Best Gamo Air Rifles of 2022 – Complete Buyer’s Guide

| Last Updated:
August 8, 2023

Are you looking for the best Gamo air rifles? If so, you’re in the right place. Gamo is considered to be one of the best brands of air rifles on the market. And if you’re a fan of the brand itself, you’ll be happy to know more about the many air rifles made by Gamo that are currently on the market.

However, we’ve put together a list of five of the best ones on the market. As you look for an air rifle for your use, you’ll need to know which one fits you the best in terms of application, performance, and quality among all others.

Before we get to the list, we’ll talk about whether or not all Gamo Air Rifles are the same and we’ll also talk about why these five products we’ve selected are considered the best.

Comparison of the Best Gamo Air Rifles

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Velocity of 1250 fps.
  • Best overall Gamo Air Rifle.
  • Includes a shockproof scope.
View Latest Price →
  • Velocity is about 1300 fps.
  • Available in either .177 or .22 calibers.
  • Runner-up for the best Gamo Air Rifle.
View Latest Price →
  • Gamo 3-9x40 scope included.
  • Best Gamo Air Rifle for the money.
  • Available in either .177 and .22 caliber.
View Latest Price →
  • Includes a 3-9x40 scope.
  • Best .22 Gamo Air Rifles.
  • Made with a synthetic stock.
View Latest Price →

Are All Gamo Air Rifles The Same?

The short answer: no. To give you a better answer, not every Gamo air rifle will function or look the same. Just because they’re from the same brand doesn’t mean it will always function the same or even look the same. It will come down to some of the other factors like velocity and performance, to name a few.

Why Are These The Best?

There are a few great characteristics that make these air rifles stand out from the rest. You’ll need to know what they are so you can be able to distinguish a great option from those that are considered disappointing in performance and unreliable. Here are some characteristics that show why these are the best air rifles on the market:

They Excel at One Purpose or Another

While most air rifles are considered to be great for general purposes, some will excel at one purpose or another. For example, if you have an air rifle that has faster velocity than some others, it’s bound to have a great deal of knockdown power. So ideally, it can be used for varmint control. 

Most of Them Are Affordable

If you’re on a budget, the price tag might be the first thing to look for. So you need to invest in the most financially realistic option you can find without having to sacrifice any quality. The last thing you want to do is waste money on a rifle that will turn out to be a disappointment.

They Are Effective Against Targets

Depending on your application, the muzzle energy is quite effective. A powerful air rifle will give you a lot of knockdown power when you’re within a good distance of a squirrel or some other small critter that might be causing trouble on your property. These are better than regular rifles that use live ammo. 

Review of the Best Gamo Air Rifles

Below is a list of the five best Gamo air rifles that are currently on the market. As you look through each rifle, you’ll need to make a note of all characteristics and features. This way, if you’re looking for what could be described as your “dream rifle”, then one of these five might be a close match for you.

Now, let’s take a look at the first option on our list -- our “best overall” choice:

Best Overall:
Gamo 6110017154 Varmint Air Rifle .177 Cal

No products found.

Pros

  • Not so heavy.
  • Affordable for most budgets.
  • Excellent for varmint hunting.
  • Scope holds zero quite well after 250 rounds.
  • Accurate against targets situated from 20 yards out.

Cons

  • Scope adjustments might be a little stiff sometimes.
  • Some force might be required for breaking the barrel.
  • Accuracy can degrade after many rounds, requires a barrel cleaning.

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of recent buyers were happy with this rifle in general. They found it to be quite fast and they were able to shoot quickly and hit their targets much faster than before. Most of the users were hunting varmint and managed to ward off a lot of small invasive critters that were doing damage to their property.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This rifle is chambered in .177 rounds. This caliber, in particular, is by far one of the best when it comes to high-velocity shooting. It will travel slightly faster if not the same speed as a .22 round. Regardless, it proves itself to be an effective caliber when dealing with varmint. The knockdown power of these rounds is not to be underestimated.

Who Will Use This Most

This will be used mostly by those who consistently deal with varmint problems. If you’re one of those kinds of people, you can use this rifle to ward off any of those invasive creatures. Best of all, it can be used in a suburban setting because you won’t be able to make a lot of noise.

What Could Be Improved and Why

A possible adjustment would be to make some improvements to the scope. For example, windage and elevation adjustments should be a little more fluid than complicated. This way, it will make it easier to make on the fly adjustments if your shots appear to be too high or too far to the right.

