Gamo Compact experience

[trajectory]

The Compact is a very capable pistol, but it's true it has its limitations in adjustability that the more modern (& expensive) match pistols have. That can be a bit of a disadvantage but it can also be an advantage too. The desire to tweek & adjust insessently in the pursuit of perfection can be a distraction in itself & can cause a dip in your average score thus unsettling you to the degree you might try further adjustments to get back to where you were. Whereas with a more basic bit of kit you struggle through concentrating on technique which usually pays dividends in the end. You have to persist with subtle changes to see the true effect.

I reprofiled the grips on my compact & also made up a new trigger blade as I wasn't keen on the profile or position of the original which improved the general feel & handling characteristic. Scores crept up a bit, but then with time & practice they might have done so anyway, but a comfortable well suited grip is pretty essential so the grip reprofiling was a must, the trigger, well that was more personal preference.

SSP are different to PCP or CO2, (muscle v gas), theres quite a few match pistols available, current & secondhand to choose from, maybe not much to choose in the way of performance differences between them so maybe it's down to what feels right, money, aesthetics, spares/ service support/ availability.
Personally quite liked Steyr lp10 but the compact helps with muscle tone too. Pistol shooting isnt all about the kit.

[bootneckbob]

[QUOTE=trajectory;8106875]The Compact is a very capable pistol, but it's true it has its limitations in adjustability that the more modern (& expensive) match pistols have. That can be a bit of a disadvantage but it can also be an advantage too. The desire to tweek & adjust insessently in the pursuit of perfection can be a distraction in itself & can cause a dip in your average score thus unsettling you to the degree you might try further adjustments to get back to where you were. Whereas with a more basic bit of kit you struggle through concentrating on technique which usually pays dividends in the end. You have to persist with subtle changes to see the true effect.


This is very true, and I originally put in my reply if your Compact fits you, there will be very little benefit to the upgrade to a top end pistol (cost Vs scores) but I deleted it.

I've got arguably the best (one of) 10m match pistols you can buy, with the Steyr Evo10e, but after 3 years or so of use I'd reached a plateau and was unable to break through 550x600 with 546 frequently being my PB. I ended up getting the Walther LP400 as I'd had one before the Steyr and despite my reasons for selling it, I remembered it / I used to 'seem' to group tighter with it. My records show I wasn't as good back then (around the 525) and the Steyr had moved me on; although far more likely it was just better practice. Anyway, long story short, I shot them both at home on my 10m range to death during the lock down and my scores with both pistols were almost identical with less than 1% variation using my target score app. So in the end I read up on pistol shooting technique again, from the start with all the things I knew (natural alignment, breathing, position & hold etc etc) but this time I went back to the range and religiously stuck by them. Broke my PB straight off with my Steyr, I think from memory from 546 to 563,, and then I shot another series with the Walther and increased it to 569. The 573 came much later with the Steyr.
The point being it was me that was the barrier, not the pistol/s.

[trajectory]

Success depends on many things, equipment is just one component.

Beginners to pistol shooting seem to either love it & dedicate time effort & money to it if they get the bug. If they have the good fortune to have an accurate pistol & get good instruction or coaching progress & results can improve quickly which is both pleasing & encouraging. This is similar to many sports or most learning processes. However as time progresses the rate of improvement usually slows down. Now this is where I think it gets interesting. Some just can't understand why they don't seem to be getting better & interest wanes. Others persevere & gradually improve albeit slowly, but steadily. Others might think its not them & it must be something else that's holding them back. Perhaps if they have bought good entry level equipment & see better shots using something more expensive they can convince themselves that more money = better scores more easily, & so they buy the latest gear thinking that's the answer. There's other reasons why progress might be impeded but I think some may recognise these.

There's psychological barriers too, whether it's pressure in a competition or in practice where you know you can beat a PB score or something like that. Different people might impose their own 'barriers' & there are different ways to try & get around them. Sometimes you can sort it out yourself, sometimes a bit of advice or coaching can help.

Sometimes a break for a few weeks can help.

