Gamo Tactical SOCOM Air Rifles
Aside from the questionable name of SOCOM being applied to air rifles, I really like the styling of these new rifles. Three models will eventually be available but only the Socom Extreme is currently available to be purchased.
The SOCOM EXTREME was created for an all new level in long distance air gun shooting and hunting.
Gamo took their famous 1250 powerplant and re-tuned the beast to deliver a stunning velocity of over 1650 fps using the new PBA Platinum .177 ammo. The powerplant was matched to a precision steel, composite jacketed bull barrel which also helps reduce the larger cocking force. The precision barreled action is mated to a newly designed tactical, light weight composite stock. This specially engineered stock has a long tapered sure grip forend which leads back to pistol grip with palm swell for quick steady mounting. The buttstock features an ergonomically shaped cheekpiece which works for right and left handed shooters. Each SOCOM EXTREME air rifle is fitted with a special 3-9x50 Scope with red, green and blue illuminated glass etched reticle securely anchored by the Gamo solid one-piece mount. The composite stock reduces gun weight to a manageable 9 lbs compared to a heavier wood stock air rifle.
MSRP $399.95
The SOCOM TACTICAL is the ultimate air rifle for high performance flexibility for day or night shooting. The Tactical composite stock has a custom molded forepiece and palm swell grip area for maximum control. The fully adjustable tactical comb has a raised cheekpiece and allows for an instant sight picture adjustment using the optical or the included fiber optic fixed sights. The receiver is topped with a precision 3-9x40 AR Scope anchored by a solid Gamo one-piece rail mount. The scope is fitted with a powerful, fully adjustable precision laser and light which quickly readies the SOCOM TACTICAL for night operations. The 26" barrel is made of precision rifled steel and is shrouded in a fully composite jacketed fluted polymer bull barrel. The barrel on the SOCOM TACTICAL is also fitted with the Gamo ND52, Noise Dampening Technology muzzle dampner. Combined with outstanding velocity at nearly 1300 fps with new PBA Platinum .177 ammo. The Tactical is fully capable of handling any backyard varmint incursions 52% quieter than a standard spring air rifle.
MSRP $329.95
The SOCOM CARBINE is specially configured to offer quick mounting and target acquisition. Its Gamo power plant is tuned to deliver a sizzling velocity of nearly 1300 fps with the new PBA Platinum ammo through a short, composite jacketed, precision rifled .177 cal steel barrel. The 3-9x40 precision AR scope is securely anchored to the receiver by the solid, one-piece Gamo mount. The long eye relief and brilliantly clear optic work in tandem with the special all-weather composite stock with sure-grip forend, palm swell pistol grip and adjustable comb with cheekpiece. The shooter can instantly adjust the stock for his or her comfort.
MSRP $329.95
Gamos hype their FPS like CD-ROM makers hyped their “x” speed in the 90’s. 1650 FPS is of little utility if you can’t put the pellet on target. The PBS ammo leaves a lot to be desired too. In fact I learned to avoid .177 altogether because of the significant loss of muzzle energy at 50ft as compared with a .22 pellet. This loss is even more significant when using PBS pellets because they are so light. Being an urban bound resident it is impossible to use a traditional firearm to dispatch pests where I live. To solve this problem I looked at many air rifles and finally settled on an RWS Model 54 “Air King” with side cocking lever. The barrel stays fixed so accuracy is never compromised. She throws .22 lead at 900 fps through my chrono and does it in style. Every critter from skunk to squirrel to rat is a confirmed 1-shot-kill every time. The rifle is 99.5% recoilless and simply a true work of fine German craftsmanship. The wood is beautiful and the bluing is perfect. At $625 it wasn’t cheap but it has a lifetime warranty and it looks and feels every bit as substantial as my regular firearms. If any of the readers are considering spending money on a Gamo I would suggest they spend the extra money and get the RWS instead and save themselves from what will surely be a case of buyers remorse.
WW, As much as I agree with you about the quality of the RWS rifles, I must say that the Gamo rifles are excellent entry-class air rifles. They make a nice starting point for people just getting in to air guns. Maybe not these models, but the $150-$250 models provide a nice level of bang for the buck.