Bottom Line

The Gamo Varmint Air Rifle will work to your advantage if you’re using it to ward off many small critters. It’s got the power, accuracy, and reliability to become one of the best rifles you’ve ever used in the war against destructive varmints.

Runner-up:
Raptor Whisper Air Rifle

No products found.

Pros

  • Super-durable construction.
  • Cocking ability is smooth and easy.
  • Superior knockdown power against varmints.
  • Super-fast shooting regardless of application.
  • Very accurate shooting from various distances.

Cons

  • Some misfirings have been reported.
  • Makes a lot of noise and may not be suitable for suburban use.
  • Scope may be out of alignment right out of the box. Adjustments may need to be made.

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of recent buyers were impressed with this rifle. They were mostly those who were looking to knock down as many invasive creatures as possible. They added that this rifle will give them a good deal of power, shoots rounds fast, and hits the target real quick. One user said that he’s impressed that an air rifle like this can do such a thing.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This rifle is available in either the .177 or .22 caliber rounds. Both can fire quite fast and have proven themselves to be effective when it comes to warding off varmints. Other than that, the cocking ability is smooth like butter. So you’ll know for a fact that reliability will be one of the best qualities of this particular model.

Who Will Use This Most

This will be an excellent choice for varmint hunters. It will also serve as a beginner’s rifle for those who have never hunted with an airsoft before. Despite being a little more powerful than most, it will give newbie users a better understanding of how these more powerful air rifles work when used safely.

What Could Be Improved and Why

A possible improvement would be to either make some adjustments to the scope or get rid of it altogether and give the user the freedom to use any rifle scope he wants. Either way, this scope has a ways to go to be considered reliable.

Bottom Line

The Raptor Whisper Air Rifle is a force to be reckoned with if you’re using it for animal control. It’s powerful, accurate, and can do some serious damage when used right. Plus, it’s built to last so you can rely on it for a long time.

Best for the Money: 
Gamo Swarm Maxxim Air Rifle

No products found.

Pros

  • Velocity is excellent.
  • Affordable for most budgets.
  • Super-reliable in most applications.
  • Scope image quality is decent.
  • No jamming issues through nearly 1000 rounds.

Cons

  • Misfirings may occur.
  • Scope may not be the most reliable.
  • Might be a little too loud for some areas.

What Recent Buyers Report

As expected, this rifle was a hit with many budget shoppers. They wanted something that would be powerful and reliable. They got their wish with the Swarm Maxxim Air Rifle. Most users were able to hit their targets from 25 to 35 yards out. Meanwhile, one user said that he uses it for general purposes. However, he said that varmints have been able to steer clear from him since he uses it from time to time against them.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This is considered a budget rifle. But it performs as if the price tag should be a little higher. At this point, you’re looking at one of the most reliable and operational air rifles on the list. It will rarely or never jam when taken care of properly. Since it also has a synthetic stock, you’ll also know for sure that it is by far one of the most durable rifles out there. No impact or abuse will be able to damage it.

Who Will Use This Most

This will be an air rifle that will work best for general purposes. But with every powerful rifle, it might be effective for varmint hunting. If you’re looking for something that will hit your targets fast and furious, then you’ll need a rifle that will make that happen. Believe it or not, a budget rifle like this one can do that.

What Could Be Improved and Why

The scope should be done away with. This will allow you to find the best scope that will work to your advantage. Most scopes that work with regular rifles will have the ability to work well with airsoft as well. So choose wisely based on what you can afford, the quality, performance, and so on.

Bottom Line

The Gamo Swarm Maxxim Air Rifle has consistently proven itself as the best rifle that most users can afford. If you want a rifle that works like a high-end type and won’t break the bank at all, then you’re going to love the Swarm Maxxim Air Rifle. Once you use it, it will be hard for you to stop.

Best .22 Gamo Air Rifle:
Gamo 611006325554 Whisper Fusion Mach 1 Air Rifle

No products found.

Pros

  • Smooth cocking action.
  • Scope quality is decent.
  • Super durable construction.
  • Best used for varmint hunting.
  • Accurate shooting at various distances.

Cons

  • Might be a little loud for suburban usage.
  • Scope may not be as reliable as expected.
  • May not be appropriate for the use of young children.

