Gamo Whisper Fusion

Synthetic gunstocks have been with us for some time now, and the black ‘Tactical’ option has of course become ultra trendy in today’s airgun marketplace. No one has embraced this development more than Spanish maker Gamo, and their designs have become increasingly radical over the years. The model on test here is a prime example of the art, and fully exploits the free hand afforded by moulded plastic compounds. Where thin strips of wood would create a weak point in a conventional stock, no such drawback exists where synthetics are concerned. Bold configuration is just the start though, as this Gamo Whisper Fusion offers several improvements over earlier models.

Eye Grabbing!

That full length, barrel shroud and integral silencer grab the eye from the off, and they form the basis of what Gamo term ‘Whisper Fusion Technology’. The design sees the muzzle blast pass through a multi chambered system, which should absorb and diffuse to acceptable levels. More of this in a while.

Open sights are an important inclusion on any rifle that may be taken up by beginners, and with this Gamo so keenly priced, it’s more than likely that a mix of shooters will invest in one. Fibre optic varieties are great since they guide the eyes, as they make use of all available ambient light. The rear sight is small but perfectly formed, offering a conventional notch rearsight, incorporating green fibre dots each side of the notch, and a red element for the fore-sight. It’s a spring leaf design too, with full adjustment for windage and elevation.

Decide that this highly capable rifle deserves glassware, and Gamo have that covered, with a raised scope rail complete with arrestor stud. This robust design works well but does make the sight line higher than straight machined dovetails. As with any break barrel, just take care that any scope fitted clears the breech as the barrel moves through its arc.

Handling

Cocking the Whisper Fusion is extremely easy, due in no small part to that classic Gamo synthetic breech/barrel liner arrangement. I’ve been impressed with this set-up before, and the way that breech locks up is a delight. As mentioned before, Gamo’s ‘Whisper Fusion Technology’ is here, yet despite a fairly muted muzzle report, the rather twangy, slightly harsh sounding action itself, overrides any benefits. Internal dampening, or lack of it, is the weak point of several modern Gamo’s, and it detracts from some otherwise highly impressive features.

Features such as SAT for one. Airgun manufacturers do love their acronyms, and this one stands for Smooth Action Trigger. It’s a great improvement over their old design and now features across much of the range. I really like the ultra light first stage, and whilst admittedly there’s some creep on the second stage, overall, the feel and control is wholly satisfying on a rifle in this price bracket. A manually operated safety sits inside the trigger guard incidentally, and for those interested, the Whisper Fusion can’t be de-cocked.

So what of those garish looks? Do they get in the way of proper gun handling? On the contrary. I really like that sloped fore-end, and the swell at the mid point seems to provide natural support and purchase. Undoubtedly a distinctive profile then, but whilst the fore-end looks stylish, and that shape overall is spot on, the very tip is a little too thinned, and consequently a little rough on the fingers in the aim. Nit picking maybe, but it would take little to add slightly more beef to the moulding at the manufacturing stage.

Look to the butt section and you’ll notice another technical feature - Gamo’s ‘Shock Wave Absorber’ system, with removable rubber blocks inside the pad. The idea is that these can be removed as desired, to supposedly alter the recoil. It certainly looks neat, but having spent time playing with various options, I can’t say I noticed much difference. Where the super raked pistol grip and angled fore-end are concerned though, I reckon this Whisper Fusion handles very well. Again, the option of a small thumb shelf would add nothing to the production cost, and would give an alternative to the thumbhole grip, yet the feel and handling is still well above average.

Performance

Time for the range report. My first choice of ammunition these days has to be JSB’s, by virtue of their phenomenal consistency of manufacture. I do try other brands and makes of course, yet invariably arrive at these market leading pellets. OK; not everyone wants to spend full price on lead, especially when the rifle is nearer entry level price levels; but it would hardly be a fair evaluation of potential accuracy, if I failed to try what is widely regarded to be the best ammo around.

Fair comment? I think so, yet this Gamo was none too impressed with my proven batch of Air Arms Diabolo Field; printing 1.5inch groups over the 30yd test range. That level of performance would still be fair, given the Gamo’s price tag, but as always, if satisfactory results aren’t instantly attainable, I’ll experiment with alternative pellet brands. RWS Superdomes in .22 proved a much better choice here, printing ¾ inch clusters over the same distance, and proving once again, the unpredictability of airgun barrels.

For the record, consistency with both pellet brands was superb, with 5fps and 9fps the respective 10 shot strings over the chronograph. Just stop and absorb those figures for a minute, 5fps spread when velocity output is around 560fps, and you have to conclude that that’s astonishing consistency.

To Conclude

Gamo’s Whisper Fusion is an impressive, fast handling, medium to light weighted break barrel, which is nicely balanced, and comes packed with interesting design features. Accuracy with the right pellet was impressive on test too, and all at a price that shouldn’t break the bank.

Maybe forget all the over-hyped marketing tag lines about shock wave absorbers and the like. Just see this eye catching Whisper Fusion for exactly what it is - a highly capable, highly likeable, full powered sporter, that would make a cracking beginners rifle, or general purpose hunting rifle.