Sometimes revisiting basic principles is worthwhile.

Some may think that an average of x points per card is ok for them & are content, counting up their points to see what they scored.others look at how many points they lost ie instead of counting a 9 as a 9 they count it as 1 off the possible 10. That's the way to do it there 100 points per card available to everyone & that's how you have to think of it. You are after 10 points per shot.

Good kit is better than most of us can shoot, excellent kit certainly is better than most of us, & so as has been said already the impediment to progress is the shooter.

It's a tricky discipline & that's the appeal in all it's complexities.

[harvey_s]

The Compact's biggest limiting factor is it's standard trigger.
This however is really easy to upgrade yourself with just basic hand tools and a little care.

This might help : http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread.....-Gamo-Compact

[CB200]

The Compact's biggest limiting factor is it's standard trigger.
This however is really easy to upgrade yourself with just basic hand tools and a little care.

This might help : http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread.....-Gamo-Compact

Thanks Harvey, I have modified the tigger, but it’s still way too heavy: as soon as I can, I’m upgrading.

[harvey_s]

Thanks Harvey, I have modified the tigger, but it’s still way too heavy: as soon as I can, I’m upgrading.

I find that difficult to believe... It's relatively easy to make the standard trigger too light by using this method.
But you've obviously made your mind up anyway.

[CB200]

I find that difficult to believe... It's relatively easy to make the standard trigger too light by using this method.
But you've obviously made your mind up anyway.

Hi Harvey, I’ve polished both sears as best I can, replaced the screw under the trigger with a longer one - which enables me to reduce the sear contact area to a minimum (too little and the pistol goes off if you bang it). Even with those mods, the trigger is measuring 2 1/2lb to 3lb pull weight - too heavy for me!

[CB200]

Success depends on many things, equipment is just one component.

Beginners to pistol shooting seem to either love it & dedicate time effort & money to it if they get the bug. If they have the good fortune to have an accurate pistol & get good instruction or coaching progress & results can improve quickly which is both pleasing & encouraging. This is similar to many sports or most learning processes. However as time progresses the rate of improvement usually slows down. Now this is where I think it gets interesting. Some just can't understand why they don't seem to be getting better & interest wanes. Others persevere & gradually improve albeit slowly, but steadily. Others might think its not them & it must be something else that's holding them back. Perhaps if they have bought good entry level equipment & see better shots using something more expensive they can convince themselves that more money = better scores more easily, & so they buy the latest gear thinking that's the answer. There's other reasons why progress might be impeded but I think some may recognise these.

There's psychological barriers too, whether it's pressure in a competition or in practice where you know you can beat a PB score or something like that. Different people might impose their own 'barriers' & there are different ways to try & get around them. Sometimes you can sort it out yourself, sometimes a bit of advice or coaching can help.

Sometimes a break for a few weeks can help.

Sometimes revisiting basic principles is worthwhile.

Some may think that an average of x points per card is ok for them & are content, counting up their points to see what they scored.others look at how many points they lost ie instead of counting a 9 as a 9 they count it as 1 off the possible 10. That's the way to do it there 100 points per card available to everyone & that's how you have to think of it. You are after 10 points per shot.

Good kit is better than most of us can shoot, excellent kit certainly is better than most of us, & so as has been said already the impediment to progress is the shooter.

It's a tricky discipline & that's the appeal in all it's complexities.

Thank again Trajectory, that was a good read, and a helpful take on a unique approach.

[CB200]

[QUOTE=bootneckbob;8106923]

The Compact is a very capable pistol, but it's true it has its limitations in adjustability that the more modern (& expensive) match pistols have. That can be a bit of a disadvantage but it can also be an advantage too. The desire to tweek & adjust insessently in the pursuit of perfection can be a distraction in itself & can cause a dip in your average score thus unsettling you to the degree you might try further adjustments to get back to where you were. Whereas with a more basic bit of kit you struggle through concentrating on technique which usually pays dividends in the end. You have to persist with subtle changes to see the true effect.