Nas, I agree with your statement for the lower end stuff but if a buyer is considering spending $400 on a Gamo they need to buck-up a few more dollars and get the RWS. The lower power Gamo rifles are fine but when Gamo tries to push a .177 at speeds exceeding that of .22LR CCI Stingers the accuracy absolutely goes out the window. My RWS punches a single ragged hole from 150 feet all day long. A hyper speed .177 would probably not even hit a paper plate at that distance. I shot my friends and I actually questioned if there was not something wrong with it because there were times when the target didn’t even have a hole in it. Then he tried my RWS and shot bullseye 10 out of 10 times.
Tactical.
Air rifle.
It feels like something’s off, but I just can’t quite put my finger on it.
I own a Gamo and my grandfather owns three. We did find that PBA ammo is less accurate but when using standard lead pellets they are all powerful and accurate within their range. They have much more power and accuracy than most airguns and the more powerful .22 pellet guns may even be appropriate for rabbit or squirrel. All of them are a great value and fun and cheap to shoot.
@ War Wolf
Gamo airguns are made in Spain.
No offense to air rifle shooters, but if I’m going to spend $400 on a rifle I’d better be useful in some way. Buying a cheap and fun plinking rifle is one thing but $400 is way more than I’d spend on a toy with little to no real-world application. And I’d much rather buy myself some ammo or reloading equipment than a “tactical air rifle”.
JohnK:
An air rifle can be used many places a firearm cannot. And pellets are easier to resupply than loaded ammunition.
That said, I agree the higher-end ones are getting a bit silly.
I agree with you John, Air guns have come a long way and I remember growing up there was not much to choose from. These days airguns really are a great substitute and practice tool to keep your accuracy “intact” and the pellets are ten fold more affordable than AMMO ammo.
With that said I enjoy going down to the range and blasting off some real rounds but if you are just getting into shooting an air rifle is a good start. If you want your kids to learn accuracy before dealing with heavy recoil, what better way than with an airgun. Yes there are better quality air rifles than Gamo, bit for the price of some of their models I think you get a lot for your money. I just tried the Hunter Extreme and WOW what a nice rifle indeed.
Erik
I am very interested in SOCOM Gamo air rifle tactical, I think the model is fit to hunt pigeons in my place (tropical forests of Timor island) and that was important, its price is quite cheap.
Two years ago I purchased a Gamo Big Cat 1200. I shot this thing about 100 times and have to say that accuracy is not one of the strong points of this gun. Matter of fact, it is terrible.
Every time I shoot at a target, the thing shoots into another direction.
I noticed that, when loaded, the barrel can be rocked sideways because the mounting is really of poor design.
The swivel-bolt that mounts the barrel to the spring chamber is fastened to only one side of the V-receptacle on the spring chamber. This receptacle appears to be of soft poor quality material and has a tendency to spread open when loading. This then allows the barrel to move sideways, resulting in loss of (all) accuracy.
It was a terrible investment.
The only way I would get this gun us if they sell it with the gas srping conversion. I have a whisper with the gas spring and it is by far one of the best break barrell pellet rifle I’ve owned. Actually the only thing I like about the SOCOM version is the stock/raised cheekpeice. I really hope they end up selling the stock seperatly. Gamousa.com would be the place to look for anyone interested in getting a different stock for your gamo rifle depending on the type of rifle. Aloha.
I have a Gamo Viper 22 cal/shotgun combo. I have had the same problem as Gunner. The accuracy of this gun is terrible. I didn’t expect too much with pellets considering the unrifled barrel, but it is worse than I expected, even with a scope. It will bunch shots within a 2″ circle at 50 ft., but I never know where the 2″ circle will be. Every time I use it, it is different. It may be low/right or high/left. Sometimes, it changes during the same shooting session. Shot shells are not much better. I have had squirrels dead-to-rights at 25 ft and missed!!! I’m not that bad.
Now, after about 150 shots, the gun seems to have lost a lot of power. I don’t know what is causing that, but overall, this has not been my best gun purchase.