[need-for-speed]

I believe I want to buy one. Can't decide between .177 or .22 cal. I like .22 cuz I already have a Benjamin .22 cal. But OTOH I like the 1200 fps of the .177 What do y'all recommend?

Next question: the Gamo mechanism is " spring piston". That the better mechanism, correct ? I believe the lesser (cheaper) guns are just spring, without the piston. Is that correct?

[PhantomF4E]

I own one and they can be turned into a good air rifle with a little work . The old addage for air rifles is .177 for paper and pest birds, .22 for fur bearing small game.
It is an accurate gun but Gamo triggers pretty much suck. There are a couple of aftermarket triggers made . I got one from an air rifle forum called Gateway to airguns. There is a huge amount of air rifle know how on that site. I was able to tune my Whisper into a fantastic little rifle. They are not all that quiet though , and DO NOT use those crap raptor pellets that they try to sell to get supersonic velocities with . The internals will wear much faster and have been known to break springs. They are also not all that accurate. In .177 if you use a standard lead pellet that shoots well, you do not have to worry about hitting 1200fps . It is still a 12+ft=lb rifle and will effectively (and humanely) take squirrels out to 30 yards. There are those who have taken them at longer ranges but 30 is my self imposed limit . I don't care for wounded critters.
I would suggest a visit to the GTA website and do a look around there before you buy . It doesn't matter anyway , if you get bit by airgunning it won't be the last gun you buy LOL .....

[m2hmghb]

The whisper is illegal in NJ believe it or not.

[need-for-speed]

Originally Posted by m2hmghb

The whisper is illegal in NJ believe it or not.

NJ - not surprised. You can't even put gas in your own car in NJ.

p.s. that tells me the Whisper is just what I want LOL.

[need-for-speed]

Originally Posted by PhantomF4E

I own one and they can be turned into a good air rifle with a little work . The old addage for air rifles is .177 for paper and pest birds, .22 for fur bearing small game.
It is an accurate gun but Gamo triggers pretty much suck. There are a couple of aftermarket triggers made . I got one from an air rifle forum called Gateway to airguns. There is a huge amount of air rifle know how on that site. I was able to tune my Whisper into a fantastic little rifle. They are not all that quiet though , and DO NOT use those crap raptor pellets that they try to sell to get supersonic velocities with . The internals will wear much faster and have been known to break springs. They are also not all that accurate. In .177 if you use a standard lead pellet that shoots well, you do not have to worry about hitting 1200fps . It is still a 12+ft=lb rifle and will effectively (and humanely) take squirrels out to 30 yards. There are those who have taken them at longer ranges but 30 is my self imposed limit . I don't care for wounded critters.
I would suggest a visit to the GTA website and do a look around there before you buy . It doesn't matter anyway , if you get bit by airgunning it won't be the last gun you buy LOL .....

Thanks phantom. I'll go check out that site. Am I correct on the spring piston vs spring type action ?

Thanks for the info on the raptor pellets.

[nursetim]

How about this instead?

http://www.airgundepot.com/samyang-909-rifle.html

Or one of these?

http://www.pyramydair.com/a/Air_guns/588/calibers_0_357

[elsolo]

Originally Posted by need-for-speed

Thanks phantom. I'll go check out that site. Am I correct on the spring piston vs spring type action ?

Thanks for the info on the raptor pellets.

Basic airgun types:

Multi-pump pneumatic (you pump it up several times per shot)
Pre-charged pneumatic (fill it off a scuba tank, the best type)
Spring piston (when you pull the trigger, a big spring pushes a piston and compresses the air)

All break barrel pellet guns are spring piston, including the "nitro-piston" versions that replaced the metal spring with a gas charged strut.

[need-for-speed]

Originally Posted by nursetim

How about this instead?

http://www.airgundepot.com/samyang-909-rifle.html

Or one of these?

http://www.pyramydair.com/a/Air_guns/588/calibers_0_357

maybe next time

[need-for-speed]

Originally Posted by elsolo

Basic airgun types:

Multi-pump pneumatic (you pump it up several times per shot)
Pre-charged pneumatic (fill it off a scuba tank, the best type)
Spring piston (when you pull the trigger, a big spring pushes a piston and compresses the air)

All break barrel pellet guns are spring piston, including the "nitro-piston" versions that replaced the metal spring with a gas charged strut.

Thanks elsolo