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Gamo Coyote Tactical

Gamo Coyote Tactical

It’d be true to say that Spanish airgun manufacturing giants Gamo got it right with the very first roll of the dice, when they launched their first production multi-shot PCP the Coyote. Due in part to it having many features that were reminiscent of time-tested designs we’re familiar with, it’s no surprise that it quickly became popular. When I tested the original, I felt it to be one of the best value for money multi-shot PCP’s currently available! Here now is the latest incarnation – the Tactical, based on the original but now dressed in a stylish yet practical black synthetic stock, it also comes ready fitted with Gamo’s own design silencer.

A PRACTICAL TACTICAL

Anyone familiar with Gamo rifles will know they’re no newbies when it comes to the design and manufacture of synthetic stocks. They were arguably one of the first European airgun manufacturers who purposely concentrated their efforts in honing this process to the standard we now expect today. As a result, many other manufacturers have followed suit, which has resulted in the material used becoming a near industry standard, so widely accepted by the airgunning public as a practical alternative to wood.

The original Coyote, which is still available; was launched wearing practical and stylish beech sporter furniture. In that respect, the synthetic (Tactical) variant here on test couldn’t be more different as it boasts features that many airgun hunters, such as me, gravitate towards, due to its inherent handling characteristics. Equally it also bears many features found on stocks that are used on certain spring-powered models in their range.

THE BIG COMB OVER

The butt is particular striking, as it’s ambidextrous with its familiar triangular design, incorporating an elongated thumbhole behind a steep pistol grip. This is perfectly complimented for hold and scope – eye-alignment with a height-adjustable comb. The butt pad is a little different, as the black rubber has three, removable, friction-fit blocks that pass straight through. The purpose of the design is that one, or all, can be removed to suit the shooter’s preference as to recoil absorption. Hardly an issue on a near recoilless PCP, but doubtless a unique selling point that looks good in the advertising data to the less experienced. Suffice to say I left them in, as they do not really serve any serious function!

The forend is relatively lengthy, quite slim, has a rounded underside and the moulding is contoured so that it swells out towards the middle section, offering more material for your leading hand to hold. It’s also fitted with raised rubber grip panels, which contain a practical configuration of raised oval dots. These are positioned either side of the forend and pistol grip and in use really do prove their worth.

SAME OR SIMILAR?

When it comes to the action, the Tactical obviously utilises the same mechanics as the original Coyote – albeit slightly modified to be in keeping with the stock design. But more so in practicality, due to this version having an integral and very efficient moderator already fitted – but more on that later. The well-sized air gauge (manometer) still sits at the front of the air reservoir, while the fill point remains safely behind a black plastic, friction-fit front collar that protects it from the ingress of dirt and debris. Once slipped fully forward (off) you can then connect to your charging gear using the safety damped QF probe (supplied) to fill to the manufacturers recommended 232-bar. This gives approximately 70 full power shots in .177 (as per rifle on test) and 100 in .22 calibre. A cosmetic modification is seen at the rear of the air reservoir, as it has a rounded plastic end cap that neatly finishes the exposed section as it curves down to the stock, shrouding the original’s ‘blunt’ end face.

COLOUR-CODED

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As I mentioned in my previous test of the original Coyote, it uses a version of BSA’s tried and tested 10-shot, removable, self-actuating magazine. To recap: the magazines that Gamo use also now have high impact polymer inner rotors that are colour-coded as to calibre – blue .177 and red .22. Helpfully the individual chambers are numbered on the outside of the drum, so you can easily check your remaining capacity. towards the bottom left of the magazine faceplate that shows a white dot when you’ve come to your last shot. However, unlike the BSA design, it doesn’t use a retaining catch to hold it in the housing, rather the magazine is held in situ by very strong magnets. These are revealed and clearly seen at the sides of the ‘loading well’ – here two slightly protruding metal side plates help guide and ‘hold’ the magazine very securely in the left of the action block.

COCKED & LOCKED

The cocking bolt has a finger-friendly, flat-ended, teardrop shaped handle, which feels good in the hand and operates positively. Draw it back to cock the rifle and push forward to probe a pellet out of one of the 10-chambers of the modified magazine. Again a feature worth credit is the SAT2 trigger mechanism. This 2-stage adjustable unit features an in-guard manual safety blade set forward of the rather ‘nifty’ looking trigger blade. It cleanly releases shots without a hint of creep and while the nicely styled trigger blade offers a comfortable feel, the safety blade is of such a size and so positioned that it’s easily operated by the trigger finger.

The stock’s integral safety guard is now of a much more rounded design, helping give the rifle a look of hardware that’s built to help far more than hinder any operation at this area. Although the Coyote Tactical boldly bears the words ‘Made in the E.U.’ on the action block, I’m pretty certain that the 18.5” long, hammer-forged barrel is the same tube fitted to many BSA-branded air rifles.

WHISPER IT…

Now to the integral silencer, which is a unique yet familiar looking design. I say this as Gamo have previously used a very similar looking can on many of their spring guns – most often models with the word ‘Whisper’ as part or as the models full name. Gamo state the silencer utilises their own patented ‘Whisper Technology’, which uses virtually every feature a silencer can to dissipate air to help tame muzzle report on discharge. Internally, there’s a set of baffles and spacers, wrapped in sound-deadening felt, a thin, red-coloured plastic sleeve holds it all in place. It’s this splash of colour that can be seen through the three oval apertures set either side towards the end of the silencer.

Also, on the outer edge of the removable end cap are six vent holes, these help slow and dissipate air that immediately follows a pellet as it exits the barrel. All this combines superbly well in taming report and I can see no hunter having an issue with the unit, as is the case with many integral silencers fitted to certain other air rifles. I tested this ‘Whisper’ quiet multi-shot PCP with a Hawke Airmax EV 4 – 12 X 40 AO in medium mounts on the uninterrupted, deep-cut scope rails and found the .177 test rifle to be highly accurate. Setting a sensible 30yd zero and shooting rested, I was soon producing ¼” groups using any quality ammo.

CONCLUSIONS

In my test of the original Gamo Coyote I was mightily impressed at the performance it showed in all departments, not forgetting the fact it has such a pocket-friendly price tag. I say this as their Coyote Tactical is ‘price matched’ but offers so much more by way of performance. They could have easily just given us a standard and practical synthetic sporter stock but have gone the extra yard by adding features any discerning shooter appreciates on such a rifle.

Adding the highly efficient ‘Whisper Technology’ can up-front and including it in the price has to be the icing on the cake. To sum up, I’ve no hesitation in saying that the Gamo Coyote Tactical is an ideal choice for any airgun hunter looking for an all-weather, general purpose, accurate, fast-handling and quiet multi-shot PCP – and definitely one that won’t break the bank.

PRICE: RRP £399
CONTACT: BSA Guns Ltd www.bsaguns.co.uk

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  • Gamo Coyote Tactical - image {image:count}

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  • Gamo Coyote Tactical - image {image:count}

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  • Gamo Coyote Tactical - image {image:count}

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  • Gamo Coyote Tactical - image {image:count}

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  • Gamo Coyote Tactical - image {image:count}

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gun
features

  • Name: Gamo Coyote Tactical
  • Type : PCP multi-shot bolt action
  • Stock : Fully ambidextrous, height adjustable synthetic sporter stock
  • Length : 43.5”
  • Barrel : 18.5”
  • Weight : 7lb 8oz un-scoped
  • Calibre : .177 on test, 22 available
  • Trigger : 2-stage, adjustable ‘SAT2’
  • Safety : Manual
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