This is very true, and I originally put in my reply if your Compact fits you, there will be very little benefit to the upgrade to a top end pistol (cost Vs scores) but I deleted it.

I've got arguably the best (one of) 10m match pistols you can buy, with the Steyr Evo10e, but after 3 years or so of use I'd reached a plateau and was unable to break through 550x600 with 546 frequently being my PB. I ended up getting the Walther LP400 as I'd had one before the Steyr and despite my reasons for selling it, I remembered it / I used to 'seem' to group tighter with it. My records show I wasn't as good back then (around the 525) and the Steyr had moved me on; although far more likely it was just better practice. Anyway, long story short, I shot them both at home on my 10m range to death during the lock down and my scores with both pistols were almost identical with less than 1% variation using my target score app. So in the end I read up on pistol shooting technique again, from the start with all the things I knew (natural alignment, breathing, position & hold etc etc) but this time I went back to the range and religiously stuck by them. Broke my PB straight off with my Steyr, I think from memory from 546 to 563,, and then I shot another series with the Walther and increased it to 569. The 573 came much later with the Steyr.
The point being it was me that was the barrier, not the pistol/s.

That’s an interesting insight, thanks BnB. I’m sure it is mostly about skill and technique etc, providing one has
a decent pistol to start with!

[CB200]

The Compact is a very capable pistol, but it's true it has its limitations in adjustability that the more modern (& expensive) match pistols have. That can be a bit of a disadvantage but it can also be an advantage too. The desire to tweek & adjust insessently in the pursuit of perfection can be a distraction in itself & can cause a dip in your average score thus unsettling you to the degree you might try further adjustments to get back to where you were. Whereas with a more basic bit of kit you struggle through concentrating on technique which usually pays dividends in the end. You have to persist with subtle changes to see the true effect.

I reprofiled the grips on my compact & also made up a new trigger blade as I wasn't keen on the profile or position of the original which improved the general feel & handling characteristic. Scores crept up a bit, but then with time & practice they might have done so anyway, but a comfortable well suited grip is pretty essential so the grip reprofiling was a must, the trigger, well that was more personal preference.

SSP are different to PCP or CO2, (muscle v gas), theres quite a few match pistols available, current & secondhand to choose from, maybe not much to choose in the way of performance differences between them so maybe it's down to what feels right, money, aesthetics, spares/ service support/ availability.
Personally quite liked Steyr lp10 but the compact helps with muscle tone too. Pistol shooting isnt all about the kit.

Thanks Trajectory, I understand what you are saying and it makes sense, although even after fettling the trigger on the Gamo, It’s still too heavy: as soon as I can upgrade, it’s going.

[trajectory]

Thanks Trajectory, I understand what you are saying and it makes sense, although even after fettling the trigger on the Gamo, It’s still too heavy: as soon as I can upgrade, it’s going.

That's fair enough, but what's the Compacts trigger weight at the moment, because if you go into comps it's got to be 500g or more.

The difference in balance & overall weight is pretty different between the Compact & some of the PCP /SSP types. Nothing wrong with that but it can take a little getting used to. The trigger might 'feel' lighter on them too than on the Compact if it breaks cleaner...depends how the Compact is set up.

Either way, take your time choosing what you go for, try a good few types & makes if you can, re visit what you've looked at if you have to, just to be certain. They are not the sort of thing you want to regret buying in a rush.( but it's a good excuse if you are a collector rather than a shooter ).

[CB200]

That's fair enough, but what's the Compacts trigger weight at the moment, because if you go into comps it's got to be 500g or more.

The difference in balance & overall weight is pretty different between the Compact & some of the PCP /SSP types. Nothing wrong with that but it can take a little getting used to. The trigger might 'feel' lighter on them too than on the Compact if it breaks cleaner...depends how the Compact is set up.

Either way, take your time choosing what you go for, try a good few types & makes if you can, re visit what you've looked at if you have to, just to be certain. They are not the sort of thing you want to regret buying in a rush.( but it's a good excuse if you are a collector rather than a shooter ).

