Barrel wobble

[wrongway]

New member here. I have a Gamo break barrel about 5 years old and have always had accuracy problems. I know the scope is junk but before I invest in a better one I would like to know how much barrel wobble is acceptable. At the barrel hinge with gun cocked and barrel closed I can visually see movement between the sides of the hinge.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[survivor45]

Are there screws at the barrel pivot point that you could snug up ?
If the gun has open sights. Shoot it with them. That should give you some idea if the gun can group.
Shoot sitting down , off a bench using a sandbag for rest.

 

[wrongway]

Thanks for the reply. There is a single screw on one side have tried and cannot get it to move. I am sure it has locktite on it but don't want to strip it out. No iron sights. I have been using 40 lb bags on a table as a rest. Getting 4" groups at 25 yds. When I try to adjust grouping with scope it will move as expected a few time and then it just jumps way over. I am sure scope is bad, but wanted an idea of how solid the barrel hinge should be.

 

[JDR]

Got rid of my Gamo. Wish I did not. Maybe some users with Gamos can check their barrel wobble and get back to you. Be careful on tightening that barrel pivot. I screwed up my HW 35 over tightening it. Can you borrow a scope from a friend or relative?

 

[wrongway]

Great idea. I could take scope off my .270 that should tell me if gun will group.

 

[Frogy]

I would say no barrel wiggle Say you have 10 thousands at breach. What is that at barrel tip. Then out to 25 yard then you cock the gun a barrel shifts the other direction That’s a problem same as if the barrel doesn’t. Lock up the same every time

 

[thwakkk]

Welcome to AGN.

I feel any barrel wiggle when a break barrel is locked up after cocking it is unacceptable. That said, I would suggest making sure the screws holding the action in the stock be checked to make sure they are tight and not allowing the whole action assembly to move while testing it for wiggle.

Gamo has got kinda fussy about owners working on their own guns and sale of parts. Although I've never dealt with the locktited screws in those I've owned, I have seen many posts regarding how Gamo discourages home repairs.

Regarding the scope, your description of it's performance implies it's bad. The recoil actions of a springer can kill scopes so using an existing scope mounted on a powder burner is risky. Dealing with a parallax of a scope set at 100 yards (assuming your 270 is set there) may hinder your test results as well.

I would suggest buying a decent scope noted to handle the dual recoil actions of a springer since you will be needing one even if you junk the Gamo. New springer packages that include scopes are not noted to be very robust.

My experience with Gamo's was many years ago with the steel breached models and one plastic breach when they first came out. They all shot OK but I didn't care for the triggers and didn't trust the plasic breach after seeing some stretching of the area around the locking lug.

My hands down personal favorite springer is the R9/HW95 and is something I can pass down when I can't use it any longer. I believe a quality spinger is worth the price and can hold their value longer over cheaper models.

 

[Mycapt65]

There should be zero play in the barrel when locked up. You need good mounts and a springer rated scope. Strong springers will slide and or break just about any scope not made for a springer. If you borrow a scope to test the gun make sure it has a good warranty.

 

[AirShot]

There should be almost zero play in the barrel where it is mounted to the action at any time. Either the hinge screw is loose or the shims are missing.

 

[Windmill01]

I know you said that the pivot screw is tight and you don’t want to risk damaging it but have you tried breaking the barrel open without cocking it and tried adjusting it. Also a set of gun smith screw drivers would help alleviate the damage to the screw head.

 

[wrongway]

thanks for reply, The barrel hinge screw has a T-25 head. Was using 1/4" ratchet wrench drive. I think tomorrow will try impact driver.

 

[survivor45]

If the pivot screw is already “tight”.
Unscrew it first. It could be bottomed out on a pivot bushing. So you cannot tighten it anymore. If that’s the case then you would need to get/make up some shims to remove the wobble.

 

[survivor45]

If you don’t want to spend a lot on a scope. Go to your local Wally World and pick up this one.

Edit: well now that’s a weird link.
What it is , is a link to Walmarts website. And a CenterPoint scope.

Robot or human?

 

[wrongway]

survivor 45, I believe that is the case. A pivot screw bottomed out in a pivot bushing. I tried both directions but not really hard, because I did not know what I was dealing with. Will try backing it out with light setting on small cordless impact.
Thanks to all for all the help

 

[maxtrouble]

@survivor45 That's a big scope for a Gamo. I suggest same company only smaller, lighter, easier and cheaper!

Grab some decent pellets, they are having a sale.

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[Hateful McNasty]

Im sure you looked up gamo pivot bolt and see that some are near imposable to remove. Some models gamo used some mean stuff or some day chemical bonded .. you could break the bolt off or somthing close to it .. my gamo whisper fusion mach 1 was rasy to temove as normal but i assume the lower models got that bolt tamper proofed.. (why gamo ?).

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.org/GTA/index.php?topic=165275.0

https://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/index.php?topic=17229.0

Hopefully yours aint like them cause mine was no different then a hw to remove , heck maybe easier.. but with gamos crazy ways you never know

 

[Septicdeath]

Great idea. I could take scope off my .270 that should tell me if gun will group.

Make sure the scope on your .270 is airgun rated, or you will ruin your scope.

 

[KitCarson16]

Thanks for the reply. There is a single screw on one side have tried and cannot get it to move. I am sure it has locktite on it but don't want to strip it out. No iron sights. I have been using 40 lb bags on a table as a rest. Getting 4" groups at 25 yds. When I try to adjust grouping with scope it will move as expected a few time and then it just jumps way over. I am sure scope is bad, but wanted an idea of how solid the barrel hinge should be.

Not that it matters but the Model is not mentioned. I have fixed several of them with 5/16 brass washers. Just sandpaper them down until they fit snug and tight. As for that Torx screw it is more or less shouldered and is already bottomed out. It also has some kind of industrial thread loc applied to it. The way I remove them is to put the rifle in padded jaws in the vise and arrange my soldering gun so the tip contacts the inside of the torx bolt and let it transfer heat for 30 minutes or so and then using a good and high quality impact torx bit and impact driver put all of your weight into the impact driver, use short quick attempts to get the bolt to move, be very careful as one slip and you are done, the bolt head will strip out and ruin your day. If this does happen use a dremel and cut a straight notch clear across the bolt head and use a large screwdriver . The secret is to really apply your weight to the impact tool and do not let it slip.
The newer rifles are now different and seem to be made to work on where as Gamo was determined with the older box store rifles that no ordinary owner would be able to disassemble the rifles. If you need parts they are available direct from Spain. Do not even ask from the Arkansas factory or distributor as they are no help at all, you can get parts direct from Spain. Takes around three weeks.
Cheers
Kit

 

[AirShot]

Just buy a quality airgun then it will shoot well without having to fix everything first and still end up with a poor performer !

 

[wrongway]

Well, I have come to the same conclusion. Thank you