Gamo pellet rifle scope creep ?

[NOCK NOCK]

Anybody have issues with repetitive scope creep?  I recently purchased a GAMO silent stalker whisper in .177cal. After a couple hundred shots the scope and mounting base started to move. I took the scope and base off to find that a stop pin had tore out of the hole that was supposed to stop everything from moving, which damaged the weapon.I sent it back to Gamo and after getting it back and shooting again, just the base was moving. I sent it back a second time, and have not had the opportunity to shoot it since I received it back. Through all this Gamo's customer service has been horrible, no explanations, no apologys, just the gun sent back supposedly repaired.

[MadHatter]

I had the same problem.  I actually bought 2 sets of rings, so that both rings had the small nipple in the bottom that fits into the holes on top of the scope rail.  After mounting the scope with them, and ensuring that the rings were torqued down I had no further problems.  You cannot just rely on the tension of the scope rings on the rail though, the recoil in an air rifle is totally different... and actually has two different recoils on ever shot... One is the spring releasing tension, and then the other force is the air cylinder reacting.  So really your scope if trying to hold on to dear life when it is being jerked one way, gaining momentum and then being jerked the opposite direction a fraction of a second later.  Also, because of this, you must use a scope rated for air rifles... Anything else will just never zero, and will just shake apart.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Air guns are extremely hard on scopes.  A normal high-end scope will be torn apart by a small caliber air rifle, yet be perfectly fine on a big magnum centerfire rifle.  The piston on an air rifle recoils both ways, and if the scope isn't designed to take the double-whammy, it won't last long.  When you get the gun back, make sure all the screws are tight.  Any play or weakness in the mount will show up as a failure eventually.

Madhatter beat me by this much!  [     ]     

[NOCK NOCK]

Gamo returned it with the base rail and scope already mounted this time. I feel that they may have just covered up the blown out recoil pin hole. If thats the case, its hard to believe it will hold up for any length of time.  Scope, rings, and rail are all Gamo. I do understand the difficulties of high power air recoil on scopes/mounting, I just feel that Gamo should have a better handle on this issue. They do claim to be the leading air rifle maufacturer.  So far, I am far from impressed, I'm more accurate with a Daisy pump up.

[MadHatter]

Gamo returned it with the base rail and scope already mounted this time. I feel that they may have just covered up the blown out recoil pin hole. If thats the case, its hard to believe it will hold up for any length of time.  Scope, rings, and rail are all Gamo. I do understand the difficulties of high power air recoil on scopes/mounting, I just feel that Gamo should have a better handle on this issue. They do claim to be the leading air rifle maufacturer.  So far, I am far from impressed, I'm more accurate with a Daisy pump up.

While I know that when you buy something as a package it should work right, and I agree to a point.  But when it comes to rifles (air or not) the scope they come with (with the exception of higher end stuff) is usually as cheap a scope as they can find... I would dump the gamo rings and scope and get something a step up.  Doesn't have to be much... No need to get a $500 air rifle scope.  I went to Big5 and got a BSA 4x32 air rifle scope that came with rings.  Was the best $25 I spent on my air rifle.  Now, after that spending all the money to find pellets that shoot well is also fun.  I think I have about 6 tins of pellets that didn't work (wont group well) before I found ones that would.  Also, if you are hunting or want accuracy, you will need to spend money on pellets.  The lathe turned pellets are the most accurate because there is no seam, and generally are the most consistent in weight.  While the pellets you can get off the shelf at walmart are decent, they are not nearly accurate enough to hunt with as the weights can very enough to totally throw off your shots, and they have imperfections.  Couple those two factors and you could be way off.  The Gamo rocket pellets are pretty accurate though for a off the shelf pellet, and hit very hard.  I will only use them on the local rabbits as I can get close enough to them for a good clean shot.  If I am out shooting starlings at 15-25yds, I will switch to my lathe pellets.

Bottom line, is take your time... Find some stuff that works well and practice as much as you can.  Hell I have been shooting air rifles for a few years, and still get frustrated and put the thing away for a month.  If you shoot rifles a lot, air rifles will give you a harder time as they are a totally different beast, just practice, practice, practice...

Edit: Also, if you suspect they are screwing with you, take the scope and rail off and see... If they are write a nasty letter and make them make it right... There is something motivating about telling a company:

"I am currently a member of an online hunting forum with over 12,000 members.  These member come from various walks of life, skill levels and vary greatly in the equipment they use.  I know from being a member that most people are willing to ask questions, research and find the best product for their money.  In this economy who can afford not to.  Failing to make this right will result in me letting those 12,000 members know that your company has failed me several times, and has not fixed the problem or made it right.  Me telling my story would surely sway people that make quality a high priority into finding another brand to purchase.  While you may threaten to sue me for libel, I would only be speaking the truth and would be protected from such a frivolous accusation by local, federal law and also the 1st amendment of the constitution.  All I am asking is that you make the product that I purchased right, and if you cannot do so, to refund me my money so that I can buy an air rifle from another company that makes a better product, but also stands behind their product."

[Heredoggydoggy]

I don't know what scope you have, but I got a Barska air rifle scope for my .22 cal. Benjamin Marauder air pistol (PCP, with shoulder stock), and I'm very impressed with the quality and clarity of the scope.  Lots of Starlings have fallen victim to this combination.  I mounted it on a set of Leapers airgun/22 rings, and once zeroed it has stayed right on the money.

[NOCK NOCK]

Thanks for all the input. If the latest setup from Gamo does not work I will try aftermarket rings and base. Have heard of Leapers, and BKL. Don't know which would be better. I have written them letters asking for my money back, they say that's not an option. My point in all this is....GAMO knows of the creeping issues of airguns, they have a scope stop block you buy to put behind the rail/scope to help keep it from creeping. A customer should not have to buy extra equip. just to make the $400 gun/mounts/scope combo work as it should. When your entire business evolves around airguns you should have the bugs worked out better than this. I know I will not spend my dollars with Gamo again.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I know I will not spend my dollars with Gamo again.

I never did.  for some reason I was leery of the break-barrel airguns, so after reading up on the PCP guns, I bought a 17 cal Benjamin.  But without a shrouded barrel, it's as loud as a 22 rimfire, so I ordered the 22 Benjamin Air pistol that has a shrouded barrel.  ( I already had the air pump).  I need to search the yard sales this summer for a scuba tank, so I can fill my guns easily.  The guns take a maximum 3,000 psi, but it gets hard to pump around 2,000 psi. 

[hollymaster]

I bought a beeman, they didn't feel like a plastic toy.

[NOCK NOCK]

My Gamo was a surprise for no reason present from the wife 
I like the gun, other than the creeping issues. After 1st creeping time I shot it without the scope, 1" groups at 20-30yds. with cheap match pellets. Will go Beeman if it continues creeping.

[Heredoggydoggy]

FYI:  Pyramid Air.com has some good info on air guns.  Also the magazine, PredatorXtreme has an article in each issue devoted to hunting/shooting with airguns.  Good info!