Thank Trajectory, I’ve got the trigger down to about 2 1/2lb - 3lb, but it’s still too heavy. I’m going to need to join a club probably, in order to try some guns and make a more informed decision. I’m not likely to want to collect guns, so it’ll just be the one for me! I appreciate your advice - thanks again.

[trajectory]

Thank Trajectory, I’ve got the trigger down to about 2 1/2lb - 3lb, but it’s still too heavy. I’m going to need to join a club probably, in order to try some guns and make a more informed decision. I’m not likely to want to collect guns, so it’ll just be the one for me! I appreciate your advice - thanks again.

CB200, that's a bit on the high side to contend with, but if it's safe & predictable then you can always bear in mind the centriefire trigger weight is 1000g. I know it's not ideal but in a way it's good training. Its progressive overload, in the same way that you can train to shoot an 80 or even 90 shot course, then when a comp comes round & it's shot over 60, then it's easy! Well that's the theory........


Just editing this with a quick question if that's ok. Any ideas if you are likely to go for CO2, SSP or PCP? Just curious.

[CB200]

CB200, that's a bit on the high side to contend with, but if it's safe & predictable then you can always bear in mind the centriefire trigger weight is 1000g. I know it's not ideal but in a way it's good training. Its progressive overload, in the same way that you can train to shoot an 80 or even 90 shot course, then when a comp comes round & it's shot over 60, then it's easy! Well that's the theory........


Just editing this with a quick question if that's ok. Any ideas if you are likely to go for CO2, SSP or PCP? Just curious.

I find trying to pull the trigger slowly in arc of movement, sometimes becomes a challenge, and I end up squeezing the grip more and throws my shot off - more when I’m tired.

Regarding another pistol, that is a good question! Getting an old FWB C20 co2 or a FWB 103 is attractive to me, but I’m not sure if they are too heavy? I’ll take advice on that from anyone in the know (I’m 61 and been shooting for 4 months so deffo’ a newbie). I also like the idea of a Steyr LP 2 or 10 (maybe the 2 as lighter?) I’ve read that a longer distance between sights is not the best for new shooters. I also quite fancy a Walther LP500. I’m really not sure about servicing, for my area (NW England) for newer guns or spares for older ones (mentioned). Need to join a club and chat to other shooters really. Or post more questions on here!

[trajectory]

I find trying to pull the trigger slowly in arc of movement, sometimes becomes a challenge, and I end up squeezing the grip more and throws my shot off - more when IÂ’m tired.

Regarding another pistol, that is a good question! Getting an old FWB C20 co2 or a FWB 103 is attractive to me, but IÂ’m not sure if they are too heavy? IÂ’ll take advice on that from anyone in the know (IÂ’m 61 and been shooting for 4 months so deffoÂ’ a newbie). I also like the idea of a Steyr LP 2 or 10 (maybe the 2 as lighter?) IÂ’ve read that a longer distance between sights is not the best for new shooters. I also quite fancy a Walther LP500. IÂ’m really not sure about servicing, for my area (NW England) for newer guns or spares for older ones (mentioned). Need to join a club and chat to other shooters really. Or post more questions on here!

Trigger control........its a big part of accurate shooting.

About a purchase, as you will appreciate new stuff is fairly easy to get but if you like the look of something no longer in production trying to get an example in good well cared for condition is usually possible but sometimes you have to wait a long time for one to pop up. The risk is you decide to settle for something that's nearly right. Then it can niggle you. Can't offer any advice other than be patient.

I quite like SSP types but that's just me.

The Original/Diana 6m or 10 are interesting spring powered options, & theres not much wrong with the FWB 65 or 80 but they might not be your cup of tea. However they might offer a half way house between the Compact & what you really want to end up with plus they could re sell well if you buy them at a fair price,? A 65 might be worth a look, & its self contained as opposed to CO2 or Pump/air tank.

Weight can be an issue, but gentle training can help with that. Personally never had an issue with sight radius length, just perhaps that some pistols do feel more muzzle heavier than others. It's possible more perceived than actual & falls into the personal preference area more than anything else.

ATB