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
Gamo have a new break barrel air rifle called the Hunter Extreme. They claim it is the fastest spring air gun on earth.
Gamo Hunter Extreme .22
The .22 rifle will push a lead pellet at 950 fps. From my limited knowledge of air guns, I think this is 10-20% more power. The downside is that is take 65 lbs of effort to cock the rifle.
Specs:
Caliber: .22
Velocity: 1300 feet per second (fps) with PBA*, 950 fps with Lead
Max Energy: 32 Joules
Break Barrel: Single Cocking System
Barrel: Jacketed steel bull barrel
Cocking Effort: 65 lbs
Trigger: Second Stage adjustable
* Gamo PBA: Performance Ballistic Alloy. A lighter non-lead brand of pellets.
In a promotional video from Gamo a hunter takes down a 250 pound boar with the .177 model using the PBA pellet (being pushed at 1600 fp/s).
I am pretty skeptical about this video. I originally uploaded it to youtube to embed it on the blog but then decided to delete it. I do not think they should be encouraging kids to go pig hunting with a .177 air rifle. Especially since the video looks like a setup – a docile pig is shot at near point blank range from an elevated angle.
More info on the rifle and the video mentioned above can be had at the Hunter Extreme website.
Gamo have updated the suppressed Whisper air rifle. The Whisper X is apparently makes less noise and has a cool looking ergonomic stock.
The Whisper X is a break barrel and is comes in a .22 or .177 caliber
Specs:
Weight: 6.61 lbs
Muzzle Velocity: .177 ft/s 1000
Muzzle Velocity: .22 ft/s 722 .
I am not sure about availability or pricing yet. Gamo USA do not update their website very often.
More info here.
Gamo have released a new .117 pellet called the PBA ARMOR. The PBA stands for “Performance Ballistic Alloy” which is a non-lead alloy. The alloy used in these pellets is harder than the alloy used in the PBA/Raptor pellets, hence the name.
New ARMOR Performance Ballistic Alloy, the non-lead Alloy Airgun Ammunition that increases piercing power up to 20% over lead, while maintaining “match grade” accuracy. Specifically designed as a hunting load, the new P.B.A.™ ARMOR ammunition is 50% harder than lead causing penetration to be enhanced by up to 100% in tests in actual hunting situations as well as ballistic mediums. ARMOR P.B.A. test results show ballistic stability at super-sonic speeds and up to 90% weight retention using the new semi-pointed design.
Retail price: $12.95 / 80 pellets
H/T: Ammoland
From B.B. Pelletier:
a class three dealer examined it and said in his opinion it could not be removed and attached to a firearm with success.
Gamo has taken pains to make the outer case tapered front-to-rear, plus they have molded two huge flutes into the side of the case. They’ve also made holes in the flutes that expose the sides of the baffles, which are a soft synthetic material, to the air.
It was his opinion that the silencer would be too difficult to remove from the rifle without destroying it, and, even if it could be removed, that the baffles would blow out the sides if exposed to even the low pressure from a .22 rimfire cartridge. In other words, it wouldn’t silence a firearm for even one shot.
More here.
B.B. Pelletier reviews the Gamo Whisper, Gamo’s suppressed air rifle which I blogged about recently.
Noise is what the new Gamo Whisper is all about, and I’ll address that issue for you right now. I don’t find the Whisper to be that much quieter than any other spring piston air rifle of comparable power. In fact, my tuned .22-caliber Beeman R1, which has no silencer, is quieter because its powerplant makes less noise. The powerplant is where the bulk of the noise of a spring gun comes from, not the discharge at the muzzle.
More here.
Game have a new line of spring powered airguns with integrated suppressors.
They do not use the word “suppressor” which I find odd. Instead they call it “ND25 Noise Reduction Technology”… A suppressor by any other name.
The Whisper is a single cock break barrel action with a rifled steel, fluted bull barrel and an integral, non-removable noise dampener that reduces noise up to 52 percent. 2-stage adjustable trigger and automatic cocking safety with manual trigger safety. Fiber-optic front and rear adjustable sights. Includes 3-9×40 scope with a 1-piece solid mount. .177 caliber shoots 1200 fps with PBA ammo or 1000 fps with lead pellets. Weight: 5.28 lbs. Length: 43.5″.
More here.
Hat Tip: Saysuncle
Hi, welcome to my gun blog! This blog is dedicated to all things firearms related. If you are into AR-15 and AK rifles, skeet shotguns, self defense pistols or hunting arms there will be something here for you. I hope you enjoy it.