not as severe, and fps feels higher.  Im sure pellet choice will be a factor.   Let us know what you think when you get it.  P.S.  The stock 440  trigger did not seem that bad to me, but compared to the GRT, it was horrible.  Do yourself a favor and order one now.  

Tony

Thanks Bryon, and to everyone else for their welcomes, and yes Bob is only a few miles away in Simpsonville.......I'm sure I will enjoy meeting him.  I did pull the trigger on the 440, and according to UPS it should be here today!  I'm sure Bob's trigger and a scope (any recommendations?) of some kind will make it's way to this bargain bin rifle!  I'm sure it will be quite different than my 1968 vintage Silver Streak 5mm......I'm the original owner as well!

Thanks,

Mark

Mark355 - 1/9/2008  12:23 PM

...I did pull the trigger on the 440, and according to UPS it should be here today!  I'm sure Bob's trigger and a scope (any recommendations?) of some kind will make it's way to this bargain bin rifle...

Well Mark, I'll have to give you the canned scope/mount choice speech that you may hear repeatedly ;~D

A really nice scope for the money can be had in the Tasco Golden Antler 3-9X32 AO (adjustable objective) scope for not much over $40 from places like Optics Planet or OpticsGiant. It's a nice, light but sturdy scope that works well on many springers. For the money, it's hard to beat. For mounts, I personally prefer the Accushot 1-piece scope mount (for the Tasco scope, you'd probably want the medium height) which locks down good and tight with a little blue loc-tite on the mount threads. I usually pick up one or two when I place an order to PyramydAir, though they're available for about the same money from other dealers.

Glad to hear you pulled the trigger on the 440. I expect you'll be very happy with it (even happier with the GRTIII installed).

Bryan

PS- I see your avatar shows a guy holding a banjo. I'm guessing you play? (I was always known as Sherlock when I was growing up ;~)

[longislandhunter]

Welcome Mark,,, nice to have you with us..   I'm sure you'll like that 440 just fine,  nice rifles and for the price you can't go wrong.  

Jeff

Thanks Jeff for the welcome.  Thanks also to Bryan for the scope/mount suggestions, I'll get something on the way soon.  I was able to fire the 440 a couple of times last night......into the darkness!  I guess I have been reading a lot about the kick that these springers produce......so actually I was expecting a bit more, and it was actually quieter that I thought!  Way to soon to draw any conclusions, with only firing it twice!  It looks to be a solid rifle, and for $114.00 or so including shipping, I'm guessing one can't really go wrong!

Yes, I do attempt to play the 5-string banjo, and play in a Bluegrass group called Canecreek.  If your ears and eyes can stand it, you can give us a look and listen at:  http://www.canecreek.net

Thanks,

Mark

I thought that was some new field trial PCP!