Although the Center was introduced in the early seventies, and the simplified Falcon in the early eighties, the Target version was only introduced in 1986. John Walter, though, still compares it favourably to the Daisy 717, although at least partly, it would seem, on the basis of quality of construction - blued steel against alloy. While the Daisy was, I think, imported into this country only somewhat intermittently, the writing was perhaps already on the wall for springer, recoiling target pistols. Gamo themselves had already introduced the PR15 and again John Walter, lamenting its limitation in only firing ball ammunition, notes that "it is believed that a pellet-firing variant is under development."

I agree though there is a certain satisfaction in shooting a recoiling pistol at 10m targets - I still enjoy the occasional plink with my IZH-53M (the 'target-grip' version, as well!).

Iain