What Recent Buyers Report

A lot of users have said nothing but great things about this product. They came to the general conclusion that it was powerful, loud, and accurate, among many other descriptions. One user said that he was able to quickly knock down his varmint targets from a good 40 to 45 yards out. When using it for target practice, he got it a little farther than 50 yards.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The Mach 1 Air Rifle lives up to its name. It’s a fast shooter that has a velocity of just over 1000 fps. It shoots fast and it shoots hard. For .22 rounds, it proves itself as one of the most effective calibers to hunt small critters. Not to mention, the .22 goes a little faster than .177 in a side-by-side velocity comparison.

Who Will Use This Most

As expected, this will be a high-quality varmint rifle that will be sought after by those who want to get rid of those critters and protect their property once and for all. This will be used by those who want to be able to get a good deal of power out of a rifle and be able to knock down their targets any time and any place.

What Could Be Improved and Why

The rifle should be a little less noisy. The varmint issue doesn’t always happen outside of the suburbs. This is a safer alternative to deal with varmints without having to deal with live ammo or dangerous products that could be harmful to your health or the environment.

Bottom Line

If you’re a fan of the .22 caliber, then there’s an airsoft rifle with your name on it (well, not really). But the Gamo Whisper Mach 1 Airsoft Rifle will give you a leg up when you’re dealing with either paper targets or moving targets. With this rifle, you get a whole lot of power in your hands.

Best .177 Gamo Air Rifle:
Magnum Air Rifle

No products found.

Pros

  • Scope clarity is good.
  • Super-accurate shooting.
  • Excellent against varmints.
  • Durable and solid construction.
  • Very fast velocity; knocks down targets quickly.

Cons

  • May lose power over time.
  • Cocking might be a little difficult.
  • Might be a little loud for suburban use.

What Recent Buyers Report

Most recent buyers were happy with the rifle in general. They were able to crank out shots rather quickly and were able to hit them with consistent accuracy. One user said he was able to cock the gun smoothly and quickly. He said that he was quite impressed with how fast he was able to load it up and take a shot.

Why it Stands Out to Us

The .177 caliber is slightly smaller than .22 caliber rounds. But it still can be as effective depending on the application. In an animal control application, it’s proven to give you a good deal of knockdown power against squirrels and even raccoons. Aside from its firing ability, this rifle proved itself to take on the bumps and bangs.

Who Will Use This Most

This will be used by a lot of different people. It will be best not just for varmint hunters, but also for target hunters that use paper targets, cans, and even bottles. Even with the latter application, you can still do a serious amount of damage.

What Could Be Improved and Why

Since this rifle might run the risk of losing power over time, it might be a good idea to include an extra cartridge. So when it comes time to replace it, you’ll know for sure that you’ll retain the rifle’s firing power. Consistent power will always equal long-time reliability.

Bottom Line

The Magnum Air Rifle is by far one of the most powerful air rifles on the market. If you want something that will pack a punch and stop a varmint right in its tracks, then this is the rifle that you’ll want to have in your arsenal.

Perks of Getting a New Gamo Air Rifle

When investing in a new Gamo Air Rifle, you’ll be able to enjoy some pretty awesome perks. If you choose not to, then you’re missing out on a lot. Here are a few perks that you’ll get to enjoy:

A Safer Alternative For Animal Control

Some solutions to a consistent varmint problem are often dangerous and harmful to your health. One example is using chemicals that are designed to keep varmints away. These contain ingredients that may be harmful to your health and even the environment.

Better Than Live Ammo -- Especially in a Suburban Setting

Live ammo would never cut it in a neighborhood setting. It doesn’t matter if you’re target shooting or doing varmint control. These rifles are powerful, but they are a lot less powerful than live ammo. But make no mistake, they still can do some serious damage to your target of choice. 

Lots of Fun to Use

Whether you have a lot of targets, a lot of rounds, or both, you can be able to use these airsoft rifles for a long time. As long as you can practice gun safety, the fun will never stop. 

Conclusion

The best Gamo Air Rifle is out there. And finding one will take some time. But if you need to find one as soon as possible, then the list of five above would be a good place to start. Make sure to find one that stands out as the best in your personal opinion. You should also consider which rifle will fit your personal needs and preferences. 

Michael Lutes

Michael Lutes is the managing editor and owner at Gun Mann. He is a veteran, gun enthusiast, 3 gun competitor, and 2a advocate. Mike has a passion for innovation and education across the industry to create great content, training, and insights from the best and brightest.

Leave a Comment