So, as I have mentioned many a time, I always try to get Airguns into the conversation wheneverI talk to people. One of my customers, a lovely 66 year old chap, mentioned in one of these conversations a good few months ago that he had this cheap Airgun that he had bought from a neighbour and could I fit the scooe for him? So, he brought it to my work some time ago and I popped the scooe on for him. It's a Gamo Viper and I immediately thought that it would make a nice little ratter - cheap, lightweight and synthetic stock. And it has the steel breech block, unlike some of these newer Gamos. He had been trying to fit it to the barrel, as he really wasn't sure. Maybe he had subconciously seen Jim Tyler's breech mounted pistol scope arrangement many years ago (or the subsequent Webley Teleskan) I gave him some pointers on how to zero it and tried to encourage him to get into our fantastic hobby.
On subsequent chats, I kept asking him if he had been using it and the answer was always no and that he really didn't have a lot of interest in it.
Anyway, fast forward a few months to this last Saturday. He had bought another new bike from me on the Thursday and had come along to sort some finer details. When we had done he said, "Just come to the car a minute, I have a little something for you". I sorta knew what was coming.
We got to his car. He opened the boot, reached in and said, "Here you are, you may as well have these as I don't use them!". And handed over two nearly full tins of proper Eley Wasps and a plastic container of Air Arms Diablo Hunter (pointed) pellets. I thanked him profusely. And then he said, "Oh, and you may as well have something to use them with!" And handed over the Gamo. In its gunslip. I asked him if he was sure and he said, "Yes, absolutely, I would rather someone have it who will use it and you've always looked after me".
I was a little overwhelmed but very contented.
Later on Saturday evening, I took it out of its slip and looked over it. Mint condition. And I love the stock. I mean really, really love it. Not a surprise as I really love the synthetic '97 stock, too. Anyway, this little lightweight's stock has a really grippy butt pad, rubberised cheek piece and those grippy rubber panels on the forend. Just the ticket for some ratting around barns and farmyards.
Anyway, I got to have a first play with it yesterday. I had done a little pellet testing with the TX firstly and then thought I'll have a play with da Viper. So, cocked it - nice, easy, peasy cocking action. The pointy AA pellet was a doddle to feed into the breech. Always a pleasure on a .22 break barrel and they fed in really easily. No auto safety catch either. Anyway, took aim, took up the first stage and then, creep, creep, a little more creep and then BOING!!!! Jesus Bloody Christ, does this thing twang! I now knew what to expect. And, you know what? After a few shots you start to get used to it. The twang becomes background and that trigger, well, you soon get used to even a mediocre trigger. It actually became an absolute pleasure to use. Easy cocking stroke, lob in that easily fed pellet and they kept landing in the same neat little clusters time after time. Well, at least they did once I'd zeroed it. Robert hadn't had a single shot with it. So, starting at three yards and finally moving to my max garden range, we soon had it zeroed and much easy, therapeutic fun was had.
I actually love this little thing already.
Now, on Saturday evening, whilst surfing the net, there doesn't seem to be lots of information on the mechanical side of these things. When I looked on the Chambers site, the schematics make it look an easy thing to strip. "Barrel joint screw" no longer available, though, but I wonder if any newer models use the same pivot bolt?
Anyone had much playtime with these things? I seem to remember that, maybe, Capital Bee and Mr Budd may have had a little play?
Things I seem to remember from past surfing experiences......
Barrel shims not the best?
Built in spring guide. So, can this be removed from the block and then Mr Tinbum be enlisted to make a properly fitting one? Or, if it can't be removed, how about cutting it off but leave a little bit protruding? And the little bit that's left could locate into a recess machined into the new guide?
Stripdown....haven't seen any detailed guides. I'm guessing disconnect the ABT (and leave it off), pull the plastic end plug off. There looks to be a bolt that goes through the trigger assembly and into the end plug? Remove? And then mainspring removal a little Meteor-esque?
There never seems to be much written about these, so any little pointers will be appreciated. I could just shoot the little thing as is, but feel there's an even better rifle hiding in there waiting to come out. Oh, and any tips on improving the trigger cheaply appreciated, too.
I think we're gonna have fun.
Thanks for bearing with me writing this out, chaps. Post complete